In Belgium’s second city, you’ll find the Plantin-Moretus Museum, a fascinating 16th century printing shop, publishing house and residence. Antwerp, then a city of 100 000 residents, was one of Europe’s leading cities for printing and typography, with 140 bookshops, printers and publishers. Among these, Christophe Plantin was the most famous – a 16th century Amazon.com, you might […]
World at a Glance: The Memorial in the Engadin Valley
Thumbing through photos, I’m reminded of a little memorial I once saw in the Engadin Valley. On Piz Nair mountain just above St Moritz, I spotted a glass box in the distance. Practically pulled over, I was. By a strong impulse. Curiosity – and something else. There was no way I was not scrambling over […]
Altkunkendorf: Ancient beech forest and a hypnotic village
Trees! In my search for world heritage, the important places on the planet, those worthy of special protection for the future, I sometimes find myself in somewhat curious situations. This time, I am looking for trees. Beech trees, to be specific. Fagus sylvatica. Of course, we know trees are vital to our survival. And that […]
Chasing shadows in Czechia
I’m a paranormal investigator. For the night. Well, no, I am not. Not really. I cannot even call myself a believer. But Victoria can. I’ve just met this blonde, fresh-faced Brit – from somewhere just north of London. She tells me she has degrees in psychology and forensic psychology and has made Prague her home […]
World at a Glance: Defenestration of Prague
‘Defenestration,’ he said, the stranger who came up to me as I leaned out the castle window. Or snuck up on me, rather. Silent as a panther he was. A tuxedo-clad panther, with grey eyes. Steel. Eerily magnetic. View from Prague Castle I must have looked as confused as I felt. ‘An ominous word for […]
A Postcard to Dorrigo
Driving from Armidale to Coff’s Harbour with my oldest daughter some years ago, I spot a sign for Dorrigo. The name sounds familiar. But why? We’re at the other end of the world, after all. In Australia. And not Sydney or Melbourne, but inland Australia. Driving along, we pass any number of waterfalls on the […]
What makes us human? Thoughts on prehistoric cave art.
Last summer, I spent time in Bordeaux and the surrounding wine districts with my mum and sister. A highlight in the area was the ancient cave art in the nearby Vézère Valley. There are many excellent caves to visit in the valley. Having studied archaeology, I have a penchant for prehistory, and if you too […]
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
- Whimsical Giethoorn – a photo essay
- A Tale of Two Villas
- Vienna to Graz via the Semmering Railway: A UNESCO Kinder Egg
- Gori: birthplace of the world’s most infamous dictator
- Lovely Lucerne: 4 hours is but a glimpse
- World at a Glance: Flemish béguinages, a 13th century women’s movement
- Belgian Belfries
- The Palmyra Hotel in Baalbek: Wacky, Weird and Wonderful
- The Garden Kingdom of Dessau-Wörlitz
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Katrin: What a bizzare experience to have! Maybe the citiz...
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Anne-Sophie Redisch: Love unusual finds like this plantation. Thanks fo...
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Jeanette Brunet: I was in Edinburgh in August of 2015 for 9 days. W...
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