Julika, Author at sateless suitcase

The Dilemma of (Fake) Fantasy Travel

I few weeks ago, I finally gave in to the social media circus and signed up for Pinterest. One of the very first things I did, naturally, was checking out the travel category. Besides the 4569 photos of different angles of the Eiffel Tower, I found places I've been to, places I'd like to go to, places I miss... I do love me some proper wanderlusting! Then, however, I stumbled over this gem: At first glimpse, I just thought "Oh my gosh! Where is this?? Need to go there ASAP!!", but then I read the picture's caption - Dublin, Ireland. I was [...]

By Julika|2013-05-07T04:35:19+02:002012/11/15|Categories: Specials|Tags: Algarve, Italy, Paris, Portugal, Rome, thoughts|12 Comments

Photo Essay: Love Padlocks in Paris

I know, it's just such a cliché to photograph love padlocks when in Paris, but how could I not? Love padlocks are basically everywhere there. They are pretty and romantic. And Paris is the city of love after all. The picture above was taken on the pedestrian bridge Pont des Arts, which is one of the most famous places to leave a love padlock in Paris. Why? According to our wonderful Sandeman New Europe Walking Tour guide Filipa, we have Hollywood to thank for this: In the last episode of Sex and the City Carrie and Big have their grand reunion [...]

By Julika|2019-03-24T07:25:13+01:002012/11/12|Categories: Art History, Photo Essay|Tags: Europe, France, Paris, Photo Essay|10 Comments

Rediscovering Paris

I love "taking advantage" of my friends. This year, I was already hosted by Sarah in London and Kathi in Munich. I admit, I was cadging a little. But I can't help having cool friends, who live cool places -- I just have to go stay with them as soon as they invite me over! And again, one of those globetrotter friends of mine moved to one of the prettiest cities in Europe recently -- and I didn't hesitate for a second when Janina invited me to come to Paris last week! While I'm medieval art historian nerd, Janina studies archeology and [...]

By Julika|2013-08-18T10:30:25+02:002012/11/08|Categories: Destinations, Europe, France|Tags: Architecture, Art, churches, Europe, France, medieval, Paris|14 Comments

Photo Essay: A Magical Sunset in Croatia

Overdue, but not forgotten - I just barely had internet access during my stay in Paris. Actually, I don't have much to say about this photo. I think it speaks for itself: The landscape on Croatia's islands is stunning - and combined with the setting of the mild October sun the beauty of nature just leaves you speechless...

By Julika|2013-05-07T04:36:18+02:002012/11/07|Categories: Art History, Photo Essay|Tags: Croatia, Europe, Photo Essay|2 Comments

How I Tried to Give Modern Art a Chance

Every five years the sleepy town of Kassel in the north of the state of Hesse, Germany, turns into the artistic center of modern art: The Documenta is the most important and biggest exhibition of contemporary art worldwide! However, I'm not very much into contemporary art. Don't get me wrong. I love art. I love modern art, too. I almost cried when I saw my first Jackson Pollock. I adore getting mesmerized by Rothko or overwhelmed by Rosenquist or tricked by Dalí. But: I'm a medieval art historian (well, almost). I have my problems with video installations and abstract, weird artists like [...]

By Julika|2013-05-07T04:41:40+02:002012/11/01|Categories: Destinations, Europe, Germany|Tags: Art, Europe, Germany, medieval|10 Comments

Photo Essay: The Old Grand Piano in a Croatian Backyard

I love looking out for the little things in life: Random constellations in nature, unexpected street art, things that aren't where they would be found usually, or things that are combined in a remarkably new way... While staying on the island of Krk this fall, I discovered this backyard right behind the house we rented... At first, I didn't even pay attention to it, because it looked unspectacular and little chaotic. But then I realized that there was something adoringly different in this disordered little garden: Among the colorful branches of early fall stood an old grand piano. The keyboard was chipped, the once expensive [...]

By Julika|2013-05-07T04:36:35+02:002012/10/29|Categories: Art History, Photo Essay|Tags: Art, Croatia, Photo Essay|6 Comments

5 Things You Really Should Do in Lisbon

I love Lisbon. I fell in love with the gorgeous Portuguese capital more than four years ago and this love has been growing stronger ever since. The five months I lived there in 2011/2012 have been filled with enduring sunshine, wonderful people and abundance of indescribable beauty. I dream of moving back every day! Although Lisbon is the capital and largest city of Portugal, it is still pretty small compared to the other Western European capitals. To be honest, if you wanted to see all major sights, you could do that in less than two days: You would go see the Castelo, take [...]

By Julika|2022-01-05T15:04:09+01:002012/10/25|Categories: Destinations, Europe, Portugal|Tags: Europe, Lisbon, medieval, Portugal, study abroad|76 Comments

Photo Essay: Sweets in Budapest

Why is it that colorful sweets always make for the best pictures? I have no idea. But they really do. Cookies, pastries, candy... sweets always look just insanely delicious in combination! And when displayed like here in Budapest, you could almost be sad that it is impossible to try them all - at least at the same time... Looking at this picture constantly makes my mouth water all over again.

By Julika|2013-05-07T04:36:57+02:002012/10/22|Categories: Art History, Photo Essay|Tags: Budapest, Europe, Hungary, Photo Essay|9 Comments

Why Prague Doesn’t Suck in the Rain

When Steffen and I arrived in Prague on an afternoon in September, summer was still omnipresent: People strolled along the streets, wearing shorts and flip flops, couples had rented candle lit pedal boats and floated along the Vltava river. It was a magical summer evening in an incredibly romantic city. But overnight -- fall arrived. Temperatures dropped from 27 degrees Celsius to only 15 degrees on the next day. The clear blue sky of the day before was gone. Suddenly everything was just gray. Of course, we were disappointed. The warm afternoon on our first day really got our hopes [...]

By Julika|2013-06-29T17:45:48+02:002012/10/20|Categories: Czech Republic, Destinations, Europe|Tags: Architecture, churches, Czech Republic, Europe, medieval, Prague|6 Comments

Plitvice Lakes National Park – In Pictures

The Plitvice Lakes National Park is one of the most important sights in the Balkan region. Although it was quite a long drive from the island of Krk, where we were staying, I knew just had to go there. And yes, it really was totally worth it -- "It" meaning sitting in the car for almost eight hours that day! I had pretty high expectations, since everyone has been raving about this national park and I was really hoping it would live up to them... And it sure did: I had never seen so many beautiful sides of nature crammed into [...]

By Julika|2013-05-07T04:42:33+02:002012/10/18|Categories: Croatia, Destinations, Europe|Tags: Croatia, Europe, road trip|9 Comments

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