When Brezhnev kissed Honecker: Berlin Wall East Side Gallery [Photo Essay]

Berlin’s East Side Gallery, the longest remaining stretch of the Berlin Wall, is adorned with some of the most famous pieces of graffiti and murals. Below are some of my favourites..

Tips for visiting/photographing the wall: It is a very popular tourist spot. So, to get images which don’t have people in it, try visiting early in the morning – I think I went around 8 am – and barely a single soul was in sight. Also, morning might be a better idea than evenings because of the direct sunlight that falls on the murals – it makes the colours look much more alive and vibrant.

p.s. Of course, if you visit it during a more popular time, you might get an interesting shot of a couple kissing right in front of the famous Brezhnev-Honecker kiss mural. Maybe that’s worth a try too. 🙂

 

The prettiest staircase in Venice

Recently, I was explaining the new inspiration behind my blog – the travel recommendation from my experiences – to someone and the question I was asked in response was: What do you recommend for Venice?

Now, Venice is a tricky one. Because unlike most people, I did not enjoy Venice that much. When I visited (around late April), it was very crowded, very touristy. And very rushed. I had just a single day there, and therefore not a lot of chance to relax and take in the place. Of course, it is also known for its romantic appeal and I was on a group tour – so that didn’t help either.

So, my basic recommendation for Venice will be: get lost (in Venice). And it’s very very simple too. And in case you are finding it difficult to do so, start walking and at every intersection, take a random/intuition-based decision on which way you want to turn. You may find a hidden treasure, maybe a little charming shop selling antiques or maybe just a guy selling the tastiest pizzas in the world. You may also end up at a dead end, or worse, falling into a canal. So, just be careful 🙂

One of the hidden treasures I found was this beautiful spiral staircase, part of a palace called Palazzo Contarini del Bovolo. Apparently, the staircase leads to an ‘arcade which provides charming view over some of the roof-tops of the city’ (thank you, wiki) but the palace was under renovation when I visited – and therefore didn’t get to see the view. The place itself is very nice though, slightly away from the hustle-bustle of the city.

The spiral staircase of Palazzo Contarini del Bovolo

Disclaimer: I can’t claim to have visited ALL the staircases in Venice, and therefore the my claim for this staircase to be prettiest is, well, quite baseless. However, I did find it prettier than most staircases I have seen (in Venice, and in general) and therefore would recommend you visit it whenever you are in Venice. 🙂

The teeny tiny red house in Stockhom

This house is said to be the smallest house in Stockholm!

The smallest and the cutest house in Stockholm!

I came across it while strolling around in Sodermalm area of the city. This is an area of the city you are less likely to visit if you stick to the touristy things. However, it is also one of the prettiest areas and you’ll get the chilled out laid-back and happy-with-things feel of the city.

Have you visited Stockholm before? Which hidden treasure did you find? 🙂

Photo of the week: Finding love and warmth on a cold Christmas night in Antwerp

Love in Antwerp!

An intriguing restaurant in Rome: La Parolaccia

What could be so special or interesting about a restaurant?

La Parolaccia Restaurant, Rome

I’ll give you a hint. In Italian, La Parolaccia means ‘The Swearword’.

So, the basic idea is: You go into the restaurant, and you get cursed at and verbally abused by the waiters. And this is done in no small measure. You get a verbal thrashing. And language’s no bar: Even if you know no Italian at all, I’ve heard the waiters will make sure you get the point. And probably some juicy new words added to your vocabulary.

I haven’t been to the restaurant, but just crossed it, while strolling around the charming locality of Trastevere in Rome. Food-wise, I’ve not heard great reviews. It is mostly popular with tourist who go there for the novelty of being hurled abuses at. Well, to each his own! 🙂

I’d recommend exploring more of this quaint neighbourhood of Trastevere. It’s really pretty and feels ‘very Italian’! 🙂

Just another pretty street in Trastevere, Rome

I love old Europe!