Tag: Art

Best Street Art in ANTWERP – Fresh Murals at Zomerfabriek

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Anyone entering the area around Zomerfabriek in Antwerp’s Berchem district immediately feels its unique vibe. Where the old Nieuw-Zurenborg gasworks burned tons of coal until the mid-20th century, the blaze of top-notch urban subculture now glows brightly. I was lucky enough to visit Antwerp in early summer as the annual Meeting of Styles festival takes place. Hence, I saw the new works almost before the paint had even dried. Therefore, I can present you with the best street art currently adorning the walls of the Zomerfabriek.
And let me tell you: these murals are fresh in every sense of the word!

Best Street Art in Antwerp.
Two very different motifs in almost identical color schemes.
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Best Street Art in ROTTERDAM, Part 2: South of the Nieuwe Maas

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The number of amazing murals in Rotterdam is so overwhelming that it was simply impossible to squeeze it all into one single post. Therefore, after having guided you through the best street art that you’ll find in the northern part of the city in my post Best Street Art in ROTTERDAM, Part 1: North of the Nieuwe Maas, here comes what Rotterdam has to offer in the calmer, more residential neighborhoods south of the Nieuwe Maas River.

Mural by Lauren YS in Rotterdam.
Bright portrait by Lauren YS in the Beverwaard neighborhood.
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Best Street Art in ROTTERDAM, Part 1: North of the Nieuwe Maas

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I’m a street art truffle hound. My trained nose lured me to Rotterdam to see its amazing murals. To be honest, before my visit, I had no idea what an impressive city awaited me. And although Rotterdam repeatedly tried to distract me from my street art mission with breathtaking buildings, incredible sculptures, and its multicultural vibe, I stayed true to my task.
Therefore, in this post, I can introduce you to the best street art in Rotterdam. Due to the headspinning abundance of outstanding murals, I’ll focus on the works north of the Nieuwe Maas River. Then, in a second part, I’ll introduce you to the murals that beautify the residential neighborhoods in the southern part of the city.

Sunflowers by Kunst & Vaarwerk
Van Gogh-Oren is a street art installation by the Dutch artist collective Kunst & Vaarwerk, consisting of Cor Kraat, Hans Citroen, and Willem van Drunen, in which the famous Sunflowers ​​have been replaced by human ears. The work was created as part of the historic Rotterdam art project De Verborgen Stad, hence The Hidden City, curated by art historian Guus Vreeburg.

Of course, I’ve also put into writing what else there is to discover in this all-too-often overlooked city. My post Why ROTTERDAM Is Worth Visiting: A Complete Guide to the Urban Heart of the Netherlands is a complete guide to this fantastic city.

But now, with no further ado, let’s get to the murals in the so-called Chinatown, the Witte de Withkwartier, and beyond.

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NordArt 2026: Everything You Need to Know Before Your Visit

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Every summer, the grounds of the historic Carlshütte iron foundry in the village of Büdelsdorf in northern Germany host one of the largest exhibitions of contemporary art in Europe. Around 200 artists from all over the world present their works in an impressive industrial setting. As in previous years, I’ll tell you everything you need to know for your visit to NordArt in 2026.

Eye in the Sky by LIU Yaming at the Nordart 2026
Eye in the Sky by Chinese artist LIU Yaming. With a size of ​​108 square meters, it is an exceptionally large-format contemporary oil painting.
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What not to Miss in ZURICH – A City of Undervalued Natural Wealth

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Nestled between Alpine panoramas and a vibrant urban pulse, Zurich surprises with an unexpected blend. Switzerland’s largest city is not only a financial center. It is also a place where ideas have always converged and new things were born. Emigrants, artists, and thinkers have left their mark here, a legacy that is still palpable today.
At the same time, Zurich boasts not only financial prosperity but also abundant natural wealth that is definitely not to miss. Lake Zurich shimmers in the heart of the city, and the Alps seem almost within reach. Between trendy neighborhoods, historic alleyways, and creative spaces, a city unfolds that is open, lively, and surprisingly progressive.

The jetty at Bürkliplatz.
The jetty at Bürkliplatz is one of Zurich’s major tourist magnets.
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Best of BASEL – What Not to Miss on a Weekend in the Tri-Border Arts Hub

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Basel is one of those cities that feels like it should be bigger than it is. Not in size – but in presence. Sitting right where Switzerland, France, and Germany meet, it exists in a constant cultural overlap: Swiss precision, French flair, and German structure all blending into something unexpectedly creative. Even if you spend just a weekend in Basel, you’ll quickly realize how much there is you simply shouldn’t miss – and in this post, I’m showing you the best of the best.

Helvetia on Travels by Bettina Eichin
Helvetia on Travels by Bettina Eichin: very Swiss, very artsy, very Basel.
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How to Visit the Biennale di Arte in Venice in 2026

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The Biennale di Arte, one of the world’s most important art events, takes place every two years. Although Venice is certainly a place worth visiting even when nothing special is on, my post on how to visit the city during the Biennale 2026 will make your trip even more memorable.

View of Venice with an ad for the Biennale di Arte 2026 in Venice.
In 2026, Venice welcomes the world to the 61st issue of the Biennale di Arte.
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Best Things to Do on a Long Weekend in Milan

Posted onAuthorRenata Green61 Comments

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.

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

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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MAGNIFICENT MARTINIQUE: Ten Places Not to Miss on Your Visit (even when exploring by public bus)

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Martinique – doesn’t the name bear elegance and classiness but also exotism? Indeed, the French Caribbean Island of Martinique delights its visitors with golden beaches, turquoise waters, lush greenery in abundance, tropical vibes, and French savoir-vivre.
Undoubtedly, Martinique is a feast for all your senses.
In this comprehensive guide, I’m telling you which ten places – or more precisely: areas – not to miss during your visit to Martinique and how to get there even if you are exploring the island comfortably by public bus.

Martinique Places not miss public bus: Pier and beach of Anse d'Arlet.
One of Martinique’s most iconic views: Église Saint-Henri across from the pier in Anses d’Arlet.
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