The Skewered Bard
Discover the world through travels and food tours
Interesting things to do in BRATISLAVA
May 20, 2024 My first train ride in a long time took me across the nation, around snow-capped mountain ranges, fields of vibrant yellow rapeseed, and into the multicultural city of Bratislava. It couldn’t be more accurate that Bratislava’s historic Slovak name, “city of countless spires and trams,” describes it. A multiplicity of architectural masterpieces…
Exploring KOSICE: A perfect weekend getaway in SLOVAKIA
May 11, 2024 Lovely day? Bill Withers, you lie! Despite its seemingly unassuming location in a desolate area of the city, Bostinia Lunch & Brunch proved to be a pleasant bistro on this gloomy, wet, and dismal day. The manager deduced that I was searching for a local breakfast even though there was no English…
Tour around CHISINAU: The beautiful capital of MOLDOVA
May 10, 2024 Moldova is a former Soviet republic with varied terrain, including forests, rocky hills, and notable vineyards. It is home to some of the world’s most extensive wine cellars. Its capital, Chișinău, has prominent Soviet-style architecture, but cultural links are closer to those of neighbouring Romania, where the language is commonly shared. On…
Visiting UKRAINE: The charming LVIV
May 5, 2024 The bus ride across Poland overnight was wonderfully uneventful; there were no nervy moments at the border, no interrogation, and no rubber glove in sight. This was a surprise because of the strict admittance requirements, which included evidence of sufficient financial means for the stay, insurance including guaranteed assistance in dangerous situations…
BELARUS Bypass
May 5, 2024 I originally intended to enter Belarus from the north and travel along the west edge via Grodno and Brest. Visa rules were confusing, but because this involved a land crossing, with visa-free entrance only available in Minsk, which I had no intention of flying into, I would need a visa. With three…
Things to do in LITHUANIA: The charming KAUNAS
May 4, 2024 To stay as far west of the possible conflict zones to the east, I dropped a plumb line and headed south, crossing the border into Kaunas, Lithuania’s second-largest city. I didn’t have much time to research, so I imagined a cookie-cut Balkan imitation of Riga. However, I was mistaken. Kaunas is more…
Visiting LATVIA: The captivating architecture in Riga
April 20, 2024 Riga is a charming maze of narrow and crooked cobblestone streets, filled with a mixture of architectural styles that include Nordic, Gothic, Renaissance, Baroque and Art Nouveau, the latter making up about a third of all the buildings in the centre of Riga, making Latvia’s capital, the city with the highest concentration…
Exploring Northern Ireland: The picturesque region of the United Kingdom
April 18, 2024 The voyage commences in this green and pleasant land, perhaps in the less renowned Ireland of the two that share the same island. Gorgeous scenery, a wealth of history, and friendly people may all be found in Northern Ireland, a picturesque region of the United Kingdom. From the iconic Giant’s Causeway to…
Discovering NORWAY: The enchanting BERGEN
April 16, 2024 During the hour-long drive to Belfast International Airport, my hired Hyundai easily handled all four seasons. It’s interesting to note that all the safety measures shut down during inclement weather when they’re most required. This is interesting design logic that would not fly in the aviation industry! I took a chance when…
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