Monica Suma

Located at the tip of South Africa, Cape Town, affectionately referred to as the Mother City, is rightly considered as the gateway to Africa. But with a distinct climate, wider ethnic mix and unique culture, the Cape feels like a country of its own.

Monica Suma is a Romanian-American freelance travel writer always on the hunt for art, good food and all things whimsy. After twelve years living abroad, and far-flung travels around the world, she is always happy to come back home to Bucharest.

KEFLAVIK - Icelandic LCC WOW air is a prominent newcomer to European aviation, which makes quite a wave not only because of the bright purple color in which its aircraft are painted. Travel writer Monica Suma reviewed the WOW air A330-300 product on behalf of PaxEx.com.

Halfway between Paris and Provence and in close proximity to Switzerland, Italy and the commanding Alps, Lyon sits at the perfect crossroads. But with one of the highest concentrations of restaurants per mile in Europe, Lyon lives up to its name of culinary capital of France.

‘At the end of every street, there’s a mountain,’ the writer Stendhal famously said about his hometown of Grenoble, France. Set amidst three glorious massifs and spliced by two glacial rivers, nature’s divinity is still on the city’s doorstep, but first-timers should start with its wonderful museums and distinct local cuisine.

Bucharest is an increasingly popular travel destination in Eastern Europe, with a definite hipster vibe for its bohemian outdoor drinking gardens. The city may be better known for its hearty Balkan fare and vigorous gut-reviving ţuica (Romanian plum brandy), but the traditional tastes have changed. Now, one can find everything from speciality coffee and craft beer to raw vegan food and Scandinavian delights, all while tapping into burger frenzy and interpreted Romanian cuisine.

Norway’s landscapes are majestic. Tall mountains tipping the sky flank deep coastal fjords on a scale so vast the sheer force of nature is astounding. But along some of the country's roads, its natural wonders are enhanced by pioneering architecture and design.

After the traumatic attacks, the French capital is reinventing itself and remains a top destination.

The thought of arriving after dark to a chilly overnight in a yurt isn’t particularly cozy, especially when raining. But if it comes with a campfire and its very own homebrew, things are looking brighter. This is Norway, where nature excels and fuzzy reindeer are ever-present.

Lyon has long been the culinary capital of France, so it’s no coincidence that their finest ice cream makers are mavericks. With flavours that range from rhubarb to Roquefort via rum and raisin, Terre Adélice has queues out of the door, while its innovative concoctions are finding their way into the fine dining world. But what’s the inside scoop on Lyon’s best ice cream shop?

As we say in Romania, love comes from the heart, but passes through the stomach. But more so than that, for a born and bred Romanian, hearty home-cooked food is a way of life.

Budapest? No, Bucharest! Years after taking the back seat to next-door neighbour Budapest, Romania’s edgy and opportune capital is now touted as the ‘new Berlin’. A city of contrasts, where staunch Orthodoxy coexists with vibrant nightlife, Bucharest sets itself apart by a mix of Balkan and Latin spirit, speaking a Romance language in a hotbed of Slavic neighbours.

Ever since the resuming of diplomatic ties between the United States and Cuba, a string of new projects and business developments have studded the island nation. But while the renewed energy is palpable, travelers heading to Cuba are still plagued by a series of misconceptions.

Let’s be clear. Whatever pretty picture you have in your mind about Sweden – you know – blue-eyed blondes living in a well-oiled harmonious society singing ABBA tunes and shopping at IKEA, is well … partially true. But to my surprise this past July, Swedes can teach us a thing or two about slow living, a concept well engrained in the Swedish society.

In the small Trinidad, located in central Cuba, pretty museums are the norm. Known as Cuba’s Museum City, colonial architecture looms on every cobblestone street. A well-preserved living testament of the sugar trade opulence of two centuries ago, Trinidad is laden with heirlooms like no other city.