Somewhere Street

Cairo, the capital of Egypt, boasts a population of over 20 million in its metropolitan area. As the largest city in the Arab world, it serves as the central hub of Islamic culture. Situated on the banks of the Nile River, Cairo thrives thanks to the nourishing waters of the Nile, a sentiment echoed by the historian Herodotus, who poetically referred to Egypt as the "fruit of the Nile." The oldest part of the city known as Historic Cairo has been designated as a World Heritage Site.

Alexandria, Egypt's second-largest city, overlooks the Mediterranean Sea. It's situated at the mouth of the Nile River on the western edge of the Nile Delta, which is one of the world's largest river deltas. This rich agricultural region is often referred to as the "Gift of the Nile." Known as the "Pearl of the Mediterranean," the city boasts a diverse historical tapestry that weaves together the allure of various cultures. This rich intercultural diversity contributes to the city's unique charm.

By the 19th century, Sentier was the center of the textile industry in France. It is now home to internet start-ups and hosts restaurants, galleries and boutiques, making it a dynamic hub for trendsetting businesses in Paris. The surprising changes in atmosphere that occur in certain neighborhoods, just by crossing a few sidewalks is one of the charms of Paris. We explore the 200-year-old Passage du Grand Cerf as well as a popular pastry shop that looks like an art museum and the amazing Opéra Comique.

Passy, an exclusive residential area in Paris in the 16th arrondissement, is home to a number of famous people. Known for its landmarks and museums, we visit Maison de Balzac, a piano restorer's workshop, and Bois de Boulogne. We also visit Castel Béranger which was designed by the architect, Hector Guimard, in his Art Nouveau style. Famous for designing subway entrances, his is a unique genre of architecture and his work continues to be loved to this day by the Parisians who live alongside it.

Bologna, a city in northern Italy, has been a commercial and transportation hub since ancient Rome. Renowned for porticoes and Bologna University, the city attracts students worldwide. The university, known for its distinguished alumni like Dante and Copernicus, who established the heliocentric solar system concept, is a major pride of the city. The covered walkways known as porticoes, provide protection from the sun and rain. They stretch 62 kilometers and are registered as a World Heritage Site.

About 100 kilometers north of Bologna, Parma is renowned for its rich gastronomical tradition, particularly its Parmigiano Reggiano cheese and Prosciutto. Recognized as a UNESCO City of Gastronomy, Parma was the capital of the Duchy of Parma for nearly 300 years until the mid-19th century. Giuseppe Verdi, referred to as the "King of Italian Opera," was born in the province of Parma and every autumn, Parma hosts the Festival Verdi. It's a city where food and opera delight the senses.

Colmar, located in the Alsace region of northeastern France, developed greatly during the 13th century due to merchants boosting the economy. The creative woodwork on the buildings is attributed to these merchants who were in competition to show off their wealth. Alsace was ceded to France by the Holy Roman Empire in the 17th century. In the 19th century during the Franco-Prussian War it went to Germany. In the First World War it went to France and then back to Germany during the Second World War.

Nancy, a city in northeastern France's Lorraine region, is celebrated as an open-air "art museum" due to its stunning architecture and cultural institutions as well as its ties to the Art Nouveau movement, which emerged in the late 19th century. Known for glass manufacturing since the 15th century, Nancy became a hub for artisans from the Alsace region after the Franco-Prussian War. Émile Gallé, a prominent glass artisan, played a key role in the emergence of the Art Nouveau movement at this time.

Seoul, the capital of South Korea, has a population of 9.6 million. Home to one-fifth of the country's residents, Seoul is famous for the celebration of tradition as well as the latest in fashion. Seoul was the capital of the Joseon Dynasty for over five centuries from the 1300s. These days, Seoul is not only a promoter of Korea's traditional culture, it also attracts attention from around the world as a hub of the latest trends with its futuristic buildings, K-POP culture, movies and cosmetics.

Gyeongju, located 280 kilometers southeast of Seoul in South Korea, was the capital of the ancient Silla kingdom from 57 BCE to 935 CE. The city is dotted with over 200 ancient burial mounds from that era. It is truly a city rich in history. Known as the "Museum Without Walls," the city is renowned for its relics, temples, palaces and tombs from the Silla Era that offer a glimpse into Korea's ancient past. In 2000, the old town and surrounding areas were registered as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.