Finland is quite an extraordinary place. Today, it celebrates its Independence Day, so here are ten things that I particularly love about my home country. The education system Not only does Finland have one of the world’s best education systems, but everything – from preschool to university – is free at the point of use.… Continue reading Ten Things I Love About Finland
Monthly Roundup: October 2019
I know, I know… it’s already mid-November, but hear me out: I’ve been travelling so much in recent weeks that today marks the first time that I’ve spent more than 24 hours straight at home this month. Against this background, it’s totally understandable that I’ve only got around to writing the monthly roundup now, right?… Continue reading Monthly Roundup: October 2019
Flight-free Holidays: Autumn City Break in Berlin
What comes to your mind when you think of Berlin? Like many big cities, Berlin is full of contrasts: at once businesslike and relaxed, strict and chill, splendid and subdued, bursting with fun places to discover but also with dark memories. You could easily spend your holiday just discovering the city’s many museums, or touring the… Continue reading Flight-free Holidays: Autumn City Break in Berlin
Discovering London: The Notting Hill Carnival 2019
Warm sunshine, hot beats and cool people: that’s our Notting Hill Carnival 2019 in a nutshell. This past weekend marked the 4th time we’ve participated in the world-famous festival of Caribbean culture, and we had a blast. And yet, while dancing on the streets and admiring the passing sound systems, the social scientist in me… Continue reading Discovering London: The Notting Hill Carnival 2019
Life in Jordaan, Amsterdam’s Hipster Haven
What is life in Jordaan like? The most beautiful neighbourhood in Amsterdam, Jordaan is known for its picturesque houses, narrow alleyways, secret courtyards, cosy bars and tree-lined canals. The hipster haven has been my part-time home for the past two years, during which I’ve learnt that living in Jordaan can sometimes resemble a fairytale –… Continue reading Life in Jordaan, Amsterdam’s Hipster Haven
Save Your Time: How to Beat a Cell Phone Addiction
Two months ago, on New Year’s Eve, my boyfriend came to me and said he had something on his mind. I was getting ready for the evening, trying to decide on a dress to wear, but what he proposed sounded so interesting that I immediately stopped what I was doing and started planning the revolution:… Continue reading Save Your Time: How to Beat a Cell Phone Addiction
The Fast and the Furious: Riding Bird Electric Scooters in London’s Olympic Park
A rainy, windy and cold Sunday in January – is there a better time for spending a whole day outside? Well, maybe there is, and to be completely honest I did need a long hot bath after getting home yesterday… but I don’t regret it one bit, for we ventured out for a good reason: to… Continue reading The Fast and the Furious: Riding Bird Electric Scooters in London’s Olympic Park
Stop the Press: There’s Snow in Amsterdam!
I was barely awake, snuggly wrapped up in my bathing robe and slowly sipping my morning tea when I spotted it: big fluffy snowflakes floating down behind our window. All of a sudden, I wasn’t feeling tired at all – it’s not every day that you get to experience snow in Amsterdam! It was really… Continue reading Stop the Press: There’s Snow in Amsterdam!
Postcards from the Venice of the North: Weekend in St. Petersburg
Moscow or St. Petersburg? It seems like a pointless comparison, yet the question is surprisingly common. My first answer is usually both, though If I absolutely have to choose, I’ll always be a Moscow girl. This takes nothing away from Piter, though: Russia’s northern capital has a lot to offer to everyone from archilovers and… Continue reading Postcards from the Venice of the North: Weekend in St. Petersburg
I know what you did last summer: June, July & August 2018
I’ve been bad with monthly updates recently – in fact, I haven’t published one since February. Autumn is the time to get back on course, so that’s what I’m going to do. To start off, here’s three months of summer in one mammoth of a post – you might want to get yourself a cup… Continue reading I know what you did last summer: June, July & August 2018