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 

Buying a Caucasian Carpet 101

Buying a Caucasian Carpet 101

When you travel with a backpack and a limited amount of cash, buying a carpet it probably not very high on your list. Of course not! And neither may be shopping. But then, we are past the age of thirty, we have a home that 

A Love Letter to Yerevan

A Love Letter to Yerevan

Would you have thought that Yerevan is a green relaxed city? I wouldn’t. A trip to Armenia didn’t really appear on my radar until I made plans to visit Georgia. And I thought it would be nice to see the some ancient Armenian monasteries dotted 

Only mad dogs do Florence in July?

Only mad dogs do Florence in July?

Ooooh yes, dear friends, me, who’ll waffle on endlessly about preferring independent travel without crowds, is going to Florence for a weekend in July. It sounds a bit bonkers. Especially since I always try to take my holidays outside main season and school holidays. But then 

New Year, New Travel – what will 2018 have in store?

New Year, New Travel – what will 2018 have in store?

Yeah yeah, typical, writing this thing about travel plans when half the year is almost over. And I have no excuse. Does this happen to you, when your plans, great and totally practicable in January, become a bit woozy in February, then change again later, 

Eleven Alternative Reasons to Visit Georgia 

Eleven Alternative Reasons to Visit Georgia 

We returned from a (unusual for me) Easter Holiday… ummm, over six weeks ago.  We even celebrated Easter twice.  Once in Armenia – a country that is so special that it has its own church and a quarter of the Church of the Holy Sepulchre 

Haiku No. 5

Haiku No. 5

It’s been 5 months since I last posted Haiku, and 1 month since I last posted anything here. I am so sorry! This is not how I planned it. I returned form Armenia and Georgia with a notebook and a card full of pictures. Every 

Our Jet Set Kitty: An International Pet Adoption

Our Jet Set Kitty: An International Pet Adoption

Since May 2017, we have a Siamese-mix cat whom we adopted from Spain. Here’s our personal story of our pet adoption/ Why adopt? And why adopt from abroad? Our planet has no shortage of cats.  Due to the lax neutering attitude of many people, cats 

Taking the Waters in Budapest

Taking the Waters in Budapest

Is a winter trip to Budapest a good idea? It can be pretty cold, and due to its easterly location it gets dark early.  But flights to Budapest and hotels cost a lot less than in the summer.  Restaurants and attractions are open all year,