Organic French Wine of Gaillac: The Plateau Cordais

Organic French Wine of Gaillac: The Plateau Cordais

More Wine Touring! More organic French wine that you won’t find in your bio shop!  Last year, I visited some organic vineyards in the Gaillac wine region of South-Western France. When we finally managed to see my parents in law this year, we did not 

Souvenirs from Sicily: Easy Pasta alla Norma

Souvenirs from Sicily: Easy Pasta alla Norma

Here is my version of an easy pasta alla Norma that you can cook in under 30 minutes.  My way to make my Sicily holiday last longer.  Or put it on repeat a couple days a week! A real  Sicilian classic Pasta alla Norma is 

Buying quality sustainable gifts in 2020

Buying quality sustainable gifts in 2020

With the holidays coming closer, and Germany going into another lockdown for the month of November, gift shopping has suddenly become a pleasant pastime here. Never have I thought about gifts this early. But quality sustainable gifts aren’t just restricted to the holidays. Normally, when 

Is Filicudi the hottest Sicilian Island?

Is Filicudi the hottest Sicilian Island?

Looks like we  just visited a real  a hotspot, with Filicudi the hottest Sicilian Island or at least a contender,  travel restrictions and all. This year, we were happy to realise just the one holiday, a week in Sicily. A few days after returning from 

Turkey Aegean road trip: Akyaka to Fethiye

Turkey Aegean road trip: Akyaka to Fethiye

Our Turkey Aegean  road trip continues! After a day of alternating long drives through mountainous scenery and two major archaeological sites, we decided to move  a little slower this time. We only had 100 km from the “slow city” of Akyaka to Fethiye, our next 

What I learned about face masks

What I learned about face masks

Not a stranger to the surgical  mask, the last six months have been pretty taxing in terms of extreme caution. Throughout this time, I have used medical-grade FFP3, FFP2 and surgical face masks as well as made  homemade masks. From my first feeble attempts of 

Thank You Japan Airlines! Japan Airlines refunds due to COVID-19

Thank You Japan Airlines! Japan Airlines refunds due to COVID-19

Japan Airlines refunds due to COVID-19 are, in my experience straightforward, fair and don’t take long to process.  I would like  to thank Japan Airlines for their responsible handling of the Coronavirus travel restrictions and flight cancellations. This goes to show that with so many 

Flying during the coronavirus pandemic – what can you expect?

Flying during the coronavirus pandemic – what can you expect?

Is flying during the coronavirus pandemic advisable? And if not, why on earth would I fly anyway? Well, let me tell you. While previous summers  saw me working, tending our garden and enjoying a bit of quiet, this summer kicked me in the guts real 

Coronavirus train travel in Germany  –  a critical journey

Coronavirus train travel in Germany – a critical journey

As of 15th June, we are free to travel to most countries in Europe again. I haven’t been anywhere but work since 25th of January since I returned from Jordan. Three cancelled trips later, I made my peace with the inability to travel for leisure 

A Visit to Studio Aalto, Helsinki

A Visit to Studio Aalto, Helsinki

When in Helsinki…. you can take a trip out to the islands, sweat in the sauna or… visit Studio Aalto! The entrance fee is fairly steep, so you may ask yourself: Is it worth visiting Studio Aalto? I think it is, and here is a 

Amsterdam in summer 2020:  Time to travel again

Amsterdam in summer 2020: Time to travel again

Slowly, slowly, I am dipping my toes back in the travel pool. I am going to travel to Amsterdam in summer 2020! But will it be safe and enjoyable? Hotels opened to tourists at the end of May here in Germany, the EU and Schengen 

Shopping in Izmir Kemeralti Bazaar: “Just gorgeous things, you know”

Shopping in Izmir Kemeralti Bazaar: “Just gorgeous things, you know”

Fresh off the taxi, we pause on the large Konak Meydani by the seaside, where pidgeons and a huge banner of Mustafa Kemal Ataturk dominate the scene. We’re here to do a bit of shopping in Izmir Kemeralti Bazaar. But I know exactly where I 

Travel in Germany and Coronavirus – is it safe?

Travel in Germany and Coronavirus – is it safe?

Last week, I left my home town for the first time since the end of January. Do Travel in Germany and Coronavirus go together? I ventured to Southern Germany on a long-planned business trip to find out. After a wonderful short holiday in Jordan in 

How much is a trip to Jordan?

How much is a trip to Jordan?

Jordan is a wonderful country to travel. It offers rich Middle Eastern Culture, a friendly welcoming environment and last not least one of the “New Seven wonders of the World”, the ancient city of Petra. But how much is a trip to Jordan really? To 

In the Florentine Pharmacy or: How to find a great citrus cruelty-free scent

In the Florentine Pharmacy or: How to find a great citrus cruelty-free scent

Hallo cruelty-free scent lovers and Salve, let’s do something completely different today! Let’s go shopping for cruelty-free scent! This blog is mainly about travel although the cats sometimes sneak in, but I do like to buy quality stuff every now and then, and we’re in