Tag: Architecture

An Easy Day Trip to the Hahoe Folk Village from Andong

Posted onAuthorRenata12 Comments

An easy day trip from Andong brings you to the Hahoe Folk Village where Korea’s traditional rural life remains unspoilt. Hahoe is a cute little village full of adorable crooked houses. You wouldn’t be surprised if you met Hansel, Gretel, Rumpelstiltskin, and all the other fairy tale characters in the narrow alleys.
And, of course, a Queen.
In 2019, the time had actually come and none less than Queen Elizabeth II paid a visit to the picturesque village in the south-eastern part of Korea. I assume Elizabeth travelled in a pumpkin carriage, befitting her status. Not being a queen, I took the bus to Hahoe on my day trip from Andong – and what can I say, it was a cheap and comfortable ride, and most importantly, the coach didn’t smell like pumpkin.

Hahoe Folk Village visited on an easy day trip from Andong.
Village people at Hahoe.
This Way to the Whole Story ->

BASEL and the Rehberger-Trail – time to wonder, time to wander

Posted onAuthorRenata Green54 Comments

Visiting Basel, you’re not only seeing Switzerland’s third-largest city – after Zurich and Geneva – but you also get to hike the amazing Rehberger Trail. It’s a route decorated with sculptures by German artist Tobias Rehberger. On this occasion, you can even cross the border to Germany walking.

View of the river Rhein at Basel
Cozy little Basel in the heart of Europe. There are a couple of art venues and many interesting buildings and places along the river Rhein.

That’s one of the things I absolutely love about Basel: It is located in the tri-border area of Switzerland, Germany, and France. Three totally different countries getting connected in harmony.

This Way to the Whole Story ->

10 Most Beautiful Palaces in the Marais Neighborhood of Paris

Posted onAuthorRenata10 Comments

The Marais is one of the trendiest neighborhoods in Paris. Cool bars and crowded restaurants, hip stores, and expensive, stylish apartments – these are just a few things you can find in the Marais neighborhood today.
In the 17th century, the Marais became the preferred residential area for the nobility, who had numerous villas and city palaces built there. In the course of the French Revolution, however, the nobility was expelled from the Marais. They probably took their belongings with them, however, they had to leave their posh cribs behind.
In this post, I’m inviting you on a stroll that will take us to 10 of the most beautiful palaces in the Marais Neighborhood of Paris.

Hôtel de Sully, one of the 10 Most Beautiful Palaces in the Marais Neighborhood of Paris
The manicured courtyard of the Hôtel de Sully.
This Way to the Whole Story ->

50 Most Beautiful Palaces in Venice

Posted onAuthorRenata18 Comments

On its barely 415 square kilometers, there are about 200 magnificent palaces at the Centro Storico of Venice. In this post, I’m navigating you to the 50 most beautiful ones.

Canale Grande in Venice lined with Palaces
The mighty Canale Grande is lined with nothing but mesmerizing palazzi.
This Way to the Whole Story ->

A Visit to the Colonia Güell – Where Eusebi Güell Created His Universe

Posted onAuthorRenata25 Comments

One of the most impressive places I’ve seen during my recent visit to Barcelona was the Colonia Güell.

Gaudi Crypt at the Colonia Güell
The Colonia’s highlight: The unfinished Crypt by Antoni Gaudí.

The Colonia Güell is a former industrial settlement including a factory and residential buildings for the workers as well as a famous crypt by Antoni Gaudí. It is named after its proprietor, the magnate Eusebi Güell, obviously. The Colonia is part of the village of Santa Coloma de Cervelló about 23 kilometers west of Barcelona.

This Way to the Whole Story ->

Antoni Gaudi in BARCELONA: A Guide to Modernism

Posted onAuthorRenata24 Comments

The significance of Antoni Gaudi for Barcelona is already reflected in the fact that out of nine UNESCO World Heritage Sites around the city, he designed seven – so let me guide you to these gems of Modernism.

Gaudi's two most iconic works in together: The chimneys of the Casa Mila with the Sagrada Familia in the backdrop. Gaudi Barcelona Guide Modernism
Gaudi’s two most iconic works together in one picture: The chimneys of the Casa Milà with the Sagrada Família in the backdrop.
This Way to the Whole Story ->