Comprehensive Guide to FLORENCE – Home of the Medici, Cradle of the Renaissance

In this comprehensive guide to Florence, I’m taking you to the home of the Medici Family and all the paramount spots of the Italian Renaissance.

Looking up Giotto's Campanile, the free-standing tower right next to the Cathedral in FLORENCE - Home of the Medici, Cradle of the Renaissance
Looking up Giotto’s Campanile, the free-standing tower right next to the Cathedral.

To this date, there are so many art treasures that Florence deems rather an open-air museum than a North Italian city with ordinary people and everyday life.

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SPAIN – A Complete Travel Guide

In this complete travel guide to Spain, I’m supplying you with all the basic information as well as some tips and hacks that will make your travel to the eastern part of the Iberian Peninsula smoother and therefore even more enjoyable.

Flamenco Dancer in Granada - introduced in a Complete Travel Guide to Spain
Pride and passion: A beautiful flamenco dancer in Granada.
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Guide to CORDOBA – the Moorish Center of Andalusia

As my circular road trip to the most beautiful places in Andalusia slowly came to an end, I finally arrived at the marvelous city of Cordoba – so yalla yalla, let me guide you through what was once Andalusia’s Moorish Center.

Renata Green at the gardens of the Reyes Catolicos in Cordoba
Queen of the castle: Checking out some unusual real estate at the gardens of the Reyes Católicos.

Well, could it be that unintentionally, I had saved the best for last?

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Guide to CADIZ – the Oldest City in Europe

I’m so happy to guide you to Cadiz, according to archeological founds, not only the oldest city in Spain but in all of Europe.

However, it’s difficult to define the date of its founding as there were no written records at past times. According to historians, Phoenician traders founded Cádiz as their first settlement in Europe over 3,000 years ago.

Panoramic view of Cadiz, oldest city in Europe
A picturesque old town, bathed by the Atlantic Ocean.

Yet, at the same time, it’s one of my personal favorites in modern Spain – due to its charming and laid-back atmosphere.

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BUENOS AIRES – from the must-sees to the hidden gems

Buenos Aires and me – from the must-sees to the hidden gems: It was love at first sight. The stately baroque architecture like in Barcelona, the elegant cafés – even a bit more charming than those in Paris. Old-fashioned gelato parlors like in Rome. The powerful street art of Bogotá next to the picturesque decay of old Havana, and an entire neighborhood named after Palermo.
In short: This city simply has it all.

Couple dancing Tango at the Cafe Tortoni in Buenos Aires, Argentina
Tango – that’s what Buenos Aires stands for. But it’s only a fraction of what Argentina’s capital has to offer.

The beauty and energy of Buenos Aires took me by storm – and was definitely the highlight of my trip to Argentina.

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24 hours in LISBON

This is a completely revised, updated, and expanded edition of one of my first 24 hours in… posts. This series was created because, like most travelers, I’m always on the hunt for the cheapest flights possible. The downside is that this often includes connecting flights and, especially on transatlantic flights, I have a longer stopover in a city. Instead of killing time at the airport in annoyance, I venture to the center and this way, enjoy an extra city break. Funnily enough, my first two visits to Lisbon were stopovers: once on the return flight from Miami and the second time on the outbound flight to Santiago, the capital of Cape Verde. This inspired me to summarize in a short guide what you can see and do in Lisbon in 24 hours.

Trams in Lisbon
Even trams can get into a traffic jam.

By the way, I now deliberately postpone connecting flights to include short stays like this when my schedule allows it. Hence, I recently booked the flights on my flight to the Azores so that I could spend time in Porto on the outward flight and in Lisbon on the return flight.
I hope I can inspire you to make a virtue out of a supposed necessity.

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Best of LISBON – also for solo-travellers

I’m back in Lisbon. It’s been far too long – you know, with the pandemic and all. But now I’m back, and as I take a good look around, I realize how beautiful this city is and how much I’ve missed it: The steep cobblestone alleys, the past glory of the palaces alongside the boulevards, and the shabby charm of the houses in the backstreets. The majestic views from countless outlooks, and of course, the lovely ring of the rickety trams.
Come on, follow me down memory lane, and let’s rediscover the best of Lisbon!

Asian Tourists Painting the Best of Lisbon
The contra-selfie culture: Asian tourist painting Lisbon’s Church and Monastery of São Vicente de Fora.
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24 hours in PORTO

Although Porto is certainly not a major hub, it’s still Portugal’s second-largest airport with many connections all over Europe and also to remote Portuguese territories such as the Azores. Since Porto is such a mesmerizing city full of beauty and wonders, you shouldn’t miss the opportunity to get a taste of the city during a short visit – I’m sure you’ll come back soon for more. But now I’ll show you how you can have a perfect stay of up to 24 hours in Porto.

View of Porto and the Dom Luís I Bridge
Grand view of amazing Porto.
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Best of PORTO – Also if You Travel Solo

Somehow, Portugal also seems to be one of the countries overpowered by centralism. Everyone is flocking to the capital Lisbon, which is groaning under the masses of tourists and has to be careful to remain livable for the locals.
Hence, while others are stressed out, Porto pours herself a glass of amber-colored port wine and relaxes as she gazes down the Douro River.

Panoramic view of the best places of Porto, visited on a solo travel.
The best of Porto in just one single picture.

Instead of overwhelming her visitors with innumerable presumably must-see landmarks, Porto invites her guests to take a relaxed stroll down picturesque streets and alleys and offers them a creamy Galão in one of the many charming cafés. The city impresses with cool street art and delights the eye with gorgeous church façades covered in exquisite Azulejos, and what is probably the most famous bookstore in the world.
By now, you’ve probably noticed: Porto is one of my favorite cities in Europe and I’m excited to show you the best the city on the Atlantic coast has to offer – also if, just like me, you travel solo.

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