LDV-VOYAGE, Issue 2

Where do we go from here?

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EDITOR'S NOTE Here i s our second i ssue, the spri ng i ssue.

Better than the fi rst one.

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EXPLORING EUROPE Home to ri ch hi story & i ncredi bl e cul ture, the ol d European conti nent has a l ot to offer to the curi ous travel ers, thi rsty for knowl edge

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DUBAI, LUXURY & OPULENCE But there i s so much more about Dubai than extravagant hotel s and exoti c beaches

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ECO TOURISM IN CUBA Responsi bl e travel i ng i s about maki ng sure that you l ook after the pl ace you' re vi si ti ng l i ke i t' s your own home

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VANCOUVER IN THE SPRING Voted one of the most beauti ful ci ti es i n the worl d by Forbes and Buzzfeed, Vancouver makes a wonderful spri ng desti nati on

Living La Dolce Vita

LDV-VOYAGE Travel & Lifestyle Magazine

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Editor's Note Welcome back to our second issue - The Spring Issue. Spring brings hope and “adds new life and new beauty to all that is” (Jessica Harrelson said so, and I totally agree). And we are very hopeful right now; so tired of the current situation, but so hopeful for a return to normalcy.

A few things have changed since I wrote a letter like this a few months ago for our first issue. We still live in isolation and all masked up; but hope is on the way, and things look promising. We are being told that by summer we can hope for a kind of normalcy. Now, the question is where do we go from here? Are we good to go? This is the theme of this issue.

Many people are already making travel plans, and that’s wonderful for an industry that suffered a lot lately.

We all desperately miss traveling. Our tourism industry desperately needs us. But are we good to travel?

Are we back to normal? Are these vaccine passports gonna work? So many questions, so few answers ...

While we don’t have answers to these questions, and we still don’t know exactly when we’ll be able to travel freely and safely again, we are lusting after it big time. In fact, our wanderlust is at an all time high, and we can’t wait to travel the world again. Meanwhile, we’ll continue exploring new places virtually, and discuss with some travel experts about where things are going. Food is such an important part of the whole travel and leisure experience, so you might wanna check out our interview with this incredible chef. Also, we’ll be featuring some of our favorite sustainable brands, and so much more.

I hope you’ll enjoy this one!

Anca Chirita

ANCA CHIRITA Editor-In-Chief

Living La Dolce Vita

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Budapest Hungary's capital is among Europe's most popular attractions year-round. There's something for everyone - from Buda Castle’s archaic architecture to the magnificent views of the Danube along the Széchenyi Chain Bridge. This spring, look out for the Budapesti Tavaszi Fesztival, two weeks of enlivening music - from orchestras to dance troupes.

You can also explore Budapest's spa culture by visiting the city's various thermal springs, which date back to the 16th century, and enjoy the serenity of relaxation alongside the exquisite beauty of ancient architecture.

When in Budapest, you must visit the Fisherman's Bastion – a beautiful neo-Gothic building, and take in the breathtaking views of the city from the terrace.

Euro Trip Zagreb Zagreb's rich history and modern style make it the ideal location for history and culture buffs alike. Špica, the downtown promenade that stretches between Ban Jelačić Square and Petar Preradović Square, hosts a warm, chatty atmosphere and various coffee shops, making it the perfect social spot. Springtime visitors will also enjoy the unique, scenic views at Plitvice Lakes National Park - where the waterfalls, half-frozen and half-melted, perfectly encapsulate the essence of spring, caught between the winter harshness and summer warmth.

Not to mention Zagreb’s affordability makes it a perfect destination if you’re on a budget.

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Prague The beautiful Czech capital is home to numerous historic sites and modern attractions. Explore the Gothic architecture of the Old Town Square, and be sure to check off your list some of Prague’s MUST-SEE attractions like the Prague Castle, St. Vitus Cathedral, the Royal Palace and the Charles Bridge to name only a few. Travelers with a greater interest in architecture may find the fascinating structure of the Dancing House very appealing. For those hungry for the Czech culture, Prague houses a series of beer halls and pubs - keep an eye out for the annual Czech Beer Festival in May, featuring a selection of 150 local brews.

Euro Trip Vienna Also known as the ‘Capital of Music’, Austria’s beautiful capital city is defined by elegant baroque architecture, rich art & history, imperial traditions and exquisite cultural events. Culture buffs can take a tour of the Mozarthaus, where Mozart resided from 1784 to 1787, while those interested in the history of psychology can visit the Sigmund Freud Museum, where numerous letters, manuscripts, and photographs of the father of psychoanalysis are displayed, depicting his life and works chronologically.

If you're looking for old charm and enchanting gardens, then Vienna with its cherry blossoms in full bloom make the perfect spring trip.

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Copenhagen There are so many reasons why to visit Copenhagen. Let’s begin with the fact that Denmark is The Happiest Country in the World. Want more? We got more: the canals, the bike friendliness, the jazz clubs, the food, Copenhagen is like the Mecca for designers... and so much more...For families and couples alike, the Tivoli Gardens - a theme park with breathtaking scenery and entertaining rides is an enjoyable location for a relaxing spring afternoon; while those who prefer the fastpaced life might wanna visit Guldbergsgade, the city's most crammed street, filled to the brim with an enticing variety of restaurants and stores.

This beautiful, dynamic city with its colorful buildings overlooking the river makes an absolutely wonderful spring destination.

Euro Trip Barcelona Capital of the autonomous community of Catalonia, Barcelona stands out from the rest of Spain with incredible culture & architecture, rouring of tourists, This sunny Spanish city with amazing weather pretty much all year round, offers a wealth of activities for any traveler from the historian to the foodie – including Las Ramblas, a series of streets and alleys rich with restaurants, nightclubs, and a lively pedestrian market. Springtime is the best time to bask in the glorious, sunlit sights of the animated Park Guell, or else to enjoy the picturesque Gothic architecture of the Barri Gòtic. Punctuate your visits to these national landmarks by trying a 40course meal at Enigma, which is described as a culinary amusement park - boasting an abstract, futuristic setting intended to disconnect its visitors from reality.

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Salzburg A UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1996, Salzburg’s beauty is most obvious during the springtime, when you can see the white starshaped narcissi and freshly blooming magnolia trees. Salzburg is where the Italian and German cultures met. This Baroque town has managed to preserve an extraordinarily rich urban flavor, developed over the period from the Middle Ages to the 19th century when it was a city-state ruled by a prince-archbishop.

Its Flamboyant Gothic art attracted many craftsmen and artists before the city became famous through the work of the Italian architects Vincenzo Scamozzi and Santini Solari, to whom the centre of Salzburg owes much of its Baroque appearance.

Euro Trip Edinburgh If you are a Harry Potter fan and love history and culture, you're gonna love Edinburgh.

Sometimes called the Athens of the North, Edinburgh is the second most visited city in the United Kingdom (with London, England's multicultural and jam-packed capital city, being the first). And with good reason. The Royal Mile's cobblestone pathway connects Edinburgh Castle to the Palace of Holyroodhouse (Queen Elizabeth II's royal palace in Scotland). The latter stands adjacent to Arthur's Seat, an extinct volcano, offering stunning views of the Scottish moorlands.

After a chilly spring stroll in the city, warm up with a hearty fish pie or a bowl of haggis, a savory meat pudding that constitutes a Scottish specialty.

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Bruges If a dreamy, romantic city appeals to you, then Bruges is a must-visit springtime destination.

This adorable city is peppered with medieval monuments, canals, windmills (for which it is famous), and museums, complementing its various facets of natural beauty. Naturalists will enjoy visiting Minnewater Lake, located in downtown Bruges, where the verdant trees frame a romantic castle. Take a walk along Lovers Bridge and admire the stunning views of the natural world around you, untouched by the ravages of time. Rozenhoedkaai (the "Quay of the Rosary"), is one of the most photographed spots in all of Bruges. The views of the canals surrounded by Gothic buildings and the street musicians performing live will instantly transport you into the city’s medieval past.

Euro Trip St. Petersburg A major historical and cultural centre and a very important port, formerly known as Petrograd (1914–1924) and later Leningrad (1924–1991), Saint Petersburg is historically and culturally associated with the birth of the Russian Empire and Russia's entry into modern history as a European huge power.

Located on the Neva River, St. Petersburg is the world's northernmost city, (only about 7° south of the Arctic Circle), and the second largest city in Russia, with approximately 5.4 million residents. The city is famous for its splendid architecture, being considered the "Cultural Capital of Russia.” Its historic district was designated a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1990.

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L

ive with no excuse,

T

ravel with no regrets

- Oscar Wilde -

EVERYONE DREAMS OF LIVING IN PARIS - NATALIE PORTMAN -

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One’s destination is never a place, but a new way of seeing things – Henry Miller -

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The greatest reward and luxury of travel is to be able to experience everyday things as if for the first time

- Bill Bryson -

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The world is a book and those who do not travel read one page – St. Augustine -

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until next time ...

Living La Dolce Vita