sateless suitcase
travel tales from an almost art historian

Sometimes, I don’t really feel like this blog is really useful for other travelers. I write about inspiring and beautiful places from my geeky art historian perspective, but I rarely provide real travel tips. For once, I don’t claim — and would never dare to claim — that I’m a travel expert. Because I’m really [...]

When spending a few days in the Alsace one might quickly get the feeling that it looks pretty much the same in every town — cobblestone streets, half-timbered houses, cute little bakeries with kouglof (or in German Gugelhupf) in their window displays. And all this is definitely true for the little town of Colmar, but [...]

Yet another alliteration, but this time it really makes sense — the biggest city in the French Alsace region is truly nothing but stunning: The medieval center of Strasbourg is circled by canals and the majestic cathedral towers over the half-timbered houses with their colorful shutters. Little deserves the term picturesque more than Strasbourg. One [...]

It’s a feeling I know very well. That familiar uncertainty. The enduring “What’s next?”. It has accompanied my life for years. And as my graduation comes closer the dreading, suppressed question gets louder every day. So, what’s next, Julika? Honestly, I don’t know. I really don’t. The truth is: I will (presumably, hopefully) graduate in less than [...]

It’s been a while since I’ve taken a real road trip. Throughout the last years I didn’t own a car and as a student you don’t really meet other people who can afford owning a car and traveling at the same time. But last Thursday night my boyfriend Steffen had a beer with his friend [...]

No matter how much I like the view of gorgeous 19th century town houses or ancient Roman ruins, my favorite buildings of all times will always be the grand Gothic churches. No other buildings make you feel that small and insignificant, but at same time encase you with such an atmosphere of spirituality and serenity. Every [...]

It’s no secret that I love traveling by train. Trains are a part of my everyday as well as my travel life. And no matter if it’s just a random Wednesday train ride to university, or a trip to another country — taking the train is my favorite mode of transportation in Europe. For me, [...]

I admit it: I’m a newly converted Instagram-addict (and, ugh, fancy phone owner). Although I tried really hard not to give in to yet another hyped social media platform for the longest time, I’ve come to realize that taking travel photos with Instagram is actually a lot of fun. And I just love the idea [...]