Word of Mouth: Thessaloniki, Greece

Slowing down and soaking in the relaxed culture of this beautiful seaside city

Located on the country’s Northern coast and populated by a laid-back, gregarious bunch of Mediterranean party animals, Greece’s second city has a lot of fun on offer. Despite being in the midst of one of the worst financial crises in Europe, the people of Thessaloniki are not letting money troubles drag them down. Thessaloniki is definitely an easy place to enjoy life; with a backdrop …

Square Nine Hotel, Belgrade

An abandoned eyesore turns into the chicest of accommodations in Serbia

In a city known for repurposing abandoned buildings and transforming them from crumbling caterpillars into bright shining butterflies of contemporary style, it is unsurprising that what is now regarded as the chicest hotel in Belgrade was—until recently—a dilapidated office block. Serbia’s capital is currently in the midst of a fervent cultural revival and Square Nine hotel can easily be seen as the artfully renovated urban …

Word of Mouth Bologna: Bars and Restaurants

From early morning caffeine infused kick-starters to hedonistic late night digestives, our guide on where to eat and drink in Italy’s best-kept epicurean secret

Lacking some of the more iconic tourist attractions of neighboring Florence to the south and Milan or Venice to the north, from the outside it might appear as though Bologna has little to offer. However, the quaint and accommodating city is a little-known pocket of real bona fide Italian charm, where the focus is geared towards perfecting the art of doing what Italy already does …