In The Heart of Champagne

Happy Sunday!

Today I could write a review about NYC fashion week although I wasn't there. I could also complain about the stress that made me livid during the week. Or, if you wish, conclude the week with a Sunday post stating ups and downs and sharing my best findings in the web. I somehow guess that you are not interested in any of these topics. Nor am I right now.

In summer I encouraged you to discover your surroundings which was again the mantra I followed yesterday. Since I literally turned off all my technical devices, I cannot share a lot with you except for some pictures (more here) or the facts that I had a great dinner at the Restaurant de l'Abbaye, a very long museum visit at the Palais du Tau, the worst driver in the world, yet one of the nicest ex-colleagues ever and eventually a scenic day in the Champagne hills.

Enjoy your day and have a perfect start into the week! Bisous!

180 KM

Hi everybody!

Sometimes you sit in your bed at night and suddenly, there is this idea in your mind that sticks forever. This is what happened to me by the beginning of this year: While I have been close to Lake Geneva for 6 years now, I have never ever tried to circle it. Neither by car, nor by bike. In fact, most of the cities on the other side of the lake were even totally unknown to me, thus I decided to include it into my summer resolutions. Originally I planned to do it by bike but due to bad weather and - okay let's be honest - a lack of motivation, I finally took the comfortable car and my Mom with me to see all the beauty of Lake Geneva. It's all about mountains, beaches, packed streets around Geneva and Lausanne, people who refill water bottles at natural sources, stunning landscapes, two countries (Switzerland and France) and a feeling of freedom that is so typical on such road trips.

Beach

The Evian Casino

Speaking of a road trip...

Venetian canals near Montreux

Chateau de Chillon

Terrasses de Lavaux

Little girl drinking fresh EVIAN Water

Once again I can only recommend to visit what's right in front of you - it would be a shame to miss it. I also recommend to check out the Brasserie du Savoy in Evian. Their food is amazing and even the appetizers come in huge portions!

Open your eyes

Happy Sunday!

Discovering your home country is a thing that we ignore by far too often. We travel around the world, to exotic destinations and forget to explore the beauty that simply is a stone throw away. Thus, I took the opportunity during the week to drive through beautiful Switzerland in order to find stunning landscapes at the end of narrow valleys and to jump into crystal clear water by the end of the day. Add the delicious picnics on top of the mountains and chocolate bars for dessert and you keep asking yourself: Why on earth do I book flights to the end of the world?

Switzerland's capital: Bern

Swiss heritage

View on the Old Town of Bern

Gruyère - famous for its cheese

Mountains are a must

And what would be Switzerland without cows... and chocolate? 

Take this post as this week’s motivation to look outside and to appreciate the place you live in. Every part on this planet has its treasures that only have to be discovered. Believe me, you will be pretty astonished what you will find!

Madrid - live a different rhythm

One of my best friends studies in Madrid which was the perfect opportunity for me to jump on a plane to actually travel to the "real" Spain for the first time. No hotel resorts, no islands, no tennis courts - just a city with elegant and proud people that I admire for their resistance against the heat. 40°C during five days killed me which is why we spontaneously squeezed in a two day escape to the beach village of Oliva at the Mediterranean Sea.

Accommodation

• I stayed at my friend's place in the Chueca district that turned out to be a really hip district with lovely little bars that were to be discovered during the night. It used to be a criminal part of the city, but is now known for its high density of homosexuals. I had a look on airbnb and fell in love with this apartment (or this... or this...or... well there are too many!) for example. If you are as stupid as I am to choose August for your visit, then I highly recommend a place with a pool. 
• In Oliva we stayed at Ana's place. We were four girls and had an amazing time in this apartment. Although you need a car to reach the beach (5 minutes drive), I would go back to the apartment instantly since it is perfectly furnished and Ana even prepared breakfast for us. Thumbs up! 

Restaurants

• As a sucker for all sweet things, I couldn't go to Spain without having some traditional churros. And well, even if it's a very touristic spot, San Ginés totally convinced me. Their churros are slightly thin and come with a dark hot chocolate to dip into. 
• The restaurant chain 100 Montaditos can be found throughout the city and is famous for its special offers. We went there on Monday when you get the second Montadito (a sort of little sandwich) for only 0.50 € and on Wednesday their whole menu is at 1 € - even the refreshing beer!
• Another very touristic spot is the Mercado San Miguel which is totally worth a visit. Try typical Spanish Jamón (ham), a local beer or a frozen yogurt - which is THE dessert in Madrid this summer. 
• Speaking of frozen yogurt, I found another concept that intrigued me a lot: Happiness Station Frigo at the Gran Via. Besides standard ice cream, they offer properly designed ice cream. I talked with the brand manager for nearly an hour and love their concept which is actually cheaper than all the frozen yogurt places around. 
• Less touristic and more exclusive than the San Miguel Market is certainly the Mercado San Anton. Once again, I loved strolling through the stalls and climbing the stairs until I found myself on their rooftop terrace which has this relaxed atmosphere where I enjoyed sipping my cocktail. 

Bars

• As a newer and hipper place, the area around Chueca is the spot for bar hopping. Don't forget that Spanish people only have dinner at 11 PM and don't go out before midnight. Oh yes, I certainly had my issues to adapt to this lifestyle... my metabolism as well. How can you have lunch at 5 PM?
• Circulo de Bellas Artes is the roof top bar in the middle of Madrid where young professionals like to meet up after work while gazing at the large city of Madrid. Lounge music, white sofas and a restaurant part complement the terrace. 

Shopping

• Since Inditex is present throughout the entire city, it was a certain must for me to stroll through Bershka, Pull&Bear, Mango and Zara. The Zara on the Gran Via (as well as the H&M) are located in impressive chic buildings, but I actually prefer their shops in the Calle Fuencarral. 
• If you need a present, I highly recommend the Ale-Hop shop. You will find so many fun elements that serve as great accessories for your next costume party. 

Escapes and Activities

• As most locals, I went to the Retiro Park, where you cannot only find a lake (with rowing boats!) but also a crystal palace which is based on the English original that used to be in the Hyde Park. A little bit of English home makes me feel welcome wherever I am...
• Madrid is pretty dead in August since all locals escape to nearby beaches. Generally speaking, I am not a huge fan of lying in the sand for hours but the Mediterranean Sea was so clean in Oliva, that even I enjoyed my beach trip since I could stay in the water for ages.
• As the sun sets in the West, the temple of Debod (an Egyptian temple) is THE location to capture the hypnotizing colours of the sky. 
• Just take a look at the buildings' facades. I feel as if I was in an amusement park as they look so perfect with their powerful colours and tiny balconies.  
• Until now, I always imagined catholic churches in Spain overloaded with decoration. Well, once I visited the Almudena cathedral in front of the King's palace, I was persuaded that there are different styles - the cathedral presents itself in a clean yet monumental way. 

Personal highlight

• The sunset at the Circulo de Bellas Artes. The mesmerizing shades of yellow and orange that bathed the city into a golden glow are not only lovely photo motifs but represent this single moment of the day when Madrid starts to calm down a little. 

What are your must sees in Madrid?

See what I mean about facades?

Don Quijote

Plaza Major

Jamón!

Parque de Madrid: Retiro

I ask myself when a guy rows such a boat for me.

Town Hall with Cibeles Fountain

Did I talk about facades?

Yumm. San Ginés churros since 1894.

View from the Circulo de Bellas Artes at night on the Plaza de Cibeles. 

Iceland - nature's ruling the place

"Iceland." All of my friends took me for crazy when I announced that I was spending my summer holidays far up in the North of Europe.

Of course Iceland is not the destination for you if you love beaches and hot temperatures. But I consider myself as a winter kid and walking through snow in summer pushes my positive energy whilst I get lazy and depressed once the temperature exceeds the 30° C mark. Ok, maybe I am a little crazy. 

Hence, the only person willing to accompany me was my dad - so we conquered the island together! For 7 days we toured and I was stunned by the wide landscape, the people, the food and the fact that this place shows you in a brutal yet fascinating way how powerful nature is.

In the following I will share my favourite addresses, places and activities. If you are interested in further information, don't hesitate to leave a comment. 

Accommodation: Since we did a road trip, we stayed in different hotels every night. Except for one, we were really lucky (please find the best ones below). They all had in common their fresh homemade bread that I am a huge sucker for. 

• Centerhotels, Reykjavik: It's a four star hotel chain in the capital, located in the city center. We stayed in Skjaldbreid and were totally satisfied. 
• Skjaldarvik Guesthouse, Akureyri: Very friendly owners added their charm and own style to each room, located in an unhurried environment. 
• Hotel Raudaskrida, Husavik: Only accessible by a gravel road (quite normal here), the little lodge is in the middle of green hills and offers hot pots for finishing your day in an easy-going manner. 
• Hotel Reykjahlid, Myvatn: If you'd like to stay in the Myvatn region, this hotel offers you spacious rooms with amazing lake views. 
• Hotel Eyvindara, Egilstadir: A simple and clean hotel with a beautiful view on the surrounding fields.
• Camping site Haukafell: This camping site is located next to impressive Vatnajökull glacier and is a starting point for various family hikes through beautiful small hills. You even find a guest book to leave you signature on top of the mountain. 
• Hotel Geirland, Kirkjubaejarklaustur: This time we were lodged in a small cabin that was simple yet comfortable. Don't miss their homemade skyr cake and their bread! 
• Hrifunes Guesthouse, Kirkjubaejarklaustur: Speaking of a super cosy bed and breakfast in an old bright red building, the personal atmosphere and their homemade food make it a real pleasure to stay here. 
• Hotel Edda ML, Laugarvatn: The Edda Hotels can be found throughout Iceland. Though, the one in Laugarvatn is special since the village is full of boarding schools for Icelandic students. These boarding schools are transformed into hotels during summer holidays and welcome tourists from all over the world - how clever is that? 
• Efsti-Dalur II, Selfoss: I had a chat with someone staying there who confirmed that this little farm is absolutely adorable and perfectly located. Once I saw there pictures on the internet, I totally believed him!

Restaurants: Although I live in Paris and am surrounded by first class restaurants, I must admit that the Icelandic restaurants have totally outshone the French cuisine. I haven't had so tasty food in a very long time.

• Strikid Restaurant, Akureyi: The restaurant provides a great view of the small capital of the North while serving good meals that come in huge portions. You might consider to share a plate. 
• Hamborgarfabrikken, Akureyri: Hamburgers have certainly invaded the Icelandic menus. A large variety is offered in the "factory" near the harbour. 
• Rub23, Akureyri & Reykjavik: Do you want to start your journey with super delicious sea food? Rub23 is your place to go, combining local fish with American and Asian spices - I thoroughly recommend it!
• Vogafjos, Myvatn: What an extraordinary location! Sitting in an old cow-shed you actually can watch the cows being milked! Obviously, all food is homemade with local ingredients, such as the cows' milk. 
• Café Nielsen, Egilstadir: Once again, we enjoyed dinner outside (hah, Iceland is not that cold!) in the oldest restaurant of Egilstadir. I had lobster soup for the first time in my life and it was simply yummy. 
• Pakkhús, Höfn: Probably the best dinner we had during our trip: although we had to wait for about an hour in their comfortable bar downstairs, the fresh fish was just perfect and worth every krone we paid. 
• Systrakaffi, Kirkjubaejarklaustur: To continue the culinary aspect of this journey, this place is not to be missed. Although I passed so many sheep on the roads, I couldn't stop my curiosity to try their lamb: it was the best I've ever ever had. 
• Lindin Bistro, Laugarvatn:  Reindeer Burger was my another dish on my to-try-list and I don't regret it at all. Lindin has an easy going bistro as well as a chic restaurant part. 
• Islenskibarinn, Reykjavik: We had dinner at the Islenskibarinn which was a perfect conclusion for our adventure: I literally envied my dad for his salmon with quinoa. The waiters are extremely friendly and propose Icelandic beer matching your dish. 
• C for Cookie, Reykjavik: Cookie monsters be aware! This is your place!
• Reykjavik Roasters, Reykjavik: In between Macbooks, hipsters sip their coffee which is extremely tasteful as high quality is divine law inside. 
• Matarkistan, Reyjkavik As a sucker for everything sweet, Matarkistan's macarons are my favourite sweet treat in Reykjavik. When the weather is good, you find young Icelanders enjoying them on the vast terrace. 
• Noodle Station, Reykjavik: Enough of Northern food? This little take away provides fantastic Asian noodles.
• Babalú, Reykjavik: Especially the colourful and comfy ambiance persuaded me to put it here. Can anyone tell me something about their food?

Activities: This is why I mainly went to Iceland - being active! Run around! Hike the mountains! With only 300.000 people living on the island, a lot of nature is left that wants to be discovered and admired.

• Whale Watching: As I have done whale watching a couple of times, I this time skipped the experience. Passing by the offers in Husavik in the North, the little village is the perfect start for such a tour. 
• Myvatn: The lake is formed due to the movements in the tectonic plates as the area is directly located on the Middle-Atlantic Ridge. We parked the car at Dimmuborgir, took the "difficult" trail and continued to the Hverfjall crater, an old volcano. Afterwards we quickly stopped at the lagoon which smells strongly since sulfar is evident in every single corner here. Then, we went to Hver, and again rotten eggs were in the air. In order to avoid the stingy smell we climbed up the hill where we enjoyed another fantastic view over Iceland's nature. Nature presented itself even more powerful at Dettifoss, the most impressive waterfall I've ever seen.
• Hiking the glacier: We went to the Breiðamerkurjökull with a local guide called Thor (who definitely looked like the typical Icelandic man: blond, 2 meters and bright blue eyes). For me, there is no more beautiful than the infinite blue of ice that I could watch forever, so I enjoyed every second of 4 hrs walking. At Jökulsarlon the glacier breaks directly into a glacier lagoon, forming stunning ice sculptures and bathing the landscape into a mystical light.  
• Eyafjallajökull: At one point, we decided to get a glimpse on the famous Eyafjalljökull - the volcano that errupted in 2010. We started somewhere before the ford on the road no.F249 but I eventually convinced my dad to stop our hike because it started heavily raining, we were all alone and - OMG - I was hiking a highly explosive volcano!
• Road no.435: Instead of being overrun by all the tourists at Thingvellir and on road no.36, we took this street in order to reach Reykjavik. Not only did we pass a geothermal station, but we also discovered a beautiful landscape for hiking.
• Touristy places: When in Iceland, you almost can't avoid to pass by the Golden Circle - the geysir, the Gulfoss waterfall and Thingvellir. At Skaftafell, Skogarfoss and Seljalandsfoss you will also find lots of buses that stop. 
• The Blue Lagoon: Of course, I can't ignore it. We went there early in the morning before catching our flight back. Even if it gets crowded later, it was worth to add a relaxing finish to that whole trip. And yes, the name speaks for itself.

Shopping: Since Reykjavik is nearly the only place to go really shopping (except for souvenir and outdoor clothing boutiques that you find in some villages), I strolled around the capital in order to find some interesting addresses for you.

• Laugarvegur: the main street with lovely cafes and Icelandic brands. 
• Geysir: Those who know my style, know that Geysir is my store: from Hunter boots to Barbour jackets. 
• Minja: Icelandic modern design items that change from the usual souvenirs and add a little twist to your interior decoration.

Diverse:

• Airports: Keflavik (45 minutes away from Reykjavik) is the international airport to which European airlines fly. I got a little confused as Reykjavik has another domestic airport serving flights to Iceland, Greenland and Faroe Islands, operating with smaller planes. 
• Costs: I like to compare the prices in Iceland to Switzerland which means that it is more expensive than average European countries. Nevertheless it is absolutely worth it and shouldn't be a criterion to miss this country as you can also travel with a restricted budget (camping, local supermarkets etc.).
• Car: We rented a VW Up!, a small car that didn't fail once during our trip. Nevertheless you can't use such a vehicle to attack the roads in the highlands (you need jeeps there). If you are up for a little fun experience, you could for example take the little detour in the East: instead of taking the no.1 highway, you cut by taking the no.939. A little bit of fog, rain, some holes in the street and you are on the adventure (tested and approved by myself, the adventurous traveller :-)).
• Hitch hikers: With no public transport, hitch hiking is the alternative if you want to move. Be generous and take people with you, if you have a little space left. We took Jesse with us, a young Australian that has been backpacking for 4 years now.
• Bus system: If your budget is limited and you don't want to hitchhike every stage, Iceland on your own offers a bus system that brings you around the island (even to the highlands). I definitely will make use of them when coming back. 

So guys, this was Iceland for beginners. Easy hikes, good restaurants and a relatively relaxing pace. My favourite? Certainly the North and the glacier hike as the more I approached the Golden circle the more touristic the experience became. Yes, I certainly fell in love with the landscape which is why I already plan my next trip to Iceland. Next time? Askja, Landmannalaugar and the hike from Skogarfoss to Thorsmörk are on my agenda since I unfortunately missed the highly diverse Icelandic highland.
Don't wait for me a long time - I come back.

Paris Part III: Activities

Hello my dears and welcome to my third and unfortunately last part of my Paris tips. During the last seven months you had the chance to see what I have been doing around here which is why I dedicate today’s post to the best activities in Paris. We all know Champs Elysées and Eiffel Tower – it is now time for other great events!

Heures Heureuses: Luckily I am reading the metro newspaper in the morning where I found this great event. For one week, selected restaurants offer little aperitifs in the early evening for a super reasonable price at 2€ (and 2€ for a matching wine). Instead of boring crisps or nuts, the places provide extra class food that inspired me a lot. I also took it as a great opportunity to discover new restaurants in the city that are now part of my best choices list. Related post here. 

Château de Vincennes

Chasse aux trésors: If the Heures Heureuses are the way to explore the culinary places of Paris, the Chasse aux trésors definitely covers the historical ones. Every year thousands of Parisians take part in this adventure, making you stop at places that you easily oversee in your daily rush and appreciating the beauty and the rich cultural heritage of Paris. I usually choose a personal lesser known district in order to get to know the whole of Paris. 

Chasse aux trésors in the 6th district

Andros Matin: Andros is the brand in France when it comes to fruits compotes. In June they want to motivate Paris to do sports and organize a sports event for everyone and for free. During four weeks they offer free Yoga, Body Combat, Pilates and Zumba classes in a variety of parks and finish the whole event with a big encounter with a delicious Andros breakfast. Related post here. 

Color Run and Nike We Own The Night Run: Both runs aren’t particular for Paris; nevertheless I want to mention them. The Color Run is a an easy 5km run with the main purpose to get coloured from head to toe. For the We Own The Night Nike Run, I think that Paris is one of the best location as the night turns Paris into this very mystical yet beautiful and luminous atmosphere. Ready? Steady? Go!

No title needed

Culture Time: As I don’t understand modern art, I prefer exhibitions of older artworks. I generally prefer the Musée d’Orsay to the Louvre, I love the ambiances in the Grand and Petit Palais (especially during fashion week) and as well in the Orangerie, I lately discovered the Musée de la Mode and as someone speaking four languages, I think that the interactive Mundolingua language museum is a secret treasure. When I am in castle mood, I either take a little escape to pretty Versailles and its enormous garden or bike to the closely located Chateau de Vincennes. When I need holidays in the city, the mosque in the 5^th district beams me instantly to the Orient. I could actually go on forever since Paris offers you a lot culture-wise. Those were my favourites but I think that everyone should be able to find his cultural satisfaction. 

Pompous Versailles Castle

International Pillow Fight Day and Free Cone Day: I will mark these days red in my calendar since I had so much fun with both of them. Even if my parents don’t understand the purpose of a pillow fight flashmob, I felt as if I was 5 years old again, laughing, screaming and wildly throwing my pillow around. I didn’t pay with my life, for sure. I am not sure if would prefer to sacrifice my life for free Ben & Jerry’s ice cream, but I am certainly not afraid of queuing one hour in order to get my beloved Dough Cookie. Such experiences turn Paris to a fun place par excellence.

Rooftop climbing: Having grown up in the mountains, the view from the top of something is really important to me. This is probably also the reason why I lived next to the only existent “mountain” in Paris – the Montmartre. The view early in the morning when there are no tourists represents a great start into the day. Other great views: The top of Printemps or Galaries Lafayette (with proper toilets in the 5^th floor), the Montparnasse Bar (not the platform as the lift price is as expensive as a good cocktail in the bar), the Centre Georges Pompidou, the Buttes Chaumont Park, the Promenade Plantée and so much more. 

Buttes Chaumont Park

Sports: As a fanatic for sports, Paris is certainly not heaven on earth. There are little parks in the city and in general, Parisian girls prefer dieting and consider metro walks as enough physical education (admittedly, metro stairs are fat burners). Yet, I opted for more. First thing I did was skipping the metro and attacking the wild jungle of biking around Paris. Then I couldn’t resist running and either went to the Bois de Boulogne (a little outside but with spaaace) or climbed the Montmartre hill early in the morning before work. Once temperature rose, I went to the Josephine Baker swimming pool, the only one outside and perfectly located on the Seine River. And finally, it was never too late for a little match on the tennis courts in Jardin Luxembourg. You see, Paris is moving!

I hope you enjoyed my little review. Don't hesitate to post comment if you are interested in more things I should share.

Paris Part II: Favourite Streets

Rue des Martyrs

After having shown you my favourite food and drink places last week, we today continue with part II. It is all about my favourite streets in Paris. In fact, there is no better than walking around this beautiful city and discover new places, new scents, new people, new buildings, new ambiances. Come with me on a little walk through these particular streets and imagine yourself passing by the boutiques and restaurants while avoiding dog poop on the sidewalk (well yes, this is Paris as well).

Rue des Martyrs

It is probably my absolute favourite street in Paris. How often do I take detours just in order to walk along this narrow slightly uphill street in the 9ème. On one hand you have colourful fruit stalls, fresh delivered fish or at least three fromageries (cheese stores), on the other you find exquisite stores such as the Chambre aux Confitures, a Swedish sweets store (you know my obsession for this country), specialities from Southern France or little cafes that invite to sit down for a while. Actually, you could replace your weekly shopping in the supermarket by just buying everything you need here: butchers expose their fresh meat in the windows, bakeries shine with facades from the 19^th century... yes, I sometimes feel like taken aback in time.

Rue Daguerre

What the Rue des Martyrs is for me in Northern Paris, is the Rue Daguerre in the South: A pedestrian street in which you can find everything that you need for your dinner. Fresh fruits, screaming vegetable traders and little delicatessen stores with products from all over the world. In between you have lovely restaurants and cafes that offer a large choice of international dishes.

The Bercy Village

Bercy Village

Bercy used to be independent from Paris until the 19th century and served as storage place for all the wine barrels that arrived from Southern France along the Seine River. Those times are over now but yet, the old storage houses have been keeping their charm. I hardly can describe the mix you find in the street today: there is a fnac mega store, decoration boutiques, galleries, a pet food store and some pretty cool Parisian designers. Not to forget the different kinds of bistros, from Burger places, to Tapas bars, to typical French cuisine – let’s say that the Bercy Village is a huge melting pot. My favourite bar is inside the incredible Quicksilver store as surf boards are rotating above you while having a mojito. Afterwards I like having dinner at Chai 33 before grabbing a typical New York Cheesecake at Factory & Co.

The French National Library

Avenue de la France

Even if the name speaks for a very very French atmosphere, I think there is no street that is more untypical for Paris. The Avenue de la France is the street I go to when I want to feel as if I was in an American business district. It is wide, high buildings cast clouds over the sidewalk and the coffee shop culture emphasizes this feeling. As a lover of healthy food, I absolutely love the EXKI green take away place. For now, there is also the only H&M in Paris I could find that has an H&M Home section. And of course, the National French Library with its four immense towers is another reason to come – and to study.

No better than a fresh cake at Factory & Co.

Rue Saint Dominique

Stretching from the Champs de Mars to the St. Germain quarter, the Rue Saint Dominique is a great shopping street if you want to avoid all the hustle on Rue Rivoli or other famous shopping places. You have all the French designers you need (The Kooples, ba&sh,..), again nice coffee places - Starbucks and Bar du Central for instance - and eventually little boutiques that are truly particular for this street. My personal favourite is the NKO Cashmere Boutique.

The Quicksilver store in Bercy Village

Rue des Dames

When my friends and I want to grab a drink and don't know where to go, Rue de Dames is ALWAYS an option. Direction Place de Clichy you find great bars with young people, as for example the BB Tapas Bar, Les Caves Populaires (N° 22) or the Lucien La Chance. Further down you have little boutiques with individual styles, as well as my favourite Vietnamese place I love Bo-Bun. Don't miss the little artist passage Geffroy-Didelot with all its little artist's workshops.