Chiesa di Santa Maria delle Anime del Purgatorio ad Arco, Napoli

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This church was built in 17th century in Naples' very central Via dei Tribunali. Its interior doesn't imply on whats in the subterranean level, it just looks like a regular Baroque church as any other in Italy. Except for the metal skulls placed at the entrance, you have no idea what is waiting inside.

When you go down the stairs, a huge space opens up. It still has some calm atmosphere, although big black cross is painted on the walls. There is one central piece at the middle of the room. However, you go on the left side through the passage into smaller space with graves on both sides of the ground. The path isn't wide, so you'll need some attention not to fall onto the graves if it's crowded at the moment. Not cool.
Yes, these are real skulls. Test your horror ability with coming to this bizarre place.

At the end is a shrine, with skulls and lace and crosses, with flowers and money and photographs. Catholic kitsch at its best providing the shivers and the urgent need to take a quick glimpse and run up on light.


Good, however, for remembering we have limited time on this planet. Carpe Diem.


To see my recording from Purgatorio, a very rare opportunity BTW (since no filming allowed), click below:

Hotel Garibaldi, Naples

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This is one of those family-ran hotels where you appreciate the personal touch, something you rarely see in big hotel chains. Anyway, it was our choice because of its location, but for the sake of price, as well. It is located couple of steps from the Piazza Garibaldi, huge square in front of Napoli Centrale, the main train station in Napoli. This provides good connection to all Campania destinations, but gives you jitters at late night, when strange fellas wander all over the Piazza. Luckily, no problems whatsoever.

Hotel itself is in historical building, it is clean and in pretty good shape. Rooms are spacious and well kept, bathrooms are clean, and they keep changing the towels every day. Breakfast is served in small dining room, just above the entrance, with the view on the hilarious morning market of fake brands outside. If you are a noise-nazi like me, ask for the more silent room: ours was right in front of the dining, so we heard every single sound of cutlery. Maybe some noise-reduction would be smart. Beds are big and comfortable. Staff is very friendly and kind, and in case you have no idea where to go/what to do, they will give you all the info, and in case you want to avoid public transport they can arrange their own. Hotel has free wifi.
Altogether, high value+friendly prices. And, of course, all the best to the staff: continuate così, amici.

Stadshuset/City hall, Stockholm

Hantverkargatan 1, Stockholm, Sweden  Website

“Nightly creature”

I visited it on a winter day, ice cold wind was blowing and not a trace of the sun. Although a perfect match for this dark, nordic building, try to reschedule for more mild weather, if any possible. Dark brown bricks and black roof, arcade and terrace in the back...great!
Didn't go inside, so I can speak of exterior only, very scenic, with that game-of-thrones touch, great for taking pictures if you have good camera.
Do not miss to put it in your Kungsholmen walking route.

 

Royal palace, Stockholm

Riddarholmen, Stockholm, Sweden  Website

“Big & heavy”

Royal palaces. Aren't they all fabulous?
This one is big, and (since made in stone) looks heavy. Reminded me of Rubens ladies, for some reason. Three floors of fantastic rooms and halls, with wonderful furniture and decoration. At some point you will be tired, wishing there's no more rooms, but in that very moment you'll be done with it. Don't worry, lot to see, lot to learn, right up to the limit.

 

Pickwick, Stockholm

Drottninggatan 6, Stockholm, Sweden  Website

“Very good”

Really very good pub/restaurant. Nice busy atmosphere during lunchtime. Warm interior.
Food was really good, had pasta with chicken and pesto first time, and beef and zucchini second time. Very well prepared, tasty. Service was quick.
Restaurant has huge variety of beers and spirits, so don't hesitate to try not only local things.
Recommendations.

Domkyrka, Uppsala

Domkyrkoplan 2, Uppsala, Sweden  Website

“Worth seeing”

One of main attractions in Uppsala. Huge gothic cathedral, still stands in all its glory, with lovely decoration, high columns and the play of light. A lot of historical and decorative things to see inside.

Ristorante Villa Romana, Uppsala

Gamla Torget 4, Uppsala, Sweden  Website

“Great food”

Came here on a cold February afternoon, just before 2pm and hopped onto a Lunch menu, that had salmon with potato and salads that day. Food was excellent (compliments for chef), house wine was up to my taste.
Service was really good, guys were quick and helpful. Place is clean, pretty silent and crowded with lots of professor-like individuals. Really good experience.

Rijksmuseum cafe, Amsterdam

Museumstraat 1, Amsterdam, Netherlands  Website

“Great food for art lovers”

When you get tired of art (yes, that IS possible) go to cafeteria to recover. Excellent food, for all tastes, really good casual but polite and silent service and mixed clientele. I had beef sandwich and beer, and felt really happy to pay more that usual for this type of food. But alright, I am type of person that actually likes to eat at museums and galleries.
It was really fresh and big and tasty and good-looking. I recommend.

The Amstel river, Amsterdam

“Soul of the city”

I know many people will disagree, but I think this river is the soul of Amsterdam. More like a huge canal than river, somehow it manages to follow you all over this beautiful city. Lovely by daylight, even more romantic at night, it is lovely to see how life goes on by its banks. Do not miss some fresh cup of coffee in a window beside it.

Lakitira resort & village, Kos

Kardamena, Kos island, Greece  Website

“Cosy and large”

Former Hilton-chain resort lacks nothing to make you feel relaxed and welcome. Complex kept Hiltonesque appearance and high standards of hospitality. Rooms are spatious and clean, service people are helpful, outdoor areas well kept, beach and pools are clean, food is great....everything you might expect from above mentioned operator, there it is. We were in double queen room, where beds were a bit hard, but we were given the soft mattress top. The only thing they should rethink is sunbeds - not enough of them at the pool, and at the beach they are occupied at dawn by early birds (I know, not something hotel management should think about, but still). A lot of kids here, sometimes wandering around the dining area with no clue what's going on, and people are running around buffet handful: you do the math. I read here about poor food choice....complete nonsense, somebody's seriously thinking about it there, so no worries, especially when there's three restaurants to choose from.

Entrance

Pool

El Greco restaurant, Kos

beach front Mastichari, Kos island, Greece

“Great food on the beach”

Little taverna on the beach, at the end of restaurant-chain on the west side of shore. Service was so-so, with guys desperately trying to talk greenglish, and make a conversation. Waited five minutes to get maletzanosalata and salad, and another half hour for grilled sardines. Food was absolutely perfect, all of it. In case you're not driving, get a glass of rose wine with your meal, goes great with it and with beach atmosphere.

food

more food

The watermill of Zia, Kos

Zia, Kos island, Greece

“Great view, average food”

Watermill of Zia, the cafe/resto on the pathway to the church, famous for the cinnamon drink (oversweetened cinnamon tea with ice) and lemonade. Spaghetti with garlic and tuna chunks+ greek salad+2 cinnamon drinks=21 euro. Nice terrace with a view. Cats all over the place. Great music. Almost-angry waiter.

[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="550"] owners[/caption]

[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="338"] colors[/caption]

Fidelio restaurant, Kos

Ioannou Nauklirou 15, Kos Town, Greece

“Great location for lunch”

Nice little taverna leaning on the ancient agora. Under wine leaves and with family of cats, this wonderful place will offer you a daily catch of fish. We had swordfish steak and grilled sea bass both with fresh vegetable salad and lime (25 euros), and both were heavenly prepared. Deep shadow, view on agora, chatty casual owner, mad cats and fresh fish....greek lunch.

Agios Fokas Beach, Kos

Kos, Greece

“Therme”

[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="338"] The Bar[/caption]

One ridiculous place we all love. Hot sulfur waters are coming out in the sea from sand, with bubbles and smell of rotten eggs. People come here and lay in shallow hot water, and the scene reminded me of the funny apes in hot springs in China :-) I was one of them, so, no offence anyone. You won't be able to soak longer than 10-15 minutes, and it's the limit anyway, don't test yours. Keep the face dry. Watch the silver jewelry, it will oxidize in water.
Closest beach bar is great, you can have drinks and food very fast for small amount. And it's tasty,too.

[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="338"] The beach[/caption]

Take a look at the video shot on my way to this beach. Yes, this might happen!

Parc de Bruxelles, Brussels

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“City park”

This is the largest public park in Brussels, with Royal palace on one side and the National parliament on the other. It was designed in 18th century, as a private garden of a former palace. Today, it is large park with some additional constructions like a theater, concert venue, kiosks, ponds, fountains.... Although renovated in 2002, it could use some improvements.

[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="338"] park[/caption]

Jardin du Petit Sablon, Brussels

Square du Petit Sablon, Brussels, Belgium  Website

“Quiet little cutsie”

Right across the street from the Notre-Dame du Sablon, stands this cute little park. Its condition and general appearance is much better than the one in Parc du Bruxelles. This park has a history that might be read here:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sablon_(Brussels)#Petit_Sablon
Romantic, green, fresh, clean and tidy....these are the keywords for it.

[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="550"] quiet little cutsie[/caption]

Church of Our Lady (Onze Lieve Vrouwekerk), Bruges

Vrouwekerkhof Zuid, Bruges, Belgium  Website

“Tower power”

Gothic church from 13th century. Wikipedia says "Its tower, at 122.3 meters in height, remains the tallest structure in the city and the second tallest brickwork tower in the world." And, yes, it is visible all over Brugge.
Pay extra bucks to see MIchelangelo's work: Madonna & child.

[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="338"] tower power[/caption]

 

The Markt, Bruges

Markt, Bruges, Belgium  Website

No Bruges visit should end without it.
Regular medieval central city square, big empty space surrounded by lovely original historical buildings. Nice atmosphere, tourist crowded but not overly, shops and cafes all over the place, horses and carriages also....well, you get the point. We didn't have enough time to sit around, so I can not point finger into single place, but were lucky to have sunny day to enjoy just a quick glance at what's there.

[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="550"] City square[/caption]

 

Gent-Sint-Pieters Railway Station

Koningin Maria Hendrikaplein, Ghent, Belgium

“Nice building”

I find it quite stupid to rate a railway station, but my point is in this review: building itself. Although made in fake historical style, about one century ago, it is worth seeing, with little towers and big clock tower. Station is not that big, just a regular one for a small european city, so it won't be a problem to orient. Actually, nothing is problem here, everything is signed and easy-to-find, so do not worry if you read some previous reviews on "no-english-here-and-there"....not everything turns around english, sometimes it takes a bit of brain and voila! you'll find your way easily.

Saint Nicholas Church, Ghent

Cataloniestraat, Ghent, Belgium

“A star before Belfry was built”

Gothic church, recently restored, made of local greystone was the most dominant and important until the belfry was built. Shelde Gothic is a Flemish architectural style that mixes surviving Romanesque elements with already ruling Gothic. This impressive 13- to 15-century church holds one of "three towers of Ghent", actually the first one of them that was erected.



A star before Belfry was built