Letters to Barbara

Aegean Airlines Business Class Menu: In-flight meals photos

George Pavlopoulos — Sat, 12 Apr 2025 00:08:31 +0000

I’ve been flying Aegean Airlines for more than fifteen years. Not that long ago, I wrote a review of the company’s business class, which I still find one of the best when it comes to intra-European flights. Since I’m a Gold Member, I often fly business class, and shooting photos of Aegean’s inflight meals has […]

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10 unmissable things to do in Bilbao

George Pavlopoulos — Fri, 28 Mar 2025 22:08:47 +0000

Whether you’re visiting the Basque Country on a road trip or you’re simply on a long weekend to Bilbao, this travel guide has you covered. I spent a week discovering Spain’s stunning region, hopping from town to town and immersing myself in the relaxing rhythms of the Basques. Writing about the best things to do […]

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Bilbao boat tour review: does it deserve it?

George Pavlopoulos — Fri, 14 Mar 2025 23:30:43 +0000

As I often confess, I have a thing for waterfront cities. I decided to base myself in Bilbao on my journey to the Basque Country. From there, I could easily reach the places I wanted along the coastline. Apart from visiting other places, Bilbao itself is a gem: it enjoys a fantastic location close to […]

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A visit to Gernika should always mean “never again”

George Pavlopoulos — Sat, 01 Mar 2025 00:32:14 +0000

It was a short yet impactful visit to Gernika. I traveled to the Basque Country in early autumn, and after exploring Bilbao, I decided to tour Spain’s fascinating region. While the most popular day trip from Bilbao is to the breathtaking San Juan de Gaztelugatxe, I simply couldn’t miss Gernika. Despite being a relatively small […]

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San Sebastian and the Comb of the Wind

George Pavlopoulos — Sat, 15 Feb 2025 01:32:46 +0000

Dear Barbara, This oval bay engulfs history and occupies one’s dreams. The serpentine promenade from La Concha to Zurriola is covered with earthly tones and materials that resist the salt and the wind. The Comb of the Wind isn’t just a sculptural project but a metaphor for San Sebastian: battling perpetually against the elements, natural […]

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Mundaka, the surfers’ paradise in the Basque Country

George Pavlopoulos — Fri, 31 Jan 2025 23:39:48 +0000

The optimal way to explore Mundaka is to start from its left side. No, this does not refer to its world-famous left wave, which attracts surfers from every corner of the world. I’m talking about slowly immersing yourself in the small port town and discovering its beauty as if in a history lesson. No place […]

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Lake Bled day trip: A must-do in Slovenia

George Pavlopoulos — Fri, 17 Jan 2025 23:34:26 +0000

Known as the pearl of the Julian Alps, Lake Bled offers one of the most breathtaking landscapes in Slovenia. The emerald-green waters of the lake, paired with the tiny island on the edge, seal the identity of the country’s Alpine region. At the same time, the traditional Pletna boats add a historical background to the […]

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Polaroid Diaries: The Basque Country with the SX-70

George Pavlopoulos — Sat, 04 Jan 2025 01:41:01 +0000

I’ve always wanted to see the Basque Country. I’ve heard wonderful things about the area’s landscapes, and people I trust have always talked warmly about Bilbao and the places around it. So, when the opportunity arose, I knew I had to book my flights and prepare for another adventure. Subsequently, I knew it was time […]

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2024 Year Review: Do we still need blogs?

George Pavlopoulos — Sat, 21 Dec 2024 00:34:05 +0000

I always enjoy writing these self-referential posts at the end of the year. Sometimes, I rant; other times, I just recap my journeys. Actually, those annual reviews are probably the only articles I publish that are destined for myself. In every other blog post, I focus exclusively on helping readers find information for their upcoming […]

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My visit to San Juan de Gaztelugatxe: Photo report & tips

George Pavlopoulos — Sat, 07 Dec 2024 00:36:22 +0000

On this side of the Basque Country, the landscape feels rougher. The cliffs’ formation is dramatic, and the views of the Atlantic Ocean are endless. Despite its undeniable beauty, the stunning San Juan de Gaztelugatxe attracts thousands of visitors after being used as a filming location for the Game of Thrones. I won’t lie: I […]

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A writer in Crete

George Pavlopoulos — Sat, 23 Nov 2024 00:50:11 +0000

Dear Barbara, In 1944, an Englishman parachuted into Crete. By the time of his arrival, he hadn’t published a book yet. Despite having already lived an exciting life, the misty night he landed in Crete, he wasn’t technically a writer. He landed as a Special Operations Executive Officer (SOE) with a single military goal: to […]

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The Language/Text/Image exhibition at the Draiflessen Collection

George Pavlopoulos — Fri, 08 Nov 2024 23:58:47 +0000

I once again found myself heading toward the Draiflessen Collection. Located in the small town of Mettingen, Germany, this museum has always fascinated me with its high-quality exhibitions. After writing about the “Faith” exhibition and “The Art of Replication,” I headed to the Draiflessen for the opening of “Language/Text/Image.” The title sounded intriguing, and the […]

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Getxo guide: Ocean views and unbeatable charm

George Pavlopoulos — Fri, 01 Nov 2024 22:25:25 +0000

Located just 15 kilometers out of Bilbao, Getxo is one of the undeniable pearls of the Basque Country. The small coastal town enjoys spectacular Atlantic Ocean views and is home to the renowned Vizcaya Bridge, but I can assure you it is more than that. Getxo will lavishly offer you a vibrant atmosphere full of […]

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The Athletic Bilbao VIP Experience: A match at the San Mamés

George Pavlopoulos — Fri, 18 Oct 2024 23:52:34 +0000

Just a handful of football stadiums around Europe enjoy the reputation of San Mamés. Visiting the legendary Athletic Club’s home ground (usually referred to as Athletic Bilbao) is an experience by itself. Deeply connected to the Basque Country roots and history and known for its strict cantera policy, Athletic is the region’s pride. Every match […]

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Polaroid Diaries: Ljubljana Polaroids with the Impulse AF

George Pavlopoulos — Sat, 05 Oct 2024 09:49:29 +0000

I didn’t know what to expect when I traveled to Slovenia’s capital. Ljubljana has been on my radar for quite a while, but I somehow always failed to visit it. When I finally booked my flight, I knew I had to shoot one more edition of Polaroid Diaries. And this time, it didn’t take long […]

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Six Years of Travel Blogging: The Art of Slowing Down

George Pavlopoulos — Sat, 21 Sep 2024 10:33:07 +0000

These annual blogging recaps aren’t just reports of my progress in the blogosphere. It became a habit to write every end of September about what I learned, admit my mistakes, and set goals for the next year. After six years of travel blogging, I can say that I learned lots of things, worked with new […]

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Exploring Ljubljana by bike (& how to do it properly)

George Pavlopoulos — Sat, 07 Sep 2024 07:59:32 +0000

For bike lovers, cycling is often one of the sweetest ways to discover a city’s culture and daily life. Although Ljubljana, the beautiful capital of Slovenia, is not as famous for its cycling infrastructure as cities like Berlin or Copenhagen, it has a decent network of bike lanes. But, most importantly, the city shows a […]

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The best food tours in Venice: Wine, Cicchetti & more

George Pavlopoulos — Sat, 24 Aug 2024 07:57:28 +0000

Can you even imagine a journey to Venice without thinking of its delicious food and wine? Apart from its landmarks, the legendary Serenissima is a place to immerse yourself in Italy’s culinary culture. Despite the tourist traps, there’s a great variety of eateries and local dishes in Venice, and tasting them adds a supplementary layer […]

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Why you should visit the Cukrarna Gallery in Ljubljana

George Pavlopoulos — Sat, 10 Aug 2024 08:02:26 +0000

Since Ljubljana has plenty of must-see locations, it’s hard to choose which to include in your itinerary. Generally speaking, the fate of lesser-known places is to remain off the radar: one such example for me could be the Cukrarna Gallery. I initially thought of skipping it, mainly because I knew nothing about it. However, after […]

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Things to do in Ljubljana: A travel guide to Slovenia’s capital

George Pavlopoulos — Sat, 27 Jul 2024 08:16:06 +0000

Despite being one of the smallest European capitals, Ljubljana is one of the most interesting cities I ever visited. The capital of Slovenia is a fine example of urban planning and, paired with the vast green spaces, offers an immersive experience to travelers. Moreover, the city’s compact size is ideal if you are looking for […]

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