Two days in Rome with kids
The Colosseum has 76 entries, but we did not enter even one. We admired it from the outside. The entrance was 12 euros and there was nothing going on inside. In Roman times, the entrance was free for everyone. Of course, the first level of the Colosseum was reserved for the emperor and his senators, so they could watch bloody gladiators fight from the closest distance. The Colosseum is not just about ruins though, it is also a vibrant place where people can enjoy opera or rock concerts too.
Thessaloniki is another Greece
As soon as we arrived in Thessaloniki, there was no doubt where we would go first. That was, of course, to meet the great philosopher, Aristotle. He is sitting in the main town square. While people hang around in nearby cafes, Aristotle is in a deep-thinking mood. He is happy not to be a teacher nowadays when teaching is a job not appreciated as it was when he was educating Alexander the Great.
Epidaurus – The Most Acoustic Theater
We have visited many ancient theatres (like those in Taormina and Syracuse, Italy) but the theatre in Epidaurus was really one that stood out for us. This ancient theatre has the best natural acoustics in the world. This means that you can drop a coin or tear paper on the stage and the spectators seated in the last row will be able to hear those sounds, without a microphone or speakers!
Seven days in Athens with kids
What to say about Athens that was not already said? We have been everywhere, from museums to squares, beautiful parks and botanical gardens, churches, and all other historic buildings, and the local police station as well. While I was wandering around, with my head in clouds, someone skillful took my wallet (with 180 EUR and almost all documents), so that was an opportunity for visiting local police which, fortunately, is not far from Acropolis.
Vatican: The Pope was not at home
The Vatican is the smallest state in the world, but it takes you an eternity to explore it. We started with visiting the Vatican museum on the last Sunday of the month because it’s a freeticket day. When something is free, the line is always very long. However, we skipped the line because we were with our kids.
Sea-seitan: Seitan prepared in the sea
I tasted the most delicious seitan in the world this summer at a small Croatian island called Zlarin, and I thought to myself, “The world must know about this. This is a real culinary art!”
Hydra: an ideal island for depressed people
Hydra is a small Greek island just 2 hours away from Athens and is an ideal weekend getaway or a one-day destination. When I say that it is an ‘ideal one-day destination’ it doesn’t mean that it is boring, it just means that it is pretty expensive. Actually, it is an ideal ‘lifelong destination’. Leonard Cohen, Mick Jagger, Henry Miller and many other rich and famous fell in love with Hydra and bought houses here.
In Delphi, we found out who will win the football World Cup!
We visited the most popular Greek oracle in Delphi to find out who will win the world cup. In the ancient world, prophecies were very popular. The most prominent prophecy happened in Delphi at the Temple of the God Apollo, located on the slopes of the Parnas Mountains in Central Greece. It was worth the 2.5-hour drive from Athens, not only to see the ruins but to get some important answers.
Food and Art
Musician and chef Lisa Spykers can play Mozart on the piano and also create vegan masterpieces in the kitchen. She travels all over the world playing music and preparing a variety of vegan meals with local ingredients she sources, as well as making vegan versions of traditional dishes in the countries she visits.
Lefkada – 100 shades of blue
It is much easier to get to Lefkada than to most other Greek islands because it is connected by a floating bridge with Akarnia. This Ionian island has a few of the most amazing beaches we have ever seen. Porto Katsiki beach is rated one of the most beautiful in Greece and among the top 10 in the world. People call it the ‘Maldives of Europe’.
Sarande and The Blue Eye
There are many reasons why visit Sarande, the most famous city on the Albanian coast. Beautiful beaches, crystal blue, clean sea, natural beauties, historical sights and very affordable prices of food and accommodation. I could write a touristic guide what to do in Sarande while it is raining. Noting much! Since we couldn’t swim we just walked by the long waterfront with umbrellas.
Skadar – a city on the lake
The main attraction in Skadar is the Castle of Rozafa, one of the most important historical monuments in Albania. The castle and walls are very well preserved, but that wouldn’t mean much if there is no amazing legend of Rozafa, the woman buried in the walls of Castle.
Tirana – the city of bunkers
Albania was never on our list of ‘countries you must see before you die’, but it was unavoidable on our way to Greece and we couldn’t resist stopping for a Byrek at least. For all those don’t don’t know what Byrek is: Byrek (also called Börek, burek, or lakror) is a family of baked or fried filled pastries made of a thin flaky dough. However, Albania offered much more than Byrek.
Sorrento – the land of mermaids
The kids were delighted when we told them that we are going to the town of mermaids. The name of the Sorrento city means exactly the Land of the mermaids. We got down to the beach looking for mermaids, but there wasn’t any. They probably moved to the luxury island of Capri. We wanted to visit Capri too, but the boat tickets were very expensive. We had to pay 37 Euros per person for only ten minutes long trip. It was easy for mermaids to get there when they don’t have to pay a ticket.
Naples – pizza’s hometown
We could say we love culture, architecture, nature and blah blah but 15 hours long trip to Naples was for Pizza. The first pizza in the world (Margharita) was born in Naples! My husband who is fascinated with pizza has been seriously studying for days where the best pizza is. The word on the street is that Pepe in Grani by Franco Pepe makes the best pizza in the world. The restaurant is in Caiazzo, just outside of Caserta.
Amalfi coast – hell’s road to heaven
Driving along the Amalfi coast, from Positano to Salerno, is both frightening and enchanting. It is frightening because of its roads with many bands. It is enchanting because of its breathtaking sea landscapes which draw attention from the road. I had to warn my husband hundred times not to look aside while driving. – It’s not safe. I will enjoy the view for you.
Bologna – a town of towers
Pisa is famous for The Leaning Tower, but Bologna is known as a town of towers. In the past, there were about 180 towers. It sounds like almost every family had a private one. We wanted to climb the top of the highest tower in the city center made up of 498 wooden steps (Torri Degli Asinelli e Garisendabut), but the tower was temporarily closed. Anyway, it would take us a few years to climb up there with the kids.
Ferrara is not about Ferrari
When I first heard about Ferrara, I thought that it was famous for Ferrari cars. Ferrara – Ferrari! It sounds logical, but there is no connection at all between the luxury cars and renaissance town. Ferrari is produced in another Italian city, Marinello, and Ferrara is a bike town. What makes Ferrara really special and so different from any other Italian city are its bicycles. 90 percent of the population rides bikes, like in Amsterdam or Copenhagen.
The Child President
Today’s children are raised to be presidents one day. Their days are full of activities from morning until late evening. Since the time they are a few months old, it is difficult to find a gap in their schedules. One grandmother told me she tried many ways to fit in with the weekly protocol of the future president of the state, her four-year-old granddaughter.
Modica – the chocolate kingdom
Sicilian people actually must be grateful to their Spanish invaders because they brought from Mexico the cocoa beans and a recipe for this chocolate from the Aztecs in the 16th century. This ancient Aztec technique of making divine chocolate is still used by generations and generations of families in Modica.
