One of the up-and-coming areas in town, the quaint Canal St. Martin is still an unknown place for many travelers, but a hotspot for locals who like cool areas and a hipster vibe. Take a stroll in the Canal’s walkways amidst charming iron footbridges, quays, unique boats and locks, fashion shops like Antoine & Lili or Babel, graffiti walls, small art venues or the Artazart… Read more »
Archives: Great spots
Perhaps you are in Paris for an extended stay, have been to Paris too many times (never enough, in our opinion) or maybe champagne is your top priority. In any of these cases, why not consider taking a 40 minute high speed TGV train to Reims and spend the day tasting France’s national treasure? As you arrive in Reims, Maison Mumm is walking distance from… Read more »
Parisians endearingly call rue Mouffetard La Mouffe. It is one of the oldest and most traditional streets in Paris in the heart of the Quartier Latin, a very traditional region of town where world known Sorbonne University is located. La Mouffe is very lively and Hemmingway used to call it “a wonderful narrow crowded market street”. This vibrant street is well worth a stroll for… Read more »
Forget about those infamous small white glass-ceiling boats with lots, and lots, of tourists. We highly recommend a tailor made experience, as private canal boat rides can take you to the very small canals only locals know about and make stops at excellent restaurants for lunch or dinner. There are private tours where in-vessel food service is offered. We suggest an evening ride in a… Read more »
Forget about the usual way of thinking of a museum, the DDR is an entirely different and captivating experience. Intending to show everyday life in the Socialist era, the museum innovates by bringing an immersive experience of the former East German days. It is divided into areas that depict life “behind the walls”, with descriptions of how people lived, played sports, went to school, took… Read more »
Did you ever think about going around Berlin on a Segway? Perhaps not, but this is how we rolled and we loved it! Taking a Segway tour is an exciting, fun, entertaining and informative way to visit many of Berlin´s landmarks and attractions alongside experienced tour guides. Segways are easy to use and after about three minutes you almost have the feeling it is easier… Read more »
Another unique museum, it is actually more of a documentary showcase focused on the Nazi’s rise to power. The museum is on the site where some of the Nazi agencies were once headquartered, and one of the weakest points of the fortified wall that divided the city between east and west, and its different ideologies. There are many pictures, videos and reproductions of newspaper articles,… Read more »
It is quite fun to ride around Berlin, especially if you have friendly knowledgeable local guides. This tour is truly interesting and takes you places not usually on Berlin visitors’ list, such as spots in town where key historical events took place and information on some unknown details or peculiarities of Hitler’s regime. Berlin is a landmark in the history of humankind and the local… Read more »
A must go in Firenze, this market was recently revitalized as part of a project that revived the neighborhood as well. Full of life, noise and banter, it is vibrant and truly Italian with confectionaries, fresh fish, fruits and vegetables, salamis, cheeses, pasta, wine and many other delicious choices, sure to please layman and gourmand tastes alike. They also have a cooking school, with short… Read more »
This beautiful building was the first pharmacy in Florence, founded in 1612. It has kept the original purpose, charm and features of an old drugstore, with marble flooring, painted ceilings and crystal decoration. Marvel at the antique furniture and sculptures, beautifully placed amidst the extensive selection of high quality cosmetics and perfumery goods displayed. Renowned in Europe, some of their products still carry the original… Read more »
Just over an hour by train or car brings you to one of the most beautiful cities in Italy: Siena. At the center of this lovely small town from the medieval times is Piazza del Campo. This unique shell shaped piazza is the perfect spot for an expresso or lunch overlooking the city’s landmark. You should also dedicate some time to admire Siena’s cathedral, the… Read more »
We are always surprised to learn the Boboli gardens often do not make people´s must-visit-when-in-Florence list! Considered one of the most elegant gardens in the world, this extension of the Pitti Palace is not only pure beauty in itself, but also houses an impressive collection of marble statues, fountains, a cypress lane, porcelain museum (on the hilltop) and the stunning grotto (not to be missed).… Read more »
Located on a hilltop near Piazzale Michelangelo and with wonderful views of Florence, this Basilica is considered one of the finest examples of the romantic Florentine architecture. The marble façade was inspiration to other churches in the region and is particularly beautiful when the sun shines on it. It is a bit away from city center, but can be a good option to escape the… Read more »
There is no better place in the world to learn about and enjoy Opera. We were mesmerized to learn that many visit Milan and do not experience the most iconic opera house in the world or its masterpiece productions. There is an onsite museum with a collection of opera relics and interactive technology, as well as special exhibitions, like the one about Toscanini when we… Read more »
Initially we booked this art tour slightly desperately as it was virtually impossible to get tickets to see Da Vinci’s Last Supper at the Cenacolo Vinciano. Well, we were very pleasantly surprised by the quality of the tour, not only for the interesting explanations of the painting itself (it starts with Da Vinci and even mentions some conspiracy theories discussed in Dan Brown´s best-selling book),… Read more »
Many go to Verona for Romeo and Juliet. And, even though our love of Shakespeare knows no bounds, Verona is of course much more than that. It is a beautiful town with an enchanting historic center dating back to ancient Rome. The arena is well preserved and used to be one of the largest in the whole Roman Empire, and we were charmed to learn… Read more »
This is an unmissable hidden gem in Milan. Once an old convent, to which young girls from noble and aristocratic families were sent, the San Maurizio is considered the Sistine Chapel of Milan. The understated façade does not give much away, but its interiors are richly painted by artists who were part of Da Vinci’s school of influence, mostly commissioned by the iconic Sforzas. One… Read more »
An old industrial area of town that has been gentrified to become the hub of Milanese creativity. It has had a recent boom of cool bars and trendy restaurants in its converted and renovated warehouses, one of which is our preferred seafood restaurant in town, is the Langosteria. Designers, stylish people and all things cool head to Tortona, an area very different from the overall… Read more »
The bohemian part of town, traditionally the artists’ neighborhood, developed around the canals once used for commerce. Nowadays, it has become a lot busier and more touristic than years past, when foreigners were unlikely to have heard about it. Yet, Navigli remains full of charm. Stroll along the canals, visit the beautiful Basilica San Lorenzo Maggiore, the art galleries and small vintage shops, enjoy some… Read more »
A day in Trastevere, a former working class region, is a good way to escape a bit from the Colosseum or, if you are town for business, from air-conditioned offices and conference rooms. Start at Piazza di Santa Maria and its astonishing small Basilica, with its rich interiors and mosaics. Go ahead and get lost in the neighborhood’s labyrinth of streets and cobblestone alleys, maybe… Read more »
