What’s so refreshing about a visit to The Tatra Museum in Zakopane, in the southern Tatra Mountains in Poland, is that the artefacts on display don’t belong to some long-past culture or dying traditions. Rather, the exhibits in this splendid building explain a rich local culture that is very much alive on the streets outside. An … Read more
Snowboarding may have been a big attraction for returning to the mountain town of Zakopane in Poland for Terence, but for both of us, the exuberant live folk music, highlander culture, and hearty food were also major draws. Every night and any night of the week in Zakopane, you can stroll down the main cobblestone street and … Read more
A few years ago, on a trip through Central and Eastern Europe, we decided to settle into an apartment in Kraków, Poland, for a few weeks to catch up on some writing, walk the charming old city streets, sample the local vodka, and do side-trips to Auschwitz-Birkenau and Wieliczka Salt Mine. But an escape to Zakopane for … Read more
We’ve spent a lot of time during our two weeks in Istanbul simply ambling around the backstreets of Beyoğlu, exploring our neighbourhood. We get a kick out of taking in the atmosphere and seeing how people live their lives, and if we stumble across a venue playing music we like, that’s a bonus. And there … Read more
Sparkling wine served by a smiling waiter at a silent hilltop location in the middle of nowhere. Three lively musicians making hypnotic music – just for us. A spread of tasty snacks of samosas and other spicy treats. Cool, crisp mountain air. A slight breeze. The outline of Mount Kilimanjaro in the distance. A sublime … Read more