My last summer holidays for this year: five days in Dishoek in the Netherlands.

A spontaneous weekend by the sea that went by too fast. Walking for miles through the dunes and along the windy beach felt really good during this much needed break.

When I got to New Orleans, the city was hosting the annual Essence Festival, it was the week of 4th July and the temperatures were around 35 °C/95 °F.

Back in Chicago after 14 years. This time I spent eight days in the city. I stayed four nights near LaSalle and the remainder off North Michigan Avenue.

Highlights

• Dinner at Pierrot Café and Restaurant

Pannonhalma Archabbey is located in Hungary, between Bratislava (Slovakia) and Budapest.