Tag: TRAVEL HACKS

Back to School: Italian Classes at the Scuola Leonardo da Vinci in 2020

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Taking Italian Classes at the Scuola Leonardo da Vinci in 2020, the year of a pandemic, is definitely a distinctive experience.

The Fountain of the Books in Rome
Quenching the thirst for knowledge at the Fountain of the Books.

Whereby, I find that taking a language class in another country is very special experience at any time and a grand opportunity for everyone. Not only can you practice what you have learned right on the spot – which will hopefully be an encouraging encounter. It also grants you the opportunity to experience life from a whole different perspective.

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All you need to know before going to GERMANY

Posted onAuthorRenata Green24 Comments

German Flag

Whether it’s the legal and formal stuff or the fun and quirky things – everyone should read this compilation before setting foot in Germany.I’m listing relevant figures and important rules and regulations as well as sometimes unpredicted peculiarities and fun facts to know before you go so that no unexpected surprise will impair your experience.

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What (not) to pack for JAPAN

Posted onAuthorRenata Green7 Comments

Yes, of course, you can just grab some suitcase, throw a hodgepodge of clothes, shoes, and cosmetics in and you’re good to go. Provided you stay within your airline’s weight limit.

bye:myself at the Hida Folk Village in Takayama in Japan
I’d found this umbrella at the Hida Folk Village in Takayama – but it was just a prop that could be used for pictures.

However, if you do a little planning when putting together your itinerary for Japan and while packing, your trip will be much more enjoyable. Take it from me as I just came back from a road trip around Honshu island.

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How (not) to behave in JAPAN

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Before travelling to Japan, everyone is making a big deal of on how to behave correctly in Japan – because it’s so different.

Group of students in Tokyo Japan
Follow the leader. And follow the rules. And….oh, when in Japan, just follow.

I really don’t know why everyone emphasizes how different Japan is. Because – different from what? Like everything else in life, different is very relative.

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Instant Lounge for Instant Leisure at Paris Charles de Gaulle

Posted onAuthorRenata Green41 Comments

There is an Instant Lounge that grants instant leisure right at the Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport. Located in terminal 2E, it grants total relaxation between flights – and is absolutely free!

Entrance to the Instant Lounge at the Paris-Charles de Gaulle Airport
Soyez bienvenus at the – free! – transfer lounge of Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport.
It’s not only comfy and cozy, it’s most of all hyper classy!
(Photo: Gwen Le Bras / Aéroports de Paris SA)
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what to put in your hand luggage

Posted onAuthorRenata Green59 Comments

Hand luggage – I’m a big fan, a huge supporter, and a passionate user. Where possible, I even try to travel exclusively with hand luggage. Not only because the cheap airlines charge almost the same amount you’ve paid for the ticket for checking luggage.

man pulling cabin case after having checked what to put in your hand luggage
Globetrotting the easy way.

No, it’s simply much more comfortable and so much faster. Although, since they established the security regulations regarding liquids, it has become a bit tricky.

Once I got even almost arrested at a French airport for carrying cheese.

But mostly it’s really much more handy. The longest I ‘survived’ on hand luggage were two weeks in Italy in summer; and I did not stink…

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Learning Languages for Travel

Posted onAuthorRenata Green36 Comments

A Few Words About a Few Words

Learning Languages for Travel is a great way of getting in touch with locals. Here’s how to learn some basic vocabulary for your trips by using babbel.com

Finger turning a mini globe
Travelling around the world is so much more rewarding when you have at least rudimentary knowledge of the local language.

Considering that at least in Germany babbel.com is advertising a lot, to my surprise, I don’t know anybody actually learning with this online tool. Anybody but me that is. And I will tell you why I love using it.

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Amazing Opportunities: It’s never too late to become an Au Pair

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It’s never too late for amazing opportunities: You might be too old for a pony, but you never too old for becoming an Au Pair.

Child with a globe - illustrating the post on how to become an au pair
Leaving your hometown exploring the world.

Actually, for mature women, this can be a great way of exploring the world. And the privately run agency Madame Grand Mere makes sure you’re exploring the world with a safety net of a lovely family.

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Grub First, Then Ethics – Brace Yourself for Cuba

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Yes, Cuba is a wonderful place with days on endless beaches and nights at hot bars. Nevertheless, brace yourself for Cuba.

A lady and a little boy at the doorstep of a deteriorating building in Santiago de Cuba
Cuba’s life-threatening beauty.

Obviously, the difficult monetary situation and the unimaginable economic difference between locals and visitors might lead to misperceptions.
Grub first, then ethics – as a matter of fact, in Cuba, you are often reminded of this sober truth.

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Indispensable Travel Tools and Gadgets

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There are some travel tools and useful gadgets that over the years became indispensable for me.

But seriously, what is it that you really need to take with you on your trip? Actually it’s your passport, your vaccination record, a credit card and your phone with all that matters on it.

At this store in Athens, you can stock up on basically everything.

Everything else such as clothes, toiletries, or sun gear can be replaced. You can buy almost everything in almost every country in the world. Maybe not in the desired quality, but still.

I’m by no means an advocate to buy constantly everything – and, as a matter of fact, I hate shopping.

All I’m saying is that it’s neither the end of the world nor the end of a happy vacation if you forget something.

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