the fortress and beach near Ajaccio cruise port
Europe, France

Ajaccio Cruise Port • The prettiest pit stop in the Mediterranean

Corsica is a wonderfully rugged and wild island, strewn with pine forests and permeated with rough rocky peaks and sturdy medieval towers. Docking in Ajaccio cruise port, however, you could almost overlook how close those untamed landscapes are: because Ajaccio has a definite 'chicness' about it, despite its petite size. I love it here. And… Continue reading Ajaccio Cruise Port • The prettiest pit stop in the Mediterranean

a lane filled with restaurants in Ajaccio
Europe, France

Ajaccio Restaurants and Eateries • My all-time Corsican Faves

Sitting pretty on the west coast of the mountainous Mediterranean island of Corsica, Ajaccio is a delight for food lovers. Although Corsica is a French island, these shores have been wrestled back and forth between France and Genoa (in modern day northern Italy) plenty of times, and there's a clear Italian influence in Corsican cuisine.… Continue reading Ajaccio Restaurants and Eateries • My all-time Corsican Faves

a shop window in Valencia
Europe, Spain

València Old Town • What Do in la Ciutat Vella

The streets of València old town- known locally as la Ciutat Vella- are a beautiful maze overflowing with sumptuous smells, sights and sounds. The city is also famous for its futuristic architecture, but the elegant old town is where València's story began; whether you're here to soak up the historic atmosphere or a sumptuous plate… Continue reading València Old Town • What Do in la Ciutat Vella

old church in El Cabanyal Valencia
Europe, Spain

El Cabanyal • Getting to Know València’s Beachside Barrio

It took me several visits before I realised that there's a beautiful barrio, complete with a wide sandy beach, almost immediately adjacent to the cruise port in València. Don't get me wrong, the city centre is stunning, with some truly incredible architecture and classic winding medieval streets to navigate; but once I found it, El… Continue reading El Cabanyal • Getting to Know València’s Beachside Barrio

panoramic view of Vernazza
Europe, Italy

One Day in Vernazza • September in Cinque Terre

I am not a fan of crowds, but I am a fan of Italy. In summertime, crowds are unavoidable, particularly if you stick to the most-visited destinations. Rome, Florence, Venice, Pisa, the Amalfi coast, and of course the five teeny tiny villages that make up Cinque Terre are hugely popular, and alas, hugely overcrowded. So… Continue reading One Day in Vernazza • September in Cinque Terre

olive tree and a shrine on the corner of a wall in Italy
Europe, Italy

La Spezia Cruise Port • The Gateway to Cinque Terre

Most people arriving in La Spezia cruise port have the same destination in mind, and I'm telling you now, that is not the city of La Spezia itself. This city on the coast of Liguria is considered the gateway to Cinque Terre, one of Italy's most stunning areas of natural beauty. Whether you want to… Continue reading La Spezia Cruise Port • The Gateway to Cinque Terre

landscape photo of Riomaggiore from Via Beccara
Europe, Italy

The Via Beccara from Riomaggiore to Manarola • Hiking the Hard Way in Cinque Terre

Docking weekly in the Ligurian port of La Spezia meant that we were in perfect proximity to Cinque Terre- Northern Italy's famous coastal area, comprising of five stunning villages connected by a series of hiking paths. I love a good outdoor adventure, but hiking from Riomaggiore to Manarola via the Via Beccara turned out to… Continue reading The Via Beccara from Riomaggiore to Manarola • Hiking the Hard Way in Cinque Terre

Gamla Stan magnolia tree near Stockholm cruise port
Europe, Sweden

Stockholm Cruise Port • A Crew Member’s Guide

After several years of docking in this stunning Scandinavian city, here is my ultimate guide to Stockholm cruise port; including information about the cruise terminals (there are two spots where your ship might dock), and the best things to see and do while you're here. *This site uses affiliate links, where I may earn a… Continue reading Stockholm Cruise Port • A Crew Member’s Guide

a girl in a sunhat on Kamari Beach Santorini
Europe, Greece

Kamari Beach Santorini • A Black Sand Beach in Santorini

Kamari Beach Santorini. This is a side of Santorini that the internet rarely shows you, or at least, a side of the island that is rarely associated with Santorini. In fact, this is one of the few stretches of coastline on the island that could really be classed as a beach; other waterfront spots like… Continue reading Kamari Beach Santorini • A Black Sand Beach in Santorini

the Torre del Violin in Totalán Málaga
Europe, Spain

A Road Trip from Málaga to Totalán

The stunning city of Málaga is surrounded with things to do and places to visit; whether you're looking for history, adventure, or incredible natural beauty. But the nearby village of Totalán is not somewhere that you'll find on many lists of 'must-sees' near Málaga. This traditional Andalusían village, although incredibly pretty, is way off of… Continue reading A Road Trip from Málaga to Totalán