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… to Aquileia… a hidden jewel
I wasn’t sure what I would find here. A train journey and then waiting for a bus it seemed quite a journey as it’s about 40 miles from Trieste. However I’d heard about it and it is yet another UNESCO world heritage site so I thought it would be worth a look. I walked a…
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A visit to the Banksy exhibition
This was a really fascinating exhibition. While we all know about Banksy and his notoriety this presentation gave me a real insight into his mindset; his politics, humanity and way of seeing the paradox of the world in which we live. The basis of capitalism which underpins war, consumerism and the unseen machinery directing our…
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Leaving Genova for Trieste
Well I’m feeling better. Not because Cedric and I spent a wonderful day in Genoa … he showed me his favourite spots and Brignole is a really great part of the city but because I feel that I have dissipated the guilt I felt for not helping him out in Verona and he was so…
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By boat to the islands… Murano and Burano
Murano Taking a trip to the islands. It’s a beautiful day and while it’s breezy the sun is warm. It will be nice to have some time away from the city. Murano is very pretty and remarkably quiet. We had our glass demonstration which was interesting. Murano , contrary to expectations, was really lovely with…
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A little afternoon trip to Vicenza
A pretty little town which on a Sunday afternoon had a chilled and relaxed vibe. Everyone out for an afternoon stroll in the sunshine; a spritz, a coffee, a spremuta and some pasticceria. Musicians in the street, people window shopping (some great shops) or just taking the air. Young and old it felt so natural…
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At the Guggenheim Venice
Well this was a wonderful surprise. Peggy Guggenheim; wealthy, well connected and passionate about modern art of the first half of the century amassed this staggering collection and was seminal in promoting the various movements. They are all represented here. Cubism, Surrealism, Abstract expressionism, and not by minor works. This is a heavyweight collection including;…
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A first morning in Venice … La Serenissima
I’m sitting in Florian’s in St Marks Square as I write. A piece of Vienna in Venice. Rather beautiful inside but of course it’s now a tourist attraction resting on the myth of turn of the century bourgeois experience. But the coffee is good even if it costs an arm, a leg and a head.…
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Io arrivo a Venezia
What an arrival in Venice … it was a little overwhelming. It’s a very beautiful place from my first impressions wandering around this afternoon. The canals, bridges, tiny maze of passages and courts. I’ll need Google maps! It has a decayed grandeur. The aesthetics of entropy. Crumbling plaster walls and damp. It has a certain…
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A walk around Mantua …
When I walked from the station the streets were empty. When I reached the main piazza I discovered why. 4 hours later it was empty. Mantua is a pretty, vibrant workaday town with some beautiful corners, great shops and wonderful buildings. Generally I’ve avoided churches but one or two caught my eye. I’ve had a…
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Ducal Palace in Mantua
The Palace is remarkable. It is a huge space with so many rooms and galleries. It is a testament to the wealth, power and pride of the Gonzaga family who ruled here. The frescos by Mantegna in La Camera degli Sposi are absolutely wonderful. Painted into wet plaster they seem fresh as the day the…
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Street Art in Desanzano del Garda
This is a very pretty little town: and very up market. As a result there is a lot of interesting street art. The big fibreglass animals are great fun. There are also some good modern sculptures throughout the squares I had the chance to catch a street installation … “Riflessi del Lago”. Using recycled clothing…
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Last Day in Florence… still enticing … and an Escher exhibition
I’m still finding hidden views and places on my final morning here. It’s a fascinating place. Chiesa Santa Maria Maggiore A beautiful church with some original 14th century Frescos Escher exhibition True to form I found an exhibition! Escher is fascinating and what a great draughtsman. His inventiveness and wonderful precision is hypnotic. The first…
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Last night in Florence
I’m off to Verona tomorrow, leaving beautiful Tuscany (I’ve fallen in love … as so many English do) and I’m off to the Veneto region. Hopefully less churches and art and more Lakes and scenery as I hope to visit Lake Garda. A few hours in Florence tomorrow before I set off.
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Uffizi
Not sure I loved the Uffizi if I’m honest. I saw some of the famous painters but it was a lot of religious art by a lot of second rank Renaissance painters. However did get to see theee or four works I loved; Botticelli, Caravaggio, Rembrandt and Bellini among them. At €25 I thought it…
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Santa Croce Florence
The church of Santa Croce in the centre of Florence has an important place in the history of art as it contains two seminal fresco cycles painted for the chapels of the wealthy Bardi and Peruzzi families. Giotto is important to the Renaissance as he was one of the first artists to attempt to portray…
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Siena and a wine tasting
After San Gimignano we left for a lunch and wine tasting. You know me and wine … I drink it … but the owner who took us around and lead the tasting during lunch was passionate about his work and it showed. The winery specialised in Chianti but also made Balsamic Vinegar which seemed just…
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San Gimignano … an almost too perfect Town
I’m sitting outside the hostel listening to church bells as I write this. the drive to San Gimignano took us through some beautiful scenery. Vineyards of Chianti country, grey green olive groves. Forested hills and valleys until we finally climbed the steep hill to the town. The Italians take their history and culture very seriously.…
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Siena and San Gimignano
What a fabulous day this has been. San Gimignano was wonderful and quiet early in the morning while the wine tasting and lunch was great. Siena was a revelation. It’s quite late so I’ll post full details tomorrow but suffice it to say photos were taken, gelato eaten and friends made. As I sit terrible…
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Pompeii and the Bay of Naples
Well it was a four and a half hour trip. It could have been much less if we hadn’t dropped people off in Naples and taken an hour to get through the city. It’s a strange place and driving through the suburbs and centre didn’t inspire me very much. A trip through the docks was,…
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Staying in hostels and connections
Hostels So far this has been a great experience. All the hostels bar one have been clean, friendly, great roommates and wonderful facilities. Varied in price and obviously Paris and Rome have been more expensive but between €35 and €50 per night … some with breakfast included. My only real gripe is that Paris had…
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The Colosseum, The Palatine Hill and The Forum.
This afternoon I was walked to death on a tour of The Colosseum, The Palatine Hill and The Forum. Goodness but Rome is beautiful. I’m getting to know my way around and have averaged 8 miles a day! Our guide was great … very handsome but more to the point informative and knowledgeable. The Colosseum…
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I love a good arm reliquary and an embalmed Saint … Lucca Cathedral
There is nothing like a good bone in a silver arm or a Saint behind a glass case. Spooky but fascinating. The cathedral treasury had some beautiful objects. It houses il Volto Santo or holy Face of Lucca, a represention of Christ crucified dating from the 8th century. This was, until recently carried in procession…
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I Torri di Lucca
Apparently in the Middle Ages noble families vied with each other to build bell towers for their local churches. It’s resulted in a wonderful skyline for the city. They vary from tiny to huge. Obviously the richer the higher. Here’s a selection and a video of the view of the city from Torre Guigini Quite…
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Wonderful Lucca
I’m loving this city. It’s beautiful with something of interest around every corner. It’s obvious the Luccense love their city. Well cared for, clean, beautiful shops. Pisa is a poor second to Lucca. The architecture is fabulous. A church or beautiful building wherever you look. Great museums and there are towers everywhere. I’ll post separately…
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Connecting
My stay in Genoa has been really good. Museums, churches, food, sea and sun. The hostel was good though I’m a little fed up with always getting the top bunk😀. Cedric’s recommendations have been great. It’s a great city. I’ve been trying to use a little Italian wherever I can … and I’ve spoken to…
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A morning in Nervi
Just 15 minutes by train from the centre of Genoa is Nervi. Today it looks fabulous. No tourists so I’m sitting writing this in a cafe by the sea. It’s a pretty little town and I’m practicing my Italian where I can. For €1.50 what a bargain on the train! I think I may be…
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I palazzi di Genova
Well it’s a beautiful morning here in Genova. The sky is blue and the sun warm. I thought this post could be about the palaces of the nobility in the Genoese republic. This is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and there seems to be a lot of renovation. In the sunshine the architecture really stands…
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The passages of Genoa
My friend (who often visits Genoa) advised me to steer clear of these alleys in the old town at night😀. I think I’ll follow his advice and explore them in the day. They look so inviting in the day. Genoa has an edgy vibe which I quite like. Exploring tomorrow
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In Genoa
I’m here until Friday. It looks a fascinating city. The hostel is close by the main station and the University. Genoa old town is a city of faintly decaying palazzi in narrow streets. Full of small alleyways. It feels workaday compared to Milan but I think I’ll enjoy exploring the port and walking the city.…
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In Milano per Una notte
In Milan for one night before Genova … bustling, busy, full of fashionistas and on trend shops. This my first night alone. Of course I’m missing Cedric but this is all about me and learning about myself … coping in the world. We’ll see. I’ve already had a wander to the centre to the the…
Escape to myself
Travelling to reconnect
Escape to myself 