Firenze, or How I Learned the Hard Way That Cappuccino Has a Curfew

I remember being fourteen, seated in a classroom that smelled faintly of chalk and humidity, listening to a history lesson about the Renaissance, the so‑called rebirth of the world. It sounded grand, almost theatrical. Names like Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo, Raphael, Sandro Botticelli, the Medici, and Caravaggio were spoken with a kind of reverence usually reserved for saints or national heroes. Italy, we were told, had once erupted with art and intellect, as if the entire peninsula had collectively decided to outdo itself.

At fourteen, I believed it. At my age now, I wanted to see if it still held up.

Twenty‑two years later, I got the chance to fly to Italy.

Firenze was next.

Art Overload in Rome

I arrived in Rome fully aware that I would suffer from excess. Too much art, too much history, too much evidence of human genius compressed into a single city. You cannot walk ten minutes here without colliding with a basilica ceiling or a Renaissance façade. So, I prepared myself for saturation. Still, preparation is a fragile defense.

To Divinity and Beyond

I woke at half past eight to a Rome that had decided, against all meteorological pessimism, to be radiant. The forecast had threatened days of rain: gray and somber skies, sodden stones, and a city in mourning. But instead, there was a sharp blue firmament and an eight-degree chill that made the light feel earned. From my window, the sun struck the terracotta roofs and ochre walls with a kind of absolution. Breakfast downstairs was as perfunctory as the reviews had warned: a limp croissant, indifferent coffee, hospitality by obligation. Still, it was free, and I have never trusted a man who travels for breakfast.

All Roads Lead To Rome

Rome, like most obsessions, began long before I arrived. It began in Manila, in the comfortable tyranny of routine, where I booked a ticket last Christmas on a whim. It was an impulsive act disguised as foresight. I avoided traveling to Rome during my birthday month; August in Rome seemed an unnecessary test of endurance—heat, crowds, the theatrical exhaustion of peak season. February felt more appropriate. 

The journey was a distance exercise. Three hours to Singapore. Five hours of waiting beneath the polite efficiency of Changi Airport. then thirteen hours were suspended between time zones, meals served and cleared, cabin lights dimmed and revived while crossing different land masses and seas. Travel, at that length, becomes less about movement and more about surrender. By the time we descended into Fiumicino, I felt neither triumphant nor romantic. I was only aware of the miles behind me.

Unexpected Detour in Maastricht

What was supposed to be a simple two-and-a-half-hour train ride stretched into a weary four-hour crawl to Maastricht. The day before, a train accident had disrupted the line, and what began as a mild inconvenience slowly turned into a quiet lesson in surrender—the kind travel often insists we learn, whether we’re ready or not. Platforms blurred into one another, updates came and went without certainty, and the illusion of a neat schedule dissolved somewhere between stations.

Day Trip in Antwerp, Belgium

Traveling around Europe, especially within the Schengen Zone, has a certain fluidity to it. Borders blur into railway tracks and bus routes; a new country is often just a few hours away, announced not by checkpoints but by subtle changes in language, architecture, and rhythm. Movement here feels effortless, almost taken for granted. On one of my rare free days in Amsterdam, with no meetings to rush to and no agendas to defend, I decided to take the train south to Antwerp—a city near the Dutch border that has long stood as one of Europe’s vital crossroads for trade, shipping, and learning.

As Amsterdam slowly unfolds...

18 days. 18,000 kilometers. 18 extra kilos of luggage that somehow carried more questions than clothes.

This was the longest work trip I’ve ever taken, both in distance and in weight. Not just the kind measured by flight hours and baggage allowances, but the kind that settles into your bones. It was a blur of airports that all started to look the same, meetings that bled into one another, conferences where time zones dissolved and coffee became a survival tool. Somewhere between security checks and boarding calls, there were moments when I’d stare at departure screens and feel an odd dislocation—physically present, mentally suspended between where I had been and where I was headed next.

My Most Expensive Day Trip in Switzerland

Switzerland’s trains are said to run like an atomic clock—miss a minute and you’re history. At Zürich Hauptbahnhof, I bought the coveted day pass, valid for twenty-four hours of seamless travel. It felt less like a ticket and more like a mortgage payment. More expensive than a Manila–Davao round-trip flight, but Switzerland has a way of reminding you that punctuality and precision don’t come cheap. You aren’t just paying for transportation; you’re paying tribute to a nation where even the scenery feels like it has been quality-controlled.

My 35th Birthday in Switzerland

Last year, I stumbled into Geneva like a man walking into a well-made watch—everything precise, everything ticking in harmony. Four days was all I had, just enough to taste the air and realise I hadn’t even scratched the surface. Switzerland isn’t just mountains and lakes; it’s a place where snow crowns the peaks like a blessing and the water is so clean it reflects your face with an unsettling honesty. The towns feel hand-painted, the streets lined with quiet perfection, and time here is not wasted—it is respected. Now I’m back, older by a year, hungrier for the country’s undercurrents. Zurich will be my base, but the real gift for my 35th birthday will be in the journeys outward—to the smaller places where trains whisper through valleys and life feels both deliberate and infinite.

Paris in Four Days: A Journey Through the City of Light

There are cities you visit, and there are cities that absorb you. Paris is the latter. It is a place that exists in the collective imagination as much as it does in reality—romanticized, immortalized, stamped into postcards and film reels. Yet, no amount of expectation fully prepares you for its first embrace, the way it shifts from fable to something tactile, something lived. I arrived, weary from the long haul of travel, carrying the weight of distance, time zones crossed, and disrupted sleep. And yet, as the taxi moved through the city's arteries, the fatigue gave way to something else: a recognition, as if I had been here before, in a dream or another life.

Autumn in Geneva, Switzerland

When my friends learned I was doing a side trip to Geneva after Madrid, they all said it would be costly. To my defense, I’d always reply, “Why not?”. The truth is Geneva has been on my bucket list since high school. Geneva was a great start to my Switzerland adventure from CERN to the famous Jet d’Eau and the home of Swiss Knife and Patek Philippe. For four days, I explored Geneva and the nearby towns around the lake and got enamored by its beauty, grandeur, and quiet luxury.

The Beauty of Istanbul, Türkiye

Istanbul - a city that perfectly blends its rich history with modern vibrancy. Walking through the bustling streets, I was immersed in a culture that radiates warmth and hospitality, with every corner offering a glimpse into its storied past—from the majestic Hagia Sophia to the mighty Bosphorus Strait. Yet, amid these historical treasures, modern Istanbul shines with its cafes, vibrant arts scene, and stunning skyline. The juxtaposition of ancient landmarks and contemporary allure makes Istanbul a unique and unforgettable destination that truly lives up to its reputation as a city where the East meets the West.

First Time in Europe: Barcelona, Spain

When I was in my junior year in high school, we discussed the history of Europe. The fifteen-year-old me was so engrossed in the history and culture of this continent that I vowed to visit this part of the world one day. Spain was definitely on top of my list. First, I thought traveling to this country wouldn’t be that hard since we have similar cultures, languages, and food. Today, almost nineteen years later, I embarked on a journey to the other side of the world. Join me as I explore Barcelona, Spain.

Seasonal Guide to Exploring Europe

As winter approaches, there are a couple of things to be grateful for – putting away the razor and getting away with unkempt hair growth when it otherwise might be uncool, snuggling under a blanket becomes fun again, Schnapps could become your go-to tipple and if winter sports are your jam, you can dig out the gear and plan your winter vacation.

Loads of winter vacation ideas can be found at Mrhudsonexplores.com but if you’re thinking of hitting the slopes and a luxury chalet is all you’re good for, here are Europe’s finest chalets to explore and lust over:

Top 5 scary attractions in London

If you’re planning on a visit to London and want to get your heart racing with some scary tours and attractions, we’ve compiled a list of the most frightening and gruesome of them all.

The Top 4 Experiences to try in Spain

Looking for new experiences? We’ve cherry picked a few of the best opportunities Spain has to offer, from scenic mountains to rich, diverse culture.

Picos de Europa

Translating to the "Peaks of Europe" – and often known as the Picos – this mountain range, situated 20km from the Northern coast of Spain, provides a stunning backdrop to a range of activities, from the serene to the adventurous. Bridging the Cantabrian, Asturias and Castile and León regions, these impressive peaks are part of the Cantabrian range. The origin of the name comes from the belief that they were the initial view of Europe for approaching American ships.

12 Unique Things to Do While Traveling Around the UK

If you have decided to take a trip across the UK, there are some obvious attractions that you would be almost expected to visit. The London Eye, Brighton Pier and Chester Zoo all offer great days out, but there are hundreds of unique and quirky alternatives to keep you busy.  To give you a helping hand, we’ve rounded up twelve of our favorite things for you to try.

5 Reasons To Visit Bulgaria Now

Think European getaway and Bulgaria probably isn't the first place that comes to mind. It might not even make it into the top ten! However, this secret gem is starting to emerge as a hot spot and rightly so. This small country is big on culture, sports and history, with some lovely beaches on its Black Sea coast for good measure. If you manage to bag yourself cheap holidays to Bulgaria before the tourists overtake it, take a look at these things to go and see.

The Best Shopping Cities in Europe

Shopping at Amsterdam, Netherlands

Europe has so much to offer the visitor thanks to its history and shops. Europe is a haven for visitors intent on fashion shopping, and that means a trip to the high streets of some of the leading European cities. 

French designs and fashion are popular worldwide and Paris is a magnet for fashion shoppers. One of the top fashion stores in Paris is L’Eclaireur on the rue de Sévigné, where you will find a host of the top brands on offer. Melinda Gloss, set on rue Madame, is the store to visit for top menswear. Paris, aside from its famous landmarks, such as the Eiffel Tower, is a haven for quality shopping. 

KLM Get friends & WIN!

It has been my lifelong dream to visit The Netherlands, particularly Amsterdam. Good thing, you can now fly to Amsterdam (via Taipei) from Manila via KLM Royal Dutch Airlines! How cool is that? For this month, they have a simple game for you and winners shall enjoy luxurious prizes!