How to transfer in comfort at Istanbul Sabiha Gokcen Airport

How to transfer in comfort at Istanbul Sabiha Gokcen Airport

Have you ever transferred through Istanbul Sabiha Gokcen Airport (IATA Code: SAW) ? If so, how did you find it?  If you are heading from Europe to destinations in the Middle East and Asia on a budget,  you may inevitably pass through it at some 

The honest Diary of a new Scuba Diver

The honest Diary of a new Scuba Diver

You may wonder, what does a new scuba diver have to say, other than… “just do it!” Well, if it’s no more than that, and if this post just encourages one other person to take up diving, I will be happy. The sea has always 

Artificial Intelligence and Blogging or: The bot  went to Ravenna and came back with the ultimate scrumptious word salad

Artificial Intelligence and Blogging or: The bot went to Ravenna and came back with the ultimate scrumptious word salad

The first time I heard of Artificial Intelligence (AI)  and Machine Learning was a while ago. I think when I watched Stanley Kubrick’s “2001” for the first time, I got a better grip on its implications – not in a nice way as those who 

Fabric Shopping in Bursa: From gorgeous silk to beautiful cheap cotton

Fabric Shopping in Bursa: From gorgeous silk to beautiful cheap cotton

As far as I can see, there is no blog post on fabric shopping in Bursa yet – but if you are a sewist and find yourself in Istanbul or the Marmara region, I highly recommend a trip out to Bursa. Bursa is well worth 

Seven Ways to enjoy Venice stress-free and within budget

Seven Ways to enjoy Venice stress-free and within budget

Venice, Italy is one of the worlds top destinations – and for some, one of the most disappointing. Crowds except in winter, sky high prices, scams, generally poor restaurants… some might as, is it worth even going there? Here’s my list of tips to enjoy 

Night Trains in Uzbekistan – sustainable, safe and fun

Night Trains in Uzbekistan – sustainable, safe and fun

Last year, I planned to take several night trains in Uzbekistan.   I wanted to maximise sightseeing time and since I don’t like flying, I booked  four longer journeys by train. The first two journeys on night trains in Uzbekistan would take me from Tashkent to 

Urgut Market – the best place for Suzani shopping in Uzbekistan?

Urgut Market – the best place for Suzani shopping in Uzbekistan?

Oh, the fabled Urgut Market. For years, I read internet forums and  guide books, wishing to visit this bazaar south of Samarkand. This time, I was going to visit Urgut Market, and please, if you are interested in textiles, let me share my Sunday shopping 

Learning to dive as an Older Diver is cool!

Learning to dive as an Older Diver is cool!

Why I was waiting until I was an “older diver”?  I love the water, love to snorkel.  But I  have never had the guts to learn to scuba dive. I was  thinking it is for the fit, for those with regular access to tropical waters 

Holiday Golightly’s Gift Guide 2022 or: give the gift of travel!

Holiday Golightly’s Gift Guide 2022 or: give the gift of travel!

Here it comes, the season to… shop and shop, and the publication of endless gift guides on the internets. And, with just a tiny bit of delay, but ready for the (s)hopping madness here in Europe comes Holiday Golightly’s Gift Guide 2022. In 2019, I 

How to  book train tickets in Uzbekistan

How to book train tickets in Uzbekistan

Due to f ew people asking if you need an agent, this post guides you how to book train tickets in Uzbekistan. I just booked myself three journeys by train in Uzbekistan quite easily through the Uzbekistan train booking website and it couldn’t have been 

Great travel on a budget in economic uncertainty

Great travel on a budget in economic uncertainty

Here in Central Europe, we are good at doom and gloom after nearly three years of pandemic and nearly a year of war at our doorstep.  Not to mention other conflicts not so far from us – Israel-Palestine, various environmental disasters, and now… if media 

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 

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 

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