Category: CITY BREAK

Four Days in AMSTERDAM – Unique Things To See on a Long Weekend

Posted onAuthorRenata13 Comments

Four days in Amsterdam: Just the perfect amount of time to get to know the most iconic spots and landmarks as well as some truly unique gems on a long weekend.

Boats on the Amstel in Front of the Brug 76.
Rush hour on River Amstel in front of the Brug 76 bridge.

During a long weekend in Amsterdam, I got to experience a lot. In this post, I’m introducing my long list of activities and places for you to follow. Or you just pick what suits you most. Either way, you’ll spend a highly inspiring city break.
And if this time, you have only one day to spend, I also have you covered: In my post 24 hours in Amsterdam, I put together custom-made itineraries for either a sunny or a rainy day.

This Way to the Whole Story ->

PARIS Museum Pass: Skip the Lines And See It All For Less

Posted onAuthorRenata5 Comments

You’ve been to the Eiffel Tower, you’ve seen Sacre Coeur and sailed on the river Seine? Great, after you’ve checked the most important tourist sites off your list, you, my fellow culture vultures, can focus on Paris’ amazing museums.
Actually, it’s mainly the city’s museums and monuments that make me come back to Paris again and again.
Therefore, in this post, I’m introducing the key that allows me to skip the lines and quickly opens the doors to the best venues: It’s the Paris Museum Pass that grants access to no less than 50 museums and monuments at a very reasonable flat rate.

A visit to the observation deck of the Arc de Triomphe de l'Étoile is included in the Paris Museum Pass as well. Paris Museum Pass Skip Lines
A visit to the observation deck of the Arc de Triomphe de l’Étoile is included in the Paris Museum Pass as well.

Isn’t that far too much, you might ask. Well, you probably won’t visit all of them in one go.
Nevertheless, since with the Paris Museum Pass*, you don’t have to wait in the long lines that often form at the entrance doors, you’ll get to see more than you’ve ever expected.

This Way to the Whole Story ->

LONDON – Off the Beaten Path

Posted onAuthorRenata6 Comments

Yes, London is packed with iconic landmarks that every first-time visitor should see. But what if this is not your first visit to London or you simply want to add some unusual and quirky – in short: very British – spots to your itinerary? Fear you not, after many visits to London – and with a little help from a local – I put together the most intriguing, interesting, and idiosyncratic places off the beaten path.

Street in the center of London.
There’s a lot going on in the streets of London, hence, it’s not always easy to find your way off the beaten path. Yet, this is what this post is for.
This Way to the Whole Story ->

Three Days in Mystic MARRAKECH – How to Get Lost Without Losing It

Posted onAuthorRenata10 Comments

Travelling to Marrakech? Getting a bit nervous? I don’t blame you! Although I’m an avid female solo traveller, the idea of spending three days by myself in mystic and mysterious Marrakech was simply petrifying. I saw myself wandering mindlessly through narrow alleys, lost between snake charmers and tourist enticers, entangled in 1001 pushy sales pitches, never finding my way back to my Riad.

Water bearer in mystic Marrakech
Of course, these guys aren’t selling water nowadays. But they are selling illusions. Actually, pretty suiting for a place like the enigmatic Jemaa el-Fnaa.

And although Marrakech was actually everything I expected – and even so much more – it did not intimidate let alone scare me. Yes, there were charmers – aiming at snakes and at tourists. But neither were the sellers as pushy as expected nor the alleys as confusing as feared. Did I get lost? Yes, but there was definitely no reason for losing it.

This Way to the Whole Story ->

One Day in SANTA CRUZ de TENERIFE

Posted onAuthorRenata5 Comments

It’s a common phenomenon that particularly the capital cities of the various Canaries are probably the least visited places on the isles. Santa Cruz de Tenerife is no exception. And while I’ve called Las Palmas de Gran Canaria as well as Puerto del Rosario on the island of Fuerteventura underrated, I really cannot say that about Santa Cruz. There isn’t that much shaking there and it’s certainly not a place to write home about. Nevertheless, if you are based on the northern coast or happen to pass through, it’s certainly worth it to spend at least half a day in Santa Cruz de Tenerife since there are some interesting places to visit, and I’m introducing them all in this post.

Street in Santa Cruz de Tenerife
View of the iconic belfry of the Iglesia de Nuestra Señora de la Concepción from the picturesque Calle Antonio Domínguez Alfonso.
This Way to the Whole Story ->

PALMA de MALLORCA – what to see in two days

Posted onAuthorRenata75 Comments

Since I’m afraid that the capital Palma de Mallorca might be the most underrated place on the entire island, I urge you to spend at least two days in this vibrant’n’wonderful city – and don’t worry: From Palma, you’ll quickly get to all the other magnificent places the island has to offer – even by public bus!

Beach at Palma de Mallorca with a view of the city.
The mountains, the palm trees, the architecture, the fun in the sun: Palma sure has it all.

From the beginning, I wanted to do things differently. I didn’t want to roast on beaches, getting wasted on Sangria made from cheap wine, surrounded by party people from Germany, France, and Great Britain.

Mallorca is a Spanish island. I was keen on experiencing Spain with all my five senses. I wasn’t searching for the extraordinary, I wanted to dive into the common.

What better place to do so than a standard Spanish city full of local day-to-day routines.

This Way to the Whole Story ->

Guide to HAMBURG, the “Gateway to the World”

Posted onAuthorRenata Green117 Comments

Let me guide you through Hamburg, Germany’s second-largest city and self-proclaimed gateway to the world.

Sailors at the Port of Hamburg
For ages, sailors from all over the world anchored at the Port of Hamburg.

You’ll be enchanted by alluring views that make you yearn for undiscovered shores. Germans call it Fernweh – loosely translated to aching for distance.

I’m sure Hamburg’s maritime charm and traditional openness to the entire world will amaze you.

This Comprehensive Guide to Hamburg will take you to the city’s most beautiful corners.

This Way to the Whole Story ->

Art Weekend in Milan

Posted onAuthorRenata Green40 Comments

An art weekend in Milan? How so?

After all, of all Italian cities, Milan probably deems the least 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. Few statues around. No renaissance. No baroque.

Piazza del Duomo - with the iconic cathedral.
Piazza del Duomo – with the iconic cathedral.

Nevertheless, if you are prepared for what to expect, Milan will not disappoint you. Therefore, let me guide you to the city’s most important art venues – and beyond.

This Way to the Whole Story ->