A hidden Gem of a museum in Lisbon: Museum of Contemporary Art MAC

Belem is probably the most visited neighborhood in Lisbon due to holding some amazing touristic treasures such as the Jeronimos Monastery, which is probably the number 1 sightseeing highlight of the Portuguese capital, or the archfamous Belem Tower.

However, it might be unknown for many art and cultural lovers that a few steps away from the Jeronimos Monastery, inside the Cultural Centre of Belem, there is an amazing museum not very crowded and totally worthy a visit: The Museum of Contemporary Art of Lisbon MAC.
This Museum was actually known with a different name till 2023, The Berardo Collection, initiated by Jose Berardo, a Portuguese business man and obviously an avid art collector. Berardo unfortunately could not pay a huge debt to the Portuguese government, that seized his collection, and a part of it is exhibited today in the Museum.

The ticket for entrance costs 15 euro which is not cheap but not a bad price for the quality of the exhibitions, and if you are a resident in Portugal, you can visit it for free on Sundays until 2pm.

The staff at the museum is quite friendly and encourages you to do the tour from the upper floors to the lower floors in chronological order. Once you advance, you will find artworks from some of the most famous contemporary artists that belonged to movements such as minimalist, pop art, surrealism or cubism, such as Modigliani, Dali, Picasso, Pollock, Malevich, Andy Warhol or Roy Lichtenstein, to name a few.

While the upper floors are more dedicated to paintings and some sculptures, the lower floors have some huge art installations, maybe too modern for my taste, but I enjoyed a lot some of the pop art rooms, specially the ones with works from Warhol and Lichtenstein.

The day that I visited, there were only a few more people roaming around, so you can really enjoy the corridors in relatively peace, and when you finish the tour, the museum also counts with a very cosy cafe/shop, even having a nice outdoors terrace, so you can enjoy a snack or a coffee almost sighting directly the Jeronimos Monastery in a beautiful park where there are ducks wandering around. Pretty idillic.

If you have enough time in Lisbon and you are an art enthusiasm, or you already visited the other main attractions, give it a try, although it does not have the fame of other museums in Lisbon such as MAAT, it is quite a hidden treasure to explore in Belem area!

For other great places to visit in Lisbon, check:
https://www.freemagazine.fi/a-hidden-gem-in-lisbon-lisbon-city-museum-palacio-pimenta/

A must see in Lisbon: Bansky Museum

Bansky, the probably most famous street artist in the world, has been for decades a symbol for many anti-system beliefs around the world. His enigmatic persona, as nobody knows who is the person behind the artist, his recognizable trademark in his street art, where he uses the environment as part of many of his works, his anticapitalist message, his mockery of the art establishment… Indeed Bansky is a figure to be studied in detail, and some of his works are now super famous…and super expensive.

However, due to the nature of his work, scattered in different countries and cities, and that many of the graffitis have been simply destroyed or stolen from their original locations, it is pretty much impossible to have any exhibition where art lovers could contemplate a big chunk of his production.

With that idea, Bansky Museum opened in Lisbon recently in January 2025, as as the Portuguese capital is my recent new home due to work, I decided to pay a visit on this sunny Sunday.

The museum is very nicely located at the heart of the city, just a short walk away from Saldanha metro station, so there should not be any problem for visitors to find it.

What you will find is 2 floors where the visitors can immerse in his work, with real size graffiti reproductions, smaller pictures and drawings and some video displays that show you some memorable moments in the life of Bansky. I got mesmerized watching in the TV the part where they sold in New York his authentic work in a street market…and almost nobody bought anything. Once again, Bansky has a laugh at the art establishment and the capitalism rules.

Photos are allowed to be taken all over the exhibition, and almost needless to say that the place is honey to take some great memories for your Instagram and social media. The staff is friendly and there is explanations of most of the art works written in Portuguese and in English, so you can learn more and feel quite free roaming inside its walls.

One thing that I must say that I did not like so much is that while Bansky spirit embodies a lot of anticapitalist ideas, the entrance to the museum costs 13 euro for adults, not cheap. And at the end of the visit to the museum there is the museum shop where you can buy a lot of memorabilia…but again not at a cheap price. I found funny that there was a painting by Bansky criticizing how assistants to a music festival buy t-shirts for 30 dollars…just close to the museum shop where the items costs also quite a lot…

All in all, if you are an art lover and 13 euro ticket is not gonna break your wallet, this place is super recommended if you live or you are planning visiting Lisbon. It will not take a lot of your time, a visit can be enjoyed in 1 hour or less, the displays are stunning and it is an unique opportunity to see most of Bansky’s iconic works or discover some new ones you did not know about, all gathered in one place.

For more amazing places to visit in Lisbon, check:
https://www.freemagazine.fi/a-must-see-in-lisbon-carmo-archeological-museum/

A hidden gem in Madrid: The Royal Chapel of St. Anthony of La Florida

Madrid, the Spanish capital, is one of the most attractive cities in the world to visit. Its wide variety of offer in gastronomy, parks, historical sites, vibrant nightlife and museums make it a favorite destination for hordes of tourists through the year.

As the local people say (I am one of them), the only thing that Madrid lacks is the beach!

In its cultural offer, it shines to hold some of the best museums in the world, and the most famous one is probably The Prado Museum, with one of the best classic art collections you can ever see gathered in one place. One of its highlighted painters is Francisco de Goya, who could easily be considered in the top 10 of most influential painters all over history.

But what might be unknown for many visitors and art lovers, and even for some locals, is that you are able to admire Goya’s artwork for free in some other beautiful spots of the city, such as San Antonio de la Florida chapel.

The beautiful historical place was built in 1730s, and is very easy to reach as it is just a short walk apart from Principe Pio train/metro/bus commuting station, one of the most important transport hubs in the south of the city.

The entrance to the chapel is totally FREE of charge, and you should take the opportunity to enjoy this, as you will not find many places in the world where you can see original artwork from one of the most famous painters in history without having to pay an entrance ticket.

The chapel holds the remains of the painter himself, so it is a tomb on his own, but what this place is famous for and what delights the visitors are Goya’s original frescoes in the ceiling.

Mind that the building is not very big, and so your visit will probably not last more than 15-20 minutes, besides there is the not so nice point that authorities do not allow taking photos inside, so you can only photograph the exterior of the building.

In any case, if you are in Madrid or planning a visit, and want to visit some amazing spots that are a bit out of the beaten tourist path, this one should be on your list. Even when being a small area, it tends not to be packed with visitors (unless you are unlucky and some organized tour stops by at the exact time of your arrival), so it can be enjoyed in a relaxed way, and the sorroundings of the chapel are beautiful with parks with benches to relax and restaurants and terraces where to have a drink or a bite and enjoy the beautiful Madrid weather. And once again, entrance is FREE! So stop by there and admire Goya’s magic artworks!

Wanna explore more hidden gems in Madrid? Check:

A Hidden Gem in Madrid: Lazaro Galdeano Museum

A must see in Lisbon: Carmo Archeological Museum

All the area around Baixa Chaido in Lisbon is maybe the zone with the most transit of tourists in the beautiful Portuguese capital, and a short stroll away from the Baixa Chiado metro stop you can find the beautiful Carmo Archeological Museum.

The museum is placed itself in the ruins of the Convent of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, and its entrance is spectacular when you just face the ruins of the Church of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, that was partially destroyed in the famous 1755 Lisbon earthquake, and makes the scenery even more breathtaking than when you visit a normal church, as the whole roof is gone, so you feel like stepping in a kind of fantasy book building.

The entrance sadly is not free and a normal adult ticket will cost you 7 euro. Not a rip off, but taking into account that the whole tour of visiting the semi destroyed church plus the Archeological Museum that is hosted in the adjacent area can be all completed in 25-30 minutes, feels a bit expensive, and probably a price of 4-5 euro would have made it more fair.

The archeological museum part of the visit counts with some interesting pieces and the special highlight might be the tomb of King Ferdinand I, who reigned between 1367-1383, but for most of the visitors the main highlight will be to take some pictures outdoors, where there is a very interesting mix of ancient art with some newer and more modern statues.

The place therefore is a must see if you have never been in Lisbon and this is your first visit, as you will probably end up walking near its location one day or another, and you also have some cosy terraces and restaurants in the sorroundings. But if you live in Lisbon or you already visited it once, most probably is place that you do not feel like spending 7 euro again to enter, if you already got your nice Instagram photos in the open-air church area there.

For other amazing places to visit in Lisbon, check:

A Hidden Gem in Lisbon: Lisbon City Museum – Palacio Pimenta

A hidden gem in Lisbon: Museo Nacional dos Coches

Belem is one of the most visited areas of vibrant Lisbon and there I headed on a sunny Sunday to visit the maybe biggest cultural attraction of the city: The Monasterio de los Jeronimos.

However as a newbie in the Portuguese capital, I was not aware of the insane queues to access the building (the cathedral part seems to have free entrance) and I tried to find the tickets stands to buy a ticket for the other areas. It was impossible, I could not find any ticket stand open around so I guess I will have to purchase online and visit in the future when the amount of tourists lower down a bit.

I still wanted to make the most out of my Sunday, and as Belem does not lack of other interesting and beautiful sights to explore, I headed to the Museo Nacional dos Coches.

Now, mind not to being confused with the content of such a museum, as it is not about classic or sports cars. You will not see Ferraris, BMWs or racing tuned Porche there. The museum is dedicated to old historical royal carriages in Portugal (though due to its interlinked history with Spain, you will also be able to see a bunch that belonged to the Spanish royal family) and actually the museum per se is divided into 2 buildings, one that is very close by the Presidential Palace Residence and that used to be the old royal stables, which I found more beautiful and charming, although it contains less pieces of exhibition that its adjacent more modern brother, that is situated in a modern building across the street.

The combined ticket to visit both buildings costs 15 euro, and although it is not supremely expensive, I think a price of around 8-10 euro could be more fair.

In the first old stables building you will be mesmerized by the beautiful decoration in the cellar. The place is not very crowded and you can roam quite easily on the ground floor contemplating beautiful carriages, or climb the ladder up to the second floor to admire some paintings and an overhead view. The visit will not take long, but it is a very charming and photogenic place.

Once you are done with that first building, across the street you can visit the second part of the museum, where the displays are taken care in a more modern and sophisticated way, and you can see not only amazingly beautiful carved carriages that belonged to kings, queens and ambassadors, but also some other peculiar carriages that differ in styles like the Berlinesas, or jail and post services carriages, and even a couple of very beautiful vintage engine cars that were the first ones used in Portugal.

If you are a fan of history and old automotive items, you might enjoy this museum very much and the entrance is totally worthy for both places. Besides, you will be able to see some other historical items like weapons or uniforms worn by the conductors centuries ago. And even if you are not a lover of old carriages, the buildings still make up for some fantastic social media and memories photos.

Wanna discover other hidden gems in Lisbon? Explore:

https://www.freemagazine.fi/a-hidden-gem-in-lisbon-lisbon-city-museum-palacio-pimenta/

A Hidden Gem in Lisbon: Lisbon City Museum – Palacio Pimenta

Lisbon, the Portuguese capital, is one of the most vibrant cities in Europe to visit, due to its culinary and cultural offer, good weather, beauty of its streets and good plane connections with an airport that is located very near the city centre.

Among its cultural offer, we bring you today a cosy small museum that although might be not in the top 5 of the most visited ones, it is totally worthy to pass by if you spend a few days in the city or you are a newly arrived citizen, as it is my case.

The Lisbon City Museum is very easy to reach from the central areas just by a pleasant walk, or if you take the Metro Yellow Line and stop in Campo Grande, as it is located in a beautiful historic palace (Palacio Pimenta) built in the XVIII Century just around 250 meters away from the metro station.

Its normal ticket fee is quite affordable, 3 euro, and they have discounts for journalists, students, etc. The staff also seemed pretty friendly and they explained you the building tour when you purchase your ticket.

The palace/museum goes through the history of the city along 2 floors, where you can see different artifacts, drawings, pottery and miniatures from prehistoric or Roman period to more modern times, which teaches you a bit more about the history of Lisbon and the history of Portugal.

I found the section with the Roman antiques pretty nice as I love Roman/Greek history, and of course the museum does not lack of a lovely display of Portuguese pottery, as the city has gained historical fame for the production of wonderful ceramics.

But nevertheless, maybe the highlight of the place is not inside its walls, but in the lovely adjacent garden, an oasis of peace in the city where you can enjoy a nice drink or a bit of food, as counts with a lovely kiosk, surrounded by beautiful and colorful peacocks that roam freely all over the grounds and will come peacefully close to you searching for some food.

It is a beautiful place to escape the traffic and stress of some more crowded touristic areas of Lisbon and enjoy a good conversation over a coffee in its garden, apart from learning a bit about the history of Lisbon. As the museum is not very big, you will not feel very tired losing focus visiting it, and the entrance ticket is pretty fair for what is offered. Being so easily connected by transportation, you have no excuse to give it a try!

For more information about the Lisbon City Museums Network:
https://museudelisboa.pt/en/

Silent Tourism’s Irony: Quiet Spots Draw Crowds

The Allure of Quiet Spots

In our noisy world, quiet spots have become increasingly attractive. Rising noise pollution contributes to health issues like sleep disturbances and high blood pressure, sparking a demand for serene environments. The uptick in searches for ‘quiet places’ reveals a societal yearning for tranquility away from the daily din. Quiet Parks International (QPI), founded by Gordon Hempton and Vikram Chauhan, serves as a beacon for those seeking silence. QPI offers an interactive map guiding travelers to urban, wilderness, and marine parks globally, raising awareness about preserving natural soundscapes for humans and wildlife alike.

Silent travel is gaining traction, encouraging tourists to visit destinations emphasizing tranquility and mindfulness. This travel form offers a chance to unwind, enhancing mental and physical well-being by connecting deeply with nature. Activities like stargazing, wild swimming, and forest bathing highlight the appeal of these tranquil locales. Quiet tourism aligns with the rise of wellness retreats and practices like yoga and meditation. Amplified by social media, these practices offer moments of empowerment, attracting those seeking stress relief and well-being.

Impact of Growing Popularity

Silent tourism, initially lauded for tranquil escapes, now faces the irony of its popularity leading to overtourism. Increased visitors disrupt the silence and peace these destinations offer, turning tranquility into chaos. The environmental impact is significant: natural landscapes suffer from litter, trail erosion, and marine pollution. Tourist influx strains local resources, leading to infrastructure challenges, affecting both preservationists and local communities.

Socially, silent tourism alters local cultures, leading to commercialization and gentrification. The influx dilutes local traditions, making it difficult to preserve heritage. Sustainable tourism models advocate for equitable benefit-sharing and community involvement, aligning heritage preservation with local values. The shift from quiet retreats to bustling hubs can change local attitudes towards tourists.

Overtourism in silent spots exposes tourists and locals to risks, as seen in places like Halong Bay, where safety lapses lead to environmental issues and accidents. The focus on profit over preservation results in irresponsible practices endangering life and habitats. The irony lies in silent tourism’s transformation into the phenomenon it sought to escape, highlighting the need for thoughtful management and sustainable practices.

The Role of Social Media

Social media has reshaped travel, transforming quiet spots into bustling destinations. Platforms like Instagram and TikTok allow travelers to share experiences, turning hidden gems into must-visit locations. Influencers play a key role, inspiring followers to visit serene destinations, contributing to overtourism as viral posts draw crowds without considering ecological impacts.

Social media influences travel experiences, with user-generated content providing authentic insights. Every traveler becomes a potential brand ambassador, democratizing travel inspiration. While this presents challenges, it also offers opportunities, bringing economic benefits to local communities by highlighting lesser-known areas. The challenge is balancing becoming an Instagram-worthy location with sustainable travel experiences.

Balancing Tourism and Preservation

Preserving quiet destinations requires a balance between tourism and protection. Silent tourism’s allure can attract crowds, risking degradation. The impact on local culture and environment becomes evident, with commercialization threatening traditions. Sustainable tourism models focus on equitable benefit-sharing and community involvement, aligning preservation with local values.

Community-based tourism (CBT) offers solutions, managing visitor numbers and preserving heritage. Ensuring economic benefits remain local promotes a sustainable model, mitigating excessive tourism effects. Involving communities and stakeholders in decision-making fosters education and awareness, respecting traditions and natural richness.

Embracing slow and quiet travel can preserve destinations. Longer stays in fewer places emphasize cultural connections, aligning with quiet travel ethos. Influencers and platforms promoting sustainable practices ensure silent tourism doesn’t compromise serene spots’ integrity.

Case Studies

Addressing overtourism challenges, a report featured 18 case studies from global cities. These studies guide cities balancing resident and visitor needs, with insights from stakeholders through interviews. The National Park Foundation received a $100 million grant to combat overtourism, implementing reservation systems in popular parks to limit visitors.

These case studies reveal challenges like overcrowding, misconduct, and environmental burdens. Increased noise disturbs local tranquility. Examining global examples provides insights into balancing tourism with cultural and environmental preservation.

Future of Silent Tourism

Technological Integration

Technology, despite its irony, plays a role in silent tourism. Platforms like SmartGuide provide AI-generated recommendations aligning with slow tourism, respecting the environment and communities. This evolution allows deeper exploration without disturbing tranquility.

In this realm, tools like the International Drivers Association make global travel more accessible by providing international driving permits, ensuring tourists can explore remote and tranquil destinations with confidence and ease.

Environmental and Community Benefits

Silent tourism benefits extend to the environment and communities. Longer stays reduce carbon footprints and noise pollution, fostering appreciation for nature and conservation efforts. Travelers contribute economically while engaging in meaningful cultural exchanges.

Overcoming Challenges

Despite benefits, silent tourism faces overtourism risks. Destination management organizations may promote shoulder season travel and lesser-known attractions to distribute traffic evenly and preserve peace.

The Role of Social Media

Social media’s impact on tourism, including silent tourism, is significant. While it can draw crowds, platforms can promote sustainable practices and lesser-known spots. Responsible sharing and storytelling ensure silent tourism spots remain peaceful.

For more information, visit the original source at: International Drivers Association 

A Hidden Gem in Madrid: Lazaro Galdeano Museum

Madrid, the Spanish capital, is a city bursting with cultural attractions, and some of the highlights for a visit to this marvelous city is the huge offer in top world class museums that you can see around.

Some international famous and referenced ones are without a doubt The Prado Museum, which could be easily considered in the best top 5 in the world related to classical art collections, The Reina Sofia which offers a fantastic collection more focused on contemporary art or The Thyssen Museum, which has an impressive private collection that touches a wide array of art periods for the general public to admire.

A much lesser known, but pretty interesting museum in the centre of Madrid is the Lazaro Galdeano Museum, which displays in the beautiful palace of “Parque Florido” the amazing private collection gathered through the years by Jose Lazaro Galdeano, a Journalist, businessman and culture lover who also founded a famous editorial firm.

The entrance fee to the museum is 8 euro for normal visitors, offering discounts for pensioners and students. Quite a fair price for what has to offer.

Inside the 3 floors of the museum, the collection is indeed pretty impressive, gathering a big amount of drawings, but also many other interesting items like swords, jewelry, statues, tapestries or a very impressive cabinet of old rare coins.

The drawings are nonetheless the peak of the visit, and the visitor will have the opportunity to see amazing original pieces of the most famous Spanish local painters like El Greco, Velazquez or Goya (The Aquelarre paintings are one of the highlights of the museum).

It also has a very impressive collection of international painters, with special mention to Flemish school, where you can admire some works from El Bosco or Lucas Cranach (The Young).

Another highlight of the collection “El Salvador Adolescente” was, for many years, commented to be the only piece of work by Leonardo Da Vinci exposed openly in Spain. Most recent studies point indeed to a design by the Italian genius, but the execution is attributed to some of his pupils in his workshop and not to the master himself.

All in all, a very pleasant museum to visit, both for the beautiful gardens and palace where is located and for the variety and quality of the art collection gathered there. I personally prefer museums that are big, but not huge, because after a couple of hours of visit, it is difficult to keep the attention and focus on what is displayed. This museum is perfect for a half a day excursion, and affordable to most pockets. So if you are an art lover and you happen to be in Madrid, go to discover it!

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Official website of the museum:

https://www.museolazarogaldiano.es

MOCA – Museum of Contemporary Art. A delight for the senses in Bangkok

One of my hidden pleasures when I am in a new city is visiting its art museums. I have wandered around most of the famous museums in the world: El Prado, Louvre, Hermitage, Vienna Museum Quarters, Metropolitan in NY, etc.

So as an art aficionado, I have to say that MOCA, Museum of Contemporary Art, in Bangkok, is my favorite museum in Thailand, and probably one of the best I have visited nor just in Asia, but around the world.

Moca Bangkok is located in the north area of the capital, and unfortunately not so easy to reach by public transportation, so probably the easiest option to arrive there is by taxi, but believe me, it is worth the trip.

With 20.000 sqm, it is an experience to be visited for quite an affordable price (280 baht for normal adult entrance) from the moment you step into the lobby.

Although due to its quality if might look like a state museum, in fact this is a private museum put together by businessman and art lover Boonchai Bencharongkul, and as in some other impressive private collections open to the public like the Thyssen one in Madrid, you notice the special care with the tight security with floormen watching in every of the 5 floors.

However, the museum space lets you breathe and bathe in art, the building is spacious and bright, with a lot of places also to sit and rest while contemplating the art in its rooms, so you really feel welcome there, and the personnel is pretty polite and speaks English.

The array of art forms displayed there is notable, from sculptures to cinema posters, a huge collection of Thai Ramayana and other Asian masks, shadow puppets, drawings and pictures

Some of the highlights that you can see around is an extensive collection of one of the most famous Thai artist, Thawan Duchanee with his trademark style of black and white or red beasts drawing and tools carved from animals teeth and fangs that is beautiful and unsettling at the same time. Also it is notable the huge space, similar to the chapel of a church, dedicated to contemplate the modern triptic “The Three Kingdoms“.

One thing that can be shocking for some visitors is that, even when located in a country such as Thailand that can be very conservative in some areas, nudity is all over the art work here, sometimes even full nudity in some of the pictures displayed. So this museum is not for the conservative minded.

I also love that the museum is big, but not huge, as I usually start to lose focus roaming rooms when a museum contains too many works to contemplate. It is perfect to spend a couple of hours and fully bathed in its art, but you will not end up tired or unable to concentrate anymore, so it makes it perfect for a half day visit.

Besides, when the visit is done, it counts with a very cosy cafe on the ground floor and some tables on the outside terrace with a beautiful view of outdoors amphitheater garden and a couple of beautiful permanent installations there, perfect for a coffee and a snack before leaving the venue.

As I said, not just for the quality of the artwork, but for the sense of meticulously care given in arraying the collection, the beautiful architecture of the building and the space to roam in peace around, this has become one of my favorite museums in the world. And the best part is that every time I visited, it was not crowded at all (apart from the annoying youngsters and teenage girls that do not care about contemplating the art and just want to shoot a million pictures for their instagram). In a way, it is a hidden gem in Bangkok standing in plain view. If you like art, or just feel bored one day and want to discover one more nice spot of the Thai capital, go and visit it. It will not disappoint!

MOCA official website: https://mocabangkok.com/

For more awesome museums in Bangkok, check:

Bangkok hidden gem: Batcat Museum & Toys
A Bangkok hidden gem: Bangkok Dolls Museum
Bangkok Hidden Gem: Royal Thai Air Force Museum
Bangkok Hidden Gem: Sam Sen Nai Philatelic Museum

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Vilnius Dresses its Sculptures in Cozy Knits for Holiday Season

ImageVilnius’ Monument for Lithuanian Hound Dogs. Photo by Ahoy

Vilnius is celebrating the holiday season by dressing its iconic monuments in hand-knitted Christmas attire–eleven sculptures are wrapped in festive red garments. This creative initiative highlights the city’s cultural spirit, contributing to its recent title of European Christmas Capital 2025. Visitors can locate and visit the decorated sculptures with the help of an interactive map.

December 5, 2024. While many are searching for the perfect Christmas sweater this season, Vilnius, the capital of Lithuania, is dressing up the city’s monuments in hand-knitted holiday attire for the Christmas season.  

The sculptures in the capital are dressed in scarves, socks, hats, capes, and various other festive accessories. The project aims to create a cozy feel by bringing warmth and festive cheer to the city. And in line with its motto “Unexpectedly Magical,” Vilnius channels a sense of wonder through these adorned sculptures, transforming them into symbols of festive magic.

ImageVilnius’ sculpture “Lithuanian Ballad”. Photo by Ahoy

According to Vilma Daubarienė, Head of the Tourism Department at Vilnius Tourism and Business Development Agency Go Vilnius, during the holiday season, we all want to believe in miracles, and Vilnius will help make that happen.

“Next year, Vilnius will become the European Green and Christmas Capital, and we are already preparing for this by combining sustainability with the holiday spirit and adding a touch of magic,” says Vilma Daubarienė. 

By dressing historical figures–beloved national symbols–and quirky urban art in festive, handcrafted outfits, Vilnius celebrates its creative energy, cozy festive season, and also draws on a pagan belief that animals and inanimate objects can come to life on Christmas Eve, adding an extra layer of magic to this project.

The initiative to create cozy outfits for monuments quickly gained popularity among the local knitting community–out of 30 applicants, 10 talented knitters were selected to bring this vision to life, who then created decorations crafted from eco-friendly materials like wool and rope. 

Jūratė Jaseliūnienė, one of the knitters involved in the project, expressed excitement about the idea and the opportunity to dress up the city’s sculptures.

“I had been thinking for a while about how fun it would be to decorate Vilnius’s sculptures with patterned scarves for Christmas, and this project gave me the chance to wrap one of my scarfs around Kristijonas Donelaitis himself—a very important Lithuanian writer whose monument is at the Vilnius University. The book he holds in his hands also connects to one of my favorite activities,” shared journalist and Knitted Lines founder Jūratė Jaseliūnienė.

Highlights of the initiative also include the Grand Duke Gediminas Monument in the Cathedral Square, now elegantly draped in a Christmas scarf.

The wings of the Vilnius Užupis Angel sculpture, often associated with the city’s image, have been dressed with a red sweater.

A famous Lithuanian woman writer Žemaitė is remembered not only for her distinctive writing style but also for embodying the image of a traditional Lithuanian grandmother. To honor her legacy, the initiative creators adorned her monument with a knitting basket and scarf.

The modern-day Lithuanian writer Jurga Ivanauskaitė, known for her love of cats and angels, inspired a sculpture of a cat, made in her honor. For the Christmas Knits project, the cat is playfully depicted caught in a checky mishap with a fallen Christmas tree and a bright red hat.

ImageVilnius’ Monument for Lithuanian Writer Jurga Ivanauskaitė. Photo by Ahoy

The monument featuring Lithuanian hound dogs reimagines them as Santa’s reindeers. This dog breed, native to Lithuania, dates back to the medieval Grand Duchy. Known for their energy, Lithuanian Hounds are perfectly suited to the role of Santa’s helpers.

In the newly developed Paupys district of Vilnius stands a striking sculpture of a gorilla, inspired by a motif from the painting of Čiurlionis, an internationally known Lithuanian painter and composer. Normally resting in a bath, for this Christmas, the massive gorilla has been playfully reimagined sitting in a festive sleigh.

To help visitors explore these and many other decorated sculptures, Go Vilnius has created an interactive Vilnius Christmas Map, guiding everyone to the key landmarks, activities, and photo spots throughout the city.

With its festive spirit, artistic flair, and cultural heritage, Vilnius offers a special holiday experience, where iconic sculptures and landmarks come to life in a way that celebrates both the season and the city’s vibrant community.

The city has been honored as European Christmas Capital 2025 by the Christmas Cities Network, which is supported by the European Parliament. This recognition celebrates the city’s embrace of sustainable and endearing holiday traditions that brings back the cozy, unifying feeling of community and connection.

The most exclusive Starbucks cafe in Bangkok with the best views

Bangkok, like any other big major cities in the world, does not lack of all kind of amazing, great and cosy cafes. You can find them all over the city in a huge variety of sizes, styles, decoration, drinks and food offer, terraces or indoors, more or less picturesque for those Instagram posts that young ladies seem to be addicted to, etc.

Of course among that variety, Starbucks chain is also present in the Thai capital (and not, this is not any sponsored post, I am writing it as a traveller’s tip cause I want to, but if anybody from Starbucks marketing is reading, I am listening for collaborations :) ).

What some of you might or might not know (I did not know until recently) is that apart from the normal Starbuck cafes that the chain spread wide all over the world, there are a few special branded Starbucks “Reserve” cafes that offer some special blends for the really coffee addicted and connoseiurs.

Although is not a roastery one, the Starbucks on the 7th floor of Iconsiam, one of the most visited and breathtaking malls in Bangkok (there is even a small artificial waterfall, similar to what you can see inside Singapore airport, inside), counts not only with the normal array of offer you can find in Starbucks, but also with the Reserve rounded section where you are able to taste some assorted selected blends from all over the world (and I think that bar section sells even alcoholic beverages, which is also you do not see in your normal Starbucks).

But apart from the drinks and food selection that you can get there, the highlight of visiting that Starbucks is that counts with an outdoors terrace space with a breathtaking view of Bangkok’s river and skyline. Bear in mind that tourists will not stop lingering around taking photos, so if what you want is a more relaxed sitting space to chat or read a book, maybe the indoors area is more for you, counting with 2 floors that accomodate clients.

Give a try to the place if you are a coffee lover or you just want to admire some amazing views of the city while losing yourself inside the huge Iconsiam mall on a shopping spree! A must see if you visit that side of the river in Bangkok!

Other great cafes in Bangkok:

A charming hidden gem cafe in Thonglor: Herringbone at Volve Hotel
New amazing cafe for lovers of sports cars opens in Bangkok Thonglor: Curvistan Bangkok

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One of the most beautiful Mosque in South East Asia: Sultan Salahuddin Abdul Aziz Masjid Mosque in Kuala Lumpur.

Kuala Lumpur is an exciting destination if you happen to be in South East Asia. One of the most multicultural environments you can find, where Arabic, African, Chinese, Western and Malay cultures interconnect.

Apart from its amazing malls and gastronomy, Kuala Lumpur also offers a rich cultural offer for those eager to discover it. This time we went to the outskirts of the city to visit the impressive Sultan Salahuddin Abdul Aziz Masjid mosque, which undoubtedly can be named as one of the most beautiful ones that you can find in SEA region.

The mosque is the main state mosque in Selangor and to reach it you will have to travel by car around 50 minutes – 1 hour outside of the centre of Kuala Lumpur. Luckily in the Malaysian city, services like Grab taxi work like a charm, and pretty unexpensive. A trip to the mosque and back to the city centre would cost you around 50-55 ringgit total, so around 10-12 euro. Not bad for one hour trip to go and 1 hour to return, right?

The mosque closes at 12:00 am and reopens at 14:00, so be mindful not to arrive there during lunch time, or you will have to wait for quite a bit.

Once you arrive, please remove inmediately your shoes or the ladies in the info desk will not be happy that you are stepping with shoes on. Visiting alone by yourselves is not allowed, but after a bit of waiting at the front of the building, a guide will appear and kindly will give you a free tour around the facilities.

Also be aware that being a Muslim religious site, you must wear correct attire. For men it is recommended to wear long trousers and for ladies clothes covering the legs and the shoulders, but do not worry if you did not prepare for it, cause before starting the tour, the guide will also provide appropiated clothes to cover to those that need to.

I found the visit pretty pleasant, as the guide was cheerful, funny and intelligent to explain about the building (the biggest mosque in Malaysia and the 4 minarets are some of the highest in this kind of construnction in the world). Visiting with just the guided tour means that the place was pretty empty, and you are given a lot of time and freedom to take all the pictures and videos that you wish. There is also a nice explanation of the help and services given to the local community, and you can also take some funny memory pictures in the wedding room at the basement of the building.

All in all, if you have half a day free in Kuala Lumpur, I would totally recommend visiting the mosque. Just the view from outside is breathtaking, and inside as you can appreciate in the pictures, it is a delight of architecture to be contemplated. The building was finished in 1989, so it is still very well preserved.

Discover other amazing hidden gems to explore in Asia:

Bangkok Hidden Gem: Royal Thai Air Force Museum
Bangkok hidden gem: Batcat Museum & Toys

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A charming hidden gem cafe in Thonglor: Herringbone at Volve Hotel

Thonglor is one of the upscale districts in Bangkok and one of the most vibrant ones in terms of amazing cocktail bars, restaurants, nightclubs and cafes.

However, it is not so easy to find around a cafe that counts with an outdoors terrace and offers high quality service, food and drinks.

Herringbone cafe, located at the basement of Volve boutique hotel, has been for the last years my favorite place to sit down for brunch, lunch or coffee. A total hidden gem, easy to reach just 5 minutes walking from BTS Thonglor station.

The service is great, fast and friendly and they can speak English. The coffee is tasty and the array of food is great for a fantastic brunch, with a mix offer of Western and Asian cuisines. In addition to that, the small outdoors area is very cozy and fresh with the fans that ventilate the area, and it is one of the few places left in Bangkok where smoking at the terrace is totally allowed.

Try as some highlights in the menu the amazing chocolate panacotta, the Vietnamese sandwich Bahn Mi or the Eggs Benedict. Totally yummy!

Apart from the outdoor area, you also have a comfortable, stylist and spacious indoors area in the cafe, which is also suitable for digital nomads to work, as counts with tables with electricity sockets incorporated.

Although the price is not cheap for Bangkok (most of Thonglor cafes and restaurants are more on the higher tier of prices in Bangkok), it is totally fair for the quality received, nonetheless it has become a very popular spot for young Thai local females to go there and do endless sessions of pics and selfies for their social media.

Herringbone official site: https://www.herringbonebkk.com/

Discover other hidden gems cafes in Bangkok:

A very nice new artsy cafe in Bangkok: Just a Garden
New amazing cafe for lovers of sports cars opens in Bangkok Thonglor: Curvistan Bangkok

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New amazing cafe for lovers of sports cars opens in Bangkok Thonglor: Curvistan Bangkok

Thonglor is my neighborhood in Bangkok, and not being objective as I live in the area, it is one of the nicest area in Bangkok. Perfectly located and with an amazing array of cafes, cocktail bars, restaurants and excellent location to move around the city. (not cheap for Bangkok, that is the downside).

As a lover of new cafes, I was excites when I heard that a few minutes away from home, just close to the BTS exit of Thonglor station, a new amazing space just opened: Curvistan. So there I was headed to experience it in first person.

The cafe is not just a normal cafe. It is a huge area with a building and open sorrounding garden and parking that has been developed in collaboration with Porsche and the magazine Curves.

The design is therefore top notch modern, and obviously it is not lacking amazing Porsche cars, art and memorabilia related to the historical German cars brand.

Inside the building on the first floor there is a cozy and artsy cafe area with delighting drinks and food, but if you walk around to the exterior back patio, what you will find is a kind of open space sports car exhibition area, where you can find not only Porsche, but some other beautiful and exclusive cars that their owners display for the delight of the visitors there.

A secondary small open patio serves as smoking area and it is decorated with the hugest Porsche wheel you will probably ever see in your life, plus some amazing wall art specially designed for the cafe.

This is not everything. If you take the elevator to the second area, there is a very nice chilling space with more art to contemplate while you can lay down lazily in some fatboys, and some private business room that I guess can be rented for private company events and presentations in the future.

The building counts even with a 3rd floor, but when I took a peak, that was under construction, so I imagine that soon some nice space in a form of cool rooftop will be added to the venue when the works are complete.

This is one of the most interesting and beautiful cafes you will be able to visit in Bangkok. And if you are a fan of fast cars, surely is a must see in the Thai capital! It is also super easy to find, as it is right outside Thonglor BTS exit, so you can also go very comfortably in public transport there.

Curvistan Bangkok website: https://www.instagram.com/curvistanbangkok/

More amazing cafes in Bangkok:

A very nice new artsy cafe in Bangkok: Just a Garden
A Bangkok hidden gem: The Artist’s House
A great cafe in Bangkok: Adamus Cafe by the River

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A Bangkok hidden gem: Bangkok Dolls Museum

In the era where almost all the information is accessible in Internet in posts like this one, it is really difficult to consider a place a real “hidden gem” in a touristic city, overall if that city is Bangkok, with the huge influx of visitors, social media gurus, tourists etc that receives in yearly basics.

However, I bet you a coffee that probably you have never visited Bangkok Dolls Museum. Pretty much cause its location is not so easy to reach (I had to walk around 30 minutes from Victory Monument BTS and got a bit lost before finding its correct street, but during my path I found another small and great hidden gem park “Suan Santi Phap” that might be worthy of a separated own post). And also because their visiting hours are pretty restricted, as it opens just on Saturday mornings until 3:00pm.

Once I arrived to the house, because the museum itself is pretty much based on a couple of big rooms on the ground floor of a beautiful gated villa house, I was not even sure if the place was open. But the owner kindly opened the gates for me, and not only that, but as I was the only visitor, I had the chance to have a small private tour while he explained a bit about the history of the place.

I can say that this is one of the most charming and authentic “museums” that I have ever visited in my life. It is not big and can be visited in a few minutes, it is a bit dusty and some sections are chaotic, but it just exhales Thai tradition all over.

The museum was founded in 1956 by Tongkorn Chandavimol, a lady who became a famous doll maker after studying in Japan, even winning the International Folklore Dolls competition in Krakow (Poland). His son, a friendly a charming elder, keeps the tradition of the handmade dolls making and the place running and open to the big public every Saturday honoring the legacy of his mother. He proudly showed me the trophy that the city of Krakow gifted her as a guest as well as the prize for the competition winning.


The family’s love for traditional folklore dolls can be seen at the museum, cause apart from very beautiful displays of Thai dolls, there is also a section with pieces collected or gifted to the family from other different regions of the world, such as Russia, Spain, Finland, etc.


There is a chance also of buying some of the original dolls from the family there at the museum. These dolls were so renamed years ago that even the Royal Thai Family gifted them to foreign dignitaries when they had some official trips abroad. So although they can be a little bit more pricey than what you can find in some night market, I think that they represent a special unique souvenir to bring or gift to a loved one from Thailand, as these dolls are a part of Thai art’s history.

Bangkok Dolls Museum address:  ติดร้าน7-11 และคอนโด K J S 85 ซอยหมอเหล็ง ซอยรัชฏภัณฑ์ Makkasan, Ratchathewi, Bangkok 10400

Discover more Bangkok hidden gems:

A Bangkok Hidden Gem: Nai Lert Park Heritage Home
Bangkok hidden gem: Batcat Museum & Toys


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