I think we can all agree on something: to have a gelato goes far beyond a culinary delight. It also means to preserve and nourish interaction, conviviality, cultural and social exchange as well as bringing joy, comfort to the soul and freshness to the palate. I vividly remember when my Dad used to take me to the shopping mall’s ice cream parlor during wintertime just because, according to him, a good gelato is meant to be tasted regardless of the weather.

When I decided to write about flowers, I wanted to share with readers why these pure expressions of nature have an extraordinary ability to make us happy. I was myself curious to understand what it is about flowers that can instantaneously and genuinely make people smile. Is it because of their colors, smell, symmetry, variety? All this together, perhaps?

It's likely common sense that Amsterdam is one of the world's most authentic cities in part because of its permissive approach towards cannabis use. However, despite all efforts to advertise uncountable wonderful qualities the Dutch nation has to offer, the Netherlands is far from being the country where people smoke weed the most.

Think about the remarkable trips you've done in your life or the sweetest childhood memories. Picture an exciting weekend with your friends. Chances are enormous that food played a key role within most of these circumstances. We rely on food to make the most of our experiences just as food can resonate pleasant emotions because of the way it is experienced.

Even if you don't live in the Netherlands, it won't take long until you notice, when you visit the country, that the main vehicle used by its citizens is something much more than just a means of transport to go from A to B: it's a lifestyle, something so personal that ends up becoming a companion for life. It's part of what being Dutch means.

Amsterdam is one of the most inviting cities to people who choose meat-free meals. Even if the restaurant is not dedicated to vegetarians or vegans, there is a good chance the place can easily cater to these customers' preferences. It is one of the best moments to come to Amsterdam for the ones who crave meals in which vegetables are the star of the show.

Thai food is by nature well-spiced. Same true to the balanced mixture of flavours that makes us feel the perfect combination between sweet, salty, sour and spicy - all brilliantly in one bite. For those who loves spicy food as I do, Thai cuisine becomes, from the day we discover it, one of the main certainties of flavours and dishes that make us very happy.

A few months before my first visit to Rotterdam (2015), an arquitectonic landmark in the city had just opened. It was MarktHalle. An exciting discovery especially due to its purpose: besides its impressive building housing two hundred apartments, it is also a vibrant food market. It is the largest covered market in Holland.

This store’s curatorship is so amazing that I find it hard to remember the last time I walked into a retail store and felt so comfortable that I didn’t want to leave. No piece seems to be unnecessary to be there, and everything is designed to make us think that all products - or almost all - are indispensable to our lifestyle.

When we are not looking for a particular spot and unpretentiously go to places when we are traveling, perhaps the most incredible and unusual venues appear out of nowhere. That's how I met Botanical Affairs, that surpassed any expectation of a drink bar that I could ever visit.

Eins 44 was one of the highlights of all of Berlin's culinary discoveries. It is absolutely amazing. It is so hidden (in a courtyard) that whoever passes by it in the street, will never imagine that it is one of the best restaurants in town. Oddly, the place operated years and years ago as a major gin distillery.

One of the best ways to get to know a place is to taste simple local food, especially when you have the opportunity to visit street markets and fairs. In Berlin, curry wurst and doner kebab are a symbol of local street food. But fortunately the gastronomic scene has evolved and some markets are proof of that, such as Markthallen.