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A cinematic journey to the Nordic countries
A keen traveler, I am also a music lover, and I particularly enjoy discovering and listening to music from different countries, often in languages I don’t understand. A few months ago, I published the post ‘Beyond Eurovision: A musical journey around Europe’, where I ‘visited’ 22 European countries, listening to some of my favorite musicians from each of these countries. This musical journey was followed by similar ones to Greece, Norway, Iceland, and California. But, I am also a film enthusiast, and as such I enjoy watching films from other countries, not always in English (as long as they have subtitles). To marry my love for cinema with my passion for…
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I Left My Heart In San Francisco
I left my heart in San Francisco High on a hill, it calls to me To be where little cable cars climb halfway to the stars The morning fog may chill the air, I don’t care Originally recorded by Tony Bennett, ‘I Left My Heart in San Francisco’ perfectly captures how I felt after my first visit to one of the most iconic American cities. Perhaps I am being a bit melodramatic, but few would argue with the charm of San Francisco. Despite the very large number of homeless people sleeping on the streets of this Californian city, San Fran is the highest rated American city on world liveability rankings.…
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Los Angeles: 3 days in La La Land
La La Land. City of Angels. City of Stars. The Big Orange. These are some of the most common nicknames for Los Angeles, or simply LA. The iconic city is not only the most populous in California, but also the second most populous in the United States (after New York City). When I first visited California, I stayed in Los Angeles for only two nights, so I simply had to go back and spend more time in La La Land. If you have never been to LA, I would recommend staying there for at least 3 days, and here’s how to make the most of them: Day 1: DTLA (Downtown…
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A musical journey to California
When I launched this blog last year, I said that I loved traveling the world. In fact, traveling has always been an important part of my life. As well as enjoyment and pleasure, traveling provides huge learning opportunities, helps us widen our horizons and opens us to different perspectives and viewpoints; all these can lead to a better appreciation of our own lives. As a Psychiatrist, I am passionate about optimal work-life balance and wellbeing, and I try to lead by example. So, I travel whenever I have time off work. A music lover, when I travel I get to discover new music, artists and songs I’ve never heard of before.…
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A musical journey to Iceland
Iceland. A country that I am yet to visit. Nonetheless, sometimes I feel as if I have already traveled or even lived there. I guess this is probably due to my obsession with the Icelandic culture and the many Icelandic crime novels I’ve been reading lately. I have previously written about my favorite Icelandic crime authors: Arnaldur Indriðason, Yrsa Sigurðardóttir and Ragnar Jónasson. Today, however, I’m going to write about my favorite Icelandic musicians: I’m going to continue my musical journey around Europe. The soundtrack to this musical journey to Iceland will include some my favorite musical ambassadors of the country. Ready to take off? I’m kicking this musical journey…
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A musical journey to Norway
It is no secret that I’m obsessed with Scandinavia and Norway in particular. So, following last week’s musical journey to Greece, this week I’m going on a musical journey to Norway. Sissel Kyrkjebø My first acquaintance with Norwegian music (Eurovision aside) goes all the way to 1998, when I first visited the Nordic countries. I clearly remember the soundtrack to the Norwegian leg of the journey: Sissel Kyrkjebø’s ‘Soria Moria’, an album that had been released almost a decade earlier, in 1989. With a career now spanning three decades, the famous Norwegian soprano has released 12 studio albums and has collaborated with many international musicians, including tenors…
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Now & then: a musical journey to Greece
A few months ago, I published my post ‘Beyond Eurovision: A musical journey in Europe’, where I ‘visited’ 22 European countries, listening to some of my favorite musicians from each of these countries. When I visited my home country, Greece, I struggled to choose among the many musicians I grew up listening to. In the end, I went on with those I consider ‘the classics’: composer Manos Hatzidakis and soprano Maria Callas. Then… a musical journey to Greece Manos Hatzidakis Manos Hatzidakis (also spelled Hadjidakis; 23 October 1925 – 15 June 1994) was a Greek composer, whose music has traveled the world. In 1960, he won the Academy Award…
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Explore the Isle of Man in 3 days
Bank holiday weekends provide a perfect opportunity for a short trip away from home. Yet, with the Brexit disaster fast approaching, weekend breaks in Europe may soon be a thing of the past. Halfway between Great Britain and Ireland, lies the Isle of Man, a small island in the Irish Sea, which is neither a part of the United Kingdom, nor of the British Overseas Territories (such as Gibraltar, Bermuda, the Cayman Islands, the Falkland Islands, and 10 other territories spread across the world). The Isle of Man, the Bailiwick of Jersey and the Bailiwick of Guernsey are the three so-called Crown Dependencies; all three of them are located off…
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Watermelon 3 ways: recipes from the Cyclades
If I had to pick one fruit that takes me back to my childhood summers in Greece, this would undoubtedly be the watermelon (καρπούζι/karpouzi). During July and August, the hottest months of the year, there would always be a huge bowl with freshly cut watermelon on the table at the end of each and every family meal. The same happened when we dined out; watermelon would always be served there too. In the afternoons, I remember waking up from my nap only to find that my grandmother had prepared a slice of watermelon served with some feta cheese. Perhaps because it is ubiquitous during the summer in Greece, perhaps because…
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Summer in Florence: top 7 tips
I’ve recently shared my top tips for Rome, and then for Verona. Today, I’m sharing my top tips for another one of my favorite Italian cities and the capital of Tuscany: Florence. I’ve often thought that Firenze, as the Italians call it, embodies the concept of la dolce vita. I’ve been to Florence several times, and every time I enjoyed the city a little bit more. I remember strolling around the beautiful city center trying to plan my meal times, so that I could dine at as many restaurants as possible, and have as much gelato as possible between or after my meals (quite a task!). Although it’s been a…