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Luxembourg: a place of creative spirit
How would we describe our trip to Luxembourg? It was like stepping into a fairytale, into a world where kings reigned from great castles and knights fought off dragons in the sky. But as enticing as this was, what we really got excited about—and were surprised by, to be frank—was the youthful spirit of this place. Sure, its city center is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and over 130 castles dot its land, but we suggest eschewing the wonderful historical bliss and exploring the creative spirit of …
Riga: A Bastion of Creativity
For humankind, the last 18 months have been tough. I for one really needed a breath of fresh air recently, which led me to Riga, a place that boasts the second-best quality of air in the world. Yes, yes, when I said I needed a breath of fresh air, I didn’t totally mean that literally. But I have to say, filling my lungs with Riga’s clean oxygen as I strolled its lively streets was just the tonic I needed. One of the most impressive things about Riga is the way it has meshed the old with the …
Thessaloniki: Greece's most creative city
I have to make a confession. Before I visited Thessaloniki, I knew almost nothing about this wonderful Greek city. What redeemed my ignorance was the fact that I was extremely eager to learn. What’s the best way to explore Thessaloniki? In my estimation, the answer is: on foot! To guide me, I was fortunate to have Yannis—who has excellent content on YouTube and Facebook , by the way!—who seemed to know everything about his hometown. View this post on Instagram A post shared by rachel bires | …
Mozart and electric music in Salzburg
I have to tell you a secret about me: I’m a classically trained violinist! In fact, I’ve been playing since I was ten years old. So, you can imagine that visiting Salzburg —the birthplace of Mozart—was not just a thrill for me, but a sort of homecoming to a city that combines the richest of musical history with some pretty exciting contemporary culture. View this post on Instagram A post shared by rachel bires | chicago (@rach.bires) When I first got to Salzburg, I had to see all the …
The beauty of Cyprus’s flamingos
One of the most memorable events of my life was seeing thousands of flamingos resting in Cyprus’s Larnaca Salt Lake. Watching these gorgeous pink birds, often standing on just one of their stick legs, made me feel a sort of peace about the world and appreciation of nature that I always seek while travelling. Want to experience these flamingos too? Make sure to visit during the right season, which is November – March. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Emily Titus? (@wilderness_chick) …
The Primordial Mountains of Montenegro
The rugged mountains of Montenegro’s coast. The blue waters that stretch out as far as the eye can see... Those are things that anyone with a #NaturallyCurious soul must experience. I had my chance earlier this year—I know, I’m lucky! But to give back, I’m here to share with you what I discovered in this marvelous country and what you can too. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Emily Titus? (@wilderness_chick) For a nature lover, Montenegro is a paradise. Not only is this country’s …
Why Perugia stole my heart
Perugia, Italy will always have a special place in my heart. Why? For two big reasons: it’s where my husband’s family lives and where I got married. But now I want to share this remarkable place with you! The best things in life are shared, right? View this post on Instagram A post shared by taylor | flourishmentary (@flourishmentary) Though Italy as a whole is a popular destination, Perugia remains somewhat off the beaten path. That’s always shocked me, given the rich history, the amazing …
Dublin: A city with a great literary past and present
On nearly every street, around nearly every corner, it seems as though there’s a piece of immense literary history in Dublin. Whether you’d like to walk in the footsteps of James Joyce, seek out Samuel Becket’s favorite haunts, or pretend you’re Oscar Wilde, Dublin has it all. I recently spent some time exploring Dublin and its remarkable literary past. As a sidebar, I recommend the Bankers, one of the city’s last traditional pubs for effervescent refreshment along the way. The other highlight …
Charleroi: A city pulsing with art
Over the past few years of our travels, something has become clear: very often, in post-industrial cities where rents are cheap and space more plentiful, the most creative young people come. These young creatives arrive to paint to write and build and break—they are there to make new worlds. Though Brooklyn might be most famous for this, we recently visited a place where the creative spirit was even stronger: Charleroi, Belgium. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Scott & Megan | NYC & …
Hear live music, see great art
Feel the creative spirit of summer Visit European cities. Feel the creative spirit of summer. The sun is shining and the musicians, artists, and actors are emerging from the winter lairs. What could be better? The long cold is now over (cue the collective sigh of relief). Better days are surely ahead. To celebrate an exciting future, embark on a European creative city adventure that focuses on two of the best things of summer: good weather and open-air festivals, be they musical, theatrical, or …