Striving towards Excellence

-Karthik Gurumurthy

Let me tell you about this tiny but super fancy country that's like Europe's hidden gem! Luxembourg is like if a medieval castle and a modern bank tower had a really successful baby! 🏰

Cool stuff about Luxembourg:

• The capital city (also called Luxembourg) has this AMAZING old town built on cliffs with the coolest tunnels and fortifications
• They speak three languages officially (French, German, and Luxembourgish - yes, that's a real language!)
• Free public transport across the ENTIRE country . Imagine a whole country where public transport is FREE. Not "kind of free" or "sometimes free" - just straight-up FREE(how awesome is that?)
• Their commuter population doubles the capital's size every workday (talk about a popular place!)
• They've got more Michelin-starred restaurants per capita than basically anywhere else

Fun facts that'll surprise you:

• It's one of the smallest countries in Europe but one of the richest in the world
• Their royal family is super down-to-earth (you might spot the Grand Duke grocery shopping!)
• They were a founder of the European Union (small but mighty!)
• The city has these amazing underground tunnels called "casemates" that you can explore

Must-do stuff:

• Explore the Old Quarter (it's UNESCO listed!)
• Check out the Grand Ducal Palace (their version of Buckingham Palace)
• Wander through the Grund (this super cute lower town area)
• Visit Vianden Castle (looks straight out of Game of Thrones)

Pro tips:

• Get the Luxembourg Card for free transport and museum entry
• The best views are from the Chemin de la Corniche (they call it "Europe's most beautiful balcony")
• There's a secret menu in most traditional restaurants (just ask for "wat d'Boma gekacht huet" - what grandma used to cook)
• Learn to say "Moien" (hello) - it opens more doors than "Bonjour"
• If you love Italian food, please check out "Stella Rosa"  Simply amazing customer service!! Can't wait to be back here!

-Karthik Gurumurthy

Imagine a country so small you could accidentally jog through it (it's only 25km long!), sandwiched between Switzerland and Austria like the world's fanciest filling. Liechtenstein is the only country named after the family that bought it (yep, the Liechtenstein family literally purchased it - talk about the ultimate real estate deal! 😄).

Cool stuff about this microstate:

• No airport (but who needs one when your country is walkable?)
• More registered companies than actual citizens (it's a tax haven paradise!)
• The Prince still has real power and his castle overlooks everything
• Zero military (they're like "nah, we're good" when it comes to armies)
• They make amazing false teeth (random, but true - they're a dental powerhouse!)

Fun facts that'll blow your mind:

• Their last military engagement ended with 81 men returning when only 80 left (they made a friend along the way!)
• You used to be able to rent the whole country on Airbnb (for real!)
• They're the world's largest producer of sausage casings (bet you didn't see that coming!)
• The Prince makes his own wine and you can actually try it
• They're crazy good at Winter Olympics for their size

Let me tell you about Vaduz - probably the most adorable capital city you'll ever visit! 🏰

Imagine a capital city that's smaller than most neighborhoods (only about 5,500 people!), but packs more charm per square meter than you can handle! Vaduz is like if a fairy tale town decided to become a banking hub while keeping all its medieval vibes.

Must-see spots:

• Vaduz Castle (perched up on the hill like it owns the place - which it kind of does since the Prince actually lives there!)
• The Postage Stamp Museum (sounds boring, but trust me, Liechtenstein takes its stamps VERY seriously - they're like tiny works of art!)
• The National Museum (where you can learn how this tiny country managed to stay independent while being sandwiched between bigger neighbors)
• The Red House (this super cute crimson building with a pointy roof that's basically begging to be photographed)

Fun stuff to do:

• Get your passport stamped at the tourist office (it's totally optional but super cool!)
• Visit the Prince's wine cellars (yes, the Prince makes his own wine! 🍷)
• Walk the Historical City Trail (takes like an hour because, well, tiny city!)
• Check out the modern art at Kunstmuseum (surprisingly awesome collection for such a small place)

Cool facts:

• You can rent the whole country! (No joke, Airbnb once listed it! If you think, I am joking, you can read here!)
• It's one of the few countries with more registered companies than citizens
• The Prince still has actual power (and apparently makes great wine)
• It's so safe they don't even have a military anymore

Pro tips:

• You can walk across the whole country in a day (it's only 25km long!)
• Combine it with a trip to Switzerland or Austria since it's right between them
• Try the local wine (because how often can you say you had wine made by a Prince?)
• Most people visit as a day trip, but staying overnight means you get the place almost to yourself

Want to hear the story about how Liechtenstein almost went to war but their army came back with more people than they left with? (It's true and hilarious!) 😄

And remember - where else can you walk through an entire country's capital city in under an hour while potentially bumping into the actual Prince at the grocery store?

-Karthik Gurumurthy

Imagine a fancy summer palace built in the early 1600s by Archbishop Markus Sittikus, who might just win the award for history's most elaborate prankster! This place near Salzburg, Austria, was basically the 17th-century version of an expensive joke shop - but make it architectural.

Here's the first quirky thing: despite being this massive, gorgeous Baroque villa, it doesn't have a single bedroom! The Archbishop would just hang out there during the day and head back to Salzburg in the evening. But what makes Hellbrunn truly special is its famous "watergames" (jeux d'eau), which are basically a series of fancy pranks using water.

Picture this: you're invited to a fancy dinner at the palace, you sit down at this beautiful stone table, and suddenly - splash! Water shoots up right through your seat! Meanwhile, the Archbishop is sitting pretty and completely dry in his special seat (which, sneakily, is the only one without hidden water jets). Today's tour guides get to enjoy that same dry spot while visitors get soaked!

The palace has all sorts of wild features, including this incredible mechanical theater from 1750 with 200 automated figures showing different jobs (think Disney's It's a Small World, but 300 years older). There's even this cool crown that gets pushed up and down by water jets - a clever little joke about power rising and falling.

The grounds are packed with hidden fountains ready to surprise unsuspecting guests, plus tons of fountains featuring Greek and Roman mythology characters. The biggest one, called the Altemps Fountain, sits right behind the palace and is fed by a natural spring.

The palace grounds are pretty impressive too - they've got a zoo, a stone theater, and this building called the Monatschlössl (meaning "little month palace"). There's a funny story behind that one: a visitor once told the Archbishop that a building on the hill would improve the view from one of the palace windows. The Archbishop was like, "Challenge accepted!" and built the whole thing in just one month!

Hellbrunn is such a big deal that Austria even put it on a commemorative 10-euro coin in 2004. It shows the main entrance with the Salzburg mountains in the background, though sadly, the coin doesn't shoot water at you when you touch it!

-Karthik Gurumurthy

Let me tell you about the coolest house in Salzburg - where little Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart first opened his eyes and probably started humming tunes right away! 🎵

Located on this charming street called Getreidegasse (at No. 9, if you're looking for it), this bright yellow building is where the musical genius was born in 1756. It's not just some fancy museum now - it's literally the actual apartment where baby Mozart lived with his family until he was 17! Talk about living history, right?

The best part? They've kept it super authentic. You can walk through the actual rooms where little Mozart took his first steps, probably drove his parents crazy practicing violin, and started composing music that would blow people's minds for centuries to come. There's his first violin (aww!), his concert violin, his clavichord (like a tiny piano), and even some locks of his hair (okay, maybe a bit creepy, but cool!).

Fun stuff you'll see:

• His teeny-tiny child-sized violin 🎻
• Family letters that show Mozart wasn't always the angelic child in those portraits
• Original documents and portraits
• The actual size of rooms back then (spoiler: they're cozier than you'd think!)

Recommendation: The place gets PACKED with Mozart fans from all over the world, so try to visit early in the morning. And don't forget to grab some Mozart chocolates (those little round balls with marzipan) from one of the shops nearby - they're basically a required snack when visiting Mozart's hood!

Want to feel extra fancy? You can attend one of the concerts they sometimes hold in the building. Just imagine listening to Mozart's music in the same place where he first learned to play! 🎹

-Karthik Gurumurthy

Let me tell you about this absolutely massive castle that's basically showing off on top of a hill in Salzburg, Austria! 🏰

Fortress Hohensalzburg is like the overachiever of medieval castles - it's one of Europe's largest AND best-preserved castles, just casually sitting up there since 1077, flexing on the entire city. It's the kind of place that makes you go "Wow!" even before you get inside because it's literally impossible to miss - just look up anywhere in Salzburg and BAM, there it is!

Here's the cool part: you can either hike up to it (if you're feeling ambitious) or take this super steep funicular railway that feels like you're in some kind of medieval elevator. Once you're up there, the views are INSANE - you can see all of Salzburg, the Alps, and probably into next week!

Inside, it's like a medieval Instagram dream come true. You've got these incredible state rooms (the Golden Chamber is totally extra, in the best way possible), a torture chamber (yikes!), and this super cool mechanical organ called the "Salzburg Bull" that still plays tunes today. Fun fact: during its entire history, no enemy ever managed to capture this fortress - talk about a solid security system!

Recommendations:

• Get the audio guide (trust me, the stories are wild)
• Time your visit for sunset if you can - the views are next level
• Hit up the fortress museum to see some seriously fancy royal apartments
• Grab a snack at the fortress cafe - how often do you get to eat in a medieval castle?

Just don't try to storm the castle - it's still undefeated after all these centuries!

-Karthik Gurumurthy

Today we got a chance to attend a concert in Schloss Konzerte Mirabell. The Mirabell Palace in Salzburg has quite the romantic origin story! It was built in 1606 by Archbishop Wolf Dietrich von Raitenau as a love token for his girlfriend, Salome Alt. Originally called Schloss Altenau, it got renamed to "Mirabell" (meaning "admirable" and "beautiful" in Italian) by the next archbishop who, ironically, kicked Salome and her family out when he took over.

The palace wasn't just about romance though - it also had practical purposes. The Archbishop, dealing with gout and recovering from a stroke, wanted to avoid the cramped city streets, so he built this pleasure palace outside the city walls. Talk about a fancy solution to mobility issues!

The place got a major Baroque makeover in the 1720s, and after surviving a fire, was restored to its current Neoclassical style around 1818. The city of Salzburg bought it in 1866, and it's seen quite a bit of history since then - it even hosted a wedding attended by Hitler during World War II.
But the real showstopper is the Mirabell Garden, designed in 1687. It's like an outdoor museum with mythology-themed statues from the 1730s, perfectly trimmed boxwood layouts, and even a "hedge theater." The garden became a public space under Emperor Franz Joseph I and remains a huge tourist attraction today.

Movie buffs might recognize it from "The Sound of Music" - remember the scene where Maria and the kids dance around the Pegasus fountain singing "Do-Re-Mi"? That was filmed right here!

Today, the palace's Marble Hall hosts regular concerts and has become a popular spot for weddings. From a love token to a tourist attraction, Mirabell Palace has definitely lived up to its beautiful name!

-Karthik Gurumurthy

Let me tell you about this incredible square in Zagreb that's basically the city's favorite meet-up spot!

Think of Ban Jelačić Square as Zagreb's Times Square, but with way more history and probably better coffee! 😄

First off, everyone just calls it "Trg" (meaning "square" in Croatian) because why use many words when few do trick, right? It's THE place where locals always say stuff like "Meet you under the clock!" or "See you by the horse statue!"

Speaking of that horse statue - it's actually this super impressive monument of Ban Josip Jelačić, this total boss from the 19th century who fought for Croatian rights. Here's a wild story: during communist times, they actually took down his statue (not subtle at all), but in 1990, they were like "Nah, he's coming back!" and not only put it back up but turned it to face a different direction. Talk about making a statement!

The square's been Zagreb's favorite hangout since way back in the 17th century. Picture this huge open space surrounded by these gorgeous buildings - some looking super fancy from the Austrian-Hungarian empire days, and others more modern. You've got trams crisscrossing through, street performers doing their thing, and always, ALWAYS someone meeting "under the clock."

Fun stuff you'll find there:

• This famous fountain called Manduševac with a cool legend: throw a coin in, and you'll definitely come back to Zagreb (they're clever with tourist money, I'll give them that! 😉)
• Tons of cute cafes where locals perfect the art of coffee-sipping for hours
• Street musicians adding some tunes to your shopping
• During holidays? Oh boy - Christmas markets, New Year's celebrations, you name it!

The best part? It's one of those rare places that's both a tourist hotspot AND a legit local hangout. You'll see businesspeople power-walking to meetings, tourists taking selfies with the horse statue, and locals who've perfected the art of people-watching from cafe terraces.

Pro tip: If you're ever there, do what locals do - grab a coffee at one of the cafes, find a good people-watching spot, and just soak in the vibe. Oh, and don't forget to say "Let's meet at the horse!" at least once - it's like, mandatory!

It's seriously one of those places that's managed to stay cool despite being hundreds of years old - kind of like that one grandparent who still knows all the latest trends!!

-Karthik Gurumurthy

If you are in Zagreb area craving for Indian food, please do check out the Desi Tadka place in Croatia. Loved the Frankie Roll, Vada Pav.. Great customer service. You gotta be there to experience it. 

-Karthik Gurumurthy

• There's a 350-meter model mine underground (yes, you can go in!)
• You can see Tesla's inventions in action, including this wild rotating magnetic field
• Every Sunday at 9:30 AM, visitors can ride around Zagreb in this vintage tram car from 1924
• They've even got a working apiary (bee yard) that's open during summer
• Plus, they're proud owners of the area's oldest steam engine that still exists

• Energy Transformation (think steam engines and cool machine models)
• Transportation (with actual planes, an old locomotive, and military vehicles)
• A Firefighting section with historic equipment
• Agriculture exhibits with live bees
• Space stuff with a Planetarium showing off famous spacecraft
• A mining section where you can learn how people found minerals and ores
• And of course, a special section dedicated to Nikola Tesla himself

-Karthik Gurumurthy

Okay, picture the most epic medieval castle ever - but instead of just sitting on a hill, it's literally built into the mouth of a CAVE! That's Predjama Castle for you, and it's absolutely mind-blowing! 🏰

This place is like the ultimate medieval fortress-meets-secret-hideout, about an hour from Ljubljana. Built right into this 123-meter-high cliff, it's been hanging there (literally!) for over 800 years. Talk about prime real estate!

The castle's most famous resident was this rebellious knight called Erazem (think medieval Robin Hood vibes). He actually used the cave system behind the castle to secretly get supplies during a siege - pretty clever, right? Legend has it, he would taunt his enemies by throwing fresh cherries at them during the siege to show he wasn't starving. Unfortunately, a servant betrayed him and... let's just say the bathroom cannonball incident didn't end well for our hero! 😅

Cool stuff about the castle:

• There's a natural cave system RIGHT BEHIND IT (like, built into it!)
• Secret tunnels everywhere (perfect for sneaking out to grab snacks)
• A drawbridge (because every proper castle needs one)
• Amazing views of the countryside
• It's the largest cave castle IN THE WORLD

Best part? You can actually visit and explore most of it! Though sadly, throwing cherries at visitors is probably not allowed anymore.

Imagine a maze of hidden tunnels snaking through a massive cave system behind Predjama Castle - they were the ultimate medieval escape route, complete with natural air conditioning and perfect for sneaking in supplies during sieges! The coolest part is how the clever knight Erazem used these passages to keep his castle stocked with food (and yes, those famous cherries) during a siege, literally walking out the back door through the caves while his enemies were camped at the front gate. These secret passages aren't just narrow little corridors either - we're talking about multiple levels of caves big enough to move supplies and horses through, with some tunnels leading all the way to nearby villages (which definitely came in handy when Erazem needed to make a quick grocery run during that siege)!

My recommendation: If you visit in summer, bring a jacket - those cave parts can get chilly even when it's roasting outside. And trust me, you'll want to check out those caves - they're absolutely incredible!

-Karthik Gurumurthy

Let me tell you about Postojna Cave - it's like Mother Nature decided to create her own underground palace! 🗺️

Picture this: you hop on this cool mini train (yes, an actual train INSIDE a cave!) that takes you deep into this massive underground wonderland that's been wowing visitors for 200 years. The cave system is so huge it could fit like 6 Eiffel Towers stacked on top of each other!

Inside, it's like walking through the most epic natural art gallery ever. You've got these incredible stalagmites and stalactites everywhere (those are the pointy rock things going up and down - I always remember stalactites hold "tight" to the ceiling!). Some look like curtains made of stone, others like delicate spaghetti, and some are massive columns that took literally millions of years to form. One drop of water at a time, can you believe it?

The star of the show is this amazing five-meter tall bright white stalagmite called 'Brilliant' - and trust me, it lives up to its name! And don't even get me started on the baby dragons (okay, they're actually called olms - these weird, pink, blind salamanders that live in the cave's waters and can go without food for YEARS 🐉).

Recommendations:

• Bring a jacket (it's a constant 10°C/50°F down there)
• Comfy shoes are a must (even though you get the cool train ride)
• Your camera will get a workout, but no flash please - those baby dragons aren't fans!

Want to feel like a proper explorer? They've got special tours where you can go off the tourist track and into the cave's wild parts. Just maybe don't try to take a baby dragon home as a souvenir!

-Karthik Gurumurthy

Let me tell you about Lake Bled - it's like Mother Nature decided to create the perfect postcard spot! 🏰

Picture this: you're looking at this stunning alpine lake that's literally straight out of a fairy tale. Right in the middle, there's this tiny island (the only natural island in Slovenia, by the way!) with a gorgeous church perched on top. It's like someone took all the prettiest parts of a Disney movie and made them real!

The church is a total scene-stealer with this cool tradition - if you're getting married there, the groom has to carry the bride up all 99 steps to prove his love. Talk about a pre-wedding workout! 😅

Then there's Bled Castle, just casually hanging out on a cliff above the lake, looking all medieval and majestic. It's like it's showing off, being the oldest castle in Slovenia and rocking that thousand-year-old vibe. The views from up there? Absolutely insane! You can see the whole lake, the Julian Alps, and probably spot a few dragons (okay, maybe not the dragons).

The lake itself is this gorgeous emerald-turquoise color that changes with the weather. You can take these cute wooden boats called "pletnas" to the island - they're like gondolas but with a Slovenian twist. The pletna oarsmen have been passing down their skills through families for generations, which is pretty cool!

Local must-try: Bled cream cake (kremšnita). It's this heavenly vanilla cream and custard pastry that people drive from all over Slovenia just to taste. Seriously, it's worth every calorie!

Fun activities? Take your pick:

• Row around the lake (if you're feeling fancy)
• Walk the 6km path around the lake (perfect for those post-cream-cake guilt trips 😉)
• Swim in summer (the water's super clean!)
• Or just chill on the shore and take a million photos because honestly, every angle is Instagram-worthy

Best time to visit? Any time! Summer's great for swimming and sunbathing, spring and fall are perfect for hiking, and winter? Oh boy, when it snows, it's like walking into a snow globe!

And here's a local secret: sunrise at Lake Bled is absolutely magical. The light hits the church just right, and sometimes there's this mystical mist over the water. It's worth the early wake-up call, trust me!

-Karthik Gurumurthy

Let me tell you about the wildest, most colorful building in Vienna that looks like a kid's crayon drawing came to life! 🎨

Picture this: You're walking through proper, elegant Vienna with all its fancy classical buildings, when BAM! - you stumble upon what looks like a building that Dr. Seuss and Willy Wonka designed together after having too much coffee. That's Hundertwasserhaus!

Friedensreich Hundertwasser (try saying that three times fast!) was this amazing Austrian artist who absolutely HATED straight lines. He was like, "Nature doesn't do straight lines, so why should buildings?" So he created this apartment building where every window is different, floors are wavy like you're on a fun-house ride, and there are trees growing out of the rooms - yes, actual trees coming right out of the windows! 🌳

The whole place is a riot of colors - bright yellows, blues, reds, and golds, with mosaic pillars that look like they're wearing party hats. The roof is covered in grass and gardens (talk about green architecture before it was cool!), and there are these gorgeous golden onion domes that make the whole thing look like some magical fairy tale castle.

Fun stuff to know:

• Real people actually live here (imagine giving directions: "I live in the wavy building with the tree coming out of my window!")
• No two windows are the same shape
• There's an unofficial "right of window" where residents can decorate their window frame however they want
• The floors inside are uneven on purpose (Hundertwasser thought it was more "natural")

Tips: You can't go inside the actual apartment building (because, you know, people live there), but right across the street is the Hundertwasser Village where you can get your fix of crazy architecture AND do some shopping!

-Karthik Gurumurthy

Let me tell you about Schönbrunn Palace - it's basically the Versailles of Vienna, but with even better gardens.

Imagine the most extra palace you can think of, then multiply that by gold-plated everything - that's Schönbrunn! This massive yellow palace was the Habsburgs' summer home, and boy, did they know how to live it up. We're talking 1,441 rooms (yes, you read that right!), and every single one is fancier than your favorite Instagram influencer's entire feed.

The superstar of the palace is probably Empress Maria Theresa, who really gave the place its glow-up. She raised 16 kids here (including Marie Antoinette!), and somehow still had time to make the palace absolutely fabulous. Think rooms covered in rosewood and gold, crystal chandeliers that probably cost more than my lifetime salary, and silk wallpaper that would make your interior designer cry tears of joy.

Cool stuff you absolutely can't miss:

• The Great Gallery (it's like the Hall of Mirrors' Austrian cousin)
• The palace gardens (perfect for pretending you're royalty)
• The maze (yes, an actual maze where you can get lost in style!)
• The Gloriette (this gorgeous structure on the hill with the best views of Vienna)
• The world's oldest zoo (still running since 1752!)

Fun fact: A young Mozart performed for Empress Maria Theresa here when he was just six years old. The little showoff apparently jumped into her lap after the performance and gave her a kiss! 😘

Recommendations:

• Get there early (it gets PACKED)
• The gardens are free to wander around
• Get the audio guide - trust me, the drama and gossip is better than any reality TV show!

And whatever you do, don't try to count all the rooms - people have gotten lost trying!

-Karthik Gurumurthy

Burggarten - it's like the royal family's former backyard that they decided to share with everyone! 🌺

Think of the most elegant garden party you can imagine, then add some imperial flair - that's Burggarten for you! This gorgeous green space used to be the private garden of the Habsburg rulers (talk about fancy landscaping!), sitting right next to the Hofburg Palace in the heart of Vienna.

The star of the show? The Mozart statue! It's probably the most photographed musician in Vienna, with this awesome treble clef made of flowers in front of it during the warm months. Mozart's just chillin' there like he's about to drop his next hit album! 🎵

Cool stuff you'll find:

• This amazing Art Nouveau palm house (Palmenhaus) that's now a super trendy cafe
• A butterfly house where you can hang out with gorgeous butterflies
• Emperor Franz I's statue (giving some serious "I own this place" vibes)
• Perfect lawns where you'll spot locals doing the most Viennese thing ever - reading newspapers in the sun

-Karthik Gurumurthy

Please let me share with you about Rathauspark - it's basically Vienna's front yard and the city's favorite party spot! 🌳

Imagine this gorgeous park right in front of Vienna's City Hall (Rathaus), which looks like a fairy tale castle trying to pass as a government building. The park is like this amazing green carpet rolled out in front of it, complete with cute pathways, fountains, and enough Instagram-worthy spots to fill your feed for weeks!

The coolest part is the Film Festival in summer, when they set up this HUGE screen and turn the whole square in front of the Rathaus into an outdoor cinema with food stalls from around the world. Picture watching concerts and shows while munching on international treats - all for free!

Pro tips:

• The best photos of the Rathaus are from the center pathway
• There are some super comfy benches perfect for people-watching
• Grab ice cream in summer or punsch (hot spiced wine) in winter
• The lighting at dusk is absolutely magical for photos

And here's a fun local secret: The little cafes tucked away in the park's corners are way less touristy than the bigger spots nearby. Perfect for a coffee break while watching Vienna do its thing! ☕

Want to know about any specific seasonal events in the park? There's always something fun happening! 🎪

-Karthik Gurumurthy

Let me tell you about the Austrian Parliament - it's like ancient Greece decided to set up shop in the middle of Vienna! 🏛️

Picture this: A massive building that looks like the Parthenon got a major glow-up, complete with a super impressive fountain out front featuring Pallas Athena (looking all wise and warrior-like) just casually hanging out with these amazing statues. She's basically been the building's bouncer since 1902, standing there with her golden helmet and spear!

The coolest part? The whole building is packed with symbolism. Like, they weren't subtle about it AT ALL. You've got these ramps leading up to the entrance called "Path of Democracy" (I see what they did there!), and everything's designed to remind you of ancient Greece - because, you know, democracy and all that good stuff was their thing first.

Fun stuff inside:

• The National Council chamber looks like a fancy theater
• There's this stunning marble everywhere you look
• Secret tip: check out those amazing conference rooms (they're like time capsules of old-school political style)
• Currently getting a massive makeover (they're making it all high-tech while keeping the classic vibes)

Recommendation: If you visit during a parliamentary session, you might catch some real political drama going down. And the guided tours are actually super interesting - way better than your high school civics class!

-Karthik Gurumurthy

 It's basically the mother of all palaces in Vienna and was pretty much the Habsburg family's winter crib for over 600 years! 🏰

Imagine a palace so massive it's like they kept adding bits and pieces over 700 years whenever someone thought, "You know what this place needs? MORE palace!" We're talking 2,600 rooms (yes, you read that right!), and enough bling to make any royal influencer jealous.

The coolest stuff you'll find here:

• The Imperial Apartments (where you can see how Emperor Franz Joseph and his fashionista wife Sisi lived)
• The Sisi Museum (all about their famous empress who was basically the Princess Diana of her time)
• The Silver Collection (imagine having so much fancy tableware you need a whole museum for it!)
• The Spanish Riding School with those amazing white Lipizzan horses doing ballet (horses doing ballet - how fancy is that?!)
• The Austrian National Library that looks like it's straight out of Beauty and the Beast

Fun fact: Today, it's where the Austrian president works. Talk about a sweet office space!

Recommendations:

• Give yourself plenty of time - this place is HUGE
• The Imperial Treasury is worth every cent (they've got the crown jewels and a unicorn horn... well, they thought it was one! 😅)
• Watch the morning exercise of the Lipizzan horses if you can't catch a show
• Check out the palace guards in their snazzy uniforms

And here's a juicy bit: Empress Sisi was so obsessed with her hair that she spent 2-3 hours EVERY DAY just getting it done. Now that's what I call high maintenance! 👑

-Karthik Gurumurthy

Imagine walking into the only surviving Vienna apartment of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart - that's Mozarthaus for you! Located in the heart of Vienna near St. Stephen's Cathedral, this historic building gives us a peek into the life of the musical genius during his most productive years (1784-1787).

The place has quite a history. Back in Mozart's day, it was a fancy two-story home that he rented from the Camesina family for about 450 gulden a year (pretty pricey for the time!). He scored himself a sweet deal: four rooms, two closets, a kitchen, ground floor space, cellar, and two wooden vaults - basically the 18th-century version of a luxury apartment!

After getting a major makeover, the building opened to the public in 2006 with a massive 1,000-square-meter exhibition space. The cool part? They kept the room layout exactly as it was in Mozart's time, so you're literally walking through history.

One of the most interesting exhibits is all about Mozart's relationship with food (because even musical geniuses have to eat!). Turns out, Mozart was quite the foodie of his time. He dined everywhere from imperial palaces to local inns, though when he was deep into composing, he'd just have food delivered to his apartment - kind of like an 18th-century version of DoorDash!

Sometimes he'd hang out at restaurants not just to eat, but to perform, play games, and even compose music. The guy really knew how to mix business with pleasure! His letters are full of descriptions about his eating adventures, showing he saw food as more than just fuel - it was a whole social and cultural experience.

What makes this place special is that Mozart composed more music here than anywhere else. It wasn't just a house; it was where some of his greatest works came to life. Today, visitors can explore not only his apartment but also check out exhibits about his major works and life in 18th-century Vienna. There's even a concert hall where you can soak in some classical tunes!

--Karthik Gurumurthy

Let  me tell you about this totally unique clock in Vienna that's like a 12-hour parade of historical figures! 🕰️

The Anker Clock is this super cool Art Nouveau clock on a bridge connecting two buildings, and it's not your average "big hand, little hand" situation. This bad boy is MASSIVE - like 4 meters wide and putting on the best show in town every single hour!

Here's the fun part: Every hour, you get to watch a different historical figure parade across the clock. It's like a really slow, really fancy cuckoo clock! Over 12 hours, you'll see 12 different characters strutting their stuff, from Roman Emperor Marcus Aurelius to composer Joseph Haydn. Talk about a time-traveling party!

The absolute best time to see it? High noon! That's when you get the full parade - all 12 figures come out to play, doing their little march while the crowd below stands there with their phones up trying to catch the whole show. It's like Vienna's very own miniature Disneyland parade!

Fun fact: This quirky masterpiece was designed by Franz von Matsch back in 1911-1914, and it was actually a clever ad for an insurance company. Talk about taking your marketing game to the next level!

-Karthik Gurumurthy

Let me tell you about St. Stephen's Cathedral (Stephansdom) - Picture this massive cathedral with a roof so colorful it looks like someone decorated it with the world's fanciest tiles (they actually did - 230,000 glazed tiles making awesome patterns!). And that spire? It's so tall (136 meters!)

The coolest bits:

• The South Tower (locals call it "Steffl") - climb it if you're feeling brave (only 343 steps, no biggie 😅)
• A massive bell called "Pummerin" that's like the rock star of church bells
• These incredible Gothic carvings that'll make you go "How did they even do that?"

Fun facts:

• Mozart got married here
• It survived World War II (mostly - the roof caught fire but Viennese people formed a human chain to save it!)
• It's got one of Europe's biggest free-swinging church bells

Recommendations:

• Go up the North Tower for the best views of Vienna (and it's got an elevator - way easier than those South Tower steps!)
• Check out the roof patterns - one side looks totally different from the other
• Listen for "Pummerin" - it only rings on special occasions
• Look for the "O5" carved outside - it was a secret resistance symbol during WWII

If these walls could talk... well, actually, the guided tours do a pretty good job of spilling all the tea about what's gone down here over the centuries! Want to hear any specific stories about this gorgeous giant? 🗿

And whatever you do, don't miss the view from either tower - it's the best selfie spot in Vienna (just try not to drop your phone from up there! 📱).

-Karthik Gurumurthy

Let me tell you about Prague's mini Eiffel Tower - the Petřín Lookout Tower! 🗼

Imagine someone saw the Eiffel Tower and thought, "Let's build one of those, but make it more Czech!" That's basically what happened in 1891 when some Prague architects got inspired after visiting Paris. Sure, at 63.5 meters it's only about a fifth of the size of its French cousin, but here's the cool part - because it's sitting on top of Petřín Hill, you actually end up higher than the Eiffel Tower when you're at the top!

Getting there is half the fun:

• Take the funicular railway up the hill (way better than climbing!)
• The views during the ride up are already Instagram-worthy

Once you're up there:

• Climb 299 steps to the top (there's a tiny elevator if you're not feeling the stairs, long crowd for the elevator)
• Get the BEST views of Prague (seriously, it's like a living postcard)
• Wave to the people on Prague Castle (you can see everything from up here!)
• Check out the mini museum inside

Pro tips:

• Go on a clear day (fog = no views = sad tourists)
• Combine it with a visit to the Mirror Maze nearby (it's hilarious!)
• Sunset is magical but crowded
• Bring a jacket - it can get windy up there!

Fun fact: When it opened, they actually called it the "Small Eiffel Tower" - talk about keeping it real! 😅

-Karthik Gurumurthy

 Palladium - it's not your average mall, it's literally a shopping center built inside an old military barracks! How cool is that? 🏰

Picture this: You're walking through Prague's historic center, and suddenly you stumble upon this massive modern shopping paradise hidden behind this gorgeous historic facade. It's like they took an ancient building and stuffed it full of every shop you could imagine!

The coolest part? They kept all these amazing architectural elements from the old barracks while turning it into this five-floor shopping wonderland. You're basically shopping in a piece of history - talk about fancy!

Fun stuff about Palladium:

• 200+ shops (goodbye, money! 💸)
• Like a million food options in the food court (okay, maybe not a million, but A LOT)
• Lot of veggie options and juice/gelato places.
• This gorgeous mix of old architecture and modern design
• Super convenient location right in the heart of Prague

Recommendation(s):

• The basement level has a huge supermarket (perfect for snack hunting!)
• It's a great escape when it's raining or super cold outside
• The food court is actually pretty good (and way less touristy than nearby restaurants)
• Perfect spot to grab those "I ❤️ Prague" souvenirs
• Great place to cool off in summer (hello, air conditioning!)

Local secret: It's connected to the metro and right next to Náměstí Republiky, so it's super easy to find when your feet need a shopping break from all that sightseeing! 🛍️

-Karthik Gurumurthy

Let me tell you about Prague's Old Town - it's like walking into a fairy tale where medieval architecture had a party and everyone showed up! 🏰

Picture this: cobblestone streets that have seen more history than your history textbooks, buildings that look like they were designed by Disney (but way older!), and an astronomical clock that's been keeping time since before Columbus even thought about boats!

The heart of it all is Old Town Square (Staroměstské náměstí), which is basically Prague's living room. You've got the famous Astronomical Clock doing its hourly show (complete with moving apostle figures - they're like medieval animatronics!), the Týn Church looking all Gothic and dramatic with its spires, and tons of colorful buildings that make you feel like you're inside a storybook.

Cool stuff you can't miss:

• The Astronomical Clock show (happens every hour - watch the crowds go wild!)
• The Church of St. Nicholas (so fancy it'll make your jaw drop)
• Those tiny, winding streets where you'll probably (definitely) get lost
• The Jewish Quarter with its amazing history
• Street performers everywhere doing their thing
• The powder tower (because every medieval town needs one!)

Pro tips:

• Visit the square early morning or late evening to avoid the crowds
• Look UP - the best details are above street level
• Try Trdelník (this amazing spiral pastry) but maybe don't tell your dentist
• Get lost on purpose - the best discoveries happen when you wander

And don't even get me started on the pubs and beer halls! The Czechs invented Pilsner, and they're not shy about letting you know it. 🍺

-Karthik Gurumurthy

Imagine walking into Norway's oldest and biggest natural history museum, sitting in Oslo's Tøyen neighborhood. This place has been wowing visitors since it started as a botanical garden back in 1814, and now it's got some of the most amazing geological exhibitions in all of Northern Europe.

Let me walk you through the highlights - it's like taking a time machine through Earth's history!

First up is the "Evolution of Life" exhibit, which is basically Earth's family album through time. We're talking dinosaurs, whales, humans - the whole gang! It shows how life has been playing this endless game of adaptation through billions of years, dealing with everything from climate change to continental drift. Scientists use fossils like nature's puzzle pieces to figure out our planet's wild story.

Then there's the "History of Oceans" section, which is all about the North Sea and Barents Sea. Think of it as diving 200 million years into the past! Thanks to oil industry drilling, we've got these cool core samples that tell us what life was like way back when. Plus, there's some neat stuff about how parts of the ocean floor ended up becoming the Svalbard islands!

The "Minerals and Rocks" exhibition is like Earth's jewelry box - they've kept it exactly as it was when it opened in 1920 (talk about vintage!). It shows how minerals are basically everywhere and how they're super important for stuff we use every day. There's a special section just about Norway's geology and its historic mines.

Now, the "Stories from Space" exhibit is where things get really cosmic. Get this - the oldest rocks on Earth are "only" 4.3 billion years old, but to learn about Earth's baby photos, we need to look at space rocks! They've got actual meteorites on display and a whole section about our solar system.

Finally, there's the "Dynamic Earth" exhibit, which explains why Earth is basically the cool kid of the solar system. It's like a perfect recipe - we've got oceans, forests, breathable air, and all these unique features that make life possible. They call it the Blue Planet for a reason!

What makes this museum special is how it connects all these different pieces of Earth's story. You can see how everything - from tiny minerals to massive dinosaurs, from ancient oceans to space rocks - fits together to tell the story of our planet. It's pretty mind-blowing to think about how all these processes had to work just right to create the world we know today.

The whole place is set up to help you understand these big concepts, whether you're a science buff or just someone who's curious about how our world came to be. And hey, they've even got a piece of the Moon and a Norwegian flag that's been to space - how cool is that?

-Karthik Gurumurthy

This garden was founded in 1814 and is part of Natural History Museum  in Oslo. This living part collection includes more than 4500 different plant taza from around the world , and is used in education, conservation, outreach and research.

Although the Botanical Garden is an important recreational area for Oslo's population, it differs from a regular park in a collection of herbs, trees and other plants. About 90 % of the their plants from tiny herbts to colossal trees, came to the garden as seeds. They know who collected each seed and where they originated from, and all documentation is stored in their database.

Let me give you a casual rundown of this fascinating garden in Oslo!

This isn't your average park - it's a botanical garden that's been around since 1814 and is basically a living museum with over 4,500 different plants from all over the world. Pretty much everything here (about 90%) started as seeds, and they keep track of where each plant came from.

The place has some really cool sections:

• A rock garden that's like a mini mountain landscape with about 1,500-1,700 different plants
• A herb garden full of plants used for everything from cooking to making rope
• A "systematic garden" where plants are arranged like a family tree (with related plants growing next to each other)
• A super sweet area called "Great-granny's garden" that preserves old Norwegian plants from before the 1950s - it doubles as a sensory garden for people with dementia
• A climate garden where kids can learn about weather through fun activities
• An aromatic garden designed for visually impaired folks and wheelchair users, with raised beds of sweet-smelling plants
• Picture stepping into a living time capsule! The Viking Garden is like taking a trip back to when the Vikings ruled the scene (793-1066 AD). It's not just about warriors and longships - you get to see the actual plants, animals, and even rocks that Vikings used in their everyday lives. Think of it as a hands-on glimpse into how these folks handled their daily business, from what they ate and wore to how they treated their ailments and made their tools. It's basically ancient Scandinavian life brought to life through nature!
• There is also Willow Garden. Think of it as a natural playground for kids! This special area is like a mini adventure zone - it's got fences to keep the little ones safe, cool caves to explore, and these awesome sculptures made from living willow trees. The fun part? There are all these tree logs and stumps lying around that kids can drag around to make their own obstacle courses or create cozy spots to sit. It's basically nature's version of building blocks where kids can let their imagination run wild!
• Stone Garden- Think of it as a hands-on rock playground! Kids get to go on this cool time-traveling adventure through Earth's history, but with actual rocks they can touch and explore. There are these massive, colorful rocks and super interesting formations that kids can actually get their hands on - no "don't touch" signs here! It's like being a mini geologist where you can learn to "read" rocks to figure out where they came from, kind of like being a rock detective. Plus, you get to discover how these rocks connect to stuff we use every day, like where metals come from. It's basically science class, but way more fun because you get to climb, touch, and explore!

• Victoria House-  Imagine a really special greenhouse that's like stepping back into the 1800s! Back then, every fancy botanical garden in Europe was dying to show off this massive water lily from the Amazon - it was like the Instagram-worthy plant of its time. Remember, this was way before people could hop on a plane to see exotic plants, or even watch them on TV! The Victoria House (opened in 1876) is basically split into three cool areas: The main show is this pool with giant water lilies (they grow either Victoria cruziana or some fancy hybrid version). If you're lucky, you might catch some lotus flowers blooming too. Around the pool, they've got all these tropical plants you probably use in your kitchen but might never have seen growing - think ginger, coffee, and cinnamon plants in their natural state! Then there's this room on the right with plants from subtropical places - some of these guys go dormant when it's dry, either dropping their leaves or hiding out as bulbs underground. The botanists here have actually discovered some new species from Africa, and some are so rare that this greenhouse might be the only place they still exist! The left room is like a mini rainforest canopy - imagine looking up into the treetops! Along one wall, they've got these cool carnivorous plants (yes, plants that eat things!), and throughout the room there are plants that grow up in the treetops, called epiphytes - mostly orchids and some relatives of pineapples.
• Palm House: This old greenhouse from 1868 is like a time machine split into three rooms. The middle room is super cool - it's showing off plants that tell Earth's history! You've got these ancient cycads (think dinosaur-era plants), and this amazing "living fossil" tree called Wollemia that everyone thought was extinct until they found it hiding out in Australia in 1994. There's even this awesome 50-million-year-old rock from Svalbard with leaf prints that look just like today's trees! On one side, you've got this Mediterranean paradise where you can catch camellias and orange trees blooming in the dead of winter (talk about beating the winter blues!). The other side is home to cacti and succulents that tough it out in a super dry climate.

Here's the ironic part - it's called the Palm House, but it's actually too short for palms! Though it did have one famous resident palm that grew there for 185 years. They called it "Smith's Palm" (named after the garden's first boss), and it was such a determined grower that they had to keep raising the roof to make room for it! It was like the garden's celebrity until it finally called it quits in 2000.

In Latin, arbor means tree.  hey've also got this massive tree collection (called an arboretum) with 1,200 different species from around the world. While some old-timers have been cut down over the years, they keep planting new ones to keep the collection growing.

Oh, and heads up - they do have some poisonous plants, so kids need adult supervision while visiting!

-Karthik Gurumurthy

Please let me tell you about this super cool spaceman that just landed in Oslo! 🚀

So there's this awesome artist named Brendan Murphy who's known for making these incredible spaceman sculptures, and now Oslo's got one! It's called "What's Next" and it's hanging out at Aker Brygge. The coolest part? They painted it in this matte blue color that matches the Norwegian flag - how thoughtful is that?

Fun fact: This isn't Murphy's first space rodeo! He started this whole spaceman thing back in 2021 in Antigua with this massive 22-foot sculpture (which was like, the biggest thing in the Caribbean at the time). Then he was like "Hey, let's spread the space love!" and put another one in London, and even one at the Houston Astros' stadium (because, you know, Houston and space are totally BFFs 🛸).

Now Oslo's got its own 22-foot spaceman, and it's all about bridging the gap between Oslo's past and future. Pretty deep, right?

Want to know more about the artist? Murphy's kind of a big deal - his art is in over 600 private collections (fancy!), and he creates all sorts of cool stuff from his studio in Miami.

-Karthik Gurumurthy

The Franklin D. Roosevelt statue was a gift from the people of Oslo to honor FDR's support for Norway during World War II. Here's the heartwarming backstory:

During WWII, after Nazi Germany invaded Norway in 1940, Roosevelt was super supportive of Norway's struggle and their government-in-exile. He was like that awesome friend who has your back when times are tough! FDR made sure Norway got access to supplies and military aid through the Lend-Lease program, which was huge for the Norwegian resistance movement.

The statue was unveiled in 1950 in front of City Hall.

Fun fact: Crown Princess Martha of Norway actually lived in the US during the war years and was good friends with the Roosevelts! This personal connection helped strengthen the bonds between the two countries.

The coolest part? The statue shows Roosevelt sitting down (which was rare for statues back then) to acknowledge his physical challenges with polio while highlighting his strength as a leader. It's like Oslo wanted to show that what matters isn't whether you can stand, but whether you stand up for what's right!

-Karthik Gurumurthy

Let me tell you about this incredible museum that tells the story of Norway's secret heroes during World War II! 🏛️

The Norway Resistance Museum (Norges Hjemmefrontmuseum) is tucked away in beautiful Akershus Fortress in Oslo, and it's basically a time capsule of some seriously brave stuff that went down during WWII. Think secret radio rooms, underground newspapers, and spy gadgets that would make James Bond jealous!

The museum shows how regular Norwegians turned into secret resistance fighters when the Nazis occupied their country. You'll see:

• Real resistance weapons and equipment
• Secret radio sets used to contact the Allies
• Underground newspapers (imagine running a secret newspaper under the Nazis' noses!)
• Personal items from resistance members
• The actual sabotage tools used to mess with Nazi plans

Cool stuff you shouldn't miss:

• The recreated illegal radio room (super secret spy vibes!)
• Photos and documents from actual operations
• Stories about the famous heavy water sabotage (they even made a movie about this!)
• Examples of fake IDs and documents they used to fool the Nazis

Pro tip: The museum's got these amazing personal stories that'll give you goosebumps. Don't rush through - take time to read about these everyday heroes who risked everything to fight back.

Want to hear some specific stories about the resistance operations or the brave people involved? There are some incredible tales to share!

-Karthik Gurumurthy

Picture this: a medieval castle sitting proudly in Oslo that's been through so much Norwegian history, it's like a stone time capsule! Built around the 1290s by King Haakon V, this fortress was basically Norway's medieval version of a Swiss Army knife - it's been a royal palace, a prison, a military base, and today it's even serving as the temporary office for Norway's prime minister!

The funny thing is, they built it because Oslo's old defenses were about as useful as a paper umbrella after a nobleman named Earl Alv Erlingsson attacked the city in 1287. Talk about learning from your mistakes!

Here's the cool part: this fortress has never been successfully conquered by foreign enemies (well, except when it surrendered to Nazi Germany in 1940, but that's another story). The Swedes tried multiple times over the centuries, but they always failed. One time, the locals even burned down their own houses to drive away Swedish attackers - now that's commitment!

As a royal pad, it was pretty fancy. It helped make Oslo (instead of Bergen) Norway's capital city, and lots of Norwegian royalty called it home. King Olaf II was even born there in 1370. Fast forward to today, and it's still got royal connections - there's a Royal Mausoleum where several Norwegian kings and queens are buried.

The fortress also had a darker side - it served as a prison nicknamed "The Slavery" because prisoners could be rented out for work (yikes!). All sorts of characters ended up there, from famous thieves to early Norwegian socialists.

These days, the fortress is way more welcoming. It's open to the public daily from 6 AM to 9 PM, and you can visit museums inside about the Norwegian Armed Forces and Norway's Resistance. The King's Guard still protects it, and tourists love taking photos with the guards at the entrance.

Fun fact: if you can't make it to Oslo, you can see a mini-version at Disney World in Florida! They've got a replica at Epcot's Norway Pavilion, complete with a restaurant called Akershus Royal Banquet Hall. Though I'm pretty sure the original didn't serve Disney Princess character dinners!
Through wars, sieges, royal drama, and centuries of history, Akershus Fortress has stood strong as a symbol of Norwegian resilience. Not bad for a building that's been around since before Columbus sailed to America!

-Karthik Gurumurthy

To wanderlust's insistent call, a traveler takes heed,
Beyond the map, a world enthrall, a tapestry to read.

New lands unfurl, with sights unseen, where senses come alive,
From bustling streets, a vibrant scene, to mountains reaching high.

A tapestry of cultures weave, in languages unknown,
With open hearts, the travelers receive, a kindness they have sown.

The compass spins, a lesson taught, not just where we may roam,
But self-discovery, dearly sought, a journey found in home.

For wanderlust unlocks the mind, with every winding trail,
A broader view, a heart more kind, a spirit that won't fail.

-Karthik Gurumurthy

The birth place of Vasco Da Gama, one of the most famous explorers during the Age of Exploration. His discovery of the sea route to India around Africa in 1498 set up a new trade route between Asia to Europe and is considered the beginning of global imperialism and colonialism.

Let me tell you about Lisbon - it's like someone took all the best parts of Europe, added some sunshine and custard tarts, then sprinkled it with colorful tiles! 🌞

Picture this: A city where vintage yellow trams rattle up and down hills like roller coasters, where the smell of grilled sardines and pastéis de nata (these INSANELY good custard tarts) fills the air, and where every street corner could win a photo contest!

Cool stuff you can't miss:

• Alfama district (imagine narrow medieval streets that are basically a beautiful maze)
• Time Out Market (food heaven - seriously, your taste buds will thank you!)
• São Jorge Castle (because every great city needs a castle on a hill!)
• Belém Tower (looks like a tiny castle floating on water!)

Fun secrets:

• The best views are from "miradouros" (viewpoints) - grab a hot chocolate and watch the sunset
• There's usually a hidden fado (traditional Portuguese music) bar around every corner
• The pink street is actually pink (Rua Nova do Carvalho)!

Pro tips:

• Get a Viva Viagem card for public transport
• Never skip a pastelaria (pastry shop)
• Wear comfy shoes (those beautiful hills are BRUTAL)
• Learn to say "obrigado/a" (thank you) - locals appreciate it!

The best part? It's one of Europe's sunniest capitals, and everything's way cheaper than other major cities. Plus, the locals (Lisboetas) are super friendly and most speak English!

The Monument to the Discoveries is an imposing tribute to the bravery and innovation of the explorers who took to the seas in search of new horizons. It was built in 1960 to commemorate the 500th anniversary of the death of D. Henrique, the Navigator.

PS: On a side note, we watched the first game of the IPL for this season between CSK and RCB on Friday (3/22). Great win for CSK to start the season! Way to go Chennai!!

-Karthik Gurumurthy

-Karthik Gurumurthy

Gratitude is powerful. Instead of dwelling on past misfortunes, let's reflect upon the GOOD in our lives.

-Karthik Gurumurthy

-Karthik Gurumurthy

Rokuon-ji  commonly known as "Kinkaku-ji", is a Zen temple of Shokoku-ji school of Rinzai Buddhist denomination. It's famous for its breathtaking Golden Pavilion, a three-story structure covered in shimmering gold leaf that reflects beautifully on the surrounding pond. This area used to be the Salonji family's villa. In 1397, "Yoshimitsu", the third Shogun of Ashikaga Shogunate, took it over and built the Kitayama palace  centering around the golden stupa, "Kinkaku". When the Kitayama palace was founded, it was the center of politics and culture and was used to welcome the Emperors of Japan and trading partners from China (Ming).

After he passed away, it became a temple according to his will. Rokuon-ji Temple garden, designated both a Special Historic site and a Special place of Scenic Beauty. They have retained the atmosphere of those days and maintained it really well. Throughout its history, Kinkakuji has faced its share of challenges. It has burned down several times, most notably in 1950 by a deranged monk. Each time, however, the temple was meticulously rebuilt, ensuring its stunning beauty continues to captivate visitors from around the world.  It was registered as World Cultural Heritage site in 1994.

Here are some interesting facts about Kinkakuji:

• The Golden Pavilion is covered in approximately 200 square meters of gold leaf.
• The pond in front of the pavilion is called Kyōko-chi (Mirror Pond) and is said to reflect the Pure Land of Buddhism.

-Karthik Gurumurthy

 Travel is about finding incredible experiences, so don’t chase familiar surroundings, go after your biggest dreams before the chance slips away.

-Karthik Gurumurthy

-Karthik Gurumurthy

Every new destination, every foreign country, offers a valuable lesson you are yet to learn. Remain open to learning new things. Everytime I travel, I learn so much.

-Karthik Gurumurthy

Life is different in every country, and traveling opens your eyes to all living conditions. Traveling puts into perspective your blessings and privileges as well as facing the harsh realities that many people live with.

-Karthik Gurumurthy

Rosenborg was built as a pleasure palace by Christian IV at the beginning of the 17th century, and quickly became the king's favorite castle. Christian IV left a deep impression on Danish history through his colorful personality, building projects and waging of war.

Christian IV ruled the counry together with the Privy council, but absolutism was introduced with his son Frederik III in 1660. Many of the furnishings in the castle reflect the pomp of the absolute monarchy. 

From the 1700s Rosenborg was no longer used as a residence, but became the place where the kings placed their oldest. finest and rarest objects. Here the king's guests could see the wealth  and status of the Danish-Norwegian kingdom in Europe. Rosenborg opened to the public as a museum in 1838. This displays the king's lavish collection of valuables, often acquired as  gifts from foreign rulers.

-Karthik Gurumurthy

Traveling forces you to break out of your daily routine and all that you are familiar with. It might be uncomfortable, scary even; however, the rewards are worth it. The knowledge and experience you gain will outweigh any self-doubt and worry you had before you began traveling.

Travel also forces you to self-reflect and understand yourself as a person. As a result, you will be more prone to being open and comfortable expressing yourself without worrying about others’ approval.

-Karthik Gurumurthy

Disvoveries have been made in the Round Tower. Institutions have started here. Important historical figures have come here. And people from all walks of life have passed each other in search of Copenhagen's most charming  view 34.8 metres above the street. The whole world is passing through the Round Tower and has done so since 1642, when the tower was finished. For centuries , the views of the city's roofs and sights from the top of the Round Tower have been Copenhagen's major attractions.

With its distinctive Spiral Ramp, the Round Tower is one of Denmark's best-known and most visited structures. It was built as a platform  for the university observatory and for centuries it was the centre of Danish Astronomy.  The foundation stone was laid on July 7, 1637 (344 years later MS, Dhoni was born which is a different story altogether). Five years later the Round Tower was finished as the first part of the Trinity complex, which was designed to accommodate three things : the observatory at the top of the tower, the University library above the Trinity church and the church itself  below.

The Round Tower is built by King Christian IV, who constructed its round walls in the royal colors yellow and red. The king himself also sketched the famous golden rebus on the front of the tower: Lead , God, the right teachings and justice into the heart of King Christian IV.

Halfway up the tower you will find the library Hall since its reopening in 1987. The platform on top of the tower has a great 360 degree city view  centred by the Observatory, which is still used in the winter months and thus the oldest functioning observatory in Europe.

The Spiral ramp twists 7 1/2 times around the tower's hollow core and is the only way to the top. It is inspired by both German Renaissance castles and ancient structures and is unique in a Danish context. 

The Round Tower planetarium shows the solar system with the sun in the centre. The observatory telescope dates from 1929 when the current observatory building was opened 

-Karthik Gurumurthy

The warship Vasa capsized and sank on its maiden voyage in Stockholm (about 395 years back) on 10 August 1628. After 333 years on the seabed, the mighty ship was salvaged, and its voyage continued. Vasa is the world's best preserved 17th century ship, magnificiently adorned with hundreds of carved scupltures and 98% original.

If you visit Sweden, please do checkout Vasa Museum. I strongly recommend watching the short film about Vasa and take the guided tour around the ship.  All around the ship, there are exhibitions that tell the story of Vasa's history and what the artefacts, sources can tell us about the ship, people and society in early 17th century Sweden, The order you visit the different exhibitions is for you to decide. 

-Karthik Gurumurthy

Christiansborg Palace was the main residence of Danish monarches until 1794,when the royal family moved to Amalienborg. However, even today the royal family still use large parts of Christiansborg Palace.

If you visit the Christiansborg Palace in Copenhagen, you will be given a tour of the kitchen beneath the palace where it gleams with one of the Europe's largest collection of copper kitchenware. You will experience a sensory bombardment of culinary artistry, pastry cakes and colorful flower arrangements from the 1930s.

You will also get to explore the 800 year old underground ruins. The oldest ruin is the curtain wall from Bishop Absalon's 12th  century castle.Another famous ruin is the Blue Tower, the fabled prison from Copenhagen Castle.

The Royal reception rooms provide the magnificient setting for the Queen to carry out her official duties. Her Majesty receives her guests in these rooms surrounded by the green marble plasters, golden silk wall coverings and tapestries. She also signs acts of parliament into law and holds New Year banquets in the palace just as her predecessors have done over the centuries.

At the heart of Christiansborg Palace lies  the Great Hall where the Queen holds the gala dinners when there are state visits and other festive occasions. Visitors can explore 1100 years of Danish History on the walls of the Great Hall which are decorated with colorful tapestries. The Great Hall can accommodate up to 400 guests for banquets, state visits and New Year receptions. The Danish artist Bjorn Norgaard's modern tapestries were a gift to Queen Margrethe II in 2000. They narrate 1000 years of Denmark's history, from Viking times to the present day.

There is room called Alexander Hall which depicts the entry of Alexander the Great into Babylon. This also holds Queen's library which is Queen Margrethe II's book collection where many of the books date from the 18th century.

-Karthik Gurumurthy

This is a must see in Copenhagen.

Grundtvig's Church was erected in commemoration of the great Danish priest, poet, and reformer N.F.S. Grundtvig (1783 - 1882). This monumental church is referred to in modern terms as a Gothic cathedral.

Master builder and architect Peder Vilhelm Jensen Klint (1853 - 1930) died before the church was finished. The task was entrusted to his son architect and designer Kaare Klint (1888-1954), who completed the building of the church in 1940. Kaare Klint has also designed the chairs for the Grundtvig's Church - a chair made of beech wood with a wickerwork seat - a Danish furniture design.

-Karthik Gurumurthy

Amalienborg is the home of the Danish royal family, and is located in Copenhagen, Denmark.

Inside Marble Church (Frederik's church)

It consists of four identical classical palace façades with rococo interiors around an octagonal courtyard ; in the centre of the square is a monumental equestrian statue of Amalienborg's founder, King Frederick V.  Amalienborg was originally built for four noble families; however, when Christiansborg Palace burned on 26 February 1794, the royal family bought the palaces and moved in. Over the years various kings and their families have resided in the four different palaces.The Frederiksstaden district was built on the former grounds of two other palaces. The first palace was called Sophie Amalienborg. It was built by Queen Sophie Amalie, consort to Frederick III on part of the land which King Christian IV had acquired outside of Copenhagen's old walled city, now known as the Indre By district, in the early 17th century.

Marble Church, also known as Frederik's Church, is a stunning Baroque church located in the Frederiksstaden district of Copenhagen, Denmark. It was designed by the architect Nicolai Eigtved and construction began in 1749, but was not completed until 1894 due to various interruptions and setbacks.Today, its turquoise dome stands as a captivating focal point in the Copenhagen skyline.

-Karthik Gurumurthy

Travel is the most amazing wrapped present - the inside is the transformation of you.

I travel because it makes my life so much better in many ways.

And because it makes my life rich and full with wonderful memories of cherished moments around the world with cherished people in beautiful settings.

-Karthik Gurumurthy