Skopje, the dashing kitsch capital of North Macedonia

Europe North Macedonia

Skopje, the dashing kitsch capital of North Macedonia

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I can’t thank my friend Viktoria enough for showing me a part of her country, North Macedonia, and its capital Skopje. It all started when she told us that to celebrate her thirtieth birthday, she would organize a party in her home country, Northern Macedonia.

Not going to lie, I took the opportunity to celebrate my friend, of course, but also to discover a country that was still totally unknown to me. Various twists and turns in the planning of this escapade made me couple this trip with the discovery of the capital of Kosovo – Priština (remember my wish to visit the European capitals before my 30th birthday).

This post tells the story of my discovery of Skopje, the capital of the country, with my friend Viktoria, one of her childhood friends living in the Macedonian capital, a Swiss friend of Viktoria’s family and (suspense) my dad. I was talking about twists and turns, and my dad was one of them. I was delighted to discover these two countries with him.  

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5 hidden Cafés in Lausanne

Lausanne Switzerland Vaud

5 hidden Cafés in Lausanne

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In Lausanne, whether it’s in the sub-station district, in unusual alleys or nestled in public monuments, if you’re looking for a good place to enjoy a cup of coffee, you’ll be spoilt for choice. So much so, that over the years, I have developed quite a long list of cafés that I recommend. At the end of this article, you will find an interactive map of the best cafés in Lausanne.

Shall we go for a coffee?

Whether it is a consensual social habit, a sacred ritual or a need for caffeine to wake up, the café (whether it is the drink in French – coffee, or the place – café) is a gathering place. A stimulating environment in terms of architecture, the art of living and atmosphere, but also a place to relax in a friendly setting.

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6 places off the beaten track in Ticino

Switzerland Ticino

6 places off the beaten track in Ticino

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Ticino, land of water. There’s nothing wrong with this, as the Italian-speaking Swiss canton is full of beaches, rivers, gorges and waterfalls. It is enough to develop a cascade of memories in Ticino.

With its two lakes (Lugano and Maggiore) and its many valleys, the Italian-speaking part of Switzerland is a canton to be discovered and a favourite place to get away for German-speaking city dwellers. A place which for them does not seem so out of place, as the Swiss-German language has become common in Ticino (which is a pity, as Italian is much more melodious).

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8 steps to discover the vibrant city of Porto

Europe Porto Portugal

8 steps to discover the vibrant city of Porto

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There is an old Portuguese adage that puts Porto into context: “While Lisbon is being beautiful, Coimbra is studying, Braga is praying and Porto is working”.

Although I had visited Porto on a previous family trip, I had no memory of the Portuguese city, which made it an ideal destination for a friend’s trip. However, I had a feeling I was going to enjoy Porto; a guaranteed crush with its good and positive vibes between its dazzling colours and its messy azulejos.

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A daring hike to the Limmernsee

Glarus Switzerland

A daring hike to the Limmernsee

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Switzerland is full of breathtaking hiking trails that lead to stunning destinations. Most of them are already well known (Grosse Mythen, Augstmatthorn, etc), but there are still some real hidden treasures (such as la Tine de Conflens). The Limmernsee hike I am presenting to you today is one of them, hidden in the canton of Glarus.

It’s a canton that is still unknown but worth visiting, especially because it has majestic mountains called the Glarner Alps. And where nuggets emerge, such as the Limmernsee hike, which I’ve been eyeing for some time (thanks Instagram!).

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Admont Abbey, Austria’s hidden treasure

Admont Austria Europe

Admont Abbey, Austria’s hidden treasure

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Admont, a quiet village

7:00 am the alarm clock rings, painfully early after a short night in the youth hostel in Graz. The 10:40 train ride of the day before is also felt, and I’m about to undertake a short 2-hour journey to the centre of Austria, to discover a timeless place.

A surprising place that was the main reason for my trip to Austria in the summer of 2021. I will take you to Admont, a small Austrian municipality located in Styria (whose capital is Graz).

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Innsbruck, the vibrant capital of the Alps

Austria Europe Innsbruck

Innsbruck, the vibrant capital of the Alps

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The city of Innsbruck is a small Austrian nugget that manages to mix nature, urbanism, gastronomy, culture and sport. What more could I ask for in a destination?

The possibilities of visits and activities are numerous and yet it breathes an Olympian calm between vintage historical heart and new modern architecture. Innsbruck is the “capital of the Alps” and of the Austrian Tyrol. Fifth Austrian city in terms of population (behind Vienna, Graz, Linz and Salzburg), it became my second favourite city in the country of the Schnitzel after the romantic Salzburg.

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From Fife to Aberdeen: Escapades in the northeast of Scotland

Aberdeenshire Europe Fife Scotland United Kingdom

From Fife to Aberdeen: Escapades in the northeast of Scotland

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The Scottish Highlands is the region not to be missed when visiting Scotland, yet another area whose landscapes and assets are to be valued is sometimes overlooked. During several trips from Edinburgh, I had the chance to discover picturesque and authentic places in the northeast of Scotland, such as Fife and Aberdeen districts. Places that deserve more exploration but which, without a car, are sometimes difficult to access.

So, instead, I set out to discover a few towns by means of a guided tour from Edinburgh and another day by train. A change of scenery from the beautiful capital.

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Essay on my cultural identity

Reflections

Essay on my cultural identity

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*The cover photo was taken by the talented Léa

Long before I thought about my own cultural identity, I was telling myself that three simple facts could define me: my first name, my age, and my nationality. Then, growing up and traveling mainly, I realized that other, much more significant features could also characterize me, although putting words or theoretical terms which, such as “cultural frameworks” or “small cultures” on all this, does not really help to understand the complexity of this issue.

I had to leave, travel a little to understand something: I am constantly changing, I open my eyes to the world and I confront my opinions, which transforms my identity. Traveling and becoming more adult, has taught me that you cannot be associated with one feature only. I am still Alessandra (although few people call me that, but rather Aless or Ale) and still Swiss, my age differs over the years as does my identity. It’s not something that is anchored or stabilized. Over time, it changes.

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