A few months ago, Mum said something that will likely stay with me for my entire life. She confessed her fear that she and I were drifting into two entirely different worlds. For context: in Romania, the far-right, pro-Russian parties were gaining alarming ground, becoming more popular by the day, and teetering dangerously close to power. The thought was genuinely unsettling. Then, the news came. Romania had chosen. It had chosen democracy, f ...
Albania. That was the new country for this year's birthday celebration. I'd never set foot here before, which is a bit mad when you think how remarkably close it is to Romania, my home country. And it wasn't just the geographical proximity that struck me; there was something in the air, the people, the flavours of the food, even the contours of the landscape, that echoed with a comforting familiarity, bringing me unexpectedly closer to home. ...
What a nice day we've had! You know those days when you step outside, and the sky is just so blue, without a cloud in sight? Well, today was one of those. We spent it wandering through the gorgeous Cotswolds countryside. It’s days like these I feel so lucky to live here. We ambled past rolling green fields, saw some lovely old farms, and couldn't help but smile at the fluffy baby lambs and majestic horses enjoying the sunshine. Our friends ...
After a wait that stretched over twelve long years, the dream of Zanzibar finally became a reality. And believe me, the legendary Spice Island didn't just deliver; it absolutely enchanted. We’d gone with visions of pristine white sand beaches and crystal-clear turquoise waters, and while Zanzibar offered those in breathtaking abundance, it surpassed our expectations spectacularly, revealing so much more. Our days were a wonderful blur of e ...
The call of the Via Transilvanica pulled me back again. This time, the target was a stretch through Bucovina, starting with the familiar car journey from Bucharest up to Vatra Dornei, buzzing with that pre-hike mix of excitement and nerves. Setting off from Vatra Dornei, the first couple of days were about finding that hiking rhythm amidst ridiculously green hills. It's always a blend – the beauty, the sweat, the simple focus on the path ahea ...
I saw this image on an Instagram story recently, and it got me thinking about a career move I made. I’ve spent most of my professional life bouncing between full-time jobs and freelancing. Honestly, I can’t say which one’s better – it probably depends on where you’re at in life, both personally and professionally. But I can tell you which one gave me the most satisfaction while also scaring the hell out of me. Actually, I don’t even need to t ...
I recently took a train from Bucharest to Chișinău, and it was quite the experience. This wasn’t just any train; it was a sleeper train, offering a nostalgic journey back in time. I started my trip on a Saturday evening and arrived in Chișinău on Sunday morning. If you don’t mind a 14-hour trip covering approximately 275 miles and don’t expect modern amenities, you’ll be just fine. The train’s vintage charm was really nostalgic for me, particula ...
I booked myself a birthday trip to Vilnius, Riga, and Tallinn, saving Tallinn for last, hoping it would be the cherry on my birthday cake. And it fit perfectly right on top. It’s one of the most beautiful cities I’ve ever seen, and I’ve seen hundreds. It rivals other cities from my personal top favourites, like London, Singapore, and Barcelona. I took my best travel mates with me: Florence, my partner, ...
I like New York, but I’m not a huge fan. It’s an intriguing city for many, a city that attracts a lot of people, but not me. I’ve been there once, checked it off my list, and didn’t necessarily plan to return. When the idea of a family trip to New York came up, I thought, why not? It would be a good opportunity to see the city differently. And I’m glad we went. I rediscovered the city through the eyes of a 2.5-year-old child and my partne ...
I have shared this story numerous times in various ways, but I believe it’s best to write it down, just in case the temptation to modify it arises in the future. It’s a story too precious to be altered, and I want the future me to share the same enchanting tale with our child. Yes, my love, it’s our story. It all began in a humble house, some referred to as an office, where I opened a door and there she was, turning her chair. In that moment, ...
