Tag: wanderlust ale

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 planning 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 country’s capital, 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 putting 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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36 hours in Salzburg, between tradition and modernity

Austria Europe Salzburg

36 hours in Salzburg, between tradition and modernity

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Salzburg is a baroque gem that is a must-see! Whether musical, historical, vibrant or traditional, the Austrian city can be discovered in less than 48 hours. With a thousand-year-old fortress, a sparkling river that divides the city and a mountainous environment, you will feel like you are in a fairy tale from the moment you arrive.

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Mont Miné Glacier: Autumn walk in a lunar scenery

Switzerland Valais

Mont Miné Glacier: Autumn walk in a lunar scenery

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Looking for new walks to recharge my batteries, one place had been catching my eye for a while: the Val d’Hérens and more particularly Mont Miné Glacier, which is at the far end of a Valais valley.

I will take you for a simple but wild hike in a mountain setting that will turn into a timeless, lunar landscape.

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Lake Brienz: Iseltwald and Giessbach, peaceful Bernese hideaways

Bern Switzerland

Lake Brienz: Iseltwald and Giessbach, peaceful Bernese hideaways

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Give me a lake and mountains and I would feel at home. I didn’t think I’d get such a familiar impression when I first went to Iseltwald and Lake Brienz, and throughout my visits, it has become my favourite place in Switzerland. A place for which, one day, I could perhaps leave my beloved Riviera.

Situated in the Bernese Oberland, this corner of Switzerland is certainly the perfect postcard and shows the diversity of landscapes that Helvetia enjoys. Colourful lakes, majestic mountains, enchanting villages and lush green fields – no more clichés than that. And this is probably its charm!

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