Dive into Claude Monet’s universe with a visit of his beloved garden that set the stage for the master’s most famous paintings!
Tag: travel
Unique: Swimming with penguins [Boulders Beach, Cape Town]
The only place in the world where you can swim with penguins!
72 hours in Bruges
Your 1-stop interactive guide to lovely Bruges!
The secrets of beer making in a 500-year old brewery
Taste Bruges’ most popular local beer and visit this 500-year old brewery in the heart of town.
72 hours in Ghent
Explore Ghent’s medieval charm in 72 hours. Admire historic architecture, savor Belgian delights, and cruise its picturesque canals.
Brief history of Ghent, the rebellious city of Flanders
Explore the captivating history, medieval past, industrial heritage in this time travel through picturesque Ghent.
Decoding the great Flemish Primitive Jan van Eyck [Bruges & Ghent]
Everything you need to know to appreciate Van Eyck’s paintings in Ghent & Bruges…
Bruges’ glorious past & ever-lasting charm
Bruges has a glorious past. Grasp it thanks to this brief article to appreciate one of Europe’s cutest cities better!
Food & drinks to try in Ghent
Belgian gastronomy is too often summed up to beer, chocolate and waffles. Ghent is the perfect city to explore the wide range of yummy foods and innovative drinks!
8 insider’s fun facts you probably did not know about Bruges
Did you know any of these fun facts about the super cute medieval (really??) city of Bruges, Belgium?
Leopards facts – how & where to spot them in the wild [Africa’s Big 5 series]
Leopards are masters in hiding. Read about their behaviour to enrlarge your chances of spotting them on a safari in Africa!
8 insider’s fun facts you probably did not know about Ghent
Ghent is a gem full of history and fun facts…
72 hours in Genoa [your guide to experience the city]
Genoa is a rough gem to be discovered. Look no further: here is your exclusive guide for a perfect city trip on the Italian Riviera!
Your 2-day Vespa loop from Siena through Tuscany [Brunello & Montepulciano wine area]
A fantastic 2-to-3-day itinerary in the South of Siena through the wine regions of Brunello, Montepulciano and Orcia!
5 fun facts about Genoa you did not know about
Genoa is an off-the-beaten path gem. It’s past glory is the source of quite a few fun and interesting facts that you probably did not know about, or did you?
A Day with an Italian Chef in a 17th-Century Palace [Lucca]
In the authentic Tuscan city of Lucca, enjoy a top-quality cooking class learning about the Italian gastronomy from the chef!
Lucca: your ultimate guide [2 to 5 days]
Text: Claire LessiauPhotographs: Claire Lessiau & Marcella van Alphen Lucca is this kind of city. The more time you spend here, the longer you want to stay. Yes, the picturesque walled Tuscan city at the foot of the Apennine Mountains and along the Serchio River is touristy. Still it remains an authentic city with a…
The secrets of pasta making & everything you need to know to enjoy your pastas [Siena, Italy]
Find out the secrets of pasta making in Siena, Italy (and the locals’ favourite when ordering).
The crafts behind the masterpieces of Florence
Text: Claire LessiauPhotographs: Claire Lessiau & Marcella van Alphen Florence is the artistic capital of the Renaissance. The Italian city is world famous for its museums and masterpieces by some of the most revered artists of all times. However, the unspoken stories of its craftsmen need to be told. Without them, most of these masterpieces…
The Florence Duomo: 10 fascinating facts about this masterpiece of the Renaissance
World’s fourth largest cathedral is a masterpiece of the Renaissance and dominates the skyline of Florence. 10 things you did not know about it!
Your 1-day Vespa loop from Siena itinerary [Chianti, San Gimignano, Certaldo…]
Ride your Vespa through Tuscany on this great loop from Siena (can also do it with a car, but it is not as fun!)!
Sleeping in the cradle of the Kingdom of Italy [Bernini Palace]
More than staying in a 5-star hotel, staying at the Hotel Bernini Palace is sleeping in the cradle of the kingdom of Italy and stepping into history…
Exploring the white waters of the Apuan Alps [Bagni di Lucca, Tuscany]
Close to Lucca, discover an outdoor paradise!
In Puccini’s footsteps in & around Lucca [Italy]
Follow the footsteps of the beloved composer Giacomo Puccini in his birth town of Lucca, Tuscany.
Barga: the Scottish dream
This beautiful Liberty-style villa sums up perfectly the recent & fascinating history of the charming city of Barga…
The Saint Paolino celebrations in Lucca
Text: Claire LessiauPhotographs: Marcella van Alphen Paolino (or Paulinus) is the patron of Lucca and, according to the legend, its first bishop sent by Saint Peter himself to evangelize the Lucchese about 2,000 years ago. Celebrated since the Middle Ages, it is in 1664, the day of his holiday, on July 12, that Paolino became…
The naughty history of tiramisu
The history of tiramisu is much older than thought, and involves nobility and brothels… Find out, and get the original recipe!
How to decode Italy’s best Renaissance museum: the Uffizi [Florence]
This article is a brief selection of some of the masterpieces of the Renaissance that can be admired at the Uffizi – DECODED!
From mountain to statue: the Carrara marble quarries of Italy
The Carrara marble is the best in the world, the one from which Michelangelo sculpted his masterpieces, visiting the quarries himself to find the best piece of marble. Visit this exceptional place in this article!
An active day [or not] along the Italian Riviera
Text & photographs: Marcella van Alphen & Claire Lessiau For the most active ones, this article describes a day packed with activities from biking, to hiking and swimming. All the villages described can also be reached by train and boat from Genoa to enjoy their charms, cultural sites and delicious food without getting sweaty (nor…
Visit a castle so beautiful it got its owner jailed by the king [Vaux le Vicomte]
Vaux le Vicomte is the most beautiful castle around Paris, so beautiful that its owner was jailed by the Sun King! Visit it with ts stunning French gardens…
Ponte Vecchio from the water: SUP adventure in Florence
Take in the iconic Ponte Vecchio from a different point of view!
Cinque Terre: do not visit, EXPERIENCE it
The very touristy Cinque Terre is worth way more than a quick visit and a few selfies. Know how to truly experience it in this article.
High on wine: Cinque Terre’s dramatic vineyards
Explore one of the best and most dramatic vineyards of CInque Terre where the best sweet wine of Italy is crafted by a local and passionate winemaker.
Let’s pesto in Cinque Terre!
Uncover the secrets of pesto making in the most beautiful decor ever, overlooking the village of Manarola in the heart of Cinque Terre!
Exploring Eastern Lesotho
Go on a cultural adventure in Eastern Lesotho and discover the fascinating Kingdom in the Sky!
Elephant facts – all you need to know about the African elephant [Africa’s big 5 series]
Fact sheet and impressive photographs of world’s largest terrestial mammal. Check this out to learn all about the African elephants!
Stroll the atmospheric King’s Kitchen Garden [Versailles]
Stroll the alleys of the Kitchen Garden of the King in Versailles, a secret & atmospheric hidden gem…
Lions facts – how & where to spot wild lions [Africa’s Big 5 series]
South Africa’s big 5: the lion. Learn about lions with this fact sheet, and cutest photos so that you know how and where to spot them in the wild!
A thought-provoking walk in Kowloon
Dive into Kowloon in Hong Kong, and across from one of world’s wealthiest island, explore the most densely populated neighbourhood…
Taming the dragon on Hong Kong Island
Article updated on May 12, 2024Text & Photographs: Claire Lessiau & Marcella van Alphen Hong Kong is famous for its skyscrapers and modernity. What is less known is that only 7% of the territory is built. Only a few subway stops away from the most densely populated area on the planet (with up to 130,000…
Notre Dame de Paris: back then & today
Notre Dame de Paris used to be the most visited monument of Europe. Admire it, know where it is at and learn about its history.
Top 15 most instagrammable spots of NYC [& their fun facts]
New York City is very photogenic! Here are a few of our favorite photography spots. Enjoy!
Why is Reunion called the Intense Island?
One of the most active volcanoes in the world, the Furnace Peak on Reunion Island is a jewel to be explored! Know where to go when the volcano erupts or when it is not undergoing an active episode.
Current Hong Kong explained [protests]
Walking Hong Kong and trying to grasp the complexity of the relationship with mainland China and the recent protests.
How slavery gave its colours to the rainbow nation
Without the slaves that were brought in by the Dutch into the Cape Colony, South Africa and Cape Town would not be where they are at today…
Hong Kong in 5 days
Here is your perfect itinerary for a fantastic and diverse 5 days in Hong Kong! From star restaurants to food stalls, shopping to hiking, beaches to fishing villages, walking tours to spas. Make sure to give this article a read before your trip to Hong Kong!
The Murray, more than luxury: a landmark
Discover The Muray, more than a luxurious hotel it is also a succesful conservation project in the heart of Hong Kong.
The Castle of Good Hope [6 fun facts]
Dicover the oldest building of South Africa, and learn 5 fun facts about it!
6 facts about Bo-Kaap you probably did not know about
Discover fun facts about the most instagrammable district of Cape Town, the colourful Bo-Kaap home to the Cape Malays.
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