Ah, 2022.
📸: Home Base Belgium
As is the new normal for planning during a pandemic, so much our travel hinged on flexibility and last minute changes, lovely moments I’m thankful to experience; while I prefer a plan, I (now) consider myself a pro at winging it on the fly with as much intention as I can muster. From last minute switches (the Baltics to Barcelona!) and finding a route that you adore, (Berlin – Wrocław – Kraków) 2022 was a fun year of new places and old favorites.
Originally, I’d hoped to include many of the memory sites wandered and examined throughout the year, but I kept this post to just photos of travel, libraries and bookstores, and don’t call it a comeback — Christmas markets — that made their full return to Germany in 2022. We’ll get to that discussion on problematic statues and streets later on this year.
I know most readers are here for the food (aren’t we all?) so that post is of all the things we cooked and ate in 2022 is here.
Onwards!
Travel Destinations:
Barcelona, Spain:
Berlin, Germany:
Budapest, Hungary:
Ellignies-Sainte-Anne, Belgium:
København, Denmark:
Dinant, Belgium:
Kraków [pronounced kra·kuhf], Poland:
Frankfurt, Germany:
Ghent, Belgium:
Malmö [pronounced mal-moh], Sweden:
Montserrat, Spain:
Strasbourg, France:
Wrocław [pronounced Vro-tz-wav], Poland:
Libraries & Bookstores:
Barcelona, Spain:
Loved this feminist and LGBTQIA+ bookstore that also specialized in vegan dishes.
Our lovely food tour guide told us that the libraries throughout the city are the heart of their neighborhoods.
With two locations in Raval and Eixample, these bookstores specialize in the humanities and offer titles in English, Spanish, and Catalan.
Love this (now closed 🥺) small shop specializing in LGBTQIA+ lit. Their button game is on point.
Berlin, Germany:
Just a lovely bookstore with an incredible bagel sandwich game.
Specializing in titles from women and queer authors ❤
Budapest, Hungary:
A must stop for a vegan pastry and a book when I’m in Budapest. Their back garden is lovely.
København, Denmark:
View from Copenhagen’s main library — such a gorgeous space of five stories of books.
Malmö, Sweden:
A historical and modern space with lovely lighting and reminders that all are welcome and that libraries are for everyone 🏳️🌈
Christmas Markets:
Berlin, Germany:
Santa and Moose
One of our favorites! With three floors of unusual and locally made gifts, the market also hosted food trucks and tickets included one holiday cocktail.
Located under the Nollendorfplatz railroad station, this historic LBGTQIA+ neighborhood had one of the prettiest and fun markets.
Under the station! Maybe having a Killers dance party of one here — shout out to the clearly elder millennial dj.
Saint Lucy is the bringer of light in Scandinavian culture and this market definitely delivered! We could even order glögg with plenty of raisins and almonds — my new favorite.
This sprawling market has over 250 vendors! We made friends with the folks serving mulled wine here as they were utilizing mugs from 2020 — “Well, we had already placed the order so we’re going to use them!” We love a sustainability mindset. A really pretty space.
Busy and fun.
It took a while to reach Schloss Britz (thank you Berlin public transport for providing a route!) but this market, along with Christmas Avenue, was my absolute favorite. Featuring Nordic characters, this whole place was such a vibe, and I’m thankful we were able to visit on its very last night.
Surrounded by spooky Nordic spirits, Viking boats, and even a fire show.
A very pretty market held this year at Bebelplatz. This was also the site of one of the most infamous Nazi book burnings. On May 10th, 1933, the collection from the Institute for the Science of Sexuality library was destroyed under the guidance of Joseph Goebbels.
Loved this space and all of the charm, including a hand-operated Ferris wheel and a petting zoo.
København, Denmark:
One of the most visited tourist destination in Copenhagen, Tivoli Gardens is the third oldest amusement park in the world.
When we visited, the park was mostly deserted (we came by on a Thursday) and it was a lovely night to wander all the sights, including this clearly homage to Nickelodeon’s Aggro Crag from the 90s show, GUTS.
Kraków, Poland:
Kraków’s market is held in the city’s main square and it is filled with amazing food (pierogi, soups, sausages). Our favorites were the lángos (Eastern European flatbread with sour cream, garlic, and cheese) and Oscypek cheese (pictured here), only found in the Tatra Mountains.
Wrocław, Poland:
Wow does Wrocław know how to throw down or what?
Extra Special Mentions:
Carrie Mae Weems Exhibit, Barcelona:
Jack White Show, Frankfurt:
Crying at this setlist.
Jack White Show, Berlin:
Seen on Independence Day
DTB World Cup, Stuttgart:
Love Stuttgart and love watching this competition in person! Pictured here is US gymnast Konnor McClain, who went on to win the National Championship in August.
Budapest Beer Week, Budapest:
Using our tickets from 2020, this was our third time at Budapest’s craft beer festival. This year the event was held in the neighborhood of Kelenföld, directly across from the city’s old and glorious Art Deco power station. The power station randomly hosted tours in the past, but alas, I was never able to book one when I lived in Hungary. The festival itself was held next to the Danube, on an old mill — the Buda Roller Mill.
🤍🤍🤍
Currently:
Reading: Myth America (Kevin M. Kruse and Julian E. Zelizer)
Watching: Extraordinary (Hulu)
Listening: Alpha Zulu (Phoenix)
middleworldadventures.com 
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