inside the Doge's Palace
Europe, Italy

A Peek Round the Palazzo Ducale, Venice

It took several visits to Venice before I decided to visit the Palazzo Ducale- or the Doge's Palace, as it's called in English. Despite walking past the beautiful pink palace almost daily whenever I visited, my favoured travel style involves wandering city streets at my own pace, stumbling upon hidden nooks and crannies and favourite… Continue reading A Peek Round the Palazzo Ducale, Venice

a winter day in Trastevere, Rome
Europe, Italy

Rome in Winter : 10 Things You Need to Know

Rome in winter is absolutely magical. So magical in fact, that despite the fact that I'm no fan of the cold, my favourite time to visit is in the quieter, chillier months of the year. The atmosphere is captivating, the temperature is rather on the icy side, and the city feels like a living working… Continue reading Rome in Winter : 10 Things You Need to Know

wandering the streets of Burano
Europe, Italy

From Venice to Burano. Exploring the colourful island in the Venetian lagoon.

Hopping on a vaporetto from Venice to Burano island makes for an idyllic way to spend the day. The Venetian island is home to fishermen and lace-makers, and is famous for its brightly painted houses arranged along narrow canals. Although it's equally as picturesque- and basically a photographers' dream- Burano seems a world away from… Continue reading From Venice to Burano. Exploring the colourful island in the Venetian lagoon.

famous Bari food and drink
Europe, Italy

The Bari Food Scene: It’s full of grandmas and that’s why I love it.

Did you ever hear of the pasta grandmas of Bari Vecchia? Eating in Italy is always a magical and scrumptious experience, but the Bari food experience is without a doubt the best one I've had yet. Here's why the little port city of Bari is well worth a visit. *This site uses affiliate links, where… Continue reading The Bari Food Scene: It’s full of grandmas and that’s why I love it.

Alex Getting lost fluffy jacket Vatican
Europe, Italy, Vatican

A Christmas Story: That Time I Got Kicked Out of the Vatican City

It was early December and myself and three fellow singers from the ship had been asked to make the trip to the Vatican to make a film to be shown to the passengers in the build-up to Christmas. Glory, glory, Hallelujah! A trip to the Vatican!! At Christmas!! I'd been before, a couple of times,… Continue reading A Christmas Story: That Time I Got Kicked Out of the Vatican City

a pretty pastel corner in Civitavecchia
Europe, Italy

Things to do in Civitavecchia, Italy

The port of Civitavecchia is often sold as 'The Gateway to Rome', which is a little misleading considering Rome is over an hour away by road. However while many people skip Civitavecchia completely in favour of the Colosseum and other Roman treats, this little port city is worth a look in too. This place has… Continue reading Things to do in Civitavecchia, Italy

detail of a doorway in Pisa
Europe, Italy

Things to do in Pisa other than the Tower

I totes get it. People visit Pisa for the Leaning Tower; it seems to be defying gravity, Elphaba style. And it's one of the most popular landmarks in the whole of Italy, so it goes without saying that you should definitely check it out if you're in the vicinity. But there is so much more… Continue reading Things to do in Pisa other than the Tower

reflections of pastel coloured buildings
Europe, Italy

What to do in Livorno, Tuscany’s Port City

Most visitors arrive in the city of Livorno by cruise ship, ready to head out into the surrounding Tuscan countryside or to the nearby cities of Florence, Pisa, or Lucca. Don't get me wrong, it makes sense that you'd want to head further afield to the more interesting, classically beautiful places. But what to do… Continue reading What to do in Livorno, Tuscany’s Port City

The top of the white tower in Lucca
Europe, Italy

One Day in Lucca – the hidden gem of Tuscany

Tuscany is one of the most-visited regions of Italy, famous for its rolling hills, scenic views and quaint villages. And don't even get me started on the regions most famous cities- Florence and Pisa. But if you're looking for somewhere off the beaten path in Tuscany, check out this incredible hidden gem. Here's how I… Continue reading One Day in Lucca – the hidden gem of Tuscany

winter in florence
Europe, Italy

Florence in Winter – a day trip from Livorno

Florence at any time, is exquisitely beautiful. But Florence in winter has a special kind of magic about it.  I was rather on the sad side when I realised that that day when we docked in Tuscany would be an extra chilly one. I'd wanted to go to Florence for months since we'd begun a… Continue reading Florence in Winter – a day trip from Livorno