Before the Sunset in Estoril
‘Nostalgia for what never was, eternal sunset of what we are’, and the beauty of this world. Memorable sunset at the Atlantic Ocean in Portugal, powered by the Sun and the words of Lisbon’s poet Fernando Pessoa.
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Berliner Philharmonie
The joy to discover the musical diversity in Berlin. This January I finally attended a concert at Philharmonie in KulturForum, that turned out to be a celebration of European friendship. And during Schubert Week at Pierre Boulez Saal, the conductor Thomas Hampson wished us to enjoy the music, because after all, we are in Berlin, one of the most incredible cities in the world.
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Fragments of Bucharest & of 2021
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.
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Winter in Luxembourg
Thoughts from the road, in a December, after exploring the Christmas markers of 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 feels.
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Tapas for lunch, flamenco for dinner
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.
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‘De Madrid al cielo’ mix
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.
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Bruxelles ~ Art Nouveau & Art Deco Marathon
October flashbacks, as one fall in Brussels was unforgettable because was all about Art Nouveau. Inoubliable. And very Bruxelloise! 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?
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Moments in Vienna – 2021
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.
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Sticky post
Journey to Firenze, Toscana
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.
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Taste of Bologna
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.
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Enjoy Berlin
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.
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Bonsoir Printemps, Strasbourg
Voilà. I went last time to Strasbourg in a warm weekend in February that made me think Spring is on its way. I remember walking on a street called Rue de Printemps (Spring) near the European Parliament. There is something romantic walking in any French city street, but especially one with the name of a season.
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Potsdam – Palaces & Parks
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.
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Kreuzkölln in Berlin
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.
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I Amsterdam
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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Antwerpen Central Station
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.
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Brâncuși Week & The Endless Column
Art inspired from Romanian mythology 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 modern sculpture. But the Brâncuși Week starts today.
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A day in Salzburg
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.
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Travel Journal 