In 2025 I will start with the refreshments. 🙂 It was a cold October morning and I have been driving for 2 hours to have my weekend trip. We parked right below the main square. Lille is one of those cities where you can still arrive to city center by car – although partially and then it brings you to the underground garage. If you … Continue reading Lille, France
Traveling through Burgundy in May, I passed by so many green hills decorated with cows and wheat fields. These will forever be my associations with this French region. After all, beef bourguignon is a go-to dish: a French stew of beef braised in red burgundy wine. And yes, Tiffany, I know I’ve accidentally taken a photo of sheeps next to millions of cows around. Before … Continue reading Burgundy along the route 🇫🇷 Alesia & Flavigny-sur-Ozeraine
Technically, or administratively, the city belongs to the state of Bavaria but truly there is nothing about Lederhosen, Weißwurst, Bier and Biergartens. Würzburg, the wine capital of Franconia in the northwestern tip of Bavaria, will show you that there’s more to life than beer and sausage. The dialect is different, the choice of sausage is Bratwurst and here you’ll find endless rows of vineyards and … Continue reading Exploring the Franconian wine capital of Bavaria: Würzburg, Germany
Avignon is a city on the Rhône river in the south of France. It is surrounded by walls of Avignon (French: Les Remparts d’Avignon) – a series of defensive stone walls that were originally built in the 14th century during the Avignon papacy and have been continually rebuilt and repaired throughout their subsequent history. We entered through Porte Saint-Michel. The 14 century entrance to the city. At the first glance, … Continue reading A-a-avignon, France
Vivid green pesto, great wine and fabulous walks … Genoa is a city of indulgence. Driving in the city, noticing it’s fabulous big secession buildings it reminded me of the importance of Italy: banks, trades, imports of goods and businesses… Genoa was a medieval rival to Venice. It’s not been primped for tourists like Venice, though. Genoa was a shipbuilding centre and is a working city. … Continue reading Genoa, Italy
Enna or as the Sicilians would say Castrugiuvanni; is a city located roughly at the center of Sicily, towering above the surrounding countryside. It has earned the nicknames belvedere (panoramic viewpoint) and ombelico (“navel”) of Sicily. At 931m above sea level, Enna is the highest Italian provincial capital. To arrive there is not a piece of cake. Passing the two viaducts Morello and Enna from 1975 that are just about to crash on … Continue reading Enna
From its dramatic natural surroundings to its historic churches, Sicily has something to offer every traveler. The island of Sicily is a unique part of Italy. Its craggy mountains, wild vegetation, and omnipresent sea have fired the imagination of poets, wayfarers, and visitors alike. Though it is one of 20 Italian regions, its history under the yoke of endless conquerors –especially the Normans – has … Continue reading Cefalù
According to legend, Daedalus stayed in the city after his flight over the Ionian Sea, as did Hercules after his seventh task – Capture the Cretan Bull. 🙂 In 9th century it was conquered by the Muslims, who elevated the city to become a capital of one of the three districts of the island (the Val di Noto). In 11th century, it became the last Islamic stronghold in Sicily to fall to the … Continue reading Noto
Long time ago, my first visit to Sicily in 2012 was accompanied by visit to Palermo. I had a day only to visit so the story to tell was shorter. Now I am blessed to live on the Island of Sicily for a more extended time so I have more to tell. For the beginning, when driving to Palermo from Catania, you have to pass … Continue reading Palermo
When I discovered this city – I was driving quite often towards the south to hang around and be away from Catanian trash and dirt. This historical city has much to offer and makes you come back again and again. Where to start? Syracuse is mentioned in the Bible in the Acts of the Apostles book at 28:12 as Paul stayed there. Good start? The city was founded by Ancient … Continue reading Syracusa – Ortigia
RED RIDING HOOD 