Why Brussels? And where would Phil eat!? Not so long ago, while back in a dear city this March, I attended also the event of Phil Rosenthal, host of Somebody feed Phil unscripted travel series. Happy coincidence and a show I mentioned in my travel stories as inspiration a few times, including in Lisbon or Dublin. Now Brussels, next Berlin.
Continue reading “Brusssels food tour – Phil edition”
Istanbul, a world unto itself. My mind is still unpacking from this journey in Türkiye. So much to explore in this megacity of millions of people, set on two continents, that I wanted to visit since a long time. These days had Turkish food and coffee, sights as Hagia Sophia and Blue Mosque, Bosphorus cruise across the Asian side, culture and a Hamam experience.
Continue reading “Best of Istanbul / Crossing continents”
In a foggy autumn day this October at the Baltic Sea, I visited Lübeck, a Hanseatic city in Northern Germany, known also as marzipan heaven. On Breite Strasse 89, I stopped at Café Niederegger, in a beautiful building, opposite the Town Hall steps, and learned about the origins of marzipan.
Continue reading “Lübeck & Marzipan”
Once upon a time, it was Italy’s best kept secret. A rainbow of houses in Ligurian Cinque terre, literally meaning five lands. These 5 Italian cliffside villages along the Mediterranean coast from north to south are Monterosso al Mare, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola, and Riomaggiore.
Continue reading “Beautiful Cinque Terre”
This small region of Liguria in the Italian Riviera is so beautiful. With the sea in front and the mountains behind, walk near the water between colorful Santa Margherita and Portofino to admire the dramatic scenery of green hills and the magic of a blue sea.
Continue reading “Portofino & Santa Margherita Ligure”
Valencia – city of runners, of palm trees, beautiful architecture, paellas and friendly locals. Near the Mediterranean. Like Valencians, I started discovering their city from the ancient narrow alleys of the old town to imposing boulevards, from the Gothic Cathedral and Art Nouveau Mercado Central until modern City of Arts & Sciences.
Continue reading “Valencia, with a side of paella”
Maybe this sounds familiar, but the year ended with many beautiful German Weihnachtsmärkte and sparkling decorations in Berlin, as a tradition, in anticipation of Christmas. Not just like the movie.
Keep scrolling / continue reading for more.
Continue reading “Four Christmas Markets & a Palace”
All the roads lead to Rome for a reason. Lately – more was less. The walks, work, history, architecture, the beauty and all the impressive food in between. This city has it all.
Rome you experience and then write home about.
Continue reading “Walk Eat Rome”
Every trip is a story. When I say Athens I think of the ancient world, good food, the Acropolis, Greek mythology, modern Olympic Games, beginning of democracy and going on the footsteps of Greece philosophers.
Continue reading “Athens. Travel report”Writing is the geometry of the soul.
Plato
Regardless where I would travel and get to see in this big world, a few days in Romania are good 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.
Continue reading “In Cluj, Transylvania”
A book like a vacation. The author Peter Mayle and his wife moved to the South of France, and wrote with humor about their first year in Provence. In his memoir, he enjoyed the French lifestyle and explored local events, all in a delicious mix of culture and cuisine. It had me at bon appétit.
Continue reading “Book review – A year in Provence”
Similar to Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol”, the spirit of Christmas pasts in Brussels visited me – from a time when I used to be in the holiday frame of mind, unlike this year. Although is never too late.
The markets in Brussels were festive and even magical, but most important, also gourmet. After all, Belgium is the country of chocolate, waffles, bier and fries.
Continue reading “Christmas Past – Bruxelles”
The different areas of Lisbon are as a puzzle, but I remember pieces from my journey here years ago, as I celebrate the present. Across hills, stairs and elevators, I am rewarded with viewpoints, sunshine, water reflections, spring weather, many pastéis de nata, coffee breaks, as I explore the narrow streets and enjoy the city in my rhythm.
And just like that, I overdid it and I would do it again.
Continue reading “Rediscoved Lisboa”
Madrid days started with traditional churros with hot chocolate and strong coffee (cortado) at Chocolaterías San Ginés, like a Madrileño, had sunshine & tapas for lunch, and ended with ‘tinto de verano’ drink, reminding me of the summer I thought was over, with flamenco guitar in the background.
Continue reading “Tapas for lunch, flamenco for dinner”
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”
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 and sounds of the cypresses or the scented air with notes of leather.
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”
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”
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