Kreuzberg and Neukölln neighborhoods were like a puzzle. East-meets-West aesthetics. Unconventional, different, yet still Berlin. Contrasting parts of the city, most tolerant, and in the same time, surprisingly traditional, both part of former West Berlin.
Continue reading “Kreuzkölln in Berlin”
Most photogenic city in Europe must be Amsterdam. This Dutch city is pretty at every corner with the picture perfect charming houses, over 1000 bridges bridges for 165 canals and world-class museums. I was lucky that I visited the cozy city 4 times during the years I lived in Brussels, so I wrote down from my journal 4 memories.
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There is something about European train stations and time. The most beautiful train station I ever saw with magnificent details was in Antwerp. The classic central station was first used in 1905 (yes, really). The city, known as Anvers by French speakers, is one I feel connected by many memories, and must be the third most visited Belgian city in the years I lived in this country, after Brussels and Bruges.
Continue reading “Antwerpen Central Station”
♾️ Modern Art inspired from Romanian folklore and traditions and carved in wood, sandstone and later bronze or marble. From Târgu-Jiu and Bucharest to Paris, via Munich until New York. Every year, on the 19th of February, a tribute is paid to honor the memory of genius artist Constantin Brâncuși, pioneer of abstract sculpture. But the Brâncuși Week starts today.
Continue reading “Brâncuși Week & an Infinite Column”
City of Mozart, Marzipan combined with pistachio, covered in dark chocolate, or Sound of Music and Christmas markets? Besides Vienna, Austria has more beautiful cities, and Salzburg is one hidden treasure. Dream now, visit later.
Continue reading “A day in Salzburg”
Going East to start the party. Friedrichshain is an eclectic mix of alternative places, street art, pieces of Berlin history and lively squares. A little rough around the edges. The place of the iconic East Side Gallery, the destination for techno club culture, but also home to Berliners and filming location for the Queen’s Gambit.
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Exploring the old Berlin in Charlottenburg. A walk in this area is like a return to the Belle Epoque period. Is both cool and stylish part of former West Berlin, located near Tiergarden park, you can combine Palace or museum visits with vintage shopping.
Continue reading “West Berlin & Charlottenburg”
We measure something so abstract as time in days, months and years as is easier for us to shape it. Time moves differently for everyone. 2020 was no ordinary “year”, not in perception or in facts. So I was reflecting and looked back.
Continue reading “A Year In The Life”
Heading West today to Timișoara, the 3rd largest city of Romania. Still left to explore in this part of the country. Near the borders with Serbia and Hungary, Timisoara is beautiful and full of surprises. For generations, Romanians have lives here alongside Serbs, Germans, Croats or Hungarians. The city was chosen as the 2023 European Capital of culture and is truly a touristic destination.
Continue reading “Amazing Timișoara in 24 Hours”
Once upon a time, I acknowledged the beauty of the European continent. When in Estonia for a summer school, we took the ferry from Tallinn to Helsinki with “Viking line”, because is “only two hours away”. Yes! I learned a Finish untranslatable word – “sisu”, that might be the definition of happiness. And the Scandinavian habit “friluftsliv”, useful now, in pandemic times.
Continue reading “Helsinki ~ White Night”
While sitting in the train from Berlin to Potsdam, I started writing about my last trip to Düsseldorf. Even though “dorf” means village in German, Düsseldorf is such an interesting dinamic city today. I visited it in for a reunion in summer and by myself in autumn. And two time in winter, for the Christmas market, as we have to admit the holidays are the only best part during the cold months.
Continue reading “4 things to do in Düsseldorf”
In a rainy October weekend, I attended the Lithuanian Film festival in Berlin, while mixing it with memories from a trip in the heart of Vilnius years ago. I started thinking of special friendships and remembered the Constitution of the “Republic” of Užupis, that claims “everyone has the right to make mistakes”.
Continue reading “Vilnius goes Berlin”
In Warsaw I traveled only for work many times. And the memories are a puzzle, while the seasons are changing. Summer after work on the main street Novi Świat or an autumn night, accidentally attending a Chopin piano concert in a bookstore. A winter morning, in a taxi seeing the city covered with snow or in spring at food market Hala Koszyki. Warszawa reminded me of Bucharest, that made me a bit melancholic. Polish language is also very different, but some sounds are familiar. I felt as I traveled in time.
Continue reading “Chopin’s Warsaw”
In an early Friday morning I am at the Brussels Midi train station, about to board the Eurostar and go to London for an extended weekend. My first time traveling with the Eurostar train. And I am looking around, listening to people speak French or English with a superb accent, thinking how lucky I am and how cool is Europe!
Continue reading “Destination: London”
Berlin has “Unter den Linden” and the central historical boulevard feels as an old postcard. The name comes from the linden trees that lined the boulevard. From the Brandenburg Gate until the Museum Island and Berliner Dom, passing by the Komische Oper, Neue Wache, Bebelplatz, Staatsoper, and soon, Humboldt Forum (reconstructed Berlin Palace).
Continue reading “Staatsoper Unter den Linden”
From different cities there are moments, people and places that stay with us. When I think of Oslo, I remember first the Opera House. I never saw till this day a more impressive modern Opera. I haven’t been to Sydney yet, and the Copenhagen Opera is also contemporary. But I dare to say this one in Oslo is one of a kind.
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One thing I do well is to exaggerate. The previous weekend diary included many galleries, museums, a lot of coffee stops and masks thanks to a duo: 9th edition of Berlin Art Week and Galleries Weekend. This if we don’t count also the 11th Berlin Biennale for contemporary art, and all lighted up together by the Festival of Lights. I like Septembers.
Continue reading “Art Walk Berlin”
September. Movies. Bella Italia. From today until the 12th of September, the 77th edition of the Biennale Cinema di Venezia will be held. The Venice Film Festival is promoting international cinema in all forms “as art, entertainment and as an industry.”
Continue reading “Venice – La Biennale”
Travel Journal 