Summer in the Loire Valley: 🏰castles, 🍷 wine & the French art of living

It was a car road trip. To reach the peaceful landscapes of the Loire Valley, we first had to make it past the seemingly eternal traffic of Paris’s Boulevard Périphérique and then Orly Airport. But once we left the congestion behind, the scenery slowly began to change. The roads became quieter, the horizon wider, and the busy rhythm of Paris gradually disappeared. We arrived just … Continue reading Summer in the Loire Valley: 🏰castles, 🍷 wine & the French art of living

RED RIDING HOODSeptember 3, 2026Leave a comment

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Tallinn, Estonia – a medieval fairytale and a 🐻on my plate!

We arrived in Tallinn close to midnight, but the sun was still setting and the sky had beautiful northern colors. The arrival at the hotel was around midnight, but it immediately took my attention as it had a mix of medieval style, Northern Art Nouveau, and old Russian imperial influences, with wooden details, stone walls, and warm lights. Tallinn immediately felt like a city strongly … Continue reading Tallinn, Estonia – a medieval fairytale and a 🐻on my plate!

RED RIDING HOODMay 28, 2026May 30, 2026Leave a comment

abbey, cathedrals, food and drink, fortress, History, Home page, monastery, Travel

Dubrovnik, Croatia 🌊

We arrived in Dubrovnik on a midnight flight from cold, grey Brussels and went straight to sleep, still carrying the weight of the northern winter with us. The next morning, we woke into soft Mediterranean, bright stone, and that unmistakable Dalmatian light that makes everything feel slower and gentler. What followed were two days of pure Dalmatian bliss, where sea air, sun, and the rhythm … Continue reading Dubrovnik, Croatia 🌊

RED RIDING HOODApril 9, 2026April 9, 2026Leave a comment

Castle, food and drink, fortress, History, Travel

Japan – winter edition 🗾

For two or three years, Japan had been sitting quietly on my travel wish list. I kept returning to the idea, listening my husband’s stories about temples, markets, and distant cities whose names already sounded like small adventures. Still, I hesitated. December did not seem like the obvious time to go. Winter, shorter days, cold weather — I wondered if we would miss the country … Continue reading Japan – winter edition 🗾

RED RIDING HOODMarch 16, 2026March 30, 2026Leave a comment

abbey, Castle, cathedrals, food and drink, History, Home page, kings and queens, monastery, Travel

🗼 to Paris, to Paris 🗼

Once upon a time…. no actually too many times by far… I have been to Paris and defo going back again and again. I have been blessed in my life to have the extension of the family that lives in le ville where everything is a fairy tale. I usually do not go back to places I have visited but Paris is Paris! And is … Continue reading 🗼 to Paris, to Paris 🗼

RED RIDING HOODNovember 20, 2025March 30, 202639 Comments

Castle, food and drink, fortress, History, kings and queens, Travel

Athens, Greece

In 2025 From the recent Cyprus travels, I got mesmerised and attracted back to the ancient glory times of Greece. In cold winter times, I usually make one hop back to the Mediterranean. This time, I revisited Athens. My landing was quite late on a Friday evening. What was supposed to be a quick drive to the hotel, turned out an escape from the traffic-blocked … Continue reading Athens, Greece

RED RIDING HOODNovember 19, 2025November 18, 2025104 Comments

Castle, cathedrals, food and drink, fortress, History, Home page, monastery, Travel

Cyprus ⛵

In 2025 This was a completely different visit, unlike the winter edition of 2018 – that you can see scrolling below. This was rather summer vacation with a bit of culture and history. I will start chronologically. 🙂 Landing was a bit late, so our morning start was a bit late as well. We were in Protaras – the eastern side of Cyprus. I was … Continue reading Cyprus ⛵

RED RIDING HOODNovember 18, 2025149 Comments

abbey, Castle, cathedrals, food and drink, fortress, History, Home page, Travel

Lille, France

In 2025 I will start with the refreshments. 🙂 It was a cold October morning and I have been driving for 2 hours to have my weekend trip. We parked right below the main square. Lille is one of those cities where you can still arrive to city center by car – although partially and then it brings you to the underground garage. If you … Continue reading Lille, France

RED RIDING HOODNovember 18, 2025November 18, 202512 Comments

food and drink, Home page, Life in Brussels, Travel

Knokke-chic, Belgium 🇧🇪

Nestled at the northeastern part of Belgium, right beside the Dutch border, is the seaside resort of Knokke. An elegant coastal town, with very posh, elegant-dressed people, and full of skyscrapers that are trying to get some of the Belgian North Sea sun. A paradox in it. Given that it’s right on the North Sea coast, Knokke offers an irresistible blend of sea, sand, and … Continue reading Knokke-chic, Belgium 🇧🇪

RED RIDING HOODAugust 18, 2025August 18, 2025Leave a comment

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Delft, Holland 🌷

Delft breathes history through all its pores. I almost felt like I went back in time during my visit. This was thanks to Vermeer, who painted almost every corner of the city and is visible in every shop. Nevertheless, the city is perfect for a one-day trip. The city is very much like Amsterdam: canals, bikes, flowers, guilded houses, but much better version. No coffee … Continue reading Delft, Holland 🌷

RED RIDING HOODJune 1, 2025Leave a comment