a travel blog by renata green
If I can, you can do it, too
Brussels is not only the amazingly vibrant capital of Belgium, it’s actually the historic, political, cultural, and gastronomic epicenter of Europe, for that matter. Breathtakingly beautiful historic architecture, fantastic museums, mighty street art, powerful international organizations, and last but not least beer, fries, and chocolate: This cosmopolitan city truly holds something for each and every one in store.
Therefore, it was quite a challenge to put together a list of just the very best things to do on a visit to Brussels.
If it hadn’t been for my daughter studying in Brussels, it probably wouldn’t have come to my mind to visit Belgium’s capital. Or Belgium at all, for that matter.
But Christmas came and families and loved ones were expected to get together. So I packed a couple of warm sweaters, threw in some fun presents, and hopped on the late flight to Brussels.
Just to find out that this European capital with all its old architecture and new street art, its pralines and beers, surrealist art, and political reality is not only for me but for everyone.
Since Bristol is the cradle and hotbed of ingenious murals, introducing all those incredible works in just one post was far too much.
Therefore, I’ve split my list of urban art into two parts. After introducing the Nelson Street shopping district area and the rough neighborhood of Stokes Croft in a former post on the best street art in Bristol, I’ll take you down North Street in this second part. Here, the wonderful Upfest ensures that no wall stays white for long.
Guys, did you really think I would come back from Bristol and not have a zillion photos of the best street art with me? Is it even possible to visit Bristol and remain indifferent to urban art? If so, I don’t see how to do it. In any case, I’m a weak-willed victim when it comes to street art in general, so Bristol was able to easily lure me into the rabbit hole of incredible tags and murals.
As there are so many works worth featuring, I’ve split my post on the Best Street Art in Bristol into two parts, and in this first one, I’ll introduce what there is to discover from the shopping district around Nelson Street all the way to the rather rough neighborhood of Stokes Croft.
Have you watched Bridgerton lately? Are you also a fan of the Sherlock Holmes adaptation with Benedict Cumberbatch? Do you remember Stanley Kubrick’s epic Barry Lyndon or James Ivory’s drama The Remains of the Day? Apart from great actors, all of these films and series intrigue with enchanting backdrops. Aren’t those mansions with manicured front lawns and gently rolling hills in the backdrop not simply gorgeous? It would be just wonderful if these beautiful sets existed in reality!
Well, good news: They are real!
Whenever a director needs a flawless Georgian or Victorian setting, he’ll probably end up in Bath at some point. And that’s not surprising as Bath is arguably the most beautiful town in all of Great Britain, after all. Even UNESCO agreed and quickly listed the entire city as a World Cultural Heritage Site in 1987.
When it comes to extolling Bristol’s merits, I honestly don’t know where to start.
With the arguably best street art in the world? Yes, but that’s too obvious.
Or rather with the fact that the city has a vibrant music scene and some of the coolest bands come from Bristol? Sure, the relaxed and at the same time energetic flow of trip-hop perfectly reflects the city’s laid-back atmosphere, after all.
Or is it the absolutely overwhelming food culture?
Maybe the fact that Bristol was Britain’s first cycling city?
Bristol’s history? The amazing architecture? The openness and warmth of the Bristolians?
Oh man, no matter what you pick, Bristol makes it impossible not to fall in love with the city.
So come and join me in the search for the things that make Bristol the best weekend break you’ll have in a long time.
Lake Bohinj is Slovenia’s largest lake, wild and at the same time incredibly beautiful, which makes it the perfect day trip destination for everyone. The lake is a paradise on earth with its crystal clear water, shimmering in cool shades of turquoise and green, its densely wooded shores, and the heavenly tranquility. It’s a Garden of Eden for those seeking peace and quiet, who just want to take a stroll and otherwise relax on the banks. But it’s also a paradise for those who want to work out in unspoiled nature by hiking, cycling, rowing, or stand-up paddling.
In short, Lake Bohinj, Bohinjsko Jezero in Slovenian, is the perfect place to get away from it all and become one with nature – and yourself.
This Way to the Whole Story ->Lake Bled is one of those European places of longing. It is one of the sites whose pure name brings a sparkle to the eyes of any day-tripper.
Who hasn’t seen the image of Saint Mary’s Church which seems to float on an island in the middle of the iconic Slovenian lake?
And believe me, this picture is no illusion. These sceneries fulfill their promise of captivating you the moment you lay eyes on them for the first time.
I had the privilege to experience this for myself on a day trip to Lake Bled, which I was actually able to organize myself by taking the public bus from Slovenia’s capital Ljubljana.
Ljubljana mon amour: In fact, already the city’s name sounds like a tender song and derives from the word ljubljena which translates to beloved. Various charming bridges are crossing the picturesque river Ljubljanica. With an amazing number of captivating buildings from the Renaissance, Baroque, and Art Deco, onion-domed churches, and an imposing fortress high above the city, Ljubljana absolutely lives up to her lovely name.
And since Ljubljana is small but definitely mighty, you can explore the city’s most iconic spots and landmarks easily in just two days.
Although the city is no secret anymore and can actually get quite busy in the high season, Ljubljana has kept its sleeping beauty charm and is a sparkling gem.
This Way to the Whole Story ->After another stopover in Milan on the occasion of my trip to Venice where I visited this year’s Biennale, I’m now ready to share an itinerary for a short 24-hour stay in Italy’s Northern capital of funds’n’fashion.
As always, when putting together these itineraries, I had in mind a stopover between flights or a quick break on a road trip down south. If you can stay longer and experience more of Milan, check out my recent post Best Things to Do on a Long Weekend in Milan for inspiration and information.
This Way to the Whole Story ->Of all Italian cities, Milan probably deems the least what we consider Italian. No jolly groups sipping Aperol Spritz while playing boccia. Instead, executives rush from their stately apartment houses to offices in glittering business centers. Hardly a narrow cobblestone alley. Rather big cars on broad avenues. Money makes the world Milan go round.
And yet, if you visit with an open mind, Milan will by no means disappoint: Get the big picture from the roof of the Duomo, and enjoy contemporary art at various industrial sites that were transformed into humongous art galleries. Window shop at the posh Brera district or the fabulous Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II. Admire Leonardo da Vinci’s Cenacolo, hence, the Last Supper. Oh, talking ’bout food: Finish a long day of sightseeing with a relaxed Milanese Aperitivo in one of the countless bars alongside the Navigli, the city’s old waterways.
Sounds like a plan? Mind you, these are only a few of the best things you should do in Milan on a long weekend!
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