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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…
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Chiswick: Top 12 tips by an (almost) local
Lovebox and Citadel Festivals are coming back to Gunnersbury Park this month. It was a year ago when both festivals relocated from Victoria Park in the East End of London to the lesser-known Gunnersbury Park in West London. Since Gunnersbury Park is located in the London Borough of Hounslow between Acton, Brentford, Chiswick and Ealing, the relocation of the festivals helped put these districts on the map. As a local to this part of the capital (I live in Brentford, in the London Borough of Hounslow), I am very familiar with Chiswick and Ealing, and this week I will be sharing my top tips for the former (my top…
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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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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…