All posts filed under: Europa

Café Louvre

Published by Katarina

Walking slowly up some early 20th century stairs, the atmosphere that strikes you is Paris, movies, romance and early 20 th century it-people feeling. At the time modern and hip and today yet again modern and new. It is said that celebreties as Einstein and Kafka were here but this doesn´t need to be said since the feeling is like walking into a movie anyway, making the most humble tourist feel like a star. For the smokers Prague is different. I prefer that people don´t smoke inside, but when walking into Cafe Louvre, I don´t mind that there still is a smoking side in the restaurant. It just adds to the already great atmosphere. The Cafe Louvre is a cafe with waiters. They are dressed properly and quickly serves us the ten minute cava we have time for. Me and my travel mates Daniella and Nicoline is on a schedule. We have to try the cava, and fast. Stefan, the guide we have with us tell us that it is expensive, so a bottle is out …

heading to the czech republic.

Published by Katarina

At Arlanda airpor and it is 5 in the morning. 5.28 to be exact. Having a coffee at johan & nyström, a hipster coffee-shop with great coffee and not so great prices. The cappucino was satisfying for my not yet awake self. Today me and Daniella, Discover The Planet, are heading on trip to the Czech Rep. together. 4 days of fun arranged by Czech tourism Scandinavia and Finland. So trilled to be on the move to discover the czech rep where I have never been before. We are going to see Prague, historical sites, taste wine and more. Now, time to get myself through security. Katarina

having wine with the girls – stockholm travel massive at sheraton

Published by Katarina

Just got back from an after work with Stockholm Travel Massive, this time at Sheraton hotel in Stockholm. The event, as all the other times, was arranged by Lola, Annika and Sofia, three girls that I now consider my friends. They arranged the event in collaboration with Travellink. This evenings event was held at Sherton in Stockholm. I have been in Stockholm for two months and feel to lucky that I don´t have to plan and use my vacation days to be able to participate. I got back from work, we have been at a two days conference in Skåvsjöholm with my job and I headed straight to travel massive. I shot the compulsory shot of the girls and talked crap with people in the travel business and travel bloggers. Two guys from SJ popped by, by mistake and we tried wine and had swiss cheese. A good Friday evening. Now back in the couch and aiming to have some quality alone time before Martin gets back.. Until next time girls. Katarina Shot with Canon 5D …

All the food I could eat during my summer and travels

Published by Katarina

Started going through my photos for the summer and came to find that I have taken a lot of food photos during the summer. It is amazing how much in life that revolves around what we eat. Martins exam in Grythyttan, rye bread, brie cheese, salmon and champagne During Martins exam in June rye bread, brie cheese, salmon and what I think was pannacotta was served. I was full all day and the only thing everybody spoke about was the good bread. During the evening we had a barbecue and all day to much champagne. Backpacking Europe in June Copenhagen and indian food After the exam we headed out for our three weeks of backpacking. First stop was Copenhagen for 3 hours and an Indian restaurant called Kashmir that had this amazing ice cream and fab nan bread. We walked through the city going home, passing the castle and garden. Photos of bread and stew shot by Martin and edited by me. A hamburger in Hamburg Continuing we went to Hamburg and having a Hamburger in …

my top 3 romantic travel destinations

Published by Katarina

What we believe to be romantic is individual. For one person a romantic setting or destination could be the white beaches in Asia, flowers and gold and for another it is the backyard of his or hers summer cabin. We all though share the capability to inspire each other and share our own favourite places is one way to share inspiration. In this post you will tag along to my top 3 (and a newcomer in the end) romantic travel destinations, to inspire you to go see them and see if you share my fascination for these places. Iceland The dramatic landscape of Iceland must be the most dark and romantic setting I have ever encountered.This is my most recent destination and I will never forget the magic black sand of the lava beaches, the perfect setting for wedding photography. Anyone who wants to go and get married there? It is so magnificent that it is worth all the extra penny´s it will draw from your wedding budget. I guess that this is also the only minus …

Behind the scenes at a wedding photo workshop on Iceland – part two

Published by Katarina

Continuing on part one, Behind the scenes at a wedding workshop on Iceland – part one. Day 3 Hella, Geysir and Gullfoss Waking up me and my roomie Lisa head to breakfast and from the dinner you can spot some Icelandic horses eating grass peacefully. Some other girls shot some shots of them before we left in the morning. We then head out and meet up the bride and groom at Geysir, an area with an Icelandic Geisir that actually sprays water on a regular basis. This might have been the most difficult photos for me. Here there where so many tourists that is  was too difficult to shoot and I didn´t get much more than some over exposed shots with some smoke from the hot ground around the geiser. Going from Geisir to Gullfoss, a grand waterfall on Iceland, it was easier to shoot but still a lot of tourists. It wasn´t until we just stop next to the road that we got our first great photos with a mountain in the background in some and …

Behind the scenes at a wedding photo workshop on Iceland- part one

Published by Katarina

Some weeks ago I headed to Iceland to participate in a wedding workshop with Emelie Ohlson. The workshop was taking place for five days between the 12tth and 16th of August 2015. This behind the scenes post consist of two parts and the second part hold a collection on hands on tips on whats important when traveling abroad on a photo trip. Heading from the airport in Keflavik to Hotel Keflavik Day 1 Arriving Our first day we all met up at Hotel Keflavik. We were ten persons traveling together, Emelie and Ulrica the photo-teacher and her assistant, Linda & Jasmin, Malin & Annelie, Sandra & Lena and me & Lisa. After meet and greet with dinner we where off to bed and I took an evening walk and shot my first Iceland photos along the shoreline of Keflavik. Me, Jasmin and Lisa on the way from the airport Lisa, my roomie is trying out her fisheye. We are not still sure what the black box surrounding it is due to. (Got the answer from Malin and this …

shifting skies

Published by Katarina

I got home from Iceland at 6.00 a.m Monday morning this week and died. I woke up from the coffin around 3 p.m (Monday afternoon) when Martin called and since then I have been walking around in some sort of fog. Without any doubt Iceland was one of the most fantastic experiences in my life and I will re-tell the story afterwards, while being there I didn´t have any energy to blog so this will be some sort of, looking back at my week in Iceland week. I am back in Stockholm and back at work and Martin have also moved here by now. The second day on Iceland was spend by driving around inbetween targets, the Gullfoss waterfall and some roadshots together with some overexposed sunnier shots in the sun. It is so weird how the skies and the climate can change during the day and go from dark skies, rain, a bit cold and then later turn into sun, more sun and a lot of sun. How? So I am sorry that the …

arriving in Iceland

Published by Katarina

After a bit of a stormy landing through fog in the airport of Keflavik our first nigh passed calmly. We got picked up by Emelie Ohlson and her assistant at the airport and then continued to Keflavik hotel. In the hotel we had dinner and got to know each other. The weather was horrific for a photographer, windy and rain at the same time, but I managed to take a stroll and shoot some evening photos before going to bed. The upcoming days are going to be intense and I am not sure if I manage to post anything but I will try. The photos from the first model shot of a great couple, Jórunn and Böddi are something extra even though it was raining the entire time.. Katarina Along the coastline of Keflavik. Icelands dramatic scenery is spectacular. Shot with Canon 5D Mark iii, 24-105 mm Canon lens. Setting, lighthouse with people: iso 1250, 65mm, f6,3, 1/60 sek. 

A Greek Wedding Story – Vicky and Stefanos

Published by Katarina

Saturday the 11th of July my cousin in Athens got married to his Vicky. I was there as a guest with Martin, my aunt and family, it was a greek ortodox wedding and my first of the kind. The morning started with some baklava and celebrating my other cousins birthday. It continued with getting ready for the wedding, sweating and trying to cool down at the same time. It seemed cooler then the other days, but still hot enough to be difficult when wearing dress coats. The wedding took place in a small local church close to my cousins home and the party at a beach a 20 minutes drive from Athens. In the church we got to witness a whole procedure of speaking and singing in something like latin, not understanding a word. But even if not understanding the language it was something special about it. During the evening the atmosphere was relaxed, no speaches, just an open bar and good food. We concluded that we didn´t miss the Swedish speaches and the stiff …

From Brussels to Stockholm

Published by Katarina

My first work-week in Stockholm has passed and I am sitting in the piece and quite of my Grythyttan apartment, while Martin and Oscar (our former neighbour living in our apartment at the moment) is at work. This is my week in images, Monday Starting in Brussel and the Brussel airport (this is the only thing I have ever seen of Brussel, so far, first impression: clean) me, Martin and Andreas stayed here for two hours waiting for our connection flights to Arlanda, Stockholm. We had food and the compulsory Belgian Waffle. Martin shot this cute photo of the waffle with my compact DSLR, the one he master by now. We also tried out the travelators and Martin took a photo of my awful mosquito bites (some friends on facebook suggested begbugs, hope not). This was the second time this summer I had these bites, first Italy and then now Greece. Greece was worst. They are gone now but you can still se soft shadows red and blue on my white naked legs. I shot …

Taking the train to the fleemarket in Monastiraki

Published by Katarina

After a sweaty first half of the day on Akropolis and the Akropolis  museum we continued towards the fleemarket in Monastiraki, the old neighbourhood of Athens. By taking the train I ment taking the local touristrain cruising the streets of Athens until stopping at a square located in the Monastiraki district. On the way in the train we passed the Greek parliament and expected at least some demonstrations due to the Greek financial circumstances. We didn´t though and that kind of surprised me. We saw one sign with the name oxi written on it, which if I understood it correctly means no. Maybe this is what is all has been about without speculating to much, saying no I mean. Instead of finding activists we found the normal Greek salesmen and flags on the square on the other side of the parliament. Busy yelllow cabs? Arriving at the classic tourist streets of Monastiraki we walked and walked and bought and bought. Well, not entirely true. I didn´t buy anything, My cousins did. The shops have classic …

Akropolis museum

Published by Katarina

Next up Friday was a bit to eat after climbing the big Akropolis cliff. Exhausted, sweaty and full of history we had ourself a souvlaki and some fries. Continuing the 500 m´s to the Akropolis museum and the exhibitions there the first thing that strikes me is the impressive building. With massive pillars in concrete and a glass floor the building itself is a piece of an art and I mostly stared at the building rather than on the sculptures and remains in the museum. An even more interesting notion was the glas floor on the third floor that you pass directly underneath when entering the building. Do I need to say heat and short skirts? I was embarrassed. Sadly the museum had photo prohibitions so I didn´t take any other photos than on my cousins and outside the museum. The museum had a pretty large collection and have both permanent and temporary exhibitions. When we visited, the temporary exhibitions were the Samothrace. The mysteries of the great gods, an exhibition from the regional parts …

Akropolis

Published by Katarina

I had  a few days of break (have started my new work and focused on the Stockholm routine) but now I am back. Last Friday when in Athens we did some touristy stuff. I´ve splitted the day into two posts since the more the merrier. From the greek word Akron or Akros (highest) and polis (city) I give you Acropolis of Athens. Such an amazing view, such an amazing light!   In 250 trillion degrees me and my cousins, Martin and the children of my one cousin and wife walked up the hill to the Acropolis cliff. The kids where okay with walking the distance even if a few tears where coming down their little cheeks. Well, it was hot. Almost the only ones who made it to the cliff in the end where my cousins, Martin and me, the other four stayed behind but managed all the way to the top. Hurray! Children are such great posers!  There is evidence that the hill was inhabited around 400 -500 B.C. That is a long time …

Austin Food Works

Published by Katarina

Now I am on the move again!  Yesterday we visited Stockholm for a couple of hours and then continued towards Arlanda and Greece in the morning. In Stockholm we met Emma and had some food at Austin Food Works on Norrtullsgatan. It is a American South styled restaurant (owned by some Texas Longhorn people) that serves food from, yes, the American South. The hipster factor is high I promise! Both Martin me and Emma enjoyed the food and service. I had a caesar sallad that was massive and Martin a meat dish. I had mine with some Kulla must, that tasted like an Apple cake with cinnamon and vanilla sauce. Yummie! The restaurant is both praise worthy and prise worthy, we paid around 500- 600 sek for three peeps. Later we continued towards Märsta and our friend Tommy´s place to stay the night before heading for Arlanda, the Stockholm airport, early in the morning. Now in Athens with family, preparing for a wedding. Hope you are prepared for a Greek weekend!  Katarina

Warsaw – hipster is the new backpacker

Published by Katarina

The train from Krakow takes only a few hours and we arrive in Warsaw late Wednesday evening. We sit in a cabin of six with a girl and this strange guy. We first met him on the train from the salt mine. He has Long hair and a suit. We later meet him and sit in the same compartment as him. During the trip he pics up a magazine about trains which he studies the entire three hour trip, when he is not talking on the phone (that is when he manages to answer) and later when getting off he puts the magazine back in its plastic wrapper. Getting off the train we walk to where we are suppose to stay, Chmielna Guest House on Chmielna street. Getting here we realize that we missed that the reception is at Nowy Swiat and the New World Hostel. In a way it doesn´t matter since then we get to go down Chmielna street and it is kind of an adventure in itself. With vegan food, 100 % …

The salt mine of Krakow – Kopalnia Soli

Published by Katarina

In 1996 the production of Kopalnia Soli, the salt mine of Krakow stopped. Today some small scale mining take place and it is the water in the mine that have a very high dose of salt that is processed in to a pure product. Today the mine makes it’s money from tourism and considering the number of tourists when we were there that should be a good business.  Arriving we get a guide, the tours start every half an hour and we get the funniest polish guide I ever met. A girl with dark hair and the driest sense of humour telling stories with a dark polish accent on her English, a fantastic experience. Going down hundreds of steps below ground you shouldn’t be afraid of cramped spaces and spaces below ground because it is far down and it is tunnels, normal sized but not especially big. There are several kilo-meters of tunnels and without a guide it must be extremely difficult to find a way to the top. With the guided tour that takes …

Krakow – in the footsteps of WW2

Published by Katarina

I have been to Krakow before. I don’t remember much I admit, it was a long time ago. Monday we arrived in Krakow after night train from Venice to Vienna and then train to Ostrava and bus to Krakow. Arriving in Krakow we had half a day and headed for the jewish quarters and old town.    The jewish quarters of Krakow are well preserved and is an entire part of the city. It holds several synagogues and jewish cemeteries, an old well known pharmacy called Apteka Pod Orlem, monuments of the war as the chairs and the emalj factory of Oscar Schindler. When you arrive in Krakow you just go for whatever map and it is all marked out on it.  The synagogs are in use so it is possible to visit them but during jewish holidays they might only be open for those who celebrate the holiday. The Apteka Pod Orlem was held open by a German guy who sold medicines within the Krakow Ghetto and was aloud to be held open only …

Cruise – Dubrovnik to Venice and disembarkation

Published by Katarina

Saturday the 20th 16.00 – Sunday the 21th 20.00 Our last port before the final disembarkation is Dubrovnik and after strolling the small streets of the old town we embark for our final stretch.  BACK IN VENICE We arrive in Venice early in the morning Sunday and wait disembarkation. The procedur goes that we stay in the big theatre of the ship and are called up by colour. Martin and I have the colour pink.  In Venice we hit the streets for one last day. We head for the train-station taking the people mover from the marina to Plaza Roma from where we walk. Buying train tickets to Krakow takes about five minutes since there is no line, thank god. We go directly for lunch. Having lunch a bit further away from the trainstation cost us 11,50 euros for two courses and I have another seafood pasta and fried calamari and fries. We book our hotel in the restaurant and then spend the day walking the streets and eating ice cream, talking about tourists and …