Paris 2018 - Paris sightseeing in Montmartre

When I look at my photos of Paris, I can't keep a dry eye. We went there for the first time in 2016 and then returned two years later to visit all the places we hadn't seen during our first stay. Still, there were so many places we just couldn't see and Notre Dame from the inside was one of them. Now I am so sad to not have done it, but who could have guessed the tragic fate of this beautiful landmark. But I don't want to be sad when looking at these photos. Whenever I thought of Paris, I had always wanted to visit Montmartre and the first time we had gone there and were caught in a thunderstorm. This time I had made up my mind to wander the little alleys and enjoy this picturesque département no matter what. 

In 2016, the Mars field was filled with soccer fans as the European Championships took place in Paris and we couldn't wander around freely. This time we managed a picnic underneath the Eiffel Tower with Ladurée Macarons and Baguettes.

Such a cute little Café - La Maison Rose. Very small with limited seats, but we were lucky and had our afternoon tea there.

Sunny Day in Paris

On our first day in Paris we were blessed with beautiful weather and decided to visit all the sights that we were not able see during the time in 2016 when Paris was suffering from a high tide and on-going rain storms. On our first stop, we visited the Jardin du Luxembourg. What a beautiful place.

Afterwards we took a stroll through the 6th arrondisement, past the University Sorbonne towards the Ile de la cité. 

We visited Notre Dame and walked along the river Seine. Those little cubicles, where all the artists sell their art work, are just wonderful to look at. When you visit Paris, those spots are a must see.

100 years of Finland series - Travel Diary - Tampere, Finland

Tampere is the partner city of my home town and the place that started my love for Finland 10 years ago. Here, I spent my Erasmus study semester and decided to come back year after year to experience more of this beautiful country and its' vibrant culture. I adore Tampere and will always remember it as the first home away from home even though Helsinki has since caught my heart. The city is still under the influence of the industrialization and remnants of that great manufacturing era can still be found everywhere. The red brick stones are a big part of the face of this place and I love the look that reminds me so much of my home town and even London during the industrialization. 

Tammerkoski 

City Hall where I celebrated the 90th anniversary of the Finnish Independence 10 years ago and this year will go there once again to celebrate 100 years of independent Finland!

old market hall - great landmark and awesome food!

Tammerkoski river that connects the two big lakes that surround Tampere city centre. 





Red brick stones

100 years of Finland series - Travel Diary - cottage life

The best part of any vacation is the time to relax and for once do nothing. That is what we usually do at a lake in Finland. 



Sauna hut



swimming in cold and fresh lake water







fishing

delicious food

just lounging 



the most beautiful sunsets







pure nature