Undoubtedly one of the most striking sights in the Veneto Region, the Sanctuary of the Madonna della Corona clings dramatically to the side of a cliff, hundreds of meters over the valley floor. Dating back to the 15th century, the Basilica is one of Italy’s most important pilgrimage sites, therefore drawing worshippers and tourists in…

The 4 Must-See Churches in the UNESCO-listed Centre of Verona, Italy
While northern Italy’s Verona draws its fair share of visitors due to the fact that it’s the setting of Romeo and Juliet, there are plenty more reasons to hang around here after following in the footsteps of the star-crossed lovers. Apart from some fascinating remains from the times of the Roman Empire, the city features…

What to Know About Visiting the Locations from Romeo and Juliet in Verona, Italy
Beautiful Verona is one of our favourite cities in Northern Italy’s Veneto Region, due to its wonderfully preserved medieval city core and the many vestiges of Roman architecture. Still, today it’s probably best known as the principal setting of William Shakespeare’s 1597 Play Romeo and Juliet. While it’s clear that the source material the Bard…

The Best Hotels, Hostels and Guesthouses in Leipzig, Germany
The charming student city of Leipzig has increasingly developed from a well-kept secret to a must-see stop on every Germany itinerary over the past few years. The wonderful mix of history and modernity, the vibrant art scene and laid-back atmosphere are reason enough to hang around for a while. Add to that some architectural marvels…

Exploring Berlin’s Modernism Housing Estates – Which of the 6 UNESCO Sites are Worth Checking out?
Some people might have been surprised when in 2008, the UNESCO made the decision to put six 20th century housing estates in Berlin on its list of World Heritage Sites. One might be forgiven for wondering how something as utilitarian as a couple of modernist apartment buildings deserved to be on such an exclusive list…

What to Know About Visiting Berlin’s Abandoned Teufelsberg Radar Station
Over 30 years after the reunification, Berlin still sports its fair share of atmospheric abandoned places. From the peculiar Spreepark Theme Park to the eerie Sanatorium Complex in the forest near Beelitz, there’s no shortage of unique sites to explore. Still, none of them are as emblematic of Berlin’s history as the Cold-War-Era Radar Station…

Visiting Berlin’s Twin-Peaks-themed Black Lodge Bar
Berlin sure is home to some unusual sights. From a creepy abandoned Amusement Park to a dilapidated Cold-War Era listening post, there’s no shortage of off-beat places to explore. One of my favourite secret spots can be found between unassuming apartment buildings and grocery stores in the city’s Neukölln District. The otherworldly Black Lodge Bar…

What to Know About Exploring Berlin’s Abandoned Spreepark Theme Park
Berlin certainly doesn’t suffer from a shortage of unusual attractions. From a dilapidated Cold War Era listening post to a Museum dedicated exclusively to Picture Frames, I’ve stumbled across many a quirky place in the German capital. Still, you’d be hard-pressed to find a weirder spot than the Spreepark, an abandoned GDR-era Theme Park that…

Exploring Fascinating Kitano-Cho, the Foreign Merchant Quarter of Kobe, Japan
Wooden manors with dormer windows and brass weathercocks: Kobe’s Kitano-Cho District will probably go against all your expectations of a Japanese city. Your impression wouldn’t be off, as the quarter is quintessentially European, consisting of the mansions of foreign merchants who came to Japan in the late Meiji Era (1868 to 1912). Several Ijinkan (foreign…

The Ultimate Guide to Finding Cheap Kobe Beef in Kobe, Japan
Arguably the world’s most famous meat, Kobe Beef is considered a delicacy not only for the taste, but also for its tenderness and even texture. While it can be found on menus of high-end restaurants around the world, the pretty southern Japanese City of Kobe Is where the meat originated. As one might imagine, delicacies…