As soon as I stumbled onto the knowledge that there were ancient ruins buried under a church, I was hooked. Having no idea what to expect, I entered the largest church in the city, paid my €10 to see all four sites and was met with awe. The archaeological complex of the Lucca Cathedral is …
One of the reasons for basing myself at Lucca is its proximity to the Tuscan coastline. When one thinks of Tuscany, rolling green hills and vineyards come to mind. But there is a huge coastal community here too. For a mere €3.90 train ride, I took a day trip to the big beautiful beach at …
One thing that makes Lucca such a unique and special place to visit are the old walls that surround the historical centre. There are actually three layers, some now almost invisible, and others perfectly intact. The enchanting ancient walls of Lucca Tuscany are a feature of importance and beauty. Brief History The historical city of …
After one short train ride, I have changed destinations and now find myself in another area of Tuscany. Wanting to explore smaller cities, this one also has the advantage of being near the coast. I see day trips in my future. Here are my first impressions of Lucca Italy. Walkable What a well laid out …
One very special aspect to travel is trying local food. Italian cuisine is known around the world, almost everywhere one travels they can find some form of pizza or pasta. But to be in Italy and tasting the real deal? How blessed am I. Oh to eat amazing food in Florence Italy is indeed a …
Something I enjoy doing in each destination that has an historical core, is wander aimlessly. To have no time constraints or specific goal in mind, simply to explore and discover. Get lost with me in Florence Italy and let’s see what we can uncover. Duomo The place to begin this adventure for me is the …
The autumn is generally not the time of year for flowers, but that doesn’t mean visits to the gardens in any destination should be skipped. I have three specifically that I wish to pass along, for they are each divine in their own special way. How lucky, I found these beautiful gardens in Florence. Boboli …
I try and visit at least one cemetery in each new destination I visit. I find them peaceful, for the most part, full of art, architecture and beauty. They are free to enter and offer a glimpse into a culture that is unique and historical. I found two incredible cemeteries in Florence you must see …
Readers will know by now how much I adore a good market. It doesn’t really matter what kind; however, I do have preferences and favourites. I was able to visit several during my visit, and aim to give you an idea of where to go and what to see. The best markets in Florence, lets …
The largest museum in Florence is the historical home of the Medici family. It actually contains seven separate museums and over 500 pieces of Renaissance art in one of them alone. I aim to provide some insight as to the contents of each place, so you can plan your visit accordingly. What to see in …
A first trip to Florence would not be complete without seeing specific historical and cultural sights. Many of these have to be planned prior to arrival, for the tickets sell out online as soon as they are released months in advance. Visiting the beautiful Uffizi Gallery & Vasari Corridor is one such place. Getting There …
What a pleasure it is to be back in Italy. I can’t explain why, but something about this country feels so right to me. The weather, history, beauty, language, art and food all combine to create a perfect atmosphere that feels like home. Here are my first impressions of Florence Italy after my initial walk-a-bout …
I have been looking forward to departing the Balkans and getting back to Italy and the day has finally arrived. This should be an easy trip, two short flights on the same airline with a two-hour layover in Vienna. My travel day Skopje to Florence on Austrian Airlines doesn’t quite turn out the way I …
I have no trouble what so ever providing ideas for future visitors. Skopje is filled with curiosities and interesting things to see and do. With its varied history, different ethnicities and current government, the city is simply fascinating to explore. Here are 5 free things to do in Skopje Macedonia that I hope you enjoy …
One might notice that there are far more mosques in Skopje than churches. This is a curiosity as roughly 50% of the population is Eastern Orthodox and 30% Muslim. Because of the Ottoman history, this interesting balance exists. Here is an example of beautiful churches & mosques of Skopje Macedonia that are definitely worthy of …
I was not prepared to see quite as much variety as I have in this European capital city. Each day I leave my abode, it seems I am discovering a new style. Perhaps arriving from Podgorica, where one is inundated with sameness, the difference seems starker. The fascinating architecture of Skopje Macedonia is both intriguing …
Always a fan of these types of historical museums, I was disappointed when I tried to visit and found it closed. Under refurbishment for a month during late summer, luckily it reopened before I left the city. The amazing Archaeological Museum of Macedonia is worth a visit for sure. Getting There You can’t miss it. …
One might think by now, that I would be getting tired or bored with markets. Not so my dear readers, if anything the fascination grows. Each time I encounter an item I have not seen before, it feeds my curiosity. I am in luck here in this capital city. Bit Pazar is the best market …
As a lover of ancient history, I knew this would be a structure that I was going to try and get up close and personal with. Located just two kilometers from the city, one feels like they are truly in the middle of nowhere, standing beside this mammoth snake. But there is intrigue here. What …
It is an interesting subject and one that is quite nuanced. When I first arrived, I had seen photos, but nothing prepared me for the reality of the situation. It is one of the reasons I find the city so fascinating and you might too. Why is beautiful Skopje The City of Statues? I’ll try …