Blog in English - The Solivagant Soul

German winter: Christmas Market in Cologne

Cologne Christmas Markets - The Solivagant Soul

After I moved to Belgium a few years back, one of the things I was the happiest about was that I was on a city with a beautiful Christmas market. And not only that, but only a few hours away from many others. In every city, or capital around here, there’s at least one interesting market. You can visit the weirdly lighten one in Brussels. Or the rustic in Liege. Or maybe the lovely one in Brugge. Each one of them has something special, but none compares to the Christmas market of Cologne. Because is not one or two, they…

Thailand Alone, first thoughts

Asia, Travel 2

I arrived from my first trip from Thailand solo a couple of weeks ago and I wanted to let you about my general feeling about the country. My first thought: OMG the humidity! To start, let me acknowledge that this is going to be very obvious. I know. But for me, the first thing that surprised me in Thailand was the weather. I came from (North) Europe, almost winter and after 16 hours of arctic temperatures (on the plane). Even though I tried to have some light clothes on, as soon as I arrived to Bangkok I started sweating. I…

The best lenses for travel photography

Photography 23

A few weeks back, I wrote a post about how to get better shots during your trips (part 1 and part 2). In that post, I explained about some of the basic rules for general photography and others more specific about travel shooting. In this post, even though it is a bit technical, I am telling you about what lenses are the best to travel with and why. I hope you enjoy it! First, some basic concepts: the focal distance Before saying which lens is better than which one, I must add a small introduction to the concept of focal…

How to get fit for travel or hiking

Travel 0

Often, many questions arise before you start planning a trip. Since you clicked on this post, I guess that one of yours is how to get fit for travel or hiking. Good. These are things to consider well before you plan on leaving for a trip. Because let’s be honest, you won’t manage to be fit enough for a challenging trip if you start preparing only one week before departing. Disclosure: I am in no way a fitness expert and all of the following are just recommendations on how to get fit before travel from the point of view of…

Visit the love locks bridge in Cologne, Germany

Europe, Travel 44

The Hohenzollern Bridge, also known as the Love Lock Bridge in Cologne, is one of the most unique and interesting places to visit in Germany. Every year thousands of couples visit the bridge and leave a lock as a sign of their love. Legend says that their love will last as long as the lock stays on the Bridge. Similar to Paris and other places in Europe, this bridge is a beautiful example of…

One of the cities I liked the most when I was travelling through Europe with Interrail was Cologne. This very nice city is clean and alive. And has a very young feeling to it. The first time I was there I loved it, and I want to tell you why, and why you should visit the love locks bridge in Cologne, Germany. Also known as the Hohenzollernbrücke or Hohenzollen Bridge. After that first visit, I went there a couple of times a year for a while. And every time I went, I loved it more and more. The train station…

Interrail and Eurail, the best way to travel through Europe

Europe, Travel 39

Interrail and Eurail is without a doubt the best way to discover Europe. The network of trains and ferris in the old continent is great and using trains to move accross countres is the cheapest, greenest and safest option to visit Europe. This is a detailed guide to buy, enjoy and select the best interrail and eurail passes to discover Europe in the best way possible! It doesnt matter if you are a backpacker on your way to Europe or a luxury traveler, this will always be one of the best option!

Often people wonder what is the best way to visit Europe. I am here to convince you that Interrail and Eurail tickets are the best way to travel through Europe. If you like to drive, and you are only visiting one or two coutnries, a car is a great option. But it involves many additional costs (from renting the car to parking fees). And, you will be a slave of driving. But yes, you can find more secluded locations with private transportation. Despite this reason, I think this is not the best way to travel through Europe. Flying from one…

Visit the Medina of Tunis, UNESCO World Heritage Site

Africa, Travel 0

Visit the Medina of Tunis in Tunisia, a world heritage site by the UNESCO - The Solivagant Soul

A few years back I was lucky enough to spend a whole month in Tunis, the capital of Tunisia. During that month, I enjoyed swimming in the beaches of Sidi Bou Said much as I could. And, in several occasions, I visited also the ruins of Carthage. But there was one thing I did almost daily: visit the Medina of Tunis. What’s a Medina? Being clear, the medina is the old quarter of any city in the MENA (Middle East and Northern Africa). If you have seen any Indiana Jones movie, the place where “the bad ones” always try to…

The worst part about traveling

Travel 0

The worst part about traveling? But, isn’t traveling just fantastic? Yes! Of course! It’s the easiest road out there and it’s all flowers and happiness. Ok then, how could it have any bad part? Because travel changes us, specially solo travel Most of those who suffer of this addiction called wanderlust we have something in common. We have all lived, at least, that one trip that has somehow changed us irretrievably. It doesn’t matter if it was while you were lost in some paradise beach in Phuket. Or spending the night under the stars right by the Uluru. Or maybe…

Night visit to Gardens and Generalife – Alhambra of Granada

Europe, Travel 5

The flagant Alhambra at night - The Solivagant Soul

A bit back, I had a long weekend and I decided to take a train and go to Granada from Barcelona. If there is one place to visit in Granada it must be the Alhambra. By lack of planning, we ended up having to purchase the ticket for the “Night Visit to Gardens and Generalife”. At the end, stars aligned and we also made it to visit the Granada during the day, but I will be discussing with you today about the night entry and the beauties of the gardens. Why choosing the “Night Visit to Gardens and Generalife” over…

Best guide to visit Sidi bou Said, Tunisia

Africa, Travel 49

Sidi bou Said, the most known town in Tunisia - The solivagant soul

A few summers back, I had the opportunity to spend a full month in Tunisia. From that trip, one of my fondest memories was when I decided to visit Sidi Bou Said. This is a very small town quite close to the capital where there was a sea of white houses, blue doors and flowers. How did I end up in Tunisia? Well, I was still at the University. And out of the blue, there was this opening for a student exchange. I applied for both Egypt and Tunisia, and I ended up in the later. Back then, I had…