Regardless where I would travel and get to see in this big world, a few days in Romania seem like a therapy for the soul. My roots and cultural identity are in this corner of Europe. My last trip home was in the heart of Transylvania, in Cluj-Napoca, also known simply as Cluj until 1974 and still now, in everyday life.
Continue reading “Cluj. Transylvania short story”
This December in Bucharest, I went for a walk in the city center and came across spectacular Christmas decorations in two historical restored buildings. One new favorite sight was discovered by accident and the second one on purpose.
My first stop was the Marmorosch Hotel, monument building with a history of over 100 years. And at Mița Biciclista we can admire a restored house from the interwar period, back in vogue.
Continue reading “Before Christmas in Bucharest”
Here we go again. This May, I spend a few days in Sweden and have been on a diet with cardamon buns and good coffee, with ABBA songs in my head. Honey honey! A friend reunion, museum visits, time in nature, plus a ferry between the 14 islands that make up the city of Stockholm.
Continue reading “Stockholm reunion ~ Art & Fika”
Briefing from the European capital – a promenade bruxelloise and Belgian days, years later, on memory lane, thinking in French. I could walk for hours in Bruxelles, among paths imprinted in my heart, in a city that felt like home from day one. Beautiful corners in places I’ve been with details I’ve never noticed, and moments I remember.
And a thought – no matter the choice, if we leave or return, we’ll always miss something.
Continue reading “Brussels briefing”
Something new, an old town and blue sky. Plus Apfelwein, handkäse, and why not, schnitzel with Frankfurt green sauce. Few of my notes during a spring day on Frankfurt am Main are below. Some call it Mainhatten for a reason, since is an international hub in Europe and the only city in Germany with skyscrapers, but for me will always be the city of books.
Continue reading “Something new in Frankfurt”
Madrid is a city I wanted to visit before the pandemic. Was a journey that took me by surprise – with a mix of Brussels friendship, Flamenco, Passeo de Prado Art Walk, coffee and tapas in Mercados, sunsets, Spanish history and busy streets, as a preview of the days to come.
Continue reading “‘De Madrid al cielo’ mix”
Revisited a dear place. August 2021. The Old meets the New in Vienna. Always a pleasure to return to this wonderful city, with something new to discover.
Vienna Museum Quarter (MQ) has a new rooftop and platform, Libelle MQ, at the top of the Leopold Museum.
Continue reading “Moments in Vienna – 2021”
Sticky post
Tuscany is so beautiful, it has to be seen to be believed. The city of Florence is known for its overwhelming art galleries and Michelangelo Renaissance sculptures in marble, but still, I was struck by the colors of vineyards, sounds of the cypresses or the scented air with notes of leather and amber.
Continue reading “Journey to Firenze, Toscana”
Best things to do in Italy all involve food. Bologna is at the center of Emilia-Romagna region, famous for Parmigiano-Reggiano and Prosciutto di Palma, but also aceto balsamico di Modena and much more. And to think I associated in the past the city only with pasta sauce and the Bologna university system, home of Europe oldest university.
Continue reading “Taste of Bologna”
Berlin is not short of ways to enjoy the warmer months, in both Spring and Summer. Oldest beer garden and open air cinema. Museum and galleries, lakes and rooftops, bookshops and icecream.
Continue reading “Enjoy Berlin”
Potsdam is a one day trip from Berlin, and is a city that invited exploration as it has 17 palaces spread across 3 parks from a Prussian royal heritage. The National Parks and palaces complex are today an UNESCO World site and a mix of styles with gardens inspired from many parts of the world – Greece, Italy, France or ancient Asia.
Continue reading “Potsdam – Palaces & Parks”
Kreuzberg and Neukölln neighborhoods were like a puzzle. 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”
There is something about 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”
Going East to start the party. Friedrichshain is an eclectic mix of alternative places, vibrant street art, pieces of Berlin history and lively squares. Is the place of the iconic East Side Gallery, the destination for techno club culture, but also the home to many Berliners and filming location for the Queen’s Gambit.
Continue reading “Berlin Friedrichshain”
Exploring the old Berlin in Charlottenburg, from Sophia Charlotte of Hanover. In this part of former West Berlin located near Tiergarden park, you can combine Palace or museum visits with shopping and alternative places.
Continue reading “West Berlin & Charlottenburg”
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”
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”
Munich is beautiful, dynamic, voted several times as the most livable city in the world. Home of Oktoberfest and Bayern München team, the Bavarian capital is traditional, yet hip – a winning combination in my books.
Continue reading “Munich – Coffee meets Fashion”
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