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9+1 Greek islands to visit this summer
It’s been a year since the article ‘10 great Greek islands: readers’ travel tips’ was published in the Guardian. My tip ‘Hiking in Amorgos, Cyclades’ was not only included but it was also the winning tip. Since then, I have launched the Traveling Psychiatrist, a travel and wellbeing blog, where I publish weekly travel tips on my happy places (Greek islands, Norway, and London) and wellbeing tips based on my clinical experience and inspired by the books I read. An amateur cook and baker, sometimes, I’ve gone as far as to also share healthy recipes inspired by my travels, such as the orange pie (portokalopita) from Amorgos. …
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Traveling solo and jazz festivals in Norway
Last summer, I planned a trip to Norway with a few friends of mine, my so-called ‘travel buddies’. I planned the itinerary to include Oslo, Bergen and Ålesund. Disappointed I realized we did not have enough days to visit Trondheim too. Upon my return, I found out there was a direct flight from London to Trondheim. And then, I read about the jazz festivals taking place all over Norway from late spring till the end of summer. Trondheim Jazz Festival, which takes place in May, was just the excuse I needed. Decision made. But this time I went without my travel buddies. It was my first time traveling solo from…
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Trondheim: Alex’s Top 7 Tips
My love affair with Norway and its music dates back to my early childhood. I must’ve been about six when I became interested in maps, geography, and the countries of the world. Soon afterward, my aunt traveled to Norway (admittedly without me). Trondheim was one of the places she visited. Amongst the presents she brought back was a jigsaw puzzle of a map of the Nordic countries. I had to wait for a few years until I finally visited four of these five countries, and the one I liked the most was – you guessed right: Norway. I remember I vouched to return and stay (not for long, but…
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Take me to Church (or a chapel)
Two weeks ago, the Netherlands won this year’s Eurovision Song Contest with the song ‘Arcade’, performed by Duncan Laurence. This was arguably the best song in the competition, yet the highlight of the final was Madonna’s somewhat pitchy but poignant performance of her classic ‘Like a Prayer’. Released 30 years ago, it remains an iconic song. Sometimes I wonder how it’d feel if Madonna performed ’Like a Prayer’ in a church. Although (or perhaps because) I am not a religious person, I enjoy going to a church not for religious purposes but for cultural ones. I particularly enjoy listening to music (from classical to country, and from jazz to…
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How to spend 24 hours in Ålesund
Exactly a year ago, I was ready for my trip to Norway. I had already planned my itinerary, booked my flights, hotels and train tickets, and I was looking forward to returning to the country I’d last visited 20 years prior. Of course, I had wanted to visit Oslo and Bergen again, but Ålesund was the city I was most excited about. And, it certainly lived up to my expectations; the two days I spent there was the highlight of my week in Norway. This beautiful port town on the west coast of Norway may not be the most famous city in the country, but it’s the birthplace…
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Beyond Eurovision: A musical journey in Europe
I have to admit that the Eurovision Song Contest is one of my guilty pleasures. Every May for several weeks (before and after the contest) all I listen to is europop – quite a departure from the music I usually enjoy (jazz, country and indie). Today, however, I’ve decided to embark on a musical journey around Europe, and listen to music (not necessarily Eurovision songs) from different European countries. I’m starting this journey with classical music from 12 different countries, but I’m also going to visit countries with a huge tradition in music (albeit not in classical music). Some Eurovision pitstops have also made it to my itinerary, and…
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Bergen: the city of the Seven Mountains
Surrounded by seven hills and seven fjords, Bergen is also known as the city of the Seven Mountains. Norway’s second-largest city is located on the southwestern coast, and should definitely be part of your itinerary. So far, I’ve visited Bergen three times: once in 1998 and twice in 2018. Here are my top 7 tips: 7 tips for Bergen: Go to the (Stave) Church Start your sightseeing by visiting the Fantoft Stavkirke (Fantoft Stave Church). From the city center, take the Bergen Light Rail to Fantoft or Paradis; the church is a short walk from there (open every day 10:30-18.00, admission NOK 60). Once present in many parts of…
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My Happy Place(s): London, Greece, Norway
I recently visited the ‘Edvard Munch: Love and Angst’ exhibition at the British Museum in London. Already a fan of Munch, I wanted to learn more about the renowned Norwegian painter – his life as well as his art. The British Museum is only a few minute walk from Russell Square, which is where I got off the Tube. Stepping onto the platform, I noticed a larger than life advertisement of Emma Bunton’s new album ‘My Happy Place’ (released on the 12th of April 2019). Baby Spice’s fourth studio album consists of ten tracks; two are original, whilst the rest are cover versions of older songs. My favorite is ‘Come…
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Oslo: Nesbo, Munch, Music, Opera & More
Last year, a devastating earthquake shook Oslo. Built only a decade prior, the Opera House was one of the many buildings seriously damaged by the seismic activity. As the Norwegian capital’s skyline collapsed like a house of cards, only the Radisson Blu Plaza Hotel stood tall. Also known as Oslo Plaza, this is not only the tallest building in the city, but also the second tallest in Norway (Trondheim’s Tyholttårnet is the tallest in the country). It is also where an elderly assassin positioned himself on 17 May 2000 in an unsuccessful attempt to assassinate Norway’s Crown Prince on the Norwegian Constitution Day. Gladly, life in the Scandinavian…
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LOVE + FEAR, Love and Angst, & Meaning of Life
A couple of weeks ago, I attended ‘Life Lessons with MARINA’, a conversation between two influential women: Marina Diamantis, a Greek-British singer-songwriter, and Professor Tanya Byron, a clinical psychologist and writer. The event was organized by The School Of Life, a global organization headquartered in London. It took place on the day that ‘LOVE’ (the first half of ‘LOVE + FEAR’, Marina’s fourth album) was released. The School Of Life offers a range of services, including classes, workshops, and events, such as the one I attended. They also offer therapy services and publish books and educational videos on YouTube. A common denominator of all these services is the focus on…