TRAVEL AND LIFESTYLE DIARIES

The last time I have visited the Rijksmuseum was in 2001. That is a long time ago. I barely remembered what I saw except for the masterpiece of Rembrandt, the Night Watch painting and the huge 17th century doll houses. So when I recently paid a visit to the newly renovated Rijksmuseum, I cannot wait to see the doll houses again. A doll house in Amsterdam, circa 1676. Oak cabinet, veneered with walnut, cedar and ebony. 17th Century Doll Houses | Poppenhuizen Rijksmuseum website: Rijksmuseum Amsterdam The doll houses were were made for by Petronnella Dunois (1650-1695), a wealthy orphan who lived with her sister in Amsterdam. During the late 17th century and early 18th, spectacular doll houses were created in the Netherlands, especially in Amsterdam. These were not children's toys, but display pieces, furnished for and by wealthy ladies who lavished enormous amounts of time, money and attention on them. These houses present a picture of a well-ordered and prosperous ...

Vathy, also spelled as Vathi is the capital city of Samos Island. We have only been here once in the afternoon because it really is quite far from where we were staying in Kampos/Votsalakia. Its like east to west and takes more than an hour with the scooter. Vathy, Capital City of Samos Website: Vathy The main square of Vathy called Pythagoras Square is located across the Port of Vathy and is ringed with many outdoor cafe and restaurant terraces. Dutchman and I quickly took a seat in one of the cafe terraces for our favourite drink in the Greek Isles, the thirst quencher frappe coffee. This thing is bloody good and are very popular here. We never miss a holiday in Greece not ordering them. At the back of the square is the main shopping alley which was very quiet because it was siesta time. The mediterranean countries know when to do business and how to make the most of living life. A little siesta time never hurts. They even say it will only increase productivity? Further a...

There are three picturesque mountain villages in Samos and these are Ampelos, Vourliotes and Manolates. I would have loved to visit all of them but travelling with the Dutchman is always an ongoing compromise. He doesn’t like these kinds of -- according to him dead villages excursions, so going to one mountain village is already a big concession. You can’t win them all I guess but at least I get to score one =) Manolates Mountain Village So Manolates was really a random choice. I had no idea what to expect other than it should be a picturesque little village on a mountain top. The drive to Manolates is not an easy one though, it is a zigzagged drive through the Valley of the Nightingales (because there are many nightingales here) and a forest. And when you reach the top you will catch sight of lush vineyard farms decorating the mountains and gulches. Further beyond the greenery is the deep blue colour of the Turkish coast. Manolates is a car-free mountain village and parking...