There is a lot of gelato in Italy. In fact, there is a lot of gelato in this part of the world. But my knees go weak for Venchi. We have been travelling around the Mediterranean and it’s summer. … Read the rest
Villa d’Este
The alarm rouses me from sleep for a day at Villa d’Este and the first thing I feel is my aching feet, sore from a couple of weeks of walking. Not that I don’t like walking, I do, I like it a lot, especially when exploring new and wonderful places.… Read the rest
Castel Nuovo
Castel Nuovo is an impressive building. From its perch on the entrance to Naploli, it stands guard over the Gulf of Naples almost as impressive as Mount Vesuvius on the other side of the city. Certainly as proud, almost as formidable. … Read the rest
Santa Chiara
The Complesso Monumentale di Santa Chiara is incredible. Like a little walled world of its own, it must have been even more so, a haven from the outside world, during periods of Napoli’s unsettled past.
It’s another stunning day of our summer holidays and we’re exploring Naples. … Read the rest
Napoli
It still astounds me to wake up in a new city! To step out and behold Napoli at my feet! It has been a long time but I still remember the taste of the pizza, the chill of the cobbled streets under the weight of the grey sky and drizzling rain, not to mention the noise from the morning markets in the piazza below from my last visit. … Read the rest
Messina
Messina. Another glorious day, another glorious port. After feeling that I missed out in Valetta yesterday, I am well equipped for today and have a trail planned out. This pivots around being in the city’s main square at midday to see the clock chime 12pm and the mechanical performance that enshews.… Read the rest
Valetta, Malta
I am utterly unprepared for the delights that Valetta, the capital of Malta, has to offer. I have heard of the beauty of the Greek Islands, the party scene and endless nights that Ibiza has to offer but I seem to have missed Malta altogether. … Read the rest
Chania
We’re in Crete! We have brought the boys with us to Chania for the day and I have, as usual, a full itinerary to get through. It’s perhaps a little ambitious but, with a promise of ice cream a the end, let’s see how we go.… Read the rest
Santorini
The blue of the sky and the sea as I emerge from below deck to the dazzling sunshine stuns me momentarily. I blink a few times and Santorini is before me. Can this really be?
The harbour is almost unnoticeable, hidden in plain sight at the bottom of the cliffs as my eyes are drawn upwards into the light. … Read the rest
Archaeological Museum of Rhodes
The Archaeological Museum of Rhodes is housed in a building complex that was originally the hospital run by the Knights Hospitallier, the Knights of the Order of Saint John. It at the bottom of the Avenue of the Knights, just down from the Palace of the Grand Master. … Read the rest