TRAVEL AND LIFESTYLE DIARIES

Beautiful towns and cities in the north eastern part of Hungary. Except for Eger, I did not really encounter tourists. In Miskolc, people were staring at me because I guess I stood out. The only coloured person in town with a little camera =) Eger Eger is perhaps the most picturesque but it is undergoing a massive street renovation in the city centre. Panoramic view of the city from the castle ruins. Lillafured Lillafured is a nice nature oasis in the mountains that locals love to hie away during the weekend or on special public holidays. I have even seen school excursions here. The tallest waterfalls in Hungary is found here at Lillafured, 12 kilometres from Miskolc. The palace hotel with hanging gardens in the forest mountains. Miskolc Miskolc on the other hand is a thriving city with lovely pastel-coloured architecture. The main downtown street of Miskolc is a pedestrian and trams only zone. Soon, more about these gorgeous Hungaria...

And another not so touristy city under my belt: ORADEA I tell you I am having sleepless nights about Romania. I have only seen a glimpse of this amazing country through Oradea and I cannot wait to see more. Hmm, I may need to plan my next trip to Romania very soon. To Transylvania (Sibiu, Brasov, Sighisoara)! Yes please.... Beautiful Hotel Astoria and Crown Pub. A graduation ceremony (I pretended to be part of the group to get in, lol) held inside the lovely Oradea Theater. Yours truly after gate crashing the graduation ceremony haha. Stunning Baroque Art Nouveau architecture in Oradea: The Black Eagle Palace and old world trams. The Oradea City Hall (on the right) along the Crisul Repede river. More soon about Oradea... Travel Period: May 2014 Destination: Oradea (Bihor County), Romania Keep in touch and follow me on Facebook: Travel & Lifestyle Diaries by Dutched Pinay Travels Happy Travels! Enjoy Life =)

Well it is a lovely change to be in a not touristy place! I have seen a few tourists here and there though but very, very few and far in between. I must have reached a ceiling in this travelling game because low-key cities like Debrecen are now high up my alley. At the Debrecen's main square: Kossuth Square The modern and old trams run side by side in Debrecen. The beautiful Deri Museum. Travel Period: May 2014 Destination: Debrecen, Hungary Keep in touch and follow me on Facebook: Travel & Lifestyle Diaries by Dutched Pinay Travels Happy Travels! Enjoy Life =)

Spain and the Mediterranean in general are a different world altogether in Europe. Life, as well as business just tends to go slow, and in the afternoon depending on which sector, things may not only dawdle but stand still. Which is perhaps the reason why countries down south are the best places in Europe, apart from the climate of course, to holiday. In addition, the food is great. Plus there is culture. Oh yes, did I say it’s relaxed? Yep, we got it. Everything can wait while you enjoy that glass of chilled sangria or have your 30-minute siesta nap. Disfrutar de la vida! Nevertheless, let me tell you a little observation I had at the Girona train station. I queued up at the ticketing office to buy my train ticket to Carcassonne, France. It was close to mid-day and the ticketing area started to become really busy, unfortunately there were only two cashiers open. Although at the back of the office I could see five more people milling about on their desks. I have no idea what...

Let's back track in time, to Christmastime last year =) Light Dinner at Ron Gastrobar Website: Ron Gastrobar In December of last year, Bru and I went to celebrate our holiday season's dinner which was just a few days before Christmas at Ron Gastrobar in Amsterdam Zuid. This is a relatively new restaurant last year and quite famous as well because the owner is the Netherland's renowned and crowned 2-star Michelin topchef Ron Blauw (from the Ron Blauw restaurants). Ron Blauw Restaurants have ceased operations though and as told in the local news the acclaimed chef wanted something else in his career. He found a new mission. He wants to bring haute cuisine to everyday people by making it affordable. I can only think along the DISRUPT logic. Many businesses in general nowadays have adopted this type of philosophy in order for them to stay competitive in the market. Although I am not sure if this was his goal. When you are accomplished in your field, sometimes money is...

Taken from the tower of Gaudi's Sagrada Familia... The entrance to the tower is a separate fee and you are taken up by a lift and you have the option to take the lift back down or hike the stairs. I like to keep my life simple so I took the lift both ways. Views from the Sagrada Familia tower were spectacular! More information about the towers here: Sagrada Familia Towers What makes it more spectacular than it already is... was because I went there at the end of the day. The sun was bellowing its last breath and from afar I could see the horizon changing its colours from blue to orange and yellow. Breathtaking. The pictures I took doesn't really do justice to what I have seen and experienced. I love panoramic views like these. Sometimes I wish I am an eagle that flies above cities and places. As I fly to my next destination, I look down to appreciate the gorgeous views and contemplate on the restless scene of everyday life below me. Somehow the views and...