Saudade in Bairo Alto
The steps in the steep streets of Lisbon’s Bairro Alto steal my breath away. Panting and sweating, I pause halfway up the climb and slip into a small bar. I need to catch my breath.…
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The Girl from Ipanema
On the beach of Ipanema I see her sitting with a coconut in her hand. She sips, visibly enjoying herself, through a straw. Coconut water, I know, is created when the nut absorbs rainwater. The…
Dublin and Paris connection through James Joyce
The connection between Paris and Dublin is deeply woven into the literary fabric of the 20th century, with James Joyce serving as the central thread linking the Irish capital to the French one. While Joyce was born…
Travel Tips Dublin
What to See & Do Trinity College and the Book of Kells — Ireland’s oldest university houses the stunning 9th-century illuminated manuscript. Book tickets in advance to avoid queues. Dublin Castle — A mix of medieval and…
Easter Island – Travel Tips
What to See & Do Ahu Tongariki at sunrise — The island’s most iconic sight: 15 moai standing in a line as the sun rises behind them. Absolutely unmissable. Rano Raraku — The volcanic quarry where the…
Rio de Janeiro to Floripa Beaches of Brasil
Atlantic sunrise, rolling waves, first shore Arriving in Rio de Janeiro on a winter’s night, waking to a summer breeze… The sun rises over the Atlantic, casting light on Copacabana’s rolling waves, tiny bikinis everywhere,…
Iguazu Falls Brasil – Argentina
Thundering cascades, mist rising, rainbows dancing Arriving at Iguazu, the sweltering heat of the jungle presses in as coatis slip past along the bridge. On the wooden paths the sound grows louder with every step…
Puerto Madryn & Punta Tombo – Patagonia’s Living Shores
Still waters, leaping dolphins, penguins returning Arriving in Puerto Madryn, a beautiful bay where dolphins break the still waters with sudden leaps. The air is calm, the ocean alive. Moving south to Punta Tombo, Patagonia’s…
Bariloche & Arrayan Forest – Alpine dream in Patagonia
Swiss-like town, shining Alpine lake, fairytale forest After a long bus ride from Puerto Madryn, crossing Argentina east to west, we arrive in Bariloche. First thought: Am I in Switzerland? The town, gorgeously situated at…
Pucon – At the Foot of Villarica
Lakeside town, smoking volcano, black sand shores Crossing the border into Chile, we arrive in Pucon, a lively town by the lake. Above it rises Villarica, a volcano that smokes quietly, a reminder of the…
San Pedro de Atacama – Desert of Stars –
Dry winds, moonlit valleys, endless skies Arriving in San Pedro de Atacama, one of the driest deserts on earth, we feel the stillness of the air and the laid‑back rhythm of a town filled with…
Along the Rail Track to Machu Picchu
Hidden tracks, gardens and waterfalls, butterflies drifting We follow the rail from the hydroelectric station, walking the line toward Aguas Calientes — an alternative path, slower, quieter, away from the crowds. At Cataratas de Mandor,…
Machu Picchu – Clouded World Wonder
Hidden citadel, fading crowds, quiet wonder The next morning we climb toward Machu Picchu. Clouds hang heavy above the terraces, drifting across the ancient stones and softening the view. The citadel feels suspended in mist,…
Santa Catalina – Silence in Ciudad Blanca
Silence – a Prayer – Colorful town within a town Silencio — the word greets us at the gate of the Santa Catalina Monastery in Arequipa, la Ciudad Blanca. Inside lies a town within a…
Colca Canyon – Flight Above the Depths
Andean heights, drifting condors, endless canyon High in the Andes, at 3,700 meters above sea level, we reach the Colca Canyon — one of the deepest in the world. The air is thin, the horizon…
Puerto López – Whales of the Pacific
Rolling swells, hidden giants, tails in the air From the Colca Canyon we travel north, reaching the Pacific coast of Ecuador. In Puerto López we board a small boat, heading out to the open sea.…