Europe - Travel Realizations

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Charlie Chaplin house in Switzerland

Last Updated On January 14, 2021

Charlie Chaplin, one of the most powerful protagonists in world cinema spent the last 25 years of his life in Vevey Switzerland, one of the pearls of the beautiful Swiss Riviera.

While living in Lausanne, I got the opportunity to visit Chaplin’s World, the Charlie Chaplin house in Switzerland.

It was wonderful to know about the bright mind and creative man behind the baggy pants, tight coat, small hat, oversized shoes, and a cane in the hand through his everyday life, portrayed thoughtfully inside his house.

I gained insight not only about his personal life inside the mansion but also his artistic creations in the newly built studio film museum, in the same premise.

The visitors here get to see the recreated scenes and characters built with wax from the famous movies of our beloved tramp.

If you are like me whose childhood Sundays in India mostly began with a Chaplin show or are interested in Chaplin, the passionate artist, the comic genius, and the cinematic innovator who worked on both sides of the camera, come along with me and explore Chaplin’s world.

Charlie Chaplin house in Switzerland, Chaplin's world, Travel Realizations — After disembarking from the bus, Chaplin welcomed me with his wondrous and impish eyes at the bus stop named Chaplin.

Christmas in Magdeburg – One of the oldest cities in Germany

By Chirasree Banerjee

Last Updated On December 12, 2020

On one fine chilly December morning, we boarded a train from Berlin to Magdeburg, to see and feel the Christmas spirit in one of the oldest cities in Germany on the river Elbe. Christmas celebrations in old European cities with thousand year long histories have an unparalleled charm. After boarding the train, the fresh sunlight slanted across the train window and I saw the slow unfurling of the winter morning from the train window. I reached my destination after a little more than an hour, the journey being perfect for my brain to prepare for new scenes and scents.

Magdeburg -one of the oldest German cities, Travel Realizations — **Whenever a chance comes knocking on my door to broaden the horizon of my experiences, I choose to take that opportunity.** **I converge choice and chance to experience something new. Always!**

Christmas celebrations in old European cities with thousand year long histories have an unparalleled charm. #Christmas #Germany #Magdeburg Click To Tweet

Hamburg – The Hanseatic harbor city!

By Chirasree Banerjee

Last Updated On February 9, 2020

My wintry wandering this year took me to a city, not primarily of painters, poets or prophets but of businesses, industries, and traders. I tried to feel the pulse of the city and ended up with happy vibes brimming with the beauty of a different kind. History draped houses, canals, lakes, and a large port give this city a unique character that settles comfortably into one’s memory and steps forth like old pals at the mention of Hamburg, the Hanseatic harbor city.

A fairytale ride from Montreaux to Château-d’Oex in Switzerland!

By Chirasree Banerjee

Last Updated On December 24, 2019

I tried to organize all the higgledy-piggledy thoughts in my mind and found out most of the thoughts took a retreat from the mundane daily life and escaped to a world of a fairy tale. After all, December brings Santa, snowman, snow-draped roads, reindeer along with blessings from Jesus. Even an adult can choose to become that innocent child in the holiday season and escape into a different world; an uncomplicated, unambiguous and innocent world. I chose to escape to the mountains. I boarded a train from Montreaux to Château-d’Oex, in Switzerland. It is located half-way between the beautiful Gstaad in the Bernese Oberland and the small town of Gruyères in the canton of Fribourg. In fact, the international competition in hot-air ballooning is held every January in Château-d’Oex.

The Festival of Lights in Berlin, Germany!

By Chirasree Banerjee

Last Updated On November 24, 2019

Around 11 am, my jet-lagged eyes saw the October morning brimming with autumnal lights for the first time in Berlin. Summer had trickled into autumn, unlike California, from where I boarded the flight two days back. I treated myself with a cup of coffee and sat down to peep into the city from my hotel window. It almost felt like a Facebook feed because of its continuously changing scenes. Then I decided to open the window a little and instantly the city came alive. The aroma from the Pizza shop, the sound of laughter and conversations, and the people made it real and intimate, unlike the virtual world. The open streets that I could see from above have an allure that’s hard to avoid. Therefore, without wasting much time, I quickly planned to see the ongoing Festival of Lights in Berlin, Germany and walk the history-filled roads of Berlin.

My Long Walks in Switzerland!

By Chirasree Banerjee

Last Updated On March 26, 2019

While living in Switzerland, I used to go for long walks. The paths are well marked and as varied as the scenery – in fact, they quickly become an end in themselves. Switzerland has over 65 000 kilometers of waymarked trails. I walked along lakes, through vineyards, under the shadow of mountains, and along small streams. One thing which accompanied me on my walks was divine beauty; everywhere and in every corner. I enveloped all my walks and kept them secured and safe in a deposit called the heart.

Silent Vistas in Norway!

By Chirasree Banerjee

Last Updated On December 29, 2018

I strive for an hour of silence every day. It has become an essential need like air and water for me for a mindful and conscious existence amidst a world full of noise. The constant noise from the surroundings and electronic gadgets perturbs my concentration and my time for reflection. As a result, I often spend days without writing a single sentence and this inability to write hinders my inner peace. When it happens I simply pack my bag and get lost somewhere in search of silence.

The story of Diamond in Amsterdam Diamond Museum – A photo essay!

By Chirasree Banerjee

Last Updated On September 11, 2018

The Amsterdam Diamond Museum has a travel story to tell. About a journey which began three billion years ago, 200 km under the surface of the earth, and which ends in the ring on your finger or in the pendant on your necklace. The hero of this story is the diamond, the hardest material in the world, loveliest of all gemstones. Bon Voyage!

My journey to this fascinating museum began with those beautiful words that I read at the entrance of the Amsterdam Diamond Museum. More than diamond I have always loved the story of its becoming!

Hello. My name is Chirasree. I have been traveling for almost 11 years to places all over the world. I enter into a separate reality during my travels and enjoy the allure of escape from the mundane. I seek beauty through nature and human-made creations. Because beauty is powerful. I seek knowledge. I observe, absorb, and write about the places I visit and the profound realizations and inspirations that each place has to offer.

I lived in Switzerland for six years and dwelled in absolute beauty, day and night. The house of Herman Hesse in Lugano, Freud's house in Vienna, and Mesolithic paintings inside the Rock Shelters of Bhimbetka, India inspire me and have influenced my thoughts and made it multi-dimensional. Now, I live in the heart of Silicon Valley in [...]