Potsdam

A UNESCO World Heritage site, Potsdam is the capital of the Berlin-Brandenburg region and is located only 24 kms southwest of Berlin. It’s like time-traveling for a day to architecture inspired by Ancient Greece, Dutch gables, English gardens and the main attraction — the baroque architecture of Park Sanssousi. Schloss Sanssouci is King Frederich II of Prussia’s summer palace. The rococo palace was built in 1747 as an escape for the King from his country’s functions. Neues Palace is a baroque palace embellished with a monumental cupola. Frederick the Great had the New Palace built from 1763 to 1769.

Kalimera

October 2, 2016September 30, 2016 Categories: Accommodations · Athens · Food · Greece · Santorini · TravelTags: Athens · Greece · Santorini · Travel1 Comment

Meaning “Good Day” or “Good” morning in Greek. Good food is aplenty in Greece. From seafood, to feta and saganaki, and a number of delectable wines. In the village of Fira in the island of Santorini, the hotel concierge sent me to Idol. A remarkable recommendation for local food with a view of the caldera. In the village of Oia, Skala serves solid and delicious traditional Greek food. Add to that, is the amazing view. Red Bicycle is located in a 19th century mansion on the cliff edge and also affords an excellent view. The food is modern and…

Oia

September 30, 2016June 1, 2019 Categories: Greece · Santorini · TravelTags: Featured · Greece · Oia · Santorini · Travel1 Comment

The village of Oia in the island of Santorini is one that is very much photographed. A picturesque village of blue-domed churches, white houses and tiny alleyways huddled on the hillside overlooking the volcano. Oia is also famous for its photogenic sunsets. What is the caldera? That is one question I had when I started reading about this island and the said term kept coming up. The caldera is the water-filled cauldron that lies off Santorini and was created in 1450 BC when a huge volcanic eruption blasted through the once circular island, creating its current crescent shape.

Santorini

September 29, 2016September 29, 2016 Categories: Greece · Santorini · TravelTags: Greece · Santorini · Travel

The Cyclades are among the most stunning Greek islands and no island in this group of islands epitomizes the Greek vacation experience than Santorini. Crescent in shape, Santorini owes its formation to a massive volcano eruption in 1450 BC. The resulting under water crater has been associated with the legend of the lost city of Atlantis. Santorini remains at the centre of the South Aegean Volcanic Arc. Named by the Venetians in the 13th century, this stunning island of dazzling white villages, black sand beaches, thermal springs and luxuriant vineyards is a quintessential Greek island.

Archaeological Museum

September 28, 2016September 28, 2016 Categories: Art · Athens · Greece · TravelTags: Archeological Museum · Art · Athens · Greece · Travel

The National Archaeological Museum in Athens is the country’s largest archeological museum with a massive collection of Greek artifacts, ranging from the Prehistoric Neolithic era to the late Roman period. The museum also has an overwhelming collection of more than 2,500 Greek vases.

Athens

September 27, 2016September 27, 2016 Categories: Athens · Greece · TravelTags: Acropolis · Athens · Greece · Travel

The cradle of Western civilization, Athens is both ancient and modern. Homeland to gods, goddesses and some of history’s greatest philosophers and athletes, Athens boast glorious ancient temples. It is my first time in Greece and this bustling city is a mix of history and edginess. Even in the face of current financial issues, this city is open-air museum and at the same time, conspicuously cosmopolitan. The magnificent Acropolis rises above the sprawling metropolis – merging past and present.

The Met & MoMA

July 8, 2016July 8, 2016 Categories: Art · New York · Travel · USATags: Art · Met · MoMA · Museum · New York · Travel

It’s probably been more than twelve years since I last visited The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York. Regarded as one of the world’s largest and finest art museums with more than two million works of art, somehow I keep procrastinating a re-visit. I made it back last week and was glad to see again their wonderful collection. On the other hand, my last visit to the Museum of Modern Art was last year. I always enjoy dropping by when I am in town.

City so Nice

July 4, 2016July 4, 2016 Categories: New York · Travel · USATags: New York · Travel3 Comments

“City so nice, they named in twice” goes the saying. I was back in New York for a four day long weekend. There was some trepidation, as I remember during my school days here that the city gets extremely hot and humid this time of the month – worsen by the concrete jungle. Alas, it was bearable this time around.

Tapas, Paella y mas

May 29, 2016May 28, 2016 Categories: Accommodations · Barcelona · Food · Girona · Spain · TravelTags: Barcelona · Food · Girona · Spain

Eating is an extremely important social activity in Spain. Barcelona is known for both its traditional and inventive cuisine — with lunch “rush hour” at 2:00 pm and a chic dining hour at 10 pm. El Fornet is good spot for desayuno (breakfast) as it serves fresh baked goods and bocadillos. There are a number of El Fornet‘s in the city. Known for its traditional Catalan cuisine is Freixa Tradicio located in the Gracia district. Awarded a Michelin Bib Gourmand, this restaurant has established itself as one of the city’s culinary institutions. When I lived in Barcelona years ago, my…

Catalan Modernisme

May 27, 2016May 28, 2016 Categories: Architecture · Barcelona · Spain · TravelTags: architecture · Art Nouveau · Barcelona · Catalan Modernisme · Modernism

Catalan Modernisme was part of the general trend that emerged in Europe at the turn of the 20th century. It is the equivalent of other art movements in Europe in the names of Art Nouveau, Sezession, Arts and Crafts or Gothic Revival. The Modernisme movement was centered in Barcelona and was practiced by Antoni Gaudi and Lluis Domenech i Montaner, among others. The former Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau was built between 1902 and 1930 is a masterpiece in Catalan Modernisme by Domenech i Montaner. It was a fully functioning hospital until 2009 and converted into a cultural site and research centre in 2014 after four…

where's gary

Category: Travel