Belgrade, Serbia
I dodged the Christmas bullet in 2023 by visiting Belgrade. I was lucky to catch the Eternal Derby between Partizan and Red Star, tour the excellent Museum of Yugoslavia (including Tito’s grave), and indulge in food and craft beer.
Bonn, Germany
In 2023 I visited Bonn. I noticed some nice Deutsche Bahn ads and enjoyed many exhibits at the #DeutschlandDigital temporary exhibition in Bonn’s Haus der Geschichte.
Malta and Cyprus
November offers mild weather—perfect for visiting Malta and Cyprus.
Malta: La Valletta’s imposing fortifications, ornate Catholic churches, the tranquil island of Gozo, and poignant World War II sites from when Malta served as the “unsinkable aircraft carrier” in the Mediterranean.
Cyprus: Nicosia has a Berlin‑type feel with the border to the Turkish part of the island — I enjoyed craft beer by the frontier while the muezzin echoed across the United Nations Buffer Zone.
Vilnius, Lithuania
I caught the “Rock in the Soviet Union” exhibition in Vilnius, Lithuania — including punk memorabilia — and visited the intense Museum of Occupations and Freedom Fights. There’s striking Brutalist architecture, and as a Catholic country you will, of course, find reminders of John Paul II’s visit.
Exhibitions in Munich
Exhibitions in Munich: I had the pleasure of visiting the excellent Fruhtrunk exhibition at Lenbachhaus, where vibrant artworks captivated my attention. The Mechanical Keyboards Galore showcase was a delightful dive into the world of custom keyboards. I also explored Trikont at Haus der Kunst, which offered a unique perspective on contemporary art. The Brandhorst Museum featured impressive modern pieces, while Halle 6 provided an engaging atmosphere for various installations. Lastly, I enjoyed the works of Gerhard Seyfried, a famous German comic artist.
Bucharest, Romania
I found Bucharest, Romania steeped in a post–Fall‑of‑the‑Wall vibe: crumbling facades and empty buildings abound. Highlights included the gigantic Palace of the Parliament - the world’s heaviest building - and the weirdly tacky Casa Ceaușescu. And then there is Quantic Rock Club, one of Europe’s best metal venues.