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Discover the world’s most beautiful libraries

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Discover the world’s most beautiful libraries

” I have always imagined that Paradise will be a kind of library” has once declared Jorge Luis Borges, the famous Argentinian writer.

Enclosing secrets as old as the world, mysterious and intriguing, these temples of knowledge offer much more than literary choices. They present marvellous architectures symbolising the developments and ideas of history and dazzle with such cachet.

From the oldest to the most futuristic, these spaces dedicated to reading were all built with the aim of being able to amaze, charm and above all inspire visitors. Well, mostly to charm and inspire me. And make me travel to unusual places.

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Visit Milan, the bustling metropolis of northern Italy

Europe Italy

Visit Milan, the bustling metropolis of northern Italy

One of my favourite getaways just 3 hours from home, Milan is a city that I am particularly fond of and that has started to reveal itself to me over the last ten years or so. I have become so familiar with Milan because I often go to the Italian economic capital to support my favourite football team, thanks to my dad, who shared the red and black fever with me.

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Tribute to San Siro, the Scala del Calcio in Milan

Europe Italy Reflections

Tribute to San Siro, the Scala del Calcio in Milan

In Milan, there are two teams – AC Milan and Inter Milan. The rivalry between these two teams and their fans is tremendous and can divide families, however close they are, or turn peaceful neighbourhoods into civil war zones. Or make me rethink my friendships/love affairs.

I’m not Italian, and it’s true that the culture of football is not very deep-rooted in Switzerland, where I come from, but I consider myself a true tifosa. The word tifoso, which means supporter, comes from the infectious disease typhus (Italian: tifo) which, if left untreated, causes a high fever, just as the tifoso, a football fan, “suffers from football fever”.

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Matka Canyon – A breath of fresh air outside Skopje

Europe North Macedonia

Matka Canyon – A breath of fresh air outside Skopje

The Matka Canyon is certainly the main natural attraction in the vicinity of Skopje and one of the most beautiful places to visit during a stay in North Macedonia. If you want to make a short day trip from Skopje, this natural wonder will enchant you.

I went there during my stay in North Macedonia for my friend Viktoria’s birthday. We definitely did not have to worry about how to get there, as my friend booked a taxi for us. There are many activities in Matka, however, we just enjoyed the boat ride, having 2 hours to spare before heading back to Kumanovo for Viktoria’s birthday party.

A full guide, however, is provided below to help you appreciate the beauty of these green hills that descend steeply into a deep fjord-like gorge filled with sparkling turquoise water. Isn’t it enough to blow you away ?

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Skopje, the dashing kitsch capital of North Macedonia

Europe North Macedonia

Skopje, the dashing kitsch capital of North Macedonia

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

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

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

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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