Author: Anja

Local Yokel on a Day Trip: A Countryside German Christmas Market

Local Yokel on a Day Trip: A Countryside German Christmas Market

Good Evening! The Second Sunday of Advent has been upon us, and it’s not christmassling here in the normally infectiously festive House of Golightly. Will a German Christmas Market create instant seasonal cheer? All we have in terms of Christmas decoration are some rather dim 

The Easy Route into Albania

The Easy Route into Albania

This autumn, we fancied a bit of sun, good food and culture for little money. Would we find it in Greece again? Looking at the cheapest available flights for the last week of November, we found flights to Corfu, Venice and Bari for around 100EURO. 

A Day Trip to Tzfat

A Day Trip to Tzfat

Tzfat, a small town in the hills above the Sea of Galilee, is mostly known to be a centre of Kabbalah. Not so much the Western esoteric type practiced by well-known celebrities, but more Jewish mysticism that emerged from the 15th Century onwards in Ottoman 

Riding the Chisinau to Odessa Train

Riding the Chisinau to Odessa Train

After producing a lengthy account on the vintage train journey that is the Bucharest-Chisinau sleeper train, this one on the train to Odessa will be much shorter. Trainspotters: there is not a lot to see here! But wait until you get to Odessa! The geeky 

The Chisinau to Bucharest Prietina Express: A classic railway journey

The Chisinau to Bucharest Prietina Express: A classic railway journey

Classic Railway journeys are usually associated with breathtaking scenery, steam engines, white table clothes and uniformed stewards. When you ride the Prietina Express, you find nothing like this, yes it is a classic –  you get to a vintage Soviet train, and sleep in compartments 

Music, Wine and Beton Brut – at least three reasons to visit Moldova

Music, Wine and Beton Brut – at least three reasons to visit Moldova

“I am only here because Moldova is my last country in Europe to visit” my new acquaintance whispered to at the Ballet in Chisinau just before curtains went up. “Really?” I wondered, as the opening rhythms of ‘Spartacus’ thundered from the orchestra pit. “Should  Moldova 

Hotel Review: Hotel Albert 1er, Toulouse: simply perfect

Hotel Review: Hotel Albert 1er, Toulouse: simply perfect

I don’t know much of France, but I’ve visited enough cities to say that Toulouse must be one of the great underrated cities of France. It has a pretty centre, beautiful architecture, nice restaurants, classy shopping – who would not want to go there? It 

Yerevan to Tatev and back in a Day’s Journey

Yerevan to Tatev and back in a Day’s Journey

When you travel to Armenia, you will undoubtledly be offered a tour of the Country.  But will you really need one to see the noteworthy sights, or are Armenia tours something for those who like their trips super organised? And what about Tatev, pretty much 

Shopping in Florence: Souvenirs you will actually love

Shopping in Florence: Souvenirs you will actually love

When I recently visited Florence, I had 48 hours, a friends reunion, and travelled with a day pack. Did I have time and room for souvenirs? Oh, yes, of course! Shopping in Florence, or shopping in general, is always part of my travels. As I 

The Pillars of Hercules: Easy trips from Gibraltar

The Pillars of Hercules: Easy trips from Gibraltar

Would you think of Gibraltar as a to-go place to learn sailing in the sun? Perhaps, if you are from the UK but otherwise? Croatia, Turkey, Portugal and Spain all spring to mind for super nearly all-year round sailing holidays, but Gibraltar? Well, deeply entrenched 

Hotel Review Marble House, Athens: perfect for an autumn culture break

Hotel Review Marble House, Athens: perfect for an autumn culture break

Last October, I went to Athens to catch a bit of sun. We spent three days in Athens and three days on Aegina Island. In Athens, we stayed at the Marble House Hotel. We could not have wished for a better hotel: quiet, friendly, individual, and 

Arriving in Berlin by Air: An Easy Berlin Airport Guide

Arriving in Berlin by Air: An Easy Berlin Airport Guide

Berlin is currently the third most popular European city trip, after London and Paris. But its airports are still firmly stuck in the 1980’s. Sure, there is a what was a state-of-the-art airport in 2010 waiting to be put into service, but until then (2020? 

Florence: 10 bites of advice from the mad dog

Florence: 10 bites of advice from the mad dog

Yes, yes, listicles are so great, and lovely for SEO. So I am going to write one, too. It’s not gonna be great, but I promise it will be an easy read.  It might provide you with some useful inspiration about what to do and 

European Union Cat Adoption Part Deux

European Union Cat Adoption Part Deux

  We have another cat! It was a long time in the making, but we were apprehensive having two cats in a rented place. But you only live once, and there are so many shelter kitties that really belong to a furrever home So, here’s 

Haiku No.6

Haiku No.6

Look at me always I’m famous, or perhaps not forever etched in stone   We started high summer  with a blast with three very hot days in Florence. The heatwave continued right until now, with extreme heat, a full work schedule and no end in