Category Archives: Germany

IN THE BUFF IN BERLIN AT VABALI SPA BERLIN

22nd February 2019

Vabali Spa Berlin, Germany

I fell in love with being nude in public at vabali spa berlin. I know some of my German friends would roll their eyes at me for saying that Germans love themselves a bit of mixed gender nudity. But upon visiting vabali, I think they totally do. If you’re not familiar with the Freikörperkultur, of FKK (free body culture), chances are you will after spending some time in Germany. And while some would simplify that the FKK movement was born as a form of resistance against the East German regime, nudism in Germany has its roots way further in history. After doing a little research, what stuck with me most is the use of nudity historically as a way for people to free themselves from the religious restriction that has taught people to be ashamed of their body, and from the industrial society. Without clothes, no-one is a factory slave, everyone is equal.

In the Buff in Berlin at Kitkat Club

13th February 2019

kit kat berlin

I remember being at my Couchsurfing host Laura in Milan in preparation for my arrival to Berlin, about three years ago. She happened to be living between the two cities and kept yapping on about how free-spirited Berlin was. Specifically, she mentioned several times how wonderful it was that people were just totally nude in clubs like Berghain and Kitkat Club Berlin, getting it on in public as casually as you’d sip on a Coors Light back where I’m from.

I remember thinking she was either completely off her rocker, or something decidedly weird or wrong was going down in Berlin.

The Healthy and Green Food Guide to Berlin

21st January 2019

The Heathy Green Guide of Berlin

I realise that what I’ve been putting here about Berlin, and not only but also including the vegan scene, has been totally hedonistic. Vegan burgers, all the fast food, clubbing naked and plain just getting naked. I’ve done a pretty decent job in my now three years in Berlin, I’d say. But Berlin is not just that, I promise you. It’s also a mecca for all things health-minded, with yoga studios, green and healthy restaurants, temples, parks and amazing fitness options. All the decadent stuff I’ve written about is what got me excited when I arrived. What I’m telling you today is what is making me stick around. Incidentally, now that I’ve been here for three years, would you be interested in exploring the city with me and Withlocals? I feel I have much to contribute by now!

The Best Vegan Food in Berlin

18th October 2018

vegan food guide Berlin

Berlin. Vegan. They. Have. It. All.

It’s taken me the best of the last three years to wrap my head around all the vegan options in the city and I’m excited to finally present you the best of everything. Just for you guys, I’ve eaten my way around the finest vegan kebabs, burgers, donuts, cakes… in fact, just pick your favourite food. I’ve probably eaten it in Berlin. The problem with spending three years trying to eat all the vegan food is that it’s such a vibrant scene, it’s constantly expanding. I keep thinking I’ve eaten everywhere, then overnight another five incredible vegan places appear.

The Vegan Burger Guide to Berlin

22nd July 2018

RIP, Dandy Diner 🙁

I’m vegan burger-obsessed as much as I’m a health nut. If there’s a burger on the menu, it’ll trump any organic carboardy bird food I’d usually go for. Burgers are the bomb! They’re cheap, filling, somewhat of a blank canvas for anyone’s imagination to go free, but (almost) always delicious whatever level of fanciness they’ve been dressed up or down into. And to say Berlin has its vegan burger game down pat is quite the understatement. Every burger joints ha a vegan option. Scratch that. Every restaurant has a burger option has a vegan burger option. Berlin has more burger spots than native Berliners and my ambition to document every single vegan burger option in the city was quickly shut down by the pace at which places open and close. So, as the Berlin vegan burger scene ebbs and flows as a goddamn annoying breathing thing (come back, Dandy Diner!), this guide is getting updated with latest discoveries and classics not to be missed.

Day Trips from Berlin: a Few Ideas

4th July 2018

Day trips from Berlin

Looking for some ideas for day trips from Berlin? Berlin is an incredible place to live, but just like any other totally happening city, there are times when you just need to get away and recharge. We all need a break, and a change of scenery once in a while a great way to find new inspiration. We come back full of energy and ready to take on the world — but not everyone has the time to go on indulgent getaways. Often, though, a day trip is sufficient to give you that much-needed boost, and if you’re living in Berlin there are great destinations not so far away that are just waiting to be explored. Below are my choices of top day trips from Berlin that you can add to your day-tripping list

Vegan in Hamburg: my favorite restaurants

4th March 2018

2 vegans 1 country hamburg

The Two Vegans One Country Train stopped in Hamburg!

Much like Leipzig, Hamburg came as a pleasant surprise, with chilled vibes all around and throngs of alternative, cool and independent shops and cafés. Perhaps it’s the fact that it’s located not so far from Berlin, but I found Hamburg to be a bit similar in some ways — be it in the cool nature of the stylish locals or the general overall diversity. As such, the German port city obviously had several vegan restaurants for us to sample, and, what the hell, a fully vegan bed and breakfast! So without further ado, I’d like to present you a short list of all the delicious vegan food we sampled in Hamburg. I know we’ve missed a few, but I’m hoping to go back soon and update this guide. Recommendations warmly welcome!

Youth Mobility Visa Germany: My Experience

25th February 2018

When I decided to move from Asia to Europe, I didn’t know where I would base myself. Most Working Holiday Visa (also called Youth Mobility Visa) for Canadians end at 30 years old, but a few European countries offer them for people aged up to 35. Upon doing some research, I found that my options were the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Norway, Poland, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Switzerland or the Ukraine. I was pretty amazed when I realized the working holiday visa possibilities! I picked the Youth Mobility Visa in Germany based on the number of people who had told me how much I would love Berlin and how easy it would be to find employment as a non-native German speaker. Want to test the water and visit Berlin first? Here’s how to spend 2 days in Berlin!

THE BEST VEGAN RESTAURANTS IN FRANKFURT

13th February 2018

vegan frankfurt

Frankfurt is one of those places I assumed I’d hate before visiting. Ahh, don’t I love to be proven wrong about my expectations! The reality is that I really liked Frankfurt. A lot. For its eclectic mix of old and new, for how unapologetically rough around the edge it remains despite being the financial center of Germany, and for the beautiful nature that still surrounds the city. I loved Frankfurt for its coffee culture. But also, for the great selection of vegan food we discovered!

The Vegan Guide to Munich

1st February 2018

2 vegans 1 country germany - munich

Two Vegans One Country stopped in Munich to discover what the city has to offer!

There’s so much more to Munich than Oktoberfest. Sure, the Bavarian capital can be the scene of lederhosen-clad drunken Weisswürste fest. But open your eyes wide and you’ll discover an amazing health and vegan scene, gorgeous boutique hotels, and — what the hell — river surfing right in the city center. There’s definitely more than meets the eye in Munich and Randi and I set up to explore what lies beneath the Schweinsbraten. Wunderbar.