Sometimes you just have a find a wee bolthole and escape with the family and that just what this trip was all about. That and great Tuscan food of course We flew into Florence and hired a car and headed north to a province in the tuscan hills for a couple of weeks of R&RContinue reading “Casanuova, Tuscany”
Category Archives: Europe
Monterosso Al Mare, The Cinque Terre
From the collective of villages now considered a part of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites, Monterosso Al Mare is the largest village in the Cinque Terre, and boasts over its neighbours, beautiful reefs, sandy beaches with crystal clear waters. The village is separated into two halves by the old tower of Aurora. Fegina, thrives on tourism andContinue reading “Monterosso Al Mare, The Cinque Terre”
Vernazza, The Cinque Terre
There are five villages in this area off of the Italian Riveria. Cinque translated means 5 and Terre is lands. So essentially this area translates to “the five lands.” Each of the villages have the own character and Vernazza is no different. The Cinque Terre has succumbed to mass tourism and visitor numbers are booming.Continue reading “Vernazza, The Cinque Terre”
Manarola, The Cinque Terre
Why is Italy so beautiful? In particular the picture postcard perfect Italian Riveira and notably The Cinque Terre. Five villages perched precariously and dangling to the elements of the Mediterranean sea. Riomaggiore, Manarola, Corniglia, Vernazza, and Monterosso are the famous five and best reached by train. There are various hiking routes between villages (maybe nextContinue reading “Manarola, The Cinque Terre”
Genoa
A day trip to Genoa. Genoa was one of Italy’s largest maritime strongholds along with Venice. The port today is still thriving with container shipping and tourism through cruises. Genoa differs from many Italian cities, such as Florence and Venice as it is not cursed with throngs of tourists and list of must see attractions. OurContinue reading “Genoa”
Marseille
Marseille is a port city in France in the Mediterranean. It has an industrial but cosmopolitan feel and a diverse cultural scene. Perfect for a weekend away Starting at the Vieux port or ‘Old Port’, it has been the hub of life for over 2000 years. The marina is full of small fishing boats andContinue reading “Marseille”
Gibraltar
Its peculiar to be a zebra crossing away from Spain but Gibraltar is a self-governing British colony, so if you are traveling there from Spain, you must have a passport. Lots of things to remind you of old blighty too, such as these British institutions below The Rock of Gibraltar The Rock, is a 426 m high monolithic limestone nature reserve,Continue reading “Gibraltar”
Cartagena, Spain
Cartagena is poised between the Mediterranean and the Mar Menor, on Spain’s south-east coast. A great place to stop for a short break to soak up some Spanish culture Some great sculptures in Cartagena like The whale tail fin ‘Cola de ballena”, by artist Elorrieta or El Zulo (the hideout) sculpture, a tribute to the victimsContinue reading “Cartagena, Spain”
Blisters in Berlin
I love a city, any city. The sounds, the sights and the smell. Pounding pavements and meandering through streets and alleys, but Berlin is massive and it soon became apparent this could not be conquered by foot. When I say massive, its the sheer scale of everything, from the size of the buildings to theContinue reading “Blisters in Berlin”
Côte d’Azur – Monaco and Eze
A day trip galavanting along the French Riviera towards Monaco. Looking out across the glittering Mediterranean twenty kilometres east of Nice is the municipality of Monaco. The second smallest independent state after the Vatican but no less ostentatious. An area favoured by the world’s glitterati. First a stop to Fragonard a perfume and soap factory. SinceContinue reading “Côte d’Azur – Monaco and Eze”
