A winterly Salzburg

This was a very spontaneous visit with quite a sad reason behind it, but I tried to make the best of it. So here are some pictures for me to remember and for you to enjoy x

Winter Reading List 2015 - Top 10 books

I was always easy to be fascinated by a story. Whether that was 'Winnetou' the western hero or a soppy  love story like 'The fault in our stars'.

When I read a book

A good book just never fails me.

1. Girl online

The new debut novel and bestseller by Zoella aka Zoe Sugg. I am about to finish this book and I can say, well done Zoe, this is incredible! The style is nicely written and good to follow. It´s really easy to connect with the characters and there is something about that makes you keep reading! A book I´m finding a hard time to put down. 

2. 10 Billion

A book Jack Harries recommend quite a while ago and now I´m reading it for the 5th time. An interesting view of today´s human species. Give it a read, it won´t take you long.

3. Make the most of your time on earth 

Pointless to add anything else to that title. Just use your time and explore while you can!

4. The Kite Runner
Incredible book. Just outstanding. It was recommended by a friend of mine a couple of years back. And well the reason why I started to read it was, because he rarely reads! And if he thinks a book is worth recommending, it truly means something! Thanks Freddy.

5. Carpe Diem 

A book I read a long time ago and it still makes me want to make me live my life to the fullest. Sometimes when I search for advice I flick through the pages and every time I stumble across something that helps me out. Also, it´s a great motivation-finder-tool.

6. Into the Wild

I have blogged about it earlier this year and it still amazes me! Such a unique story.. incredible! For all the Rangers or Rebels out there, go have a read. You´ll question yourself afterwards more than ever and the wanderlust is prickling under your fingernails.

7. I am Malala

The girl who stood up for education and was shot by the Taliban. I´m sure everybody has heart from her by now and if not, go read this book. This young girl is to amazing to describe with words. Our world needs inspirations and heroes like her. 'I AM MALALA will make you believe in the power of one person's voice to inspire change in the world.'  - This about sums it up how I feel about her.

8. The Physician (Medicus)

Brilliant book! Might take you quite some time to read it, but it´s well worth it! A wonderful story everybody should hear! And a year ago the movie came out, it´s amazing! Go watch it as well if you fancy.

9. On the Road 

You´re not supposed to know what you want to do with the rest of your life, so why not just go out there and explore the world while you can? Soon enough you´ll sit at a desk with loads of work to do. Use your time wisely.
Jack Kerouac definitely knows what he´s talking about, it´s a partly autobiography. Give it a go, it may surprise you!

10. The Art Of Thinking clearly 

Bought this months (maybe years?!) ago, but didn´t give it a proper read until earlier this year. There is not always time to read a book like this, since it´s mind challenging and not something I´d advice reading on the tube. I mentioned Rolf Dobelli last year in a post about 'Cutting Media' as he was the one who inspired me to it.

That´s it for this time! :) What are your favorite books? Where do you get your inspiration from? Let me know in the comments below!

Have a lovely day, xx

Winter Walks

A snowflake falls onto my cheek 
As I wake up from distant sleep 
I stand up dazed as I look around 
What is this place that I have found? 

- White Apple Tree

A wonderful walk with my family through our winter wonderland.

Its the small things that matter.

 Have a lovely winter day x

A weekend in Granada

Living in Spain for a year comes with a lot of possibilities, hence me going on a weekend trip once in a while.
This one is about (as you can tell by the mysterious title) the lovely city Granada.
A lot of people say 'You haven't really been to Spain if you haven´t seen the Alhambra'. Well they´re absolutely right.
But Granada doesn´t just offer a marvelous Alhambra, it also features so many lovely streets, viewpoints and crazy nightlife vibes.
We saw as much as possible in only 2 days!
Here you go:

This is the cathedral with my lovely friend Lena in front of it.

The view of Alhambra and Sierra Nevada in the back - from Mirador San Nicolas

Granada from above 

First steps into Generalife

  

The famous Alhambra

I think my favorite spot in Granada is Mirador de San Nicolas. It is a slight hike to get up there, but it´s totally worth it. I recommend to get up there an hour before sun is either setting or rising. The light is amazing, almost impossible to get a proper picture of it.
Also, the hot chocolate afterwards at the little café just below the small wall on the edge is totally recommendable!
What is your favorite spot in Granada or where would you like to go? Let me know and leave a comment below!

Have a smashin' day x

19 places I want to see 2015

'You may say I´m a dreamer, but I am not the only one' 

- John Lennon

(Please not that these pictures are from Google, besides the places I´ve been too.)

1. London

Yeah, I have been there this year, but I am just completely in love with this city and I can´t seem to get enough of it.

2. Morocco

Being so close to Spain, Morocco is actually a must to visit. I heard about the crazy markets and the beautiful landscape and my fingers prickle by the thought of it.

3. Lagos 

This is supposed to be the spot to go surfing in Portugal. I always wanted to try it (well I have been windsurfing before), but I didn´t have the chance yet. 

4. Papua New Guinea

I once watched a documentary about it and it just seemed like an absolutely beautiful county. It would be amazing to go hiking & trekking or scuba diving.

5. The Galapagos Islands

A friend of mine spend his Gap Year in Ecuador and he often visited the Galapagos Islands and they just seem really lovely. I am not sure, but they appear to me as some kind of world wonder. Again, I´ve watched too many documentaries about them to not like them.

6. South Africa

You know what is really depressing sometimes? Following Youtube sensations like Ben Brown or Louis Cole. They just get the hang of life. Ever since I watched Bens first vlog in South Africa I´m crazy in love with this country. It just sounds like a good adventure to me. 

7. Sri Lanka

When I was in 4th grade or something I read a book about a little girl who traveled the world by boat with her parents and ended up living in Sri Lanka. I don´t remember the name of the book, but I remember what a massive impact it had on me. I thought she was super cool and I told myself: one day I´ll go there.

8. Amsterdam

It may be known as the city of drugs, but it is also know as the city of beautiful little canals. I have seen countless pictures of it and this year it played a somewhat big role in 'The Fault In Our Stars'.

9. Argentina

I´m not sure if I shared this little piece of information before, but now you´ll have it. Prior going to Spain for a year I wanted to volunteer in Argentina. Well, I got through till the last round, but then they turned me down. Cool. 

I still love the country nonetheless.

Especially I really want to see the Iguazu falls.

10. Lisboa

Is there really a reason needed why someone wants to go to Lisboa?

11. Ireland

Once my obsession with Ireland was so huge that I dedicated a whole pinterest board to it. 

12. Patagonia

About 4 years ago I have been to a presentation of Patagonia at the Weitsicht-festival with my dad. We both were absolutely fascinated by the pictures that were shown and since then I guess it has been on my bucket list. 

13.Vietnam

Due to speaking about it in school or watching movies like Forrest Gump I am always quite curious to see how countries look after they´ve been in war. The same goes with Germany, history is history, but shall not be forgotten. And what better way to remember than seeing the results with your own eyes?

14. New Zealand

As an absolute middle earth freak I am supposed to visit this country at least once in my life time. And two of my best friends spend a year abroad in NZ and they have been loving it! 

15. Prague

Out of all the Hot Spot's in Europe I feel like this is a secret lava one.

16. Sweden

Being raised with a massive Astrid Lindgren book impact it´s impossible not to be prying whether it looks just like I imagined or completely different. 

17. Salzburg

This city never gets old or boring to me.

18. Obergurgl

I miss my mountains. I miss them dearly. I used to live right in front of them and now.. I barely get to see them. Now I´m more than happy to hear that my parents already decided to go Obergurgl (Austria) next winter to go skiing. We were supposed to go this year, but unfortunately we couldn´t make it. Fingers crossed that it will work out next time. 

Being surrounded by mountains always makes me feel home.

19. Iceland

Since Game Of Thrones Iceland is the land to be. 

Well these are my dreams (& potential realities) about 2015. Let me know what you think in the comments and where you´d like to go!