Maxim Levoshin

ru_RU Russian
ru_RU Russian

Category: Europe

  • Learning French: When Does Perfectionism Go Too Far?

    Learning French: When Does Perfectionism Go Too Far?

    Learning French Comes With a Side of Cultural Perfectionism

    Send over a document, and instead of talking substance, your French counterpart spends 20 minutes dissecting the font choice. “Too bold.” “No breathing space in the paragraphs.” “Too many hyphens.” Priorities.

    Enter the phrase “enculer les mouches”

    Literally? Vulgar. Culturally? Perfect. It means obsessing over micro-details to the point of absurdity. Only in a language as precise and formal as French would you need an expression like this.

    So where’s the line between detail and overkill?

    Detail matters. Until it doesn’t. The art is knowing when a detail adds value—and when it’s just noise. A useful reminder not just for language learners, but for entrepreneurs and creators everywhere.

  • Berlin Weekend Guide: Coffee, Breakfast & Local Walks

    My Favorite Local Spots in Berlin for a Slow Weekend

    🇩🇪 Dropping my top Berlin picks

    I love Berlin for its laid-back vibe - not every European capital can pull that off. Here are my go-to spots for a slow and soulful weekend.

    Where to Drink Coffee — The Barn and Five Elephants

    Two of the best specialty coffee roasters in town. Always fresh, always excellent.

    Instagrammable Brunch — No Fire No Glory & Factory

    Classic Berlin brunch spots. Expect a 20-minute wait and the perfect avocado toast assembled like a dream.

    Full-Day Walk — Teufelsberg (Devil’s Mountain)

    An abandoned Cold War listening station turned street art wonderland. Covered in graffiti, full of stories, and one epic view.

    Lazy Urban Walk — Along the Kreuzberg Canal

    Stroll along the canal, grab a kebab from a local joint, and watch the sunset at Dreiländereck.

    What Are Your Favorite Berlin Spots?

  • Checklist for Remote Nature Travel and National Park Stays

    How to Prepare for Remote National Park Travel

    🚘 Checklist: How to Travel Through Remote Nature Shitholes

    Over the last two years, I’ve driven over 100,000 km across the Americas and Eurasia. And here’s the pattern: amazing nature = questionable lodging. In remote areas near national parks, hotels are usually… small. (Let’s be honest: we’re lucky they even exist.) I typically book a place midday - because in scenic areas, you never know how long you’ll want to stop, explore, and take photos.

    Questions You Must Ask the Hotel Before You Arrive

    Especially in Latin America, never trust the description on booking platforms. Always ask these questions directly:

    ✔️ Are you open today?
    ✔️ What time does the front desk close?
    ✔️ Is there heating or working A/C in the rooms?
    ✔️ Do you have hot water?
    ✔️ Is there enough hot water to fill the jacuzzi?
    ✔️ Does the internet work?
    ✔️ What time does the kitchen close?
    ✔️ Is there secure on-site parking?

    Booking Sites Lie — Ask Directly

    Don’t rely on booking.com descriptions. Ask everything.

    What Are Your Favorite Travel Hacks?

  • Crossing into Armenia by Car with Dual Citizenship

    Crossing into Armenia by Car with Dual Citizenship

    Entering Armenia with Lithuanian Plates - Here's How It Started

    I’m driving into Armenia. Border guards look carefully at my car (Lithuanian plates), then at me. Back at the car. Then back at me. And say:
    — Sooo, you’ve got a Russian passport. Under the customs union rules, you’ll need to leave a $25,000 deposit in cash for vehicle import. You’ll get it back when you leave.

    Sure, I’ll Just Leave $25K in the Mountains — Totally Safe

    Yes, I pictured it exactly like that: leaving a fat wad of cash at the border, and two weeks later, the envelope is still patiently waiting for me in the mountains, untouched.

    When a Second Passport Becomes a Get-Out-of-Customs-Free Card

    Hold on - that’s for Russian citizens, right? I’ve got another passport too.

    — (long sigh) In that case, no deposit needed. Just pay a $10 "gyneco-ecological fee" at the bank and you’re good to go.