Tag: Italy

The honest Diary of a new Scuba Diver

The honest Diary of a new Scuba Diver

You may wonder, what does a new scuba diver have to say, other than… “just do it!” Well, if it’s no more than that, and if this post just encourages one other person to take up diving, I will be happy. The sea has always 

How I spent my holiday in Ravenna – and loved it!

How I spent my holiday in Ravenna – and loved it!

This summer, while still having some budget to travel, we were more careful with our funds. We spent our main holiday in Ravenna – and I really loved it. The reasons for a more budget-conscious holiday were that I had just completed a course at 

The Stunning Ravenna Mosaics

The Stunning Ravenna Mosaics

Ravenna in Northern Italy flies pretty much under the radar unless you are massively into history or Byzantine art.  I might be leaning out of the window by saying that the Ravenna Mosaics are one of the most stunning, most beautiful ensembles of religious art 

Seven Ways to enjoy Venice stress-free and within budget

Seven Ways to enjoy Venice stress-free and within budget

Venice, Italy is one of the worlds top destinations – and for some, one of the most disappointing. Crowds except in winter, sky high prices, scams, generally poor restaurants… some might as, is it worth even going there? Here’s my list of tips to enjoy 

10 Great Places to Eat in Venice

10 Great Places to Eat in Venice

My 2021 Venice trip was my first respite not just after nearly ten months of lockdown, but also after an intense period where I worked a lot, mixed in with fear of picking up the virus. I had a little bit of money spare and 

Shopping in Venice: More than Glass and Masks:

Shopping in Venice: More than Glass and Masks:

Italy is a great place to shop for quality food and fabulous style.  And shopping in Venice is no exception. But this time in Venice, on my first trip for nearly a year, I wanted to see sights, visit restaurants, and shop things that cannot 

Learning to dive as an Older Diver is cool!

Learning to dive as an Older Diver is cool!

Why I was waiting until I was an “older diver”?  I love the water, love to snorkel.  But I  have never had the guts to learn to scuba dive. I was  thinking it is for the fit, for those with regular access to tropical waters 

Charming Milazzo – the underrated Gateway to the Aeolian Islands

Charming Milazzo – the underrated Gateway to the Aeolian Islands

My Milazzo – the underrated Gateway to the Aeolian Islands post came about for practical reasons.  Not trusting our budget flight plus a 200km road/rail trip to take us to the Aeolian ferry port on time, we decided to have a short stopover in Milazzo. 

Visiting graceful Venice after a long Lockdown

Visiting graceful Venice after a long Lockdown

After nine travel-free months this reluctant traveller stepped onto an airplane and visited a place outside home and work for the first time. I went to Venice after a long Lockdown!  I think the last time I had such a long gap of travel was 

Souvenirs from Sicily: Easy Pasta alla Norma

Souvenirs from Sicily: Easy Pasta alla Norma

Here is my version of an easy pasta alla Norma that you can cook in under 30 minutes.  My way to make my Sicily holiday last longer.  Or put it on repeat a couple days a week! A real  Sicilian classic Pasta alla Norma is 

Is Filicudi the hottest Sicilian Island?

Is Filicudi the hottest Sicilian Island?

Looks like we  just visited a real  a hotspot, with Filicudi the hottest Sicilian Island or at least a contender,  travel restrictions and all. This year, we were happy to realise just the one holiday, a week in Sicily. A few days after returning from 

Shopping in Sicily

Shopping in Sicily

My Shopping in Sicily post will be relatively short.  But it’s not to say there aren’t many wonderful things you can bring home from Sicily. Despite the dreaded virus, I finally managed a weeks holiday this year! We went to Sicily. And, as usually, I 

Travel in Sicily in times of coronavirus – my socially distant summer holiday

Travel in Sicily in times of coronavirus – my socially distant summer holiday

When the main holiday season, here from the beginning of the school holiday in late June to some time in early September came, we were still at home, watching as our government suddenly offered free (!) COVID tests to all travellers.  Many went abroad for 

Florence in high season – mad, bad and dangerous for you?

Florence in high season – mad, bad and dangerous for you?

This mad dog is back from Florence! So, what is Florence in high season like? After seeing to the killer migraine and draining a few humongous blisters, I now want to tell you all about it. Is Florence in high season a good idea? As 

Florence: 10 bites of advice from the mad dog

Florence: 10 bites of advice from the mad dog

Yes, yes, listicles are so great, and lovely for SEO. So I am going to write one, too. It’s not gonna be great, but I promise it will be an easy read.  It might provide you with some useful inspiration about what to do and