Exploring Mount Kōya, and more particularly Oku-no-in cemetery, was one of the highlights of our second trip to Japan. Here is a look back on an incredibly moving and memorable experience. Located about a hundred kilometers north of Kyoto, Mount Kōya, also known as Kōya-san, is the birthplace of Japanese Buddhism. It has been a UNESCO […]
Tag: travel tips
Having enjoyed our stay at hotel LÉONOR in early spring 2022, we recently returned to sample their new afternoon tea concept. Hotel le LÉONOR is located in the former residence of Marshal Léonor Marie du Maine de Bourg. This historic mansion (which for many years served as a police station) has been transformed into a […]
The magic of Christmas returns to Strasbourg from the 24th of November to the 24th of December 2023. For a whole month, the Capital of Christmas will be decked out for the festive season. The delicious scent of mulled wine, coconut macaroons, and tarte flambée will be wafting from stalls in every square, and as soon as it […]
Warsaw: our best things to do
From the cobbled streets and colorful façades of the Old Town, the booming business district dotted with modern skyscrapers, the young and artistic borough of Praga, the lush royal Łazienki park, and a wide array of museums, Warsaw is looking to the future while remembering its history. Warsaw takes you by surprise. It is the embodiment […]
Japan: our travel diary
Exploring Japan was one of the most memorable travel experiences of our lives. We were inspired, bewildered, enchanted, and fascinated, all at once. Our first trip captivated us so much that we chose the same destination for our honeymoon the very next year. Several years later, we still love taking a walk down memory lane, […]
Strasbourg is a comfortably sized and accessible city that is perfect for a city trip or a weekend stay. Since the city center is largely pedestrian with a well-developed public transportation network, it’s very easy to walk around from one neighborhood to the next. You’ll have no problem finding a neighborhood that suits your wants and needs […]
A pizzeria in Strasbourg: Insieme
Insieme is a Neapolitan pizzeria just a stone’s throw from Saint-Maurice church and the Botanical Garden, in Strasbourg’s Neustadt quarter. On the menu, you will find antipasti, salads, 14 different pizzas – or rather pizze, with either burrata or mozzarella di bufala – as well as homemade desserts. Drinks-wise, the aperitivi, cocktails, wine, beer, cola, lemonade, and coffee […]
Munich: our favorite discoveries
Munich is world famous for the Oktoberfest and for its many breweries, its baroque churches, and its legendary football (soccer) club, which recently won the Bundesliga championship. A stay in the Bavarian capital allows you to go beyond the stereotypes and see its true colors. The name Munich comes from a monastery that was founded there in the […]
A specialty coffee shop in Strasbourg: Mokxa
The Mokxa team define themselves as “roasters of fine coffees”. Their artisanal and well-reasoned approach is accessible to everyone, whether you’re a coffee expert or just a coffee lover. The decor of the café is light and warm, the friendly atmosphere is contagious, and the coffee is delicious. As soon as we pass the doorstep, […]
Wisteria season, or wisteria hysteria, is a symbol of spring and a sign that summer is approaching, much like when the magnolias or cherry blossoms are in bloom. A few façades drape themselves in colorful natural garlands, climbing clusters, and shawls of opulent blossoms. Terraces and arbors don a fleeting robe of lilac or white.Wisteria season isn’t just […]
Strasbourg Christmas Market 2022
The magic of Christmas is back in Strasbourg from November 25th to December 24th, 2022! More than 300 stalls, miles of Christmas lights and lots of events are sure to create an atmosphere of wonder and enchantment all over town. Here is an overview of this year’s festivities. More than 300 stalls Just like during the 2021 Christmas […]
Bergen has the second largest population in Norway after the capital, Oslo. It’s located between two of the country’s most famous fjords (the Sognefjord and the Hardangerfjord), giving it the nickname “Norway’s fjord capital“. Bergen’s second nickname – “the city of seven hills” – is due to the seven hills surrounding it. Among these is […]
HiBiKi is nothing like certain sushi shops you can find elsewhere. This restaurant offers a foray into authentic Japanese cuisine. A culinary trip across the world without ever leaving the country! The restaurant has a selection of dishes and 3 set menus: “Hibiki” (3 starters and 2 mains), a “Dégustation” tasting menu, and a vegetarian […]
As soon as we walk in, the monumental Art Deco-style bar, topped with an ornamental stork, sets the tone for this unique place. The bar is the centerpiece of the main dining area, which also has two adjoining mezzanines, cozy lounges, and an open pre-service kitchen. The main kitchen is in the old vault in […]
Perles de Saveurs is a cozy cocoon of a restaurant, hidden away in a Renaissance courtyard. This charming, paved courtyard, shaded by a chestnut tree, is a calm haven from the bustling neighborhood of la Petite France. The restaurant is made up of 2 dining areas, the main one being an intimate and cozy space […]
Edinburgh: our favorite discoveries
Between the medieval castle perched atop a volcanic rock, the winding alleys of Old Town, the grid street plan in New Town, the wild nature around the peak of Arthur’s Seat, and the cool seaside borough of Leith, Edinburgh is where the centuries converge. Ever since she discovered Edinburgh as a student, Stéphanie had dreamed of going […]
One of the only museums in Europe entirely dedicated to medieval and Renaissance art. The Musée de l’Œuvre Notre-Dame can be found on place du Château, practically at the foot of Strasbourg Cathedral. Not only is the museum devoted to the construction of the famous cathedral, it also covers seven centuries of art in Strasbourg […]
For many years, rue du Jeu-des-Enfants was like a forgotten side street in the center of Strasbourg, despite its movie theater, shops, and restaurants. Most of the time, people would just pass through while driving from place Saint-Pierre-le-Vieux to place de l’Homme de fer. Thanks to a local initiative, it has been transformed into a […]
Behind crown glass windows in the center of Strasbourg lies a family-owned winstub (a traditional Alsatian restaurant), where authenticity, conviviality and local traditions intermingle. The atmosphere is welcoming and typical of the region: wooden paneling and chairs with a heart carved in the backrest, Alsatian illustrations on the walls (particularly by Tomi Ungerer and […]
Stockholm: our favorite discoveries
Much like Oslo and other major cities in Northern Europe, Stockholm has an understated reputation. Even so, this capital is neither sleepy nor boring. The city’s pursuit of innovation and new technologies does not prevent it from being in touch with its heritage and age-old traditions. The cobbled streets and colorful houses in Stockholm’s old […]