The mountain knows it all

“We are now in the mountains and they are in us, kindling enthusiasm, making every nerve quiver, filling every pore and cell of us.”

                                                                        ― John Muir, My First Summer in the Sierra

Munich is the perfect starting point for amazing hikes.  There are plenty of choices in the area, especially around the lakes.

I highly recommend the following route – Prinzenweg – from Schliersee to Tegernsee.

• distance – 14,6 km
• duration – ca. 3 hours and 30 minutes
• highest point – 1322 m

How to get there:

You can get the Bayern ticket and take the train from Munich to Schliersee. It takes an hour to reach Schliersee and from there you just need to find the sign Tegernsee. Follow the signs and you would be OK.

Kreuzbergalm

There is a very nice stop on the way with a breathtaking view of the mountain. It is called Kreuzbergalm and there you can enjoy some coffee & cake or tasty sausages with the best mustard ever. Do not get carried away, because you need to go down to Tegernsee =)

It is worth the hike up:

Have a great time!

10 things I’ve learned from living abroad

1. You no longer speak one language, in my case you mix all three.

2. You learn that patience is a virtue. A really important one.

3. You learn how to ask for help. And you learn to count your blessings.

4. There is no normal. You are grateful for friends & family every single day.

5. Home is where the heart is. Home is not a place, it’s a feeling. 

6. Keeping an open mind is everything. You’d be amazed what you can learn in a day.

7. Learning how to cook is a life-saver. I repeat: a life-saver  🙂

8. You open your horizons. And you start understanding the world better.

9. You get to know yourself better. And you smile more.

10. You become friends with the world. And this is priceless. 

Photos: title photo: Dustin Lee

My Top 5 Favourite Travel Apps

Summer is the perfect time for travelling – the days are long and the weather is beautiful. Planing for a trip is exciting but it involves a lot of details that can be overwhelming. Apps simplify life and this is especially the case when it comes to travelling. Hope that my list would make your life easier. Wish you a happy August! 🙂

PackPoint

Travel light.

Packing is not my favourite thing to do. I have tried a lot of packing apps but there is one that I always come back to. PackPoint is easy to use, gives you suggestions about what to pack depending on your destination and you can share your travel list with family members/friends/fellow travellers.

Available for free on iPhone and Android

Foursquare

Get out of your comfort zone.

I have been using Foursquare for years now. You can create lists with places you want to visit, read reviews from locals and search for shops, restaurants, coffee places. I also use it to keep track of my favourite spots.

 

Available for free on iPhone and Android

Google Maps

Discover.

I do not know what I am going to do without Google Maps. I always ask for directions, so the app has made my life a bit easier. Exploring the neighbourhood of your hotel/vacation rental has never been easier. Knowing where to find an ATM or a pharmacy at a new place is priceless.

Available for free on iPhone and Android

TripAdvisor

Get inspired.

I have always been researching destinations on TripAdvisor’s website but the app is easier to navigate on a mobile device. TripAdvisor has become an integral part of my research when visiting a new place. Thumbs up!

Available for free on iPhone and Android

Airbnb

Be a local.

I must admit that at first I was very sceptical about using Airbnb. Now I simply love it. You can find a place to stay directly from your phone and then send a request for specific dates. I also found it easy to communicate with the host via the Airbnb app. Well, I still read the reviews in detail, but the opportunity to stay at a home instead of a hotel is unbeatable. So, give it a chance!

Available for free on iPhone and Android

Photos: title photo: Allison Marshall, screenshot Foursquare

March & April Favorites

May is almost over but it is never too late to share my favorites for the past two months 🙂

East of the West: A Country in Stories by Miroslav Penkov

Thumbs up for this collection of short stories. The author gives a taste of Bulgaria and its deep history. The 8 stories are funny, sad, colorful and touching. He portrays Eastern European realities in a unique way – there are no clichés. I am also impressed by his characters, they seem like real people. I  recommend this book to everyone.

Google Keep

I have recently rediscovered Google Keep as the perfect medium to jot down notes on the go. It has the ideal layout for a notes app. Simple but very useful!

Five Continents Museum Munich

The ethnographic museum displays the way of life of civilisations from Africa, the Americas, Asia, Australia, Oceania, the Orient and Europe. It also showcases works by international artists. The museum is located in the famous Maximilianstrasse, easily reachable by public transport. It is part of my Munich tour for visits of friends and family 🙂

The Intern

I have not watched so many movies in the past two months but I really enjoyed The Intern. It is a charming comedy starring Robert De Niro and Anne Hattaway. A suitable movie for a girls’ night or a relaxing Saturday evening. It’s pizza time! 🙂

Photos: title photo: Allison Marshall, 5 continents museum photo taken by me, pizza photo: Cel Lisboa video: Google Keep on Youtube

Utrecht 101

Here is another post about a beautiful city – this time it is Utrecht.  If you plan a trip to the Netherlands, do not miss the opportunity to visit Utrecht. The best time for a visit is in the warmer months although it has its charm in winter as well. It is located very close to Amsterdam and has a lot to offer. It is a vibrant city, home to the largest university in the country, and one of Netherland’s oldest cities. I love its cobblestone streets, the small shops and cafes around the canals and the beautiful view from the bridges.

Here are my favourite spots:

St. Martin’s Cathedral

This medieval cathedral has the tallest church tower in the Netherlands. Climb the 465 steps to reach the top and enjoy the breathtaking view over the city. Hidden bonus – on a clear day you can see Amsterdam. The tower tour costs 9 Euro, there is a tourist office nearby where you can purchase the tickets.

Cafe Heen en Weer

I like this place because of its location. In the warmer months you can sit outside and have a great view both of the canal on one side and the cathedral’s tower on the other one. It is hard to miss the cafe since it is situated on a busy corner just next to the canal.

The canals area

The best way to experience Utrecht is to take a walk around its canals. Small shops, restaurants, cafes, bars and a lot of cyclists – here you can feel the Dutch spirit. It is lively but not that busy in comparison to Amsterdam. Do not miss the Gaard bridge (Gaardbrug), it is a really beautiful location.

Tea house Rhijnauwen

This is the best place to eat great pancakes and enjoy the nature. The tea house is located at a park near Utrecht, it can be easily reached by public transport – bus 41. Try the apple pancakes. The picture below is from the park, you have to walk a litte bit further to reach the tea house.

 

Have fun! 🙂

Photos: title photo: Allison Marshall, all other photos taken by me

 

Top 5 books on my wishlist

Sometimes I stumble upon a good book by chance. This is pure magic. Looking for interesting books has turned into a hobby of mine. Here is my reading wishlist for the next months. Maybe you will discover your next favourite book…

1. Hector finds time, by Francois Lelord

I have already read two books from the Hector series and I am curious what happens with him in this book. Have you read some of Hector’s stories?

2. Work Simply, by Carson Tate

This book has been on my wishlist forever. I like the idea that there is an assessment test that helps you identify your productivity style. I guess that the book would be useful.

3. Strangeness in my mind, by Orhan Pamuk

I am huge fan of Orhan Pamuk and this is his new book. To be honest, it takes me too much time to finish his books since I always want to reread some passages.

4. Without You, There Is No Us: My Time with the Sons  of North Korea’s Elite, by Suki Kim

This book has been recommended to me and I know that I am going to like it. There are some books that I know I am going to like just by reading the synopsis. I hope it won’t disappoint me.

5. The power of habit, by Charles Duhigg

This is also a book that has been on my wishlist for a very long time. I am always trying to improve myself by changing bad habits and I hope this book can help me do so.

What books are you reading now? Your recommendations are highly appreciated! 🙂

Photo: Allison Marshall

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Berlin 101

“Du bist verrückt mein Kind, du mußt nach Berlin.” (“You are crazy, my child. You must go to Berlin.”) Franz von Suppe

Berlin has so many faces, it is really hard to choose the must-see places without missing something worth seeing. This city has everything – history, spirit and culture. I remember how overwhelmed I was when visiting Berlin for the first time. So much to see, so little time. Berlin is a world city and reinvents itself all the time. If you wonder what to see first, do not miss the following:

Berlin TV Tower

This is one of my favorite places in Berlin. The Berlin TV tower is 365m high and thus the tallest building in Berlin. Get a ticket and go to the top floor for a magnificent view over the city. It is unbeatable. The ticket’s price starts from 13 Euros but there are also premium tickets and an option for a late night panorama. Sometimes it is very crowded and you have to wait until your turn comes. Do not worry about that, there is a café inside which offers nice espresso, so you can spend some time there. On the top floor there is also a revolving restaurant with a breathtaking view – it revolves a full 360° in one hour. Definitely a must-see!

Berlin Wall

The Berlin Wall is another must-see in Berlin. It divided East and West Berlin from 1961 to 1989. The fall of the wall marked the end of the Cold War and led to the unification of Germany. Nowadays, the wall has turned into a symbol of freedom and new beginning. Not so hidden bonus – the graffiti art is amazing.

Berlin Cathedral

You can hardly miss the Berlin Cathedral, it is located on Museum Island in the heart of the city. It is the largest church in Berlin and it was completed in 1905 on the order of Emperor William II. The cathedral was hit by a bomb during the Second World War and reopened in 1993. You can book a guided tour and learn all about it. Some practical information – there is an entrance fee – 7 Euros.

Checkpoint Charlie

Checkpoint Charlie was the best-known border between East and West Berlin from 1961 to 1990. Its famous guardhouse was removed but a replica version was installed at the Memorial. You can find the original one at the Allied Museum in Berlin. At Checkpoint Charlie there are two large pictures of soldiers, an American and a Soviet one. I learned that both of them were really stationed there. I do not know the name of the Soviet soldier but the American one is called Sergeant Harper. You can actually have a photo with the “soldiers” who are actors dressed in fake army uniforms.

I wish you a great time in Berlin. Enjoy its atmosphere, history and art!

Photos: title photo – Sebastian Pichler, Berlin Cathedral – FL Programs, Berlin Wall – Nikolaï POSNER, all other photos taken by me