You don’t always have to go halfway around the world to find interesting sights and sounds. Sometimes it’s enough to explore some unfamiliar facets of your home town for a wealth of new experiences. I’ve been living in Hamburg for six years now. Whenever my compatriots come for a visit I’m always happy to show off my “adopted” city. Of course one major feature is the port – one of the largest in Europe. It not only offers maritime flair, but also has plenty to interest fans of modern architecture and design. Continue reading →

Former public toilet Puutorin Vessa © Turku Touring

First to the toilet, then to the bank, then a school and finally the chemists – this is a shorthand description of one memorable pub crawl in the Finnish city of Turku. No visit would be complete without an evening tour of some of the town’s oddest bars. The former public lavatory that has been turned into a pub is a strong contender for the “potty humour” prize. At “Puutorin vessa” (translates roughly as “the loo at Puu corner”) they do actually serve beer in something like a chamber pot. Continue reading →