I’ve been dreaming of Istanbul for several years now. And as life has it, I had visited Turkey before: Efes, Troy and Kusadasi, in a whirlwind trip with my father alone, when I was a mere thirteen year old teenager. For some reason, though, we never stopped in Istanbul. And so, over the years, I built a cult like […]
Turkish coffee by the Sultanahmet Blue Mosque
I’ve been yearning to visit Istanbul for some time now, and here I am now! Enjoying a cup of hot Turkish coffee, enjoying the view of the Bosphorus and hearing enchanting from the Blue Mosque right in front of me … I am utterly fascinated by the Middle Eastern architecture, the food, the music and […]
Intrepid and its Space Shuttle Enterprise
Fleet Week (May 23-29) is a United States Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard tradition in which active military ships recently deployed in overseas operations dock in a variety of major cities for one week. Once the ships dock, the crews can enter the city and visit its tourist attractions. Fleet Week also means handsome sailors and navy crew populate the streets of New York, […]
My Memorial Day weekend
If you were unprepared (myself included) for an exotic, never heard of, eat your heart out with envy, fabulous Memorial Day getaway, let’s be friends. I was bummed to be staying in the increasingly hot and humid New York City this weekend, but it turns out I didn’t .. at least not entirely. I started […]
Brasov: a medieval town in Transylvania
Over the Christmas holidays, I took a brief two-day trip to Brașov, where my grandfather was born. Brașov, a city located in the central part of Romania, is a stunning medieval city surrounded by the Southern Carpathian mountains that is part of the mythical region of Transylvania. If you enjoy crisp mountain air, in the close realms […]
Glühwein and sausages for Weihnachten in Munich, Germany
If I had to pinpoint my favorite time of the year, of sheer magic and sacred observance to be spent with loved ones, then it’s surely Christmas. As always, this year was no exception, as I chose to spend it, once again, visiting with my parents in Romania. On my way there, however, I made […]
Into the land of beer and strudels: having fun in Dresden
Let’s be clear; a visit to Dresden doesn’t imply a tedious museum after another, hearing about the city’s tragic past. Far from it! There are plenty of fun things to do, many of which include large squares, music festivals, great food and … plenty of beer! Some of its most popular restaurants and outdoor terraces […]
Rising from the ashes: Dresden, Germany
I was merely a baby in December 1989, when the Romanian dictator was trialed, convicted and executed. Communism and its long gray years of oppression, as my parents had known it, were finally over. The crack of the regime was certainly fortified by the fall of the Berlin Wall, liberating East Germany of similar despotism. […]
Geysers and bubbles in Karlovy Vary
Karlovy Vary or Karlsbad, a splendid spa city in Western Bohemia, best known for its thermal water and geysers, became a popular tourist destination, especially for international celebrities visiting for spa treatment. The city is also known for the Karlovy Vary International Film Festival and the glass manufacturer Moser. If you happen to visit Prague, do […]