Conques Abbey: Romanesque, Romantic and Starkly Modern

Conques Abbey: Romanesque, Romantic and Starkly Modern

Summer 2020… we went on a somewhat different holiday. Conques Abbey was a station of our little road trips to get to know Occitaine  a little better. We had not seen my in-laws for nearly a year, and as soon as travelling rules were relaxed 

A Turkish Hamam Visit – the Authentic and the Touristy

A Turkish Hamam Visit – the Authentic and the Touristy

What can you expect from a Turkish Hamam visit? Have you ever wondered, but not quite dared to visit one? Well… Turkey, and  Istanbul in particular,  is a perfect place for a first-time Turkish hamam visit. What kind of hamam to visit? Only one piece 

Flying Aeroflot: What is it like?

Flying Aeroflot: What is it like?

Update 26. February 2022 +++ Do not travel On 24 February, Russian troops invaded Ukraine and started an unprovoked war. I therefore advise you not to visit Russia and/or use Aeroflot while this war is going on. With further sanctions against Russia looming, you may 

Hotel Review: M-Hotel St. Petersburg, Russia – the perfect mid-range sightseeing hotel

Hotel Review: M-Hotel St. Petersburg, Russia – the perfect mid-range sightseeing hotel

Update 26. February 2022 +++ Do not travel On 24 February, Russian troops invaded Ukraine and started an unprovoked war. I therefore advise you not to visit Russia while this war is going on. With further sanctions against Russia looming, you may be unable to 

My Visa-free Russia Trip

My Visa-free Russia Trip

Now that I have returned from Russia, I cannot wait to give you the full report on my visa-free Russia trip! I booked this a few months ago when I figured out I can visit Russia without a visa, if only for a relatively short 

What to buy in St Petersburg, Russia

What to buy in St Petersburg, Russia

Update 26. February 2022 +++ Do not travel On 24 February, Russian troops invaded Ukraine and started an unprovoked war. I therefore advise you not to visit Russia while this war is going on. With further sanctions against Russia looming, you may be unable to 

My optimistic 2022 Travel Plans

My optimistic 2022 Travel Plans

Just finished a glorious rehash of the previous year, and already off to make 2022 travel plans… well, not quite! We are going through an Omikron Surge right now in Germany, Berlin, where I work, has a seven-day incidence of about 1000 infections per 100.000, 

Se a vida é: My “small but lovely”  2021 travel review

Se a vida é: My “small but lovely” 2021 travel review

Happy New Year to you! I hope you entered the new year being well, healthy , optimistic and full of travel plans! The 2021 travel review is long overdue. As I sit down here at home to write this, I am looking back on one 

Which Airline  in Turkey is better – Pegasus or Turkish Airlines?

Which Airline in Turkey is better – Pegasus or Turkish Airlines?

We recently flew on airlines which both get consistently poor reviews on Skytrax.  At the time of writing, Pegasus gets 3 stars (low cost) and Turkish Airlines gets 3 stars also (full service). But does the experience fit the reputation?  Whether Pegasus or Turkish Airlines 

How to travel through Berlin Brandenburg Airport stress-free

How to travel through Berlin Brandenburg Airport stress-free

In light of recent events, my little guide on how negotiating the Berlin Brandenburg Airport stress-free. With your nerves and purse intact. The autumn holidays have started in Berlin, and for the first time since its opening, the Berlin Brandenburg Airport (BER) sees anything near 

Berlin Brandenburg Airport (BER) – the worst new airport?

Berlin Brandenburg Airport (BER) – the worst new airport?

A few weeks ago, I was excited to travel again.  Also, I would fly from the new Berlin Brandenburg Airport (BER) for the very first time. Berlin Brandenburg Airport is the airport that we have waited for nearly ten years. Which, when it was finally 

Easy Bread baking for busy people

Easy Bread baking for busy people

Here’s my way of bread baking for busy people. From someone with minimal baking experience and a busy job. If I can do it, then can you. If there is one thing this year that changed my life in a lasting way, it was to 

Great Cruelty-free French Pharmacy Brands: Aromatherapy issue

Great Cruelty-free French Pharmacy Brands: Aromatherapy issue

Another trip to France happened last summer and of course, I had to stock up on cruelty-free French Pharmacy brands. After two false starts and cancellations, we  managed to visit my parents-in-law in September. Apart from a very brief pharmacy visit for ten minutes before 

The 5 best notebooks for your travel journal

The 5 best notebooks for your travel journal

Do you  keep a travel journal?  What are the best notebooks for your travel journal?    Or are they a thing of the past, now the cheapest smarthone has camera and video function?  Call me old-fashioned, but I have always loved to write my travel 

Bringing Big Aria home or: My Spanish cat adoption No. 3

Bringing Big Aria home or: My Spanish cat adoption No. 3

Happy International Cat Day! Last not least, after adopting our sweet Siamese Leia from Barcelona and our Moody Maite from Andalucia, here is the story of  my Spanish cat adoption No. 3,  a huge Siamese-tortie mix called Aria. First, a disclaimer: I know Barcelona is