albania

In early December 2023, I had the pleasure of visiting Tirana, and what an amazing surprise it turned out to be! The city itself is captivating, but what stood out even more were the people-warm, welcoming, and always ready to greet you with open arms. Tirana’s main tourist attractions are conveniently clustered together, making it easy to explore. Here are some of my personal favorites: Skanderbeg Square and Monument, Et'hem Bey Mosque, Clock Tower, National History Museum, Tirana Castle, Enver Hoxha Pyramid, Great Mosque of Tirana, Saint Paul Cathedral, and the bustling “Pazari i Ri” market. For an excursion just outside the city center, Bunk'Art 1 is an absolute must-visit. Easily accessible by bus, this fascinating site provides a deep dive into Albania’s history. While you're in the area, don’t miss the nearby Dajti Ekspres cable car, which whisks you up to Mount Dajti for stunning panoramic views of Tirana.

austria

My friend Stefan invited me to visit him in Innsbruck and I only have good memories of my stay there... I flew Tyrolean Airways from Zürich to Innsbruck on Friday night, have spent all Saturday and Sunday there and flew back to Geneva via Zürich on Monday very early in the morning to start working the same day. I'll never forget Stefan's hospitality that showed me around (I really enjoyed the lake and the visit to the Imperial Court Palace), introduced me to his friends, invited me to the very good restaurant "Landhof - Wilder Mann", etc. etc. etc. Ha... And of course, I won't forget the Verdi's "Otello" opera at the "Grosses Haus" because it was really nice and very well performed. In the Summer of 2001, I visited Vienna which I also liked a lot. Gosh, that visit to the Opera (Wiener Staatsoper) was really unforgettable!

belgium

I've just been one day to Brussels (October 1986) but had enough time to see the "Manneken Piss", the "Grand Place" and ate some "Moules avec frites"! In the Summer of 2001, I went to visit Brussels again and revisited the same places mentioned before plus the Atomium, the "Mini-Europe" and the Belgian Comic Strip Center.

croatia

I know there are a lot of places to visit in Croatia, but with a short period of fewer than three full days, I had to focus on discovering Zagreb only. And I liked it a lot! The hotel where I stayed, the Esplanade Zagreb Hotel, couldn't have been better! Simply, a fabulous 5-star! As for the places that I have visited, I liked the Zagreb Cathedral, the Monument of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Croatian National Theatre, the Zagreb City Museum, St. Mark’s Church, the Museum of Broken Relationships, the Lotrščak Tower and the Grič – Radićeva Tunnel. One day I'll have to go back to Croatia to see the rest of the country.

cyprus

We combined the visit to Cyprus with our trip to Egypt. That was after visiting Egypt. Cyprus was a surprise, a great surprise. I think we had the normal expectations for any country we usually visit for the first time. But it ended up exceeding everything that could be expected. Unfortunately, Cyprus remains divided, but we were able to visit both sides. We started by staying in Ayia Napa in the southern part where the Greek Cypriots live. Two days later, we crossed the border and stayed in Nicosia, in the part where the Turkish Cypriots live. In between, there is a buffer zone, which is where the UN soldiers are located. Car rental was essential for us to get around the island. In the southern part, besides Ayia Napa and its transparent turquoise water, we also visited Cavo Greco and Larnaca (Church of Saint Lazarus, Finikoudes and the Salt Lake). In the northern part, the day before we moved to Nicosia, we had already visited Varosha, also known as Ghost Town, as it had been abandoned since the conflict that separated the island. Regarding Nicosia, we took an excellent walking tour where we discovered more about the city and its history. Some of the places that we visited and liked in the old town were the “Rüstem Kitabevi” bookstore, Arab Ahmet Mosque, Ermeni Kilisesi, the Green Line, Samanbahce, Kyrenia Gate and Büyük Han. Honestly, we weren't expecting it to be that interesting and that was good because we liked Cyprus!

czech republic

Prague, "Mother of Cities"! I visited Prague on a short trip of four days with my friend Ian from New Zealand. We were both very impressed with the beauty of the city. I'll never forget Charles Bridge, Prague Castle, Old Town Square as well as the good traditional cuisine.

denmark

I would say that Denmark is the country I've visited more after Portugal! I've been already 12 times there and why not go there again? I just have some of my best friends living there and Fernanda, Michael and Simon always welcomed me so well!

estonia

Tallinn in Estonia was a very good surprise and exceeded all my expectations. Some of the spots I liked were: St. Catherine’s Passage in the Old Town, Town Hall Square, Kadriorg Palace, Viru Gate, St. Alexander Nevsky Cathedral, Freedom Square and the Kumu Art Museum.

france

Good souvenirs and not-so-good ones too! The good ones, the first time I was there, a full month in Paris visiting every museum and monument. The not-so-good ones, when I lived there for three months to accomplish my second training for the hotel school... Unending stress!!! I just learned that visiting a big city is one thing but to live and work it is completely different!...

germany

I've been several times to Germany during my hotel school period. Many times, to Saarbrücken, and once to Münich! That was carnival and I've never seen so many disguised people at different parties in the same building of a high school! In the Summer of 2001, I visited Berlin for the first time and visited very nice places like the Brandenburger Tor, the Reichstag, Tiergarten, the Kaiser-Wilhelm-Gedächtniskirche as well as Fernsehturm (Television Tower) at Alexanderplatz.

greece

Greece has always been a country that I wanted to visit. But I kept postponing hoping to find the perfect time to do it. And that finally happened in the spring of 2022! After Athens, which I liked (I visited the Acropolis of Athens, the Theater of Dionysus, Syntagma Square, the Metropolitan Cathedral of Athens and the Temple of Hephaestus), I flew to the island of Santorini, which I just loved! I stayed at the Iliovasilema Hotel & Suites. It was a fantastic experience that will remain in my memory forever! I did enjoy visiting the Blue Doomed Church, Ammoudi, the Orthodox Church of St. Gerasimos and the Three Bells of Fira. After this first visit to Greece, I fell in love with the country and want to go back there and visit new places! I only need to find out some free time!

hungary

Budapest, or the "Charme of the Danube"! This was my second trip with my friend Ian from New Zealand. After being together in Prague, Czech Republic, we didn't resist visiting Budapest too. And we didn't regret it! Budapest, also known as the "Paris of the East" has so much to see and to do! Although we stayed at the Pest side of the city, Buda was our favourite place with its green hills and the old town. We really enjoyed Castle Mount (Várhegy) with the Church of Matthias (Mátyás templom), the Fishermen's Bastion (Halászbástya) and the Royal Palace (Várpalota or Királyi Vár). Otherwise, on the Pest side, we enjoyed the Millennium Monument at Heroes Square as well as the Parliament building (Országház) or the Opera House (Operaház) where we assisted the World Première "Anna Karenina" ballet in three acts on the basis of Lev Tolstoy's novel with Peter Ilyich Tschaikowsky's compositions! We also visited the Ferenc Liszt Memorial Museum which was a very interesting one. Oh well... finally, the night promenades at the riverside Korzó with the views in shimmering gold of Gellért Hill and Castle Hill directly across the Danube were also very exciting!...

ireland

To visit Dublin and Ireland was a longtime dream. I finally took the plane and went to Dublin in 2021! And wow! It was very, very nice! I have not been able to visit the countryside, but when I will have the chance, I will definitely go back to Ireland so I can visit those beautiful places that I’ve missed. As for Dublin, I really liked: Saint Patrick's Cathedral, Dublin Castle, Ha'penny Bridge, The Spike, Samuel Beckett Bridge, the Little Museum of Dublin, the Temple Bar Pub and the Guinness Storehouse!

italy

Italy too, I've been several times... Milano, Venice, Bologna and Aosta. A special thank you to Pia and Rino for that dinner at "La Maison de Fillipo" (Entrèves-Courmayeur). That was really delicious! The last time I went to Italy was in the Summer of 2001 to visit Rome and the Vatican.

latvia

To be updated soon.

luxembourg

Have been twice... to take the plane only!

malta

After several years of waiting, I finally went to visit Malta at the end of summer 2022. And how good it was. I stayed at the Hilton Malta, a fantastic 5-star. In the capital Valletta, I visited and liked many places. Here are the most important ones: the Triton Fountain, St. Andrew’s Bastions, Upper Barrakka Gardens, Red Phone Booth and balconies, San Paolo Naufrago and Hastings Garden. I have also visited and enjoyed Mdina (Mdina Gate, Vilhena Palace and St. Paul’s Cathedral). Furthermore, I went to other places on the island that I liked too, such as the Blue Grotto, the fishing village of Marsaxlokk and Popeye Village. Oh! And yes, I also enjoyed a fabulous sunset at the Għajn Tuffieħa Tower. I also passed by the Sanctuary Basilica of the Assumption of Our Lady in Mosta, better known as the “Rotunda of Mosta”, which I only admired for its exterior. And finally, I also took a cruise to visit the islands of Gozo and Comino. In Gozo, I visited Dwejra Bay and the capital Victoria: Citadel, Cathedral of the Assumption and St. George’s Basilica. And in Comino, I swam in the Blue Lagoon which I did enjoy a lot. Take me back to Malta, please!

monaco

My first time in Monaco was a memorable one and surely I won't forget that soon. Thank you Sergine for that wonderful weekend! You didn't stop and all the nice places you showed us (to my mother and myself) such as the old Antibes, Cannes, Saint-Paul de Vince, the old Nice and all the coast on the way to Monaco will remain in my memory, forever. Of course, I won't forget either the car ride in the Monte Carlo Formula 1 circuit! That was fabulous! Just like a formula one but in a slower run!... Our time in the casino was also a nice one. When I remember that we wanted to go away but still wanted to finish our last coins when suddenly there was that jackpot, I just can't stop smiling! That was really unexpected! Our lunch at the Café de Paris was a tasty one. However, the meal you gave us the night before at your place was indisputably much nicer! Thank you again, Sergine. You were really the best guide we could ever have!

netherlands

Amsterdam, een kort maar krachtig bezoek. Dank Je Ron! Oh... I'm sorry... Well, not even 24 hours there and such an enjoyable visit... One boat cruise through the canals, a very nice downtown walk, and such a superb afternoon at Le Monde cafe, at Rembrandt Square. I also won't forget that sudden storm and rain while we were at the cafe, as well as the beautiful and colourful sunset at the end of the day. Thank you again, Ron! You just made me live one unforgettable weekend... And for sure, you were the best guide in town!

norway

I went to Norway to reach Spitsbergen, an archipelago very close to the North Pole. That was my adventure trip. It was in June 1994, and there was no night! 24 hours Sun! And the icebergs were around us! We missed the polar bears only...

poland

Because Geneva's weather forecast for the weekend wasn't very nice and I wasn't feeling like staying at home I've just decided to take the plane and go visit Warsaw for a day. And that's what I've done! I took the aeroplane Saturday morning and got back home the same day. Although I've been there just for a few hours, I still could enjoy and visited places like the monument of the "Umschlagplatz" (Warsaw Ghetto during World War II), the Royal Castle, the Presidential Palace, the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and the Palace of Culture and Science where I took the lift up to the 30th floor for a breathtaking view of the city.

portugal

Well, that's the place where I go often to visit my family. Do you know how many times I've been to Portugal since I came to Switzerland in 1990? Guess? Well, 80 by the time I'm writing this note (December 2000)! A few for vacation but a lot for the weekend only! My Mother lives in Cascais, a town by the sea close to Estoril and some half an hour's drive from Lisbon. That's the place I usually go to now all the time. Otherwise, I just know the country from the North to the South. That's a very beautiful country! If you're interested to have some information about it, please don't hesitate to ask me. I'll try to give you my advice.

azores

I went to visit São Miguel Island in the Azores from May 27 to June 1st, 2007 and I can tell you that I enjoyed a lot my holiday there. Saying so, I know that I'll have to go to the Azores again and visit some of the other islands too. Ponta Delgada is a small pleasant city with many churches but the highlights of my trip were the visits to the Sete Cidades with its two lakes (the blue and the green lake), the Lagoa do Fogo (Fire Lake) and Furnas.

The weather was not so good the day I went to the Sete Cidades so I couldn't enjoy the breathtaking view from the top.

Lagoa do Fogo was my favourite one though. And amazingly, it was the place where I went from high joy to full despair! Well, I've just learned that we shouldn't ever go hiking in nature alone, that we always should carry water, that we should have a map and that we should inform people where we go because our mobile phone may not work if there is no network! So yes, I've lost track and my only way to survive was to cry out for HELP! HELP! HELP! Fortunately, some people that were in the belvedere could see me and two of them came to rescue me! Thank you, Birgit, and thank you to the Finnish tourist too. They both saved my life!

Furnas was also worth to go and it was very interesting to visit the Gorreana tea factory (1883), the Terra Nostra Garden (1780) and, of course, to enjoy the delicious "Cozido das Furnas" that is a stew cooked inside the craters.

russia

I've visited Moscow and Saint-Petersburg with my mother by the end of May and the beginning of June 2004. We purchased a package in Switzerland whereas the accommodation, the visits and excursions as well as the private tour guides and drivers for each city were included. Our local guides, Elena in Moscow and Olga in Saint-Petersburg, toured us in Portuguese and that was a very good surprise because we were expecting a French-speaking tour guide! In Moscow, we've particularly enjoyed the Red Square, the Cathedral of St-Basil the Blessed, the Lenin Mausoleum, the GUM, the Kremlin, the Pushkin Museum of Fine Arts and the excellent performance of "Boris Godunov" opera (Modest Musorgsky) at the Bolshoi Theatre (the concert hall, the sceneries, the costumes, the music, the voices, the chorus, everything was just perfect!). Elena also showed us some underground famous stations and that was quite exciting to take the Moscow metro. We have also visited Kouskovo a few kilometres outside of Moscow. There we've discovered the Cheremetiev Palace, the park, a Swiss chalet, a Dutch house and the "Orangerie" with a big collection of Russian and foreign ceramics. In Saint-Petersburg, besides the "white nights" (daylight all day long), we liked very much the state Hermitage and Winter Palace, the Palace Square and the Alexandre column, the Admiralty, the monument of Peter the Great (the bronze horseman), the Isaak Cathedral, the Peter and Paul Fortress, the cruiser "Aurora", the rostral columns, the Church of Our Savior on Spilled Blood, the Cathedral Smolny, the Nevsky Prospect, the Russian Museum as well as Pavlovsk which is located outside of Saint-Petersburg. We know that there was much more to visit but unfortunately our week in Russia was quickly gone and therefore we had to go home. In conclusion, we really enjoyed this trip and encourage any of you that might be interested in such a visit.

slovakia

Another country that surprised me! After visiting Budapest for the second time and before going to Vienna for the second time too, being Bratislava between the capitals of Hungary and Austria, stopping there for a few days was just an excellent idea to discover a new capital of a country that I still did not know. My top visits were the Bratislava Castle, the Primate’s Palace, Michael’s Gate, the Blue Church, Slavín (War Memorial) and a sunset visit to the UFO (Observation Deck).

spain

I've been several times to Spain and that's not strange... Portugal is surrounded by Spain so every Portuguese the first time he travels abroad is to Spain! I've visited places such as Vigo and Santiago de Compostella in the North, or Sevilla and Ayamonte in the South... Those were the times we used to go shopping there when the Escudo was stronger than the Peseta! Since then, things have changed and now it seems the Spanish go to Portugal to do their shopping as we did in the old times! In Summer 2001, I went to Spain again this time to visit Barcelona and I've liked it very much. I won't forget "La Sagrada Família", "La Pedrera" and the "Parc Güell" all by Gaudí as well as the "Fundació Joan Miró", the "Port Vell" and many other nice places!

sweden

The first time I went to Sweden, I've just been there for a few hours only! Not even a full day!!! But I can say that I put my feet there for the first time as after taking the boat from Helsingør (Denmark), Fernanda, Michael, Simon and myself, we just reached the other coast at Helsingborg (Sweden)! We ate at McDonald's there!!! Some few years later (September 2000), well, I've just had to go to Sweden again and this time to visit Stockholm that I really liked it. As they say: "Beauty on Water"! Oh well... I better go back there again soon!...

switzerland

Well, I think I've been everywhere in Switzerland... No, I'm lying... I still don't know the Ticino! Otherwise, during my hotel school period (1986-1988), I've visited the major important places so varied as the cities of Zürich, Basle, Bern or Neuchâtel, Montreux, Gstaad, Verbier or the Jüngfraujoch!

uk

One of my favorite places that I used to go for CD shopping! Yes, I've been four times to London and twice of them just for the day... to buy CDs only!

Visiting a friend living in Bournemouth, I've discovered the region with visits of Bournemouth, Durdle Door, Corfe Castle, Knowlton Church & Henge, Stonehenge, Salisbury Cathedral and New Forest (September and October 2005).

Back to London in November 2005 after a few years absence... And back again with my mother in January 2006! First time for her and she just loved it!

vatican

In Summer 2001, I have visited Rome and the Vatican and I've enjoyed the Holy City very much. Saint Peter is very beautiful. Unfortunately, I just missed the Pope and the Sistine Chapel that was closed...