tour of the north II

 

 Durham, UK

 

 Amsterdam, NL 

Hamburg, GE

All images via Pinterest

I am lucky enough to head off to Europe in about 2 weeks again. 

The main destination will be Durham, UK, for a course at the university there. 

Of course, flying to Amsterdam is an almost inevitable part of getting to Europe from here (not that mind... a great way to keep in touch with family and friends) and what better way to end the trip than visiting my friends in Hamburg. Again - Northern Europe is the place for me this summer  - absolutely splendid.

 

peterhof

 

Images from own collection

Peterhof is an absolutely magical place in St. Petersburg.

The gardens are like a fairytale. Tulips everywhere, fountains flowing, an impressive and inspiring history and yes, we had blue skies and warm weather (so lucky). 

I hope one day you will be able to visit (I will surely try to go there again....with a bit more time to explore the grounds).

For more information on Peterhof visti the following link.

do you marimekko?

Image via here

 While in Finland I "discovered" this wonderful brand. The colours alone inspire you to enter the shop. Now of course I know this brand is quite well known and has quite a few shops around the world. I for one am so happy I now know of it. And of course, both a few beautiful and special items from the current collection - including the dress shown here. I love it. 

For more information and inspiration on the colourful Marimekko, visit their website.

A few quotations from the Marimekko Company

"It’s a couple of years before Viljo and Armi Ratia’s company Printex becomes Marimekko, but Armi already has a clear idea of the future. "One has to dream," Armi says. "And one must stand out from the rest."

"It is our intention to bring our fashion shows to the world’s fashion capitals on a more frequent basis, and we are delighted to start in Tokyo where the crowd of Marimekko friends has been growing and growing over the years,” says Noora Niinikoski, Head of Fashion Design of Marimekko.

 image from here

ah the shoes

Image via the beautiful Haute Design

Absolutely love these shoes. 

xx

Pris

hello monday

Images from own collection 

From the Baltic Tour

St. Petersburg and Copenhagen

"The use of traveling is to regulate imagination by reality, and instead of thinking how things may be, to see them as they are"

-Samuel Johnson-

Have a splendid week. 

xx

Pris

baltic tour

 Copenhagen

Helsinki 

 St. Petersburg

Tallinn

It was absolutely beautiful. Such an great trip, with amazing people and beautiful destinations. 

I would absolutely recommend a Baltic Cruise to anyone - and the Silversea cruise line is a perfect way to do this. And as you can see - we had sunny and warm weather (yep - in Scandinavia). 

More pictures and restaurant recommendations will follow (because the food was so incredibly delicious)

Hope you had a great weekend. 

xx

Pris

hello stockholm

 

 

 

 

 

Images via the beautiful 

{this is glamorous}

Stockholm Guide

"Travel and change of place impart new vigor to the mind"

 -Seneca-

hello monday

 

Image via here 

 Greetings from the beautiful city of Copenhagen 

xx

Pris

 

packing the final details

 

 Images from the beautiful blog 

{this is glamorous}

hmm a bit stressed, but oh so happy about this journey

Packing the last details. Always fun!

xx

Pris  

just chic

Images via Dustjacket Attic

and breath. 

xx

Pris

planning for cold

 

Image via here

It is no secret to those who know me that I have a few issues with the cold (ok, more than a few). Basically my body was just not made to handle anything below 21 degrees Celsius - which is great when you live in the Caribbean, but a little less great when traveling to Europe (honestly I have no clue how I survived 7 years (7 winters!!) in Europe......I suppose it was all those beautiful gloves and scarfs that got me through the pain). I do love the accessories, the coats, and all the beauty that comes with cuddling up to keep warm and so, this week, I have been meticulously going through my closet, picking out beautiful sweaters, detailed gloves and rain boots. I ordered a lovely white trench and had my scarfs dry-cleaned. So I think I am ready for this trip - umbrella packed  and all.

It seems that Spring is not quite in the air yet - although compared to last months' weather (yes I have been monitoring it for a while now) was significantly worse. So I am grateful for any temperature above 10. I also took a photography course (need to practice a bit a lot more), my journal is ready, and the reservations are Fiskebaren and Madklubben Bistro de Luxe in Copenhagen and at Mathias Dahlgren's Food Bar in Stockholm have been made- being spontaneous is one thing - ensuring we can enjoy these Nordic delights requires some planning and reserving.

While in St. Petersburg we will be attending Swan Lake at the Mariinsky Theatre and taking a boat tour through the canals of this splendid city. I so look forward to the fountains at Peterhof, the splendor of the Hermitage and the immensity of Tsarskoye Selo.

Before we visit Helsinki, Tallinn and all the other beauties of the North, we will be enjoying Amsterdam. My second home. A city marked by romantic canals, tulips and a great deal of family and friends. On our return to Amsterdam, after the cruise we will be visiting the newly renovated Rijksmuseum (I am sure a 10 year renovation is well worth the visit).

And so, as I prepare the final things (and Mr. D. smiles at my immense excitement), I will continue to hope the weather will miraculously improve ( I know, it is wishful thinking, it is even raining here in Curacao) and pack the final things for this unbelievable trip.

hello monday

 

 Images via Pinterest 

“We must go beyond textbooks, go out into the bypaths and untrodden depths of the wilderness and travel and explore and tell the world the glories of our journey.”

-John Hope Franklin-

Have a splendid week. 

xx

Pris 

take me away

 

 

Images via here