December 16, 2024
It was a serendipitous find, really. While crafting a walking route to maximize my day in Vienna with a mix of sightseeing and whimsy, I stumbled upon photos of the Hundertwasserhaus on Google Maps. Its colorful, eccentric façade instantly captivated me. Designed by the visionary artist Friedensreich Hundertwasser, this architectural […]
December 14, 2024
Having roamed over 15 European cities since planting roots in Munich, I can confidently say Vienna holds my heart—seconded by Prague. This imperial treasure along the Danube composes a symphony of culture, history, and effortless elegance. From its grandiose palaces to its unparalleled classical music legacy and its coffeehouse culture […]
December 14, 2024
Vienna in winter is like stepping into a snow globe—a city suspended in time, encased in the cold glow of centuries-old architecture, blanketed with the softness of snow. For someone like me, raised in the warmth of the tropics, the thought of winter felt daunting, heavy with its layers of […]
December 14, 2024
When I still lived in Hanoi, we played guess the word game over food and alcohol. I was with my group of friends, the usual ones. I badly wanted our team to win. When it was about cities, I knew it was my turn to shine. They gave me the […]
October 25, 2024
Prague in winter is a city straight out of a fairy tale, with its cobbled streets dusted in snow and gothic spires piercing the cold sky. As someone who has lived in the tropical warmth of the Philippines and the humid buzz of Vietnam, experiencing Europe in the depths of […]
September 2, 2024
Split, a city where ancient history and vibrant modern life intertwine, is a gateway to some of Croatia’s most breathtaking landscapes. Its sun-drenched coastline, azure waters, and the imposing presence of Diocletian’s Palace make it a haven for travelers. But beyond its beauty lies another Croatian gem—Plitvice Lakes. For years, […]
August 4, 2024
As an island gal based in Munich, Germany, I get the profound yearning for the sea. Skiathos, Greece, has become my cherished refuge, offering boundless beaches and the calming presence of the ocean. Fun fact: Skiathos is part of the Sporades island group, named after the Greek word for ‘the […]
May 13, 2024
Paris, like to many of us, first came to me as an idea. Its images conjured in my head were the ones fed by the literatis who lived in this city, from Victor Hugo to Simone de Beauvoir. Hmm, okay, I majored in literature. Before there is Emily in Paris, […]
May 1, 2024
After Paris, the second French city that I visited was Strasbourg. Half-timbered houses. Gorgeous riverside restaurants adorned by falling red and pink geraniums. The Romanesque cathedral. I loved my three-day stay in Strasbourg. The great thing about exploring little but equally storied and charming cities in France is that you […]
April 29, 2024
Stari Grad Hvar. Or as the Italians call it, Cittavecchia or Cittavecchia di Lesina, is a charming town nestled on the north side of the stunning Hvar Island in Dalmatia, Croatia. This place is seriously old, folks – we’re talking ancient! In fact, it’s one of the oldest towns in […]
April 16, 2024
Venice is the only Italian city I’ve been to so far, aside from the little coastal Trieste. So I cannot compare it to other popular Italian cities. It may not be my favorite European city, Vienna claimed that spot, but I have to give it to Venice for embracing age […]
April 9, 2024
I actually did not know what to expect with Ljubljana. I had no actual affinity with Slovenia except for a brief encounter with a backpacking couple in the camping grounds in Ellenborough Falls in NSW, Australia way back in 2017. I remember asking the stupid question, is it part of […]