On a cold February afternoon, we meet him at the old Zeppelin hangar. We – are Lola, Janicke, and myself, three Scandinavian travel bloggers. He – is Mārtiņš Sirmais, Latvia’s super-chef. We’re about to learn Latvian cooking. Innovative Latvian cooking, it turns out. The old hangar is where Riga’s huge central market is located. And when […]
De Koninck: Antwerp in a Bottle
As you may recall, we really like Antwerp here at Sophie’s World. So we just had to return! Earlier, we’ve talked about the city’s three World Heritage sites (three!). This time, I’ll tell you about an unusual Antwerp brewery. Sounds, well, not that exciting? That’s what I thought, too. In fact, when I learned we […]
Julebord: a month-long pre-Christmas food fest
It’s that time of year again: the julebord season. The month before Christmas is a somewhat gluttonous period here in Norway. It probably is in your country as well, but your menu might be a bit different. Up here at the edge of the world, we eat… rotten fish. And torched, smoked whole sheep’s head, […]
Café Gerbeaud: Sumptuous sweets and magical mood in Budapest
On Vörösmarty Square in Pest, Gerbeaud has been around since 1858. Some say it’s touristy and over-priced. Me, I adore the atmosphere of another era in this Budapest cafe: high ceilings with plaster rosettes and crystal chandeliers, silk wall papers, solid brass-footed tables, and heavy velvet curtains separating the different rooms. The Royal Habsburgs came here, […]
Uisge-beatha: Following the Scotch trail on Islay
Ever wanted to learn how to make whisky? Here’s your chance. But what about uisge-beatha, you say? What does that mean? Read on, and all will become clear. We did a 4-day whisky tour of Islay, a small island in the Hebrides. The tour took us all around the island. Along with a selection of […]
Sailing and cooking in Sestri Levante
Is there a better start to the morning than a brisk sail in a fresh breeze? I don’t think so. As I’ve mentioned here, here and here, there’s much more to the Italian Riviera than Cinque Terre. So much more. Here’s yet another little jewel. About 56 kilometres from Genoa you’ll find Sestri Levante. Once […]
I found my love in Portofino
Well, no, I didn’t. Sadly. I obviously wasn’t here long enough; you’d have to look far and wide for a more romantic place to find love. Just ask Bogie and Bacall, or Dolce and Gabbana, or Madonna, or Elizabeth Taylor, or George Clooney. As you might have guessed, Portofino is one of the world’s glamour […]
Welcome! I'm Sophie - writer, dreamer, negotiator, wanderer, mum - in search of the world's curious places. Mostly with my daughters, sometimes solo. The girls share their take on it, too.
- Chasing shadows in Czechia
- A Tale of Two Villas
- Whimsical Giethoorn – a photo essay
- Vienna to Graz via the Semmering Railway: A UNESCO Kinder Egg
- Gori: birthplace of the world’s most infamous dictator
