EUROPE Archives | Page 21 of 21

The Island of NEUWERK – where the way is the goal

Posted on2020-07-222022-12-27AuthorRenata Green48 Comments

“So, by which ferry did you get here?” asks the chubby little lady and her accent gives her away as Southern German. “Well, I came here walking”, I beam at her, still thrilled by my hike from the mainland to the island of Neuwerk.

Hike on tideland from Cuxhaven to Neuwerk — To Neuwerk – this way! You cannot blame people if they don’t believe that you came to an island walking.

The lady looks over the rough sea where the huge waves are rolling towards the shores of Cuxhaven. She frowns and shakes her head and is, obviously, thinking I’m trying to tell her a cock and bull story.

Little does she know: Visiting the island of Neuwerk, the way is the goal; definitely.

This Way to the Whole Story ->

The Island of HELIGOLAND – soft spot with rough edges

Posted on2020-07-182022-12-28AuthorRenata Green47 Comments

A trip to the island of Heligoland is always a good idea. On just one square kilometer, it unites soft sand dunes and rough cliffs. It adds tax-free shopping to natural wonders like frolicking seals and jumping guillemots.

Gray Seal on the island of Helgoland in Germany

Heligoland is a tiny archipelago that long ago used to be Danish and British. But, actually, it is as German as can be since the poet Von Fallersleben wrote the National Anthem during his stay on the island in 1841.

However, visiting Heligoland today, either on a day trip or for a longer stay, it is almost impossible to imagine that at the end of WWII, Germany’s supposedly only deepsea island was completely bombed out. For then long years, it was even uninhabitable.

Like a phoenix rising from the ashes, today, Heligoland is one of Germany’s most popular island when it comes to a couple of relaxing days in a secluded spot.

This Way to the Whole Story ->

Complete Guide to COMO – a Lake to Like

Posted on2020-06-142023-05-16AuthorRenata Green95 Comments

I love Italy: The gelato, the papagalli, the dolce far niente. Somehow my head got tangled in these clichés like a fork in a heap of spaghetti. The funny thing is: On my frequent trips to Bella Italia, I actually find these clichés reflected in the reality around me. Just like around the North Italian lake land.
Need proof?
Here is a complete guide to the wonderful Lake Como – truly a lake to like.

Sail and motorboats quay at Colico, the Northernmost village at Lago di Como - a lake to like — Sail and motorboats quay at Colico, the Northernmost village on Lake Como’s shores.

This Way to the Whole Story ->

LUBECK – a guide to Germany’s most ravishing city

Posted on2020-05-022022-11-20AuthorRenata Green48 Comments

Somehow Lubeck, Germany’s most ravishing city, has always reminded me of Venice. An innocently cute and relatively small city that used to possess such political influence and economic power – reaching all over Europe and beyond.

Lubeck Germany's most ravishing city: Holstengate — There are quite a few lions in Lubeck – honoring Henry the Lion, the Bavarian King who after Munich founded also Lubeck in 1159. In the Backdrop the iconic Holstentor and right next to it the ancient salt warehouses.

Although Lubeck has incredibly beautiful buildings and alleys, seven church towers, three Nobel prize winners and world-famous marzipan, it does not suffer from destructive over-tourism. I don’t want to change that, however, I’d like to show you around one of Germany’s most ravishing cities.

This Way to the Whole Story ->

Rocking it in METEORA: Monasteries and Beyond

Posted on2020-02-152024-03-08AuthorRenata51 Comments

I must admit that till the moment I began to plan my trip to Greece, to me, Meteora was not a mesmerizing place packed with monasteries.

Holy Trinity Monastery at Meteora, Greece — The Holy Trinity Monastery is not the largest of the six remaining cloisters, however, the most picturesquely positioned one.

It was just the name of my favorite CD by one of my favorite bands, Linkin Park.

Since last Christmas, I know better; much better: Meteora is a rock formation in central Greece, about 350 kilometers north of Athens. It is famous for one of the largest complexes of monasteries.

So my initial rock-band reference was not that mistaken, after all: Meteora is rocking – big time!

This Way to the Whole Story ->

Guide to FIGUEIRA da FOZ – a Charmingly Old Fashioned Seaside Resort

Posted on2019-12-282022-12-28AuthorRenata Green24 Comments

Let me guide you to Figueira da Foz, a charmingly old fashioned seaside resort. It is the epitome of a South European vacation destination, indeed.

Beach Tents at Figueira da Foz Portugal — As if the beach wasn’t desert-like enough, they have these makeshift shelters that remind me of Beduin tents.

For about ten years, I hadn’t been to a European beach. I was thinking that Asia or Latin America were the places to be(ach). Arriving at Figueira da Foz, about two hours south of Porto and the second stop on my rail-trip along the Portuguese west coast, I stood so corrected.

This Way to the Whole Story ->

Guide to BELÉM – Lisbon’s Treasure Box

Posted on2019-12-282024-10-20AuthorRenata Green17 Comments

Let me guide you to mesmerizing Belém – which is, technically, a suburb to Lisbon and undoubtedly the city’s treasure box.

This Way to the Whole Story ->

A Day in Sophisticated ESTORIL and CASCAIS

Posted on2019-12-282022-12-28AuthorRenata Green3 Comments

Another very popular day trip from Lisbon is a short train ride to the very popular beaches of Estoril and Cascais. Albeit not really dreamy, especially on hot summer days, a day in these sophisticated retreats on the shores of the Atlantic Ocean can be the perfect break from Lisbon’s big city life.

Wild waters on the shore of Estoril, in the community of Cascais. — Estoril is not only this sophisticated beach retreat. It’s also prone to the forces of nature.

If you spend more time in Estoril, you should stay away from the beach and go on a day trip to Sintra. Even by public transportation, this town of palaces is less than an hour away.

This Way to the Whole Story ->

How to Visit the Biennale di Arte in Venice 2019

Posted on2019-11-042022-06-22AuthorRenataLeave a comment

While Venice is a place worth visiting even when nothing special is on, here is how to visit the city during the Biennale di Arte, one of the world’s most important art events, in 2019.

biennale di arte Venice 2019: Ponte Papadopoli advertising for 2019's mega-event. — Ponte Papadopoli advertising for 2019’s mega-event.

However, the Biennials add some contemporary suspense and glamour to all the shiny renaissance the Doges left behind, and this summer, the 58th Biennale di Arte is on.

This Way to the Whole Story ->