Its that time, the end of my visit to this extraordinary city in Tuscany. What a magical place. I have barely scratched the surface and know I will return over and over, there is that much to experience. Here are 5 free things to do in Florence Italy that I hope you will find as …
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 …
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 …
One of my favourite ways to discover a new destination, is to let myself wander with abandon. Doing this, with no preconceived agenda, allows me the presence of mind, to really explore a space. Get lost with me in the Old Bazaar in Skopje Macedonia, lets discover magic. Brief History The Old Bazaar is located …
Having travelled to a few Balkan countries now, I feel I have an idea of what to expect. Each one is different of course, but many of them have a similar and familiar recent history that unites them. Here are my first impressions of Skopje Macedonia. Beggars Right from the get go, on that initial …
When I first moved to the island in the early 90’s, I was taken to this abandoned trestle and couldn’t believe my eyes. At that time, it still had the metal railway lines and daring visitors could walk out onto the old structure, no railings, no safeguards at all. Today, it has been lovingly restored …
Never one to turn down a visit to a beach, this is a particularly amazing area of the City of Victoria. My favorite in fact, I think it’s the best part, and an absolute treasure. Not only are there various parks and recreational areas, the views and coastal vibes are unique and authentic. Dallas Road …
Hiking in Canada. What an innate part of our lives this pastime becomes. The perfect way to see the natural beauty up close and personal is on foot. Whether you don a backpack and sleep in the woods for days on end, or simply head off into the forest for a few hours. It’s something …
In keeping with my plan to revisit all the places that brought me joy while I lived here, this was a frequented one. Delving into this sun dappled rain forest was a way to escape the ugly parts of the city and make my brain happier. Come see the Trans Canada Trail at Cowichan near …
On this short trip back to my home country, the plan is to visit the places that brought me the most joy while I lived here. I’ll be doing all of these with at least one of my adult children, my favourite people in the whole world. Today we explore a coastal area, that of …
This is one of the easiest of these posts I have written. And that is because everything I have seen here has been free! With so few places to visit, I have not encountered one single entrance fee into any of them. Imagine that! A European capital city that has so few tourists, there are …
I haven’t written one of these posts in ages, mainly because I was away from any city that values this type of creativity. Arriving in this little visited capital city, I have been pleasantly surprised by the amount of public art that surrounds me here. The amazing street art in Podgorica Montenegro is on the …
A beach girl at heart, you know I had to check out this area of the country. Having spent considerable time in Budva and Tivat, I am curious to see how Bar compares. While not a huge fan of a rocky beach, if that’s all that available, then I’ll take it. A day trip to …
Within the confines of this capital city full of utilitarian concrete buildings is a natural haven. In fact, it’s the city’s namesake. Podgorica means ‘under the hill’, that hill being Gorica Hill. This large green space calls to me and I visit it every other day. Gorica Hill Park an oasis found in Podgorica Montenegro …
A favourite post to create at the end of my time in each destination are these. Providing ideas, that are not only budget friendly, but perhaps unique and special, hidden gems if you will. Here are 5 free things to do in Marsala Sicily that made my time here memorable. Genna Salt Pans One of …
One of my favourite things to do in any destination that I feel reasonably safe in, is to let myself wander without aim or intention. Doing so, I find the most amazing little gems, pretty hidden nooks, secret gardens and enchanting sights. Get lost with me in Marsala Sicily and let’s see what we can …
Initially I was going to use Castelvetrano as a stopover in which to see Selinunte. However, after an exploratory mission of the historical areas, I see there is reason to extend my stay in this intriguing city. Here are the best things to see in Castelvetrano Sicily. Brief History In the whole scheme of things, …