Travel ban, pah! Try living in existing socialism

Travel ban, pah! Try living in existing socialism

At present, our travels are grounded or on hold. There is a travel ban for many countries. Its the virus that now appears to travel faster. It shuts down travel more efficiently than we have dared to think even a month ago  in Europe. It 

Should I stay or should I go? Coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 and travel

Should I stay or should I go? Coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 and travel

This  post on Coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 and travel was initially published on 29 February and last updated on 13  March, 2020. As the situation changes nearly on the hour, and there is now (21 March 2020) an almost world-wide travel ban, I have decided to stop 

In the German Pharmacy: Cruelty-free German cosmetics

In the German Pharmacy: Cruelty-free German cosmetics

I’m taking a break from travel! Only a short one, and nothing coronavirus -related (yet).  I still hope to stick to all my travel plans, applying my watchful waiting policy to travel-related things. I occasionally write about subjects loosely related with travel, which err on 

Hand Sanitizer alternatives or: Lifesavers in your cupboard?

Hand Sanitizer alternatives or: Lifesavers in your cupboard?

As the general anxiety around coronavirus is spreading and face masks of all kinds and hand disinfection is nowhere to be had, it is hard not to fall into a panic. Maybe breathe. And consider how you can be well prepared. So, let’s look at 

What’s in my Travel Medical Kit?

What’s in my Travel Medical Kit?

After lots of general and cultural travel posts, you may have noticed some more healthy travel posts creeping up –  and there may be more in the future. This one is on composing your travel medical kit! There are a lot of posts on the 

Review: Pera Palace Hotel , Istanbul

Review: Pera Palace Hotel , Istanbul

It took several weeks of umm-ing and ahh-ing  to finally  steer away from our usual accommodation budget and to book  the Pera Palace Hotel. As much as holidays sometimes means to stretch out on huge comfy beds with the whitest, softest linen and sleeping in 

Where to go in Greece if you love animals

Where to go in Greece if you love animals

Some  destination in Greece are more suitable for animal lovers than others. This post is about  Where to go in Greece if you love animals. However, some of the information on this site applies to most travel destinations. Having travelled to Greece quite a few 

My decade of travel in pictures

My decade of travel in pictures

Hallo and Happy New Year to you! May 2020 bring you health, happiness and prosperity! How was your start into 2020? And have you thought about your decade of travel? Honestly, I am kind of glad it’s over now. Too much reflection can be a 

An Ode to the Atlanta Hotel Restaurant

An Ode to the Atlanta Hotel Restaurant

The Atlanta Hotel is a special case. So, after writing my ode about that one, I felt serving up a huge extra portion about the equally special  restaurant in the same post would be a bit too much. Especially since I appear to have eaten 

My 2019 Travel Review

My 2019 Travel Review

The end of the year is near. Time for my 2019 travel review, a year full of work and a moderate amount of travelling within the limits of three jobs. However… we Germans are lucky to get a generous annual leave allowance, so I have 

What to buy in Turkey

What to buy in Turkey

Shopping in Turkey is a dream – if you know where to look. Here are my tips on what to buy in Turkey.  Four years ago, I spent two days in Istanbul and came home laden with spices and home wares, so with the festive 

Where to buy Marimekko Fabric in Helsinki

Where to buy Marimekko Fabric in Helsinki

Can you buy Marimekko fabric at good prices in Finland? Let’s continue on the great fabric quest, shall we? When you visit Finland, even fleetingly, you think of Marimekko, a design brand of great longevity and perpetual good taste. Marimekko – a Finnish Design Company 

Visiting the amazing State Hermitage Museum St. Petersburg – Do’s and Don’ts

Visiting the amazing State Hermitage Museum St. Petersburg – Do’s and Don’ts

When in St. Petersburg…  the State Hermitage Museum is probably on most visitors itineraries unless their time in the city is extremely limited. One of the largest publicly accessible palace complexes in the world, the Winter Palace and its annexes house an amazing collection of 

Fabric Shopping in Tallinn and St. Petersburg: Looking for Linen and finding Silk

Fabric Shopping in Tallinn and St. Petersburg: Looking for Linen and finding Silk

This almost sounds like it’s too good to be true, right? The Baltic States, Belarus and Russia are linen producers and well known for good quality linen. So, it made sense on my recent trip to St. Petersburg and Tallinn to increase the stash –  

Classical Music in St Petersburg: How to find  hidden treasures

Classical Music in St Petersburg: How to find hidden treasures

Russia and the former Soviet Union have an excellent reputation for classical music and dance performances. And when visiting St Petersburg, the Mariinsky (formerly Kirov) Theatre will spring to mind. It is the most famous theatre in St Petersburg – and also the most expensive.