Victoria Sponge Cake by Mary Berry

I’m really proud of my cake! It’s absolutely delicious. I highly recommend this lovely and tasty British cake to you all.

Check out the recipe here.

Mary Berry's Easy Victoria Sponge Cake

Magical Montreux

I absolutely love this city - it is the perfect combination of the exciting and the cosmopolitan with a traditional and village-like atmosphere.

Montreux comes alive with energy in the spring and summer months.

There are countless events happening during this vibrant season. If you've been longing to visit Montreux, This time of year, especially during the Christmas season, is truly a magical moment to explore the city, and I can guarantee you that!

I’m excited to share a list of photos of some of the most famous and remarkable places and attractions in Montreux.

The Montreux lakefront is beautifully designed, featuring lovely gardens, benches, swimming spots, and a great area for paddleboarding by the water. The sunsets here are breathtaking, drawing crowds in the evening, with many families enjoying strolls. Along the promenade, you'll find delightful cake shops, ice cream parlors, and a variety of restaurants to choose from.

Chillon Castle stands as one of the most famous tourist attractions in Montreux. Historically, this castle served as a prison, where notable individuals, including Lord Byron, were held.

A wonderful day in Montreux

Each time I come to Montreux, I always have lunch at the Montreux Jazz Cafe. A place I am very fond, the food, the service, the vibes, the views and so on.

One of my favorite Swiss dishes is undoubtedly perch fillets.

So, begining of Februart, I spent the day in Montreux,  and  enjoyed a pleasant and laid-back moment there.

Le Montreyx Palace is one of the most prestigious hotels in Switzerland, it is a Belle-Époque gem built at the turn of the 20th century. Standing on the shores of Lake Geneva, the "Pearl of the Swiss Riviera". This palace have hosted the cream of society: from European aristocrats such as Lord Byron (who penned The Prisoner of Chillon nearby) to Russian princes, not to mention authors and musicians.

Montreux Jazz Café

Fairmont Le Montreux Palace

Av. Claude-Nobs 2

1820 Montreux

Switzerland

https://www.fairmont.com/montreux/

Monday has become my new Friday.

A coworker and I decided to unwind with an aperitif at the elegant bar in the Lapa hotel, located in Rato. It was a delightful and soothing moment after a hectic day at the office.

This hotel is situated in the upscale Lapa district of Lisbon, known for its embassies. The property has a rich history dating back to 1870 when a local viscount commissioned its construction for his son. However, his son was not fond of it, leading to its sale in 1883 to another count who transformed it into a palace. It wasn't until 1988 that the Olissippo Lapa Palace opened its doors as a hotel.

While the hotel isn't near a Metro station, it is conveniently located close to buses and trams that can take you downtown. The exclusive nature of the neighborhood contributes to the variability of public transport options. Nevertheless, we enjoyed a lovely 25-minute walk from the city center to reach this hidden gem.

Olissippo Lapa Palace Hotel

Rua do Pau de Bandeira 4

1249-021 Lisboa

https://www.lapapalace.com/

Work in progress

Happy 2025

I am back.

After a long break from my little space, I feel the need to update my journal from time to time with the goings-on in my life.

I moved to the south of Europe a few years ago after spending lots of time in England, after leaving my peaceful Switzerland.

I like cake in all its forms, books, waking up early, exploring new places, walking cobblestone streets, and reading and telling long stories. I also enjoy the company of loving, inspiring and authentic souls.

Lots of Love

A beautiful sunny day in the Japanese Garden, Valais

Hello everyone! I hope you are all well! I have had quite a splendid and relaxed summer and now that holidays are drawing to a close I feel a bit nostalgic for all the amazing moments I have experienced…

Last month, while on vacation in the Valais, we went to visit the Japanese Garden. I took many photos during our walk on the way up to the Japanese Garden. There are images of a beautiful flower; of the marmot hidden inside the rocks and the breathtaking views surrounding us.

I adore collecting beautiful images like these with my camera. For me, photography is a way of freezing memories from a journey that I can look back on and enjoy for years. I hope you will enjoy this tour!

To get to the Japanese Garden, we took the Tortin chairlift from Siviez, then we walked up to the top of the valley of Tortin, to reach the Japanese Garden which is a natural site situated at the summit of a beautiful glacial moraine, the view over the region is superb and the water that runs down the numerous meanders makes it special.