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Seductive Sintra

A few years ago – 4, to be exact, I had some time to kill in Lisbon after long days of meetings. As luck would have it, I more or less stumbled upon Sintra. I’ve been meaning to share a few photos of this gorgeous town ever since. Better late than never, eh? Sintra is [...]

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The old bridge in Mostar

This week’s #frifotos* theme is symbols. What first popped into my mind was Stari Most. I think the old bridge in Mostar is one of the most powerful symbols there is: of multiculturalism, of how people of different religions can co-exist, how reconciliation can actually work. There’s a Middle Eastern flavour to Mostar. No surprise, [...]

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The Cape Peninsula: penguins, baboons and spectacular scenery

After my recent re-visit to Cape Town and the Cape Peninsula, I’ve a series of posts coming up. I’ll cover a cheetah, lion and rhino rescue project, another self-declared micro-nation, the infamous prison isle Robben Island, a thought-provoking visit in a township and I might even say a word or two about Cecil Rhodes and [...]

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Moscow: a true megacity

I haven’t been in Moscow in many, many years. Not since it was capital of the Soviet Union and Yuri Andropov was head of state. In fact, Andropov died during my stay in town, and a visit to the Bolshoi was cancelled as a result. I’ve plans to return soon (and see the Bolshoi). Meanwhile, [...]

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The lighthouse at Colonia

Wherever I went in town, I always saw Colonia lighthouse, an ever-present guide, for sailors throughout the centuries – and for this jetlagged Scandinavian.

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The Republic of Užupis – a micro-nation

A highlight during a recent visit in Vilnius was the quirky micro-nation Republic of Užupis, an artists’ colony that declared its independence in 1997.

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Searching for Garbo

At Skogskyrkogården, you can search for the most famous Swede of all, the elusive Greta Garbo – and tick off another UNESCO World Heritage site, in one go.

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Gaudi in Context – A Walk through Catalan Modernisme

The Catalan version of Art Nouveau is Modernisme and it’s about more than architecture. Modernisme is an entire movement closely linked to Catalan culture and identity. Yet, it is through architecture this movement is best known, especially the works of Antoni Gaudi.

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