My 2023 summary & what am I up to in 2024

Culture Tourist 2023 overview

2023 was a year of ups and downs for me. I learned some valuable life lessons (more about them later in this article), and I drifted apart from some people in my life. However, it was also a year in which I learned to appreciate my true friends and family much more. It started as a challenging year in my professional life. But it ended with opening some fantastic opportunities I could only dream about before (more about them also later in this article). It was also a year filled with awesome trips, concerts, exhibitions and many wonderful experiences. However, I’m more than ready to leave 2023 behind and welcome 2024!

Royal Winter Trip to The Hague

Royal winter trip to The Hague

Last weekend, I took a short winter trip to The Hague. Filled with beautiful architecture, fantastic museums, and many great local shops and restaurants, The Hague is a Dutch city to put on your bucket list. It’s also where the Dutch Royal family lives, the centre of Dutch politics, the seat of its government, and home to most embassies. The Hague is where you’ll find one of the best Christmas markets in the Netherlands, as well. If you’d like to experience its cosy festive atmosphere, treat yourself to the Royal winter trip to The Hague.

Best Art Cafes in Amsterdam

Best art cafes in Amsterdam

Are you looking for art cafes in Amsterdam? The Dutch capital is the city of art, home to many fantastic museums, lovely galleries, and cultural venues. Many of Amsterdam’s museums have beautiful cafes. But you’ll also find some wonderful art cafes in Amsterdam where you can enjoy a cup of coffee surrounded by beautiful artwork. After visiting many of them over the last ten years, here is the Culture Tourist selection of the best art cafes in Amsterdam.

Afternoon Tea Bus Tour in London

During my last visit to the UK’s capital, I went on the afternoon tea bus tour in London and loved it! It combines two unique London traditions: riding on a London double-decker red bus and enjoying afternoon tea. And it does that in such a fun and entertaining way! Keep reading for my review of the Afternoon Tea Bus Tour in London.

MINA Gallery Cafe: A New Hotspot to Discover in Amsterdam

MINA Gallery Cafe in Amsterdam

MINA Gallery Cafe in Amsterdam is a new hotspot in the Dutch capital, aiming to become a meeting place for art lovers. Located just a few steps from Museumplein and famous cultural institutions like the Rijksmuseum, Van Gogh Museum, or MOCO Museum, it makes a wonderful place to relax after a visit to some of these venues. However, it’s more than just a place to have a tasty cup of coffee. It’s also a contemporary art gallery and a meeting point for artists, designers, and anyone interested in art.

Best Christmas markets in the Netherlands – 2023 Edition

Christmas markets in the Netherlands

With numerous festive events, Christmas trees, decorations, and that lovely, cosy feeling, December is my favourite month of the year. A big reason for this is Christmas markets. Since I love visiting them, I did some research again this year and looked for the Christmas markets organised in the Netherlands in 2023. I first compiled this list seven years ago and updated it yearly. So, if you would like to visit some Christmas markets in the Netherlands, here is your complete guide through the Dutch Christmas markets.

Sicily Art Tours: The best way to explore Sicily’s cultural heritage

Sicily Art Tours

Sicily is one of the most unique and heterogeneous places in Europe. The island is home to fantastic landscapes, beautiful seaside and one of the largest still active European volcanos. With its long history, Sicily’s cultural heritage is one of the most versatile on the Old Continent. From the Ancient Greeks and Romans to Normans and Arabs, they all left their mark on the island.

Spooky & Scary Art: The Scariest Paintings in Art History

Scary Art: Pieter Bruegel painting from the Royal Museum of Fine Arts of Belgium in Brussels

Scary art is present within art history throughout the centuries. From the gargoyles on Gothic cathedrals and representations of Hell on the Renaissance Last Judgements paintings to Baroque still lifes with skulls and 20th-century modern horror, you’ll find them in all these paintings. Since Halloween is just around the corner, here are some scary and horror art pieces that represent the best of the spooky art has to offer.