La Biennale Di Venezia

So this is the main event for this trip to Italy – to visit the Biennale Archittettura 2018. One of the preeminent cultural events in the world, since its inception in 1895, the Venice Biennale has been of the most important and influential events in international contemporary art. Alternating each year between Art and Architecture, the 16th Venice Biennale of Architecture provides an opportunity for architects and designers to showcase new projects.There are 63 national pavilions this year curated by Grafton Architects with the theme of Free Space.

Arrivederci Roma

October 8, 2018May 13, 2023 Categories: Architecture · Europe · Italy · Rome · TravelTags: architecture · Europe · Italy · Rome2 Comments

See you later Rome! It’s been a wonderful 60 hours – and had the chance to re-visit some sights I last saw fifteen years ago, and then some, just three years ago.

Torna a Roma

October 7, 2018May 13, 2023 Categories: Europe · Italy · Rome · TravelTags: Europe · Italy · Rome · Travel1 Comment

“Back to Rome” after three years – I have returned to the former seat of power of the Roman Empire. This city is overflowing with iconic sights and architectural treasures that earn its name of the Eternal City. I am stopping by for a few days on my way to my main destination in Italy. It is never a chore to be in this living theatre.

AMS Eats

September 10, 2018May 13, 2023 Categories: Accommodations · Amsterdam · Europe · Food · Netherlands · The JordaanTags: Amsterdam · Food · Hotel

On my third trip to this beautiful city, I went back to a few of the memorable eats I had five years ago and at the same time, tried out a couple of new ones. My first stop was the The Cafe at the Rijksmuseum. A few notable items on the menu are by Chef Joris Bijdendijk of the RIJKS restaurant. I recall a few of my favourites during my one-month stay in this city five years ago. Pancakes Amsterdam has several locations (I go to the one on Negen Straatjes) and is my favourite go-to spot for traditional Dutch…

AMS is Art

September 2, 2018May 13, 2023 Categories: Amsterdam · Architecture · Art · Netherlands · TravelTags: Amsterdam · Art · Netherlands · Travel

One will never run out of impressive art to appreciate in Amsterdam. From Rijksmuseum (where Rembrandt’s Night Watch resides), the Van Gogh Museum, the Hermitage Amsterdam (outpost of the famous Hermitage Museum of St. Petersburg), to the Stedelijk Museum. Currently on exhibit at the Hermitage is Portraitt Gallery of the Golden Age, featuring thirty colossal 17th century group paintings from Rijksmuseum and Amsterdam Museum. The Stedelijk has a permanent installation of iconic works by the likes of Piet Mondrian, Gerrit Rietveld, Nola Hatterman, Barnett Newman, Yves Klein, Roy Lichtenstein, and Yayoi Kusama.

Welkom terug in Amsterdam

September 1, 2018May 13, 2023 Categories: Amsterdam · Europe · Netherlands · TravelTags: Amsterdam · Netherlands · Travel1 Comment

It’s been five years when I last stayed in Amsterdam for a month. I fell for this city the first time I visited fifteen years ago and felt it was time that I return once again to one of my favourites for an extended long weekend. Amsterdam somehow manages to have it all – the buzz of a metropolis, great museums, beautiful architecture, yet small enough to walk (or cycle) almost anywhere you want. And, no unbearable summer heat this time of the year! Many news outlets are now reporting that this city is becoming the new Venice, a city stolen…

Ikel u lukandi f’Malta

July 7, 2018May 13, 2023 Categories: Accommodations · Europe · Food · MaltaTags: La Falconeria · Malta · Restaurants

Maltese for “Food and Hotel in Malta” Malta became independent in 1964 from British rule and thankfully shaken off the British culinary legacy as it has varied restaurants. Maltese cuisine is a sizzling array of flavours, with an exotic mix of Italian, French, British and Arabic influences and fresh seafood plucked from the sea. Maltese food typical includes rabbit: rabbit liver, rabbit ragu, confit of rabbit, rabbit stew, braised rabbit…. Save the best for last: the best meal I had was at Guze, located in one of Valetta’s oldest houses, serving delicious mediterranean food. La Falconeria Hotel in Valetta…

Valetta

July 2, 2018May 13, 2023 Categories: Europe · Malta · TravelTags: Malta · St John’s Co-Cathedral · Travel · Valetta

Europe’s first planned city built in the 17th century, Valetta is UNESCO World Heritage listed because of it high concentration of historic monuments. Valetta is Malta‘s capital built by the Knights of St. John on a peninsula that stretches only 1 km by 600 m. Decreed by its founder that it should be “a city built by gentlemen for gentlemen”, Valetta retains its 16th century elegance and is designated as European Capital of Culture for 2018 (and that is one of the reasons I am here). St. John’s Co-Cathedral is one of the most magnificent baroque and ornate churches in the…

Blue Grotto

July 1, 2018May 13, 2023 Categories: Europe · Malta · TravelTags: Blue Grotto · Malta1 Comment

Malta gets more than 300 sunny days a year and is surrounded by clear blue waters. So a day trip to the Blue Grotto is warranted. Located on the southern coast, the bright cobalt colour of the water is a wonder to see.

Malta

June 30, 2018May 13, 2023 Categories: Architecture · Europe · Malta · TravelTags: Malta · Mdina · Travel1 Comment

Malta is an archipelago in the central Mediterranean between Sicily and North Africa. With its 7,000 year history, Malta has a greater density of historic sights than any other country. It boasts of unique prehistoric temples, Roman catacombs, medieval towns and extraordinary architectural legacy of the Knights of St. John (the Knights of Malta). Mdina is a fortified city that used to be the capital of Malta throughout the Middle Ages, until the arrival of the Order of St. John in 1530. (And for GoT fans, the city was the location shoot for King’s Landing).