Author Archives: Angela

What Is Happening to Our Beautiful European Cities?

I have just watched the news, and honestly, I am shocked. How can people destroy cities that hold so much history, beauty, and cultural heritage? Paris is one of those extraordinary places I have walked through myself. Its beautiful streets, magnificent architecture, historic buildings, and unique atmosphere are memories I will always treasure. That isContinueContinue reading “What Is Happening to Our Beautiful European Cities?”

Baarle-Nassau & Baarle-Hertog: Europe’s Geographical Puzzle

Welcome to Baarle-Nassau & Baarle-Hertog, one of the strangest places in Europe — where Belgium and the Netherlands are tangled together like a giant geographical puzzle. And this isn’t simply a town sitting on a border. There are 30 separate pieces of Belgian and Dutch territory woven together. Twenty-two Belgian enclaves belong to Baarle-Hertog, surroundedContinueContinue reading “Baarle-Nassau & Baarle-Hertog: Europe’s Geographical Puzzle”

Look Up in London: The Ballerina Who Never Stopped Dancing

Walk down Victoria Street in London and, before you rush toward Victoria Station, look up. High above the Victoria Palace Theatre, on its dome, stands a golden ballerina. She seems impossibly light — one leg lifted, body stretched upward, frozen in a moment of dance. Her name is Anna Pavlova — the famous Russian ballerinaContinueContinue reading “Look Up in London: The Ballerina Who Never Stopped Dancing”

Yellow submarine

I Found a Yellow Submarine in Amsterdam! No, I wasn’t dreaming. And no, The Beatles weren’t on board. While wandering through Amsterdam’s beautiful canals, I spotted something completely unexpected—a bright yellow submarine floating on the water! Immediately, one song started playing in my head… We all live in a yellow submarine, a yellow submarine… ItContinueContinue reading “Yellow submarine”

Exciting news!

My travel printables are now available on Etsy! If you love discovering the stories behind local food, meaningful souvenirs, and cultural traditions, I’ve created printable guides to help you travel with confidence. 🇯🇵 Japan and 🇪🇸 Spain Instant PDF downloads Browse the collection here: GET YOUR GUIDE

Architectural Delight: Fountain of St. Peter’s Square by Bernini (1667–1677), Vatican.

Fountain of St. Peter’s Square by Bernini

Coffee Break: Finding Joy in Small Stories and Strong Coffee

I’m still in my coffee mood. 😊 Our last Coffee Break was so much fun. I loved reading your comments and your stories. Thank you for spending a little part of your day with me. So… shall we have another coffee together? I’ve been watching quite a bit of the World Cup lately. Of courseContinueContinue reading “Coffee Break: Finding Joy in Small Stories and Strong Coffee”

Travel Thursday: Castel Sant’Angelo Rome, Italy.

Castel Sant’Angelo is one of Rome’s most fascinating landmarks, with nearly 2,000 years of history. Built in the 2nd century as Emperor Hadrian’s mausoleum, it later served as a fortress, papal residence, military stronghold, and even a prison. A secret passage, known as the Passetto di Borgo, connected the castle to St. Peter’s Basilica, allowingContinueContinue reading “Travel Thursday: Castel Sant’Angelo Rome, Italy.”

Coffee Break: Recovery, Resilience, and Random Facts That Made Me Smile

Can you have a coffee with me right now? Today I’m feeling exhausted. When I look back at the last six months, it feels like I’ve been in a constant fight—with my health, at work, through union negotiations, at home, and even helping my cats through their own challenges. The good news is that mostContinueContinue reading “Coffee Break: Recovery, Resilience, and Random Facts That Made Me Smile”

Thursday Travel: Vancouver’s World Cup Stage.

Did You Know? Vancouver is one of the host cities for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, bringing the world’s biggest sporting event to Canada’s west coast. In June 2026, more than 52,000 fans filled BC Place to watch Canada defeat Qatar 6–0, marking Canada’s first-ever men’s World Cup victory. The stadium erupted with excitement asContinueContinue reading “Thursday Travel: Vancouver’s World Cup Stage.”

Architectural Delight: Arc de Triomphe, Paris, France.

Before Arc de Triomphe became one of the world’s most famous monuments, Paris nearly built something completely different in its place: a gigantic hollow elephant. An 18th-century architect imagined a three-story elephant with rooms inside and water spraying from its trunk like a fountain. Instead, Napoleon Bonaparte commissioned the Arc de Triomphe in 1806 toContinueContinue reading “Architectural Delight: Arc de Triomphe, Paris, France.”

Architectural Delight: Castle of Gerald the Devil, Ghent, Belgium.

Over the centuries, the Castle of Gerald the Devil in Ghent has taken on many roles, constantly adapting to the needs of the city. What began as a knight’s residence later became an arsenal, a monastery, a school, and even a bishop’s seminary. By the 17th century, parts of the building were transformed into aContinueContinue reading “Architectural Delight: Castle of Gerald the Devil, Ghent, Belgium.”

Easter in Spain: A Powerful Tradition Beyond Appearances

During Holy Week (Semana Santa), the streets of cities like Seville, Málaga, and Alicante come alive with deeply moving religious processions. Religious brotherhoods, known as cofradías, take part in these events. Participants carry: Statues of Jesus Christ and Virgin Mary Crosses, candles, and sacred symbol These processions are a symbolic reenactment of the Passion ofContinueContinue reading “Easter in Spain: A Powerful Tradition Beyond Appearances”

Thursday Travel: Valencia, Spain.

In Valencia, preparations for the famous Fallas de Valencia festival have already begun. The installation of the largest Fallas figure is underway. This year’s main sculpture is a 27-meter-tall figure of Charlie Chaplin dressed as a soldier from his satirical anti-war film “Shoulder Arms.” Created by artists Alejandro Santaeulalia and Vicente Llàcer, the project isContinueContinue reading “Thursday Travel: Valencia, Spain.”

Thursday Travel: STRAAT Museum, Amsterdam, Netherlands.

STRAAT is Amsterdam’s street art and graffiti museum, located inside a vast former shipyard at NDSM. The space showcases large-scale works by both internationally known artists and emerging creatives from around the world.

Coffee Break: Let’s start the year gently

Happy New Year, dear friends! Before we rush into plans, goals, and resolutions, let’s begin the year the way I love most — with a coffee break. A small pause. A warm cup. A few quiet minutes just for ourselves. The holidays don’t always feel as festive as they once did. The world changes, traditionsContinueContinue reading “Coffee Break: Let’s start the year gently”