inka piegsa-quischotte

Oman is a country of natural beauty, with stunning landscapes ranging from desert to mountains to coastline. I had the pleasure to live there for two years, and in my eyes, it’s a country right out of 1001 nights, a veritable fairy tale.
I have visited many Middle Eastern countries and lived in a few. What attracts me again and again to Oman is the country’s long history and remarkable landscapes. Oman’s heritage is preserved in its museums, castles and traditions and its landscapes vary from...

Bordered by Greece, Bulgaria, the Balkan mountains, and the Aegean and Black Seas, Thrace is the European part of Türkiye, stretching north and west from Istanbul. This region is a mosaic of sandy beaches, rainforests, historical cities, and lush valleys—an unexpectedly perfect setting for vineyards and winemaking.
I had lived in Istanbul and Bodrum for several years before venturing into Thrace. Reading about the lesser-known wine route through Thrace sparked my interest, and I set out on a ...

(Editor’s note: Spain is one of the most popular destinations for expats, both Americans and British. But Spanish parliamentary politics are, well, complicated, with one party rarely winning an outright majority. That means long, tough negotiations with other parties to form coalitions. German expat in Spain Inka Piegsa-Quischotte has an explainer of an election where questions about the final outcome still linger.)
Considering the events and political struggles in Spain during the last weeks...

(Editor’s note: This post on Barcelona is the second in a series looking at Europe’s lesser-known, but fabulous, Christmas Markets. You can jump to the post on Metz here.)
It’s the time of year again when, in a matter of weeks, one of the greatest joys of young and old are springing up all over Europe: Christmas markets fueling the Vorfreude (anticipation) for the holidays and everything that goes with it. The oldest documented Chrstmas markets have been held in Strasbourg since 1520 and Dres...

Since Brexit, a lot of back and forth has been going on regarding United Kingdom, Gibraltar and the Republic of Ireland driving licenses. Many British nationals who spend time in Spain either as residents with a second home, or on extended holidays, come by car, or want to hire one for travel and excursions.
Can they legally drive with their original driving license? Or do they need a Spanish driving license and what are the rules … how do they go about obtaining one?
Deadlines
Let’s start wi...

Eating tapas is one of the best ways to enjoy food on any trip to Spain. And of course, you want to try the very best as you explore the beautiful city of Barcelona.
This guide will help you find the best tapas in Barcelona and explain what you should look for. But first, let’s talk about what tapas are.
How tapas came to be
The word tapas comes from the Spanish verb “tapar,” which means “to cover.” Originally, bar owners would give their customers thin slices of bread, ham, or cheese with th...

Until a few months ago, I lived in Didim near Bodrum on Turkey’s Aegean coast. Fascinating as the proximity of such outstanding archaeological sites as Ephesus, Pamukkale and Halicarnassus were, my itchy feet urged me to go further afield and to explore as much of the rest of Turkey as I could.
The best way to get around in Turkey is by long distance coach. There are several companies and the coaches are extremely comfortable and modern, providing drinks and snacks, TV and music and frequent ...

(Editor’s note: In the past two years, shopping thrift stores and vintage apparel have become a thing as consumers across all economic strata look for quality clothes at bargain prices. So, this is the second in a series as we curate the best of the best preloved fashion across Europe starting in Paris, of course.)
Forget the terms “thrift shops” and “second hand shops.” They’re out of fashion, forgive the pun, but we are talking about fashion here. These words have been replaced by the recen...

Everyone who has visited Spain will, at one time or another, tried the national dish, paella. Paella comes in several varieties, with seafood, rabbit, chicken and vegetables. Mostly green beans, but always with plenty of rice, with its distinctive yellow color. Did you ever wonder, where the yellow comes from? Well, it is from the highly appreciated, rare and therefore expensive spice saffron.
Saffron is so expensive that there have been times in history when an ounce of saffron cost multiple...

Preloved clothes shops in london

A US couple renovates a house in Spain (photos)
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CNN —
When John Flores and Michael Leitz were looking for a home in which to spend the next stage of their lives, they realized that where they lived in San Francisco was too expensive.
Instead, they began looking further afield – eventually buying a beautiful 120-year-old, three-story home in rural Spain for less than $50,000.
Both Flores and Leitz worked in education in the US before retiring – Leitz was a high school history teacher wh...

In 1999, geologists from the Madrid Mineralogist Group and the University of Granada made a major discovery in an abandoned silver mine in the south of Spain. The mine is called Mina Rica and is located in the Sierra del Aguilón mountain, near the village of PulpÍ, about 70 miles north of the coastal city of Almería in Andalusia.
Imagine the surprise of the scientists when they found themselves entering a magic world of giant crystals glittering in the light of their torches. They had discove...

A long-held tradition, the Royal Swan Upping is a colourful and educational five-day event that takes place every summer—this year starting on July 17
The UK is a country defined by history and long traditions. Even the UK’s approximately 32,000 resident swans that live in rivers, parks and waters throughout the country, are affected.
Status of the UK’s swans
These graceful birds that are the biggest species of water fowl, have a specific status. It is a widespread belief that they belong to ...

It’s mid-summer, and Europe’s most exciting waterparks are calling.
Did you know that it is thought that the origins of waterparks date back to ancient Mexico and South America, where the civilizations like the Aztecs tended to gather around waterfalls and hot springs? It was a center of community with food stalls and even rudimentary attractions.
Over the centuries, waterparks have come a long way, with ever more elaborate attractions, waterslides and pools. Most importantly, there are indoo...