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 I had always wanted to cycle along Belgium's shoreline, which boasts an 80 km cycle path. Intrigued, I landed in Oostend, a city popular in its own right, with historical ties to maritime trade and art festivals, which lives up to its name in gold as the city is quite artistic. From grand, sprawled-out public spaces to customised motorbikes that repeatedly catch your attention, Oostend feels like a patchwork of modern and ancient stamps, as if somebody juxtaposed iconic images from two centuries all in the same place. The long promenade is busy but spacious. There are often seagulls and pigeons that dive into view and, if you're not careful, they will be off with your fries and drinks. Near the shore, we find a seafarers' monument, an homage to all the fishermen who have lost their lives to the sea.  This stands right in view of an artwork that can best be described as strange, bright rocks, and they stand out quite spectacularly against the city background. Since I arrive...

As we walk around the neighbourhood of Christianshavn, it is hard to miss the 70 m high church tower of Christians Church. This building is effectively styled in Rococo, with long columns and mascaron motifs. Despite the dark materials in use, the area is quite brightly lit and, in fact, spotlights the width of the space within, which is unusually greater than the entrance suggests. This gives it a theatrical appearance, with a centre stage and multi-storey seating for the congregation. This church was built in the middle of the 18th century by the German community, which would otherwise head to the Church of Our Saviour, also very ornamental and welcoming. However, this church was personally designed and contributed to by King Christian VI, hence its final name, Christians Church. Today, this area is publicly used as a concert venue or for speeches, making it a highly visited as well as relevant meeting point for the locals. The exterior is visibly rectangular and cuts sharply against...

 One of the values often associated with Hinduism is the principle of living peacefully alongside others, and that spirit was certainly reflected throughout our visit. When we first decided to visit the Padmanabhaswamy Temple, however, we came prepared for every contingency. We wore traditional attire—a dhoti and a lungi—deposited our luggage at the entrance, and entered the temple grounds without phones or other electronic devices. This heavily guarded and protected temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu. At its heart lies an 18-foot reclining idol of the deity, which is traditionally viewed through three separate doorways rather than all at once, as the complete divine form is considered too sacred to behold in a single glance. This fascinating tradition has drawn millions of devotees and visitors over the years, although entry into the temple itself is generally reserved for those who profess the Hindu faith. vishnuji depiction If you are unable to visit the temple, or do not meet t...

 Right beneath the grand Berlaymont building in Brussels lies one of the most visually striking railway stations in the world. This is Schuman Station, where metro and railway services share a single architectural space, creating a convenient interchange for both local commuters and international travellers alike. The station is remarkably spacious, clean, and bright, thanks in large part to the expansive glass roof that allows daylight to flood the central concourse. It is worth mentioning that, barely a decade ago, Schuman looked nothing like it does today. Its previous design was only a shadow of the modern station it has since become. back in 2008 the station today The railway tracks passing through Schuman occupy multiple levels, with underground and elevated platforms woven together into a remarkably efficient layout. Throughout the station, displays recount the story of how the European Commission established its headquarters in Brussels, alongside the history of the Berlaym...

today Le Passerelle: in the cafe  In a café in Luxembourg, I was drawn to an old photograph of the Passerelle Bridge, first constructed to carry trains into what was then the fortified city of Luxembourg. Seeing it in person makes you appreciate the sheer scale of the structure.  Standing nearly 45 metres above the valley and strategically positioned as part of the city's defensive landscape, it remains an impressive gateway leading towards Luxembourg Gare, the central railway station. Around the station, generous natural light filters through a translucent canopy that shelters the surrounding walkways—a welcome blessing in the height of summer. Inside the station, a stained-glass window presents a colourful mosaic of the city, while above it stretches a hand-painted mural best described as vibrant and flowing. Together they evoke movement, the passing of time, and the spirit of travel. Those themes resonate with the nearby war memorial dedicated to Luxembourg's fallen soldier...

 Luxembourg truly lives up to its name, putting the luxury in living. This tiny but mighty country is, after all, one of the wealthiest nations in the world. It also shares its name with the Belgian Province of Luxembourg, as both were once part of the historic Duchy of Luxembourg before being divided in the nineteenth century. local beer: Diekirch  One of the finest views of the capital city can be found from the iconic viewpoint known as the Chemin de la Corniche —often nicknamed "Europe's most beautiful balcony." It is easily reached thanks to Luxembourg's free public transport network. The city's buses and trams, dressed in their distinctive colours, stand out beautifully against the beige façades that characterize much of the city. Once you're here, however, there is no better way to explore than on foot. Walking along the cliffside is especially enjoyable if you've picked up a quick snack beforehand. With much of the architecture blending seamlessly ...

 The Botanical Garden in Copenhagen is a vast oasis of plant and insect life. It can easily occupy a few hours of leisurely wandering if you want to explore all of its highlights. The grounds feature a greenhouse, a flower shop, and countless landscape details, including waterfalls, ponds, and bridges. I planned my visit so that I could explore everything outside the Palm House first, and then return on another day to focus on the tropical plants, cacti, and butterflies that reside within the Palm House itself. Since this historic garden first opened in 1600, it has grown into a remarkably diverse collection of plant life. Especially during the summer months, its abundance of greenery is a true feast for the eyes. There are countless plants with unusual textures that almost invite you to reach out and touch them, while moorhens, ducks, and magpies seem to have claimed the gardens as their own. Part of the garden's charm lies in the thoughtful design of its pathways. No matter where...

 A few days ago, something interesting caught my eye: a black-and-white photograph peering back at me, depicting an unknown person against an unknown backdrop. Soon I began noticing more of them throughout the metro, each bearing the insignia of the artist collective Ozzy Gatto. These photographs come from the personal relics of Ozzy's collection, spanning decades into the past while transforming the metro into a moving museum. In a radio interview from five years ago, one of the collective's two representatives alluded to the purpose of the project: to serve as a unifying thread between the early twentieth century and the present day. To me, these photographs feel especially reminiscent of the subway tunnel connecting the metro to the central train station. They lend a poetic coherence to us travellers as we move through space and time, much as the people captured in those images once did themselves.

 We thought ourselves rather lucky to arrive amid crustaceans, but when we began driving towards Thiruvananthapuram this morning, our true goal was to find a grand lunch served on a traditional banana leaf. And so we did, thanks to our expert driver. You know how people sometimes say the best restaurants are the ones that slightly disrespect you—not obnoxiously, but in an oddly endearing way? This lunch stood as a testament to focusing solely on the food while every other distraction faded quietly into the background. Long after we were back on the road towards the beach at Kovalam, I still found myself dwelling on the savoury curries and beetroot chutney. Even now, the memory oppressively saddens my palate as I lament the distance, both in time and geography, between myself and that meal. And now, having brought it all back to mind, I shall let you share in my despair. Speaking of downers, we arrived in Kovalam just in time for a cosy sunset, so we decided to stroll along the shor...