This year had everything, good memories, challenges, lessons, new variants, depending on your frame of mind. I’m grateful that after a long time, I was able to travel to Vienna, go on a journey in Tuscany, attend a concert in Berlin, to enjoy a meal at a restaurant in Bologna, meet friends in Madrid or visit a museum in Bucharest. Spending some time in 2021 …

Thoughts from the road, in a December, after exploring the small Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, zigzagging alleys, and a familiar mix of French and German culture. The more I explore, the more familiar a place and the world feel. Also, the more I write, the easier it is and the lighter I feel.

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.

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, tapas in Mercados, sunsets, Spanish history and busy streets, as a preview of the days to come.

October flashbacks, as one fall in Brussels was unforgettable because was all about Art Nouveau. Inoubliable. Made many notes and photos so I don’t forget. Art Nouveau and Art Deco Biennale was a celebration of Architecture and design variety of buildings in Brussels. Where to begin?

Revisited a dear place. August. The Old meets the New in Vienna. Always a pleasure to return to this wonderful city, with something new to discover. Vienna Museum Quarter has a new rooftop bar and platform, Libelle MQ, at the top of the Leopold Museum.

Typical breakfast is cornetto, sometimes filled with cream, eaten while standing at the bar next to a cappuccino. When it comes to shopping, Milan is a fashion capital, but “Made in Italy” has roots in Florence.