At the corner of Theresienstraße and Türkenstraße, from March to October, you’ll find Munich’s best ice cream. During this time, the restaurant owners in Maxvorstadt wistfully tuck away their dessert menus.

Because everyone knows – by 10 p.m. at the latest, after the main course, the guests head off in the same direction anyway.

The goal is to get a portion of the creamiest Ballabeni ice cream for dessert, before they close at 10:30.

Giorgio Ballabeni keeps it simple with exactly twelve flavors on offer at any given time. This, he explains, guarantees the highest quality - something difficult to maintain with a larger selection.

For us, twelve is more than enough, since deciding between them is hard enough as it is.

Thankfully, there’s always a little sample spoon to taste the one flavor, we couldn't have finished a whole scoop of.

I love that scene from Shrek where Donkey tries to cheer up the grumpy ogre.

„We can stay up late, swapping manly stories and in the morning I'm making waffles!“

That works just as well after a girls’ night out and always makes me cheerful - waffles for breakfast!

Hot and buttery is exactly how André and his husband serve them at Café Helma.

Helma is a place for long, leisurely breakfasts, rotating lunch specials and homemade cakes paired with carefully selected teas in the afternoon. 

And if the night is young? A Yuzu-Prosecco and a cheese platter make for a perfect start.

We wouldn’t mind spending the whole day here in cozy Helma.

And the charming square in front of St. John’s Church, with the café’s outdoor tables on it, is anyhow one of the most beautyful spots in Munich.

For years, Toshio Kobatake, known as Toshi, ran an elegant Teppan-Yaki restaurant in Munich’s Altstadt, named after himself.

Now, he welcomes us to his Japatapa Toshibar in Schwabing.

Stripped back to the essentials, it’s just as exciting as the original Toshi.

For those who, like us, are passionate about authentic Japanese cuisine, Toshi’s place is a must. Together with his wife, he creates a warm, inviting atmosphere filled with Japanese hospitality and cozy Izakaya charm.

It’s no wonder Toshi was honored as a Japanese Cuisine Goodwill Ambassador.

This unique spot, hard to find elsewhere in Munich, is tucked away on the unassuming Marschallstraße.

Flowing dresses, airy white blouses, casual blazers, light fabric trousers—this is exactly how we envision Scandinavian fashion.

And this is precisely what you'll find at Filippa K.

In the bright flagship store on Biblioteksgatan in Stockholm, we always enjoy adding a few new basics to our wardrobe.

Timeless without being dull, elegant without being restrictive, high-quality and durable, Filippa K's clothes are pieces we never quickly discard.

And that, in itself, is the first step toward sustainability, isn’t it?

This small neighborhood restaurant boast just a few seats and each one is highly coveted.

If you want to experience the refreshingly nonchalant yet elegant cuisine of Daniel Räms and Tom Sjöstedt, be sure to book in advance.

While you might snag a shoulder-to-shoulder spot at the counter with a view of the kitchen, the best seats are at the large window in the cozy dining room, styled like a French bistro.

Miss Clara is one of those rare hotels that we enter and immediately feel at home.

It's centrally located yet away from the hustle and bustle, refined but not stiff, spacious yet intimate.

In high-ceilinged rooms with stylish bathrooms, we sleep in unbelievably cozy beds.

The inviting bar on the ground floor offers a nightcap in the evening and a delicious Swedish breakfast in the morning, preparing us to explore Stockholm refreshed.

“Daytime cooking” is how Frederik Bille Brahe describes what he does at Atelier September, and it fits perfectly.

Here, we can have breakfast all day, enjoy a light lunch, or have an early evening snack before heading out for dinner.

Atelier September is a bright and beautiful place to meet friends or enjoy the friendly atmosphere alone.

The SP34 by Danish Brøchner Hotels impresses with its Scandinavian design, cozy co-living spaces, and friendly atmosphere.

For those who are adventurous and sociable, this hotel and the vibrant Latin Quarter surrounding it offer plenty of variety and excitement.

Night owls and foodies will find themselves right at home at SP34.

The hotel itself boasts three restaurants, ensuring guests are never far from a delicious meal.

Italy has an enclave in Copenhagen!

At Bæst in Nørrebro, our foodie hearts soar.

The best local organic products and the skilled hands of Chef Christian Puglisi ensure that even the simplest dishes are a grand delight.

From pizza to pistachio ice cream, we indulge in a Danish-Italian Dolce Vita.

In the heart of Mitte district, Esther Perbandt’s flagship store sits on Almstadtstraße. 

A string of black pennants fluttering above the sidewalk and a small bench by the door give the storefront the casual charm of a neighborhood gathering. 

The iconic Berlin TV Tower watches over the city rooftops, gazing directly into Esther’s display window.

Every piece in the Berlin-based designer’s collection is steeped in black, her signature color. 

Her gender-fluid designs break traditional molds, reimagining fashion with a bold artistic vision. 

To us, Esther’s work feels like the embodiment of Berlin itself.

Small and exquisite - that’s how pastry chefs Daniella Barriobero Canal and Guadalupe Eichner have envisioned their three patisserie locations.

In Berlin’s Sophienstraße, a bright vermilion bench sits in front of the café’s matching storefront. 

Indoors it becomes even more colorful with most beautiful éclairs displayed in a glass case.

Flavors like Tahitian vanilla-pecan, salted caramel, pistachio-raspberry or matcha-blackberry-white sesame transform these éclairs into edible works of art.

And wow - this art is seriously delicious!

We usually try to steer quite clear of recommending five-star hotels.

Suggesting the most luxurious place in town, only to have it exceed most budgets, feels a bit too easy.

But with the Stue, we simply can’t resist.

The Berlin Zoo had already celebrated nearly a century of existence when, in the late 1930s, the Royal Danish Embassy was constructed on the edge of its northeastern corner.

Over seventy years later, this elegant building on Drakestraße became home to one of Berlin’s most distinctive hotels.

„Stue“ is the Danish word for living room and it’s a fitting description.

Sometimes, it’s the simplest things that leave the greatest impression - provided, of course, they’re done just right. 

That’s exactly what makes St. Bart so special.

This pub in the Graefekiez neighborhood radiates an understated charm - vintage pendant lamps, a tiled bar and a timeworn wooden floor that seems to hold countless stories. 

The laid-back crew moves at its own unhurried pace, exuding a calm that’s contagious.

As we sink our teeth into the Back Bacon Sandwich, slathered with homemade BBQ dip and complemented by house-pickled vegetables and sip on a crisp IPA, we imagine black cabs pulling up outside next to a classic red phone booth.

Whenever a spontaneous craving or thirst arises in Amsterdam, the local deli chain STACH is always exactly where we need it.

Often found in charming corner shops, sometimes with a few seats for a quick break, STACH is always delightfully colorful and appetizing.

Moreover, they offer a lovingly curated selection of local products that make for wonderful food souvenirs.

“Do you have anything gluten-free? So, no milk?”

“You mean lactose-free?”

“I’d prefer vegan.”

“Well, we have a fruit salad or some of our sandwiches can be made vegan. There’s also a bagel with…”

“I’ll take the scrambled eggs.”

“Ah. Okay. I thought you wanted something vegan?”

“No, just gluten-free. I always say vegan for that.”

“Alright, so we’ll leave out the toast with the scrambled eggs to keep it gluten-free?”

“No, that’s not necessary. Toast is fine.”

Anyone thinking this conversation is made up couldn’t be more wrong.

We adore Berlin’s signature charm of discovering hidden courtyards within courtyards within courtyards…

It’s a secret world tucked away from the one outside. 

Stepping off Oranienburger Straße, we slip through an archway into the Heckmann Höfe, where a quaint little house awaits us.

Once upon a time, horses were stabled here.

Today, the space feels like a film set straight out of Oliver Twist - red brick walls, gas lanterns, trees, a wooden bench and cobblestones completing the scene.

Inside, bathed in warm light against rust-red wallpaper, everything revolves around the open kitchen. 

The coolest team serves up divine cocktails alongside mouthwatering Israeli mezze. 

Our role simply requires to sit back, soak it all in and savor the night.

The Coffee District combines everything coffee lovers dream of - carefully selected specialty coffee, a great selection of delicious fresh pastries, bright spaces in Scandinavian design and a fantastic shop with stylish coffee accessories.

For those who can’t get enough, there are courses on roasting and brewing that can be booked for yourself or a group of friends.

For lovers of Dutch architecture, especially Amsterdam’s iconic bridges, SWEETS Hotel offers a truly unique experience.

Scattered throughout the city, these suites are nestled in charming former bridge houses that have been lovingly restored with meticulous attention to detail.

Each of these small houses has been expertly redesigned and outfitted for maximum comfort, blending skilled design with perfect space utilization.

Staying in one of these gems is a magical way to discover Amsterdam from an unparalleled local perspective.

“Tuesday to Saturday, from 8 a.m. until the last loaf” - the opening hours of the two Julius Brantner bakeries are to be taken quite literally.

The delicious bread is always freshly baked, using traditional craftsmanship and the finest organic ingredients.

In line with the principles of mindfulness and sustainability, nothing goes to waste.

The selection is intentionally kept small, but the quality is simply outstanding.

So, it’s well worth arriving early.

And for those who are still a bit sleepy, you can grab an excellent coffee in a charming Brantner cup to go.

100% Arabica - whole beans - roasted in Bavaria - that’s how Lucas, Pete and Emanuel sum up their approach to specialty coffee. 

But their concept goes a little deeper than that. The three friends from Schwabing have crafted a vision that extends beyond the beans themselves.

In their bright, minimalist Suuapinga cafés, now dotted across Munich’s most charming neighborhoods, expertly trained baristas serve up coffee with precision and care. 

But their passion doesn’t stop at the perfect cup, it flows seamlessly into a love for fresh, handmade pastries. 

And let’s be honest, that’s a combination we’ll never say no to.