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36 Hours in Guadalajara
Guadalajara is the capital of the state of Jalisco and one of Mexico’s largest cities. Despite its size, it feels far more manageable and relaxed than Mexico City. Located in western Mexico, Guadalajara is famous as the birthplace of mariachi music and tequila, and is known for its elegant colonial architecture, lively plazas, and vibrant cultural scene. When I last visited Mexico, I spent three nights in Guadalajara (roughly two and a half days). In hindsight, I think a day and a half to two days is enough to experience the highlights while still enjoying the city’s laid-back atmosphere. Day 1 — Evening For dinner, I highly recommend Alcalde, one of Guadalajara’s…
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Where to eat and drink in Oaxaca
Oaxaca is widely regarded as Mexico’s culinary capital. Its markets are filled with the scent of toasted chillies and fresh masa, and its cuisine is famous for complex mole sauces—particularly mole negro—alongside tlayudas, memelas, and rich hot chocolate frothed with cinnamon. Chapulines (toasted grasshoppers) appear as a salty snack or taco filling, while smoky mezcal from the surrounding valleys is often enjoyed during long, relaxed evenings. In this post, I share my favourite places in Oaxaca for food and drinks. Cafés in Oaxaca: Café Brújula Alcalá Café Brújula Alcalá is my favourite café in Oaxaca. Despite its central location (very close to the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Assumption…
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5 (+1) things to do in Bologna
Bologna is a lively university city in northern Italy, known for its deep red architecture, miles of covered porticoes, and a food culture that has shaped Italian cuisine well beyond its borders. Home to the oldest university in the Western world, it balances academic life with a distinctly local rhythm, from busy markets to late-night piazzas. The city’s medieval towers, including the leaning Asinelli and Garisenda, rise above a historic center that feels both well preserved and thoroughly lived in, while dishes such as tagliatelle al ragù and tortellini in brodo anchor Bologna’s reputation as Italy’s culinary capital. I visited Bologna a few months ago. If you’re also planning to…
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9 (+1) things to do in Venice
Venice is a historic city in northeastern Italy, built on more than 100 small islands in the Venetian Lagoon of the Adriatic Sea. It is connected by a network of canals and over 400 bridges, with the Grand Canal serving as its main thoroughfare. Founded in the 5th century, Venice grew into a powerful maritime republic and a major centre of trade, art, and architecture. Today it is known for landmarks such as St Mark’s Basilica, the Doge’s Palace, and the Rialto Bridge, as well as for its ongoing challenges, including flooding, mass tourism, and the preservation of its fragile built environment. I visited Venice last September and today I…
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9 Places to Eat and Drink in Lucerne
Lucerne, a picturesque city in central Switzerland, is the country’s seventh largest and one of its most enchanting destinations. I’ve been fortunate to visit twice this year — once in May, just after the Eurovision Song Contest in Basel, and again in the autumn, when the renowned Greek singer Maria Farantouri performed at the Culture and Convention Centre (KKL). What to See (& Where to Eat and Drink in Lucerne) Kunstmuseum Luzern (Art Museum) Located right next to the train station, the Culture and Convention Centre (KKL) is not only a leading concert venue but also home to the Kunstmuseum Luzern (Art Museum) — well worth a visit. Situated on the fourth floor, the…
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13 (+1) anime films to watch
I had never been a fan of anime films — at least not until I visited Japan earlier this year. In Japan, the term anime refers to all forms of animated works, whether films or series, regardless of their country of origin. Outside Japan, however, it usually denotes Japanese animation specifically — and this is how I use the term in this post. Manga, on the other hand, refers to comics or graphic novels originating from Japan. Known for its colourful artwork, distinctive character designs, and wide range of themes and genres — from action-packed adventures and heartwarming romances to thought-provoking dramas and futuristic sci-fi — anime films have become one of Japan’s…
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6 Non-Japanese Films Set in Japan
In my previous post, I discussed ten Japanese films. This time, I turn my attention to six non-Japanese films set in Japan — some of which are based on Japanese novels . Each of these six non-Japanese films set in Japan offers a unique window into Japanese culture, landscapes, and atmosphere, as seen through the eyes of international filmmakers. Lost in Translation (2003) Written and directed by Sofia Coppola, Lost in Translation was inspired by her time in Tokyo, where she became fascinated by the city’s energy and quiet moments of alienation. Starring Bill Murray and Scarlett Johansson, the film won Coppola an Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay and was also…
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10 (+1) Japanese Films to Watch
One of the things I love most about autumn in England is the abundance of film festivals. The BFI London Film Festival runs from 8 to 19 October, and I’ve already watched A Pale View of Hills, based on the 1982 novel by Kazuo Ishiguro. Next up is the Leeds Film Festival (30 October to 16 November), followed by the London Korean Film Festival, which takes place from 5 to 18 November. It’s no secret that I’m a cinephile — and an unabashed fan of all things Japanese. Although I’ve shared film lists from other countries before (such as South Korea and France), I’ve never done one dedicated to Japanese…
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Naoshima: Japan’s island of art
Naoshima, a small island in Japan’s Seto Inland Sea (Kagawa Prefecture), is today synonymous with contemporary art and bold architecture. Once a quiet fishing community, it has been transformed into a cultural pilgrimage site, home to museums designed by Tadao Ando and outdoor works by world-renowned artists. Yayoi Kusama’s iconic polka-dotted pumpkins, set against sea and sky, have become its unofficial symbols—art and nature merging into one. A Day of Museum-Hopping in Naoshima I devoted a full day to exploring Naoshima’s museums, traveling mostly on foot between sites. Bicycles are a popular option, but note they aren’t permitted within parts of the Benesse Art Site, which can make them impractical…
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Japan trip: Kanazawa and Shirakawa-go
Earlier this year, I set off to Japan, a journey that took me to many remarkable places. Among them were Kanazawa, the elegant capital of Ishikawa Prefecture, and Shirakawa-go, a storybook village tucked away in the mountains of Gifu Prefecture. Kanazawa Kanazawa, perched on Japan’s central Honshu coast, is a city where history lingers in every corner. Known for its beautifully preserved Edo-period districts, exquisite traditional crafts, and one of the country’s most celebrated gardens, it offers visitors a glimpse into Japan’s cultural heart. Unlike many other Japanese cities, Kanazawa was spared from World War II bombings, a twist of fate that allowed its historic architecture and timeless charm to…