I am glad I followed a friend’s suggestion to visit the Museo Sorolla in Madrid. Joaquin Sorolla excelled in the painting of portraits, landscapes and monumental works. Many of the famous pieces include the impressionist beach scenes. The museum occupies what was the Spanish artist’s family home from 1911. The house has been preserved, including his studio, together with a vast collection of his masterful works. The Museo Sorolla is considered one of the best preserved artist’s homes in Europe.
It was fifteen years ago when I first (and last) came to this monumental city – mainly to visit some dear friends. Now I am back to the grandeur of Madrid – built when Spain was at the peak of its power and the city became the seat of the great empire stretching around the world.
The last time I was in Andalusia in Spain more than fifteen years ago, I missed visiting Granada and specifically, the Alhambra. Now, I made it the main reason for my return to this part of the country. Granada, the moorish Anadlusian city, conjures of the breathtaking Alhambra, snowcapped Sierra Nevada and the gypsy flamenco.
Au Revoir, Paris. Until the next time. I promised to try new restaurants and patisseries during this visit to Paris. While walking, I came across a tiny cafe that serves excellent espresso – Terres de Cafe. One restaurant I really enjoyed both the meal and the vibe is Cafe Trama in the Saint Placide area. Traditional french cuisine in a casual but modern style, with a good wine selection. A couple of blocks away from the hotel I stayed at is Patisserie Thevenin, where I would…
Palais Garnier is an extravagant example of Second Empire architecture in Paris. This opera / ballet house was designed by the architect Charles Garnier, who won the competition launched by Napoleon III. The Palais was inaugurated in 1875 with a beautiful ceiling in the auditorium painted by Marc Chagall in 1964.
Now, it’s “Back in Paris“! It’s been twelve months since I was last in this inspiring city. I continue to be in trance every time I am here. No matter how often I visit – this elegant and enthralling city still has something new to show. I am planning to see new sights, visit new restaurants and try out new patisseries.
“Goodbye” to Berlin for now. Till the next time. Two notable meals – both Michelin Bib Gourmand restaurants. Restaurant Renger-Patzch serves well executed traditional regional German cooking. The other is Restaurant Nussbaumerin – serving traditional Austrian dishes. Both worthy of a try! For my second visit to Berlin, I stayed at the Sofitel Kurfurstendamm. Location is great, close to both the U and S Bahn stations and a major shopping street. Rooms are generous sized and the amenities and service is good.
Schloss Charlottenburg is Berlin‘s petite Versailles – a gift to his wife, Sophie Charlotte, in 1699 from King Frederick I of Prussia. The opulent baroque summer palace has a facade that was partly modelled on Versailles and adorned with Attica-style sculptures. The palace was in near complete destruction in World War II.
After four years, “Back to Berlin“! This trend-setting German capital knows how to show visitors a good time and that is the reason I have returned. Whether one comes here for the art, the Wall (or what’s left of it), the food or the nightlife, Berlin will excite and entertain! The Alte Nationalgalerie is one of the galleries I was not able to visit the last time I was in this city. With a collection of 18th to early 20th century masters in a backdrop as magnificent as the works on display. …
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.
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