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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…
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Summer in Verona: top 7 tips
Traveling, summer, pasta, pizza, coffee, gelato… These are a few of my favorite things in life. So, Italy is, understandably, one of my favorite travel destinations. I recently visited Rome for the third time. Last summer, however, I visited Verona for the first time. Located in northeastern Italy, Verona is worldwide famous for being the setting of William’s Shakespeare’s ‘Romeo and Juliet’. Here are my top 7 tips for Verona: 1. The Opera Festival The Opera Festival was undoubtedly the highlight of my visit. It takes place in the Arena di Verona, an open-air Roman amphitheater located in the heart of the city. This summer, it runs…
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Summer in Rome: top 7 tips
It’s 34 degrees Celsius, the sun is shining, and people (including myself) are walking around with a gelato in hand. Is this a scene from London or Rome? Both! Let me explain… The 29th of June was the hottest day of the year (up till then) in the former; it was also when the Gelato Festival came to town. A week later, I visited the latter, where the temperature routinely rises to (and above) the mid-thirties during the summer. And, of course, gelato is there all year long. This week, however, I am going to focus on the Eternal City, as Rome is also known as. If…
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Summer in London: top 20 tips by a local
London is my favorite city in the world, and I am glad that I can call it home for the last couple of years. Summer is my favorite season and time of the year, so summer in London is simply a dream combination (although, to be absolutely honest, I would probably put summer on the Greek islands first). A few weeks ago, Glastonbury Festival took place, but sadly I hadn’t been able to secure the much-desired ticket and see Kylie, Chris and Carrie live (it would’ve been my second time for all of them). But every cloud has a silver lining, and I was lucky to attend two extraordinary…
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Ealing Summer Festivals & 12 tips by a local
Spread over 6 events, Ealing Summer Festivals take place this month. The programme includes Greenford Carnival (which took place on the 7th of July), Ealing Beer Festival (taking place between the 10th and the 13th of July), Acton Carnival (due on the 13th of July), Ealing Comedy Festival (18th-19th and 24th-26th July), Ealing Blues Festival (20th-21st July), and Ealing Jazz Festival (27th-28th July). The latter is one I would have been looking most forward to, had I not been invited to a friend’s wedding that weekend. The line-up of the latter includes the famous Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Orchestra and the Stefanos Tsourelis Jazz Quartet (daily tickets cost £5). All 4 festivals take…