Ponta Delgada

Categories: Architecture · Azores · Portugal · TravelTags: · · · ·

The largest island of the Azores archipelago is São Miguel. It is well worth spending a day in its comely capital Ponta Delgada. Characterized by striking black basalt and whitewashed Portuguese architecture, this compact coastal city serves a walkable urban base and starting point for exploring the island’s dramatic natural interior. Igreja Matriz de São Sebastião, the town’s landmark building. It’s built in a curious mixture of styles: originally 16th-century late Gothic, with a Portuguese Manueline facade and baroque features added in the 18th century. Forte de São Brás, which once protected the island from attacks by pirates. These days…

Oi, London

Categories: Architecture · Art · England · LondonTags: · · ·

In London for a few days, to meet up with good friends. Took the opportunity to visit some sights and galleries, since it’s been seven years since my last time here. Since 2000, Serpentine has commissioned internationally renowned and emerging architects to create their first completed structure in England. The 2026 Serpentine Pavilion is by Lanza Atelier of Mexico City. I had brunch at Friends of Ours at The Magazine, Serpentine Gallery North moreso to admire the Zaha Hadid designed structure. There is an ongoing Frida Kahlo exhibit at Tate Modern: “Frida, the Making of an Icon” that showcase over…

Visita Maravilhosa

Categories: Accommodations · Architecture · Food · Lisbon · Portugal · TravelTags: · · ·

Church of São Roque (Igreja de São Roque) is a 16th-century Jesuit church known for its plain facade and stunning Baroque interior. My third visit to Lisbon – and its dining scene continues to evolve. Mix of iconic seafood institutions, modern interpretations of Portuguese classics, and an increasing number of Michelin-recognized contemporary concepts. From the historic “tascas” in Alfama to upscale rooftops with river views, the city offers high-quality gastronomy that remains relatively affordable compared to other Western European capitals.  First dinner was at Mercearia do Século – a charming mom and pop serving very good traditional dishes. Make a…

Óbidos & Nazaré

Categories: Architecture · Portugal · TravelTags: · ·

The medieval town of Óbidos is one of the most picturesque and well preserved in Portugal with a well preserved castle within the walls, and a maze of streets and white houses. Nazaré is one of the most popular seaside resorts in the Costa de Prata. It is famous for its huge waves and surfing competitions. As of 2025, the record for the tallest wave ever ridden was at Nazaré, a wave measured at 26.2 m (86 ft) in 2020. The Nazaré Canyon submarine geomorphological phenomenon allows the formation of the giant waves.

City of Lights

Categories: Architecture · Art · Europe · France · ParisTags: ·

Seven years later, I made it back to Paris. First stop is my favourite Jardin du Luxembourg. The second item on my to do list is to visit The Bourse de Commerce – Pinault Collection. The building, formerly the commodity exchange, has been wonderfully restored and transformed by architect Tadao Ando and opened in 2021 exhibiting modern art.

Santiago de Chile

Categories: Architecture · Chile · Santiago · TravelTags: · ·

Santiago, Chile‘s capital city, has long been overlooked in favour of older and more well-know capital cities in South America. Nestled between the Andes Mountains and the Pacific Ocean, Santiago is no longer a stopover city and is finally coming into its own. The country’s most populated city has a chill and relaxed vibe. The Templo Bahá’í de Sudamérica opened in 2016 and has a luminous structure with nine monumental glass wings that is arranged like a leaf. Made with an external layer of molten glass and the internal layer of translucent marble that allow the passage of light.

Valparaíso

Categories: Architecture · Art · Chile · Travel · ValparaísoTags: · · · · ·

Located on central Chile’s Pacific coast, the colonial city of Valparaíso represents an extraordinary example of late 19th century urban architectural development in Latin America. Only 120 kilometres (an hour and a half drive) northwest of the capital Santiago, Valparaíso is Chile‘s main port and known for its bohemian and artistic vibe. Hosting one of the few UNESCO World Heritage sites in the country – Valparaíso is an open air museum full of art, graffiti, and colourful houses displayed within the hills.

Byzantium

Categories: Architecture · Istanbul · Türkiye · TravelTags: · ·

After twelve years, I am back for my second visit to the city first known as Byzantium, then became Constantinople, and Istanbul today. The city that is both ancient and modern, Europe and Asia, familiar and exotic. I visited for the first time two sights I failed to see the last time: the Basilica Cistern and the Istanbul Archeology Museum. And also took the opportunity to re-visit the Topkapi Palace and of course, the Ayasofya. In July 2020, the Ayasofya was decreed to be used as a mosque again, annulling the use as museum – the mosaics on the balcony…

Ephesus

Categories: Architecture · Bodrum · Türkiye · TravelTags: · ·

A UNESCO-listed World Heritage Site, Ephesus is Türkiye‘s grandest and best preserved ancient city with classical ruins. A showpiece of Aegean archaeology, the stellar ruins of Ephesus have provided travellers all the impetus to justify a trip to this stretch of picturesque coastlands. The ruins were rediscovered in the late 1800s and excavations have been going on for nearly a century. The Temple of Artemis that was built in the 4th century BC and was recognized as one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. Its fame reached distant lands and it became a pilgrimage site for merchants, kings, and…