Tag: discovery
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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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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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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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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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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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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 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…
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Looking back to Paris
Well having left Paris behind I’m looking at the highlights of my visit and my impressions. Firstly the people I met … friendly and witty. The buildings beautiful and well kept. The vibe was so exciting, on trend and easy. I think the 4eme is wonderful. So many independent shops of all types; wonderful chocolatiers,…
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Off the tourist track
Walking with a native Parisian reveals the small corners and unusual sights … a flea market, perfumer that sells coffee, graffiti and some wonderful bookshops dedicated to art, literature, lmanga, fashion and photography
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An interesting day
Musee d’Orsay in the morning. Then a great walk around Paris with Cedric and lunch at a fantastic Japanese restaurant. Decorated as a fish market with sound effects. Fish everywhere (not real! But very realistic) and dressed with all the accoutrements of a dockside. Cobbled floor, baskets of fish, overalls, scales … pretty inventive. Food…
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At the Musee D’Orsay
What a wonderful and humane Manet was. Breaking the centuries old barriers of art consumed by the male gaze. No longer a “nude” but a naked prostitute looking the viewer straight in the eye. This is no coy woman at a man’s beck and call.
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Inspiration
Travel isn’t always pretty. It isn’t always comfortable. Sometimes it hurts, it even breaks your heart. But that’s okay. The journey changes you; it should change you. It leaves marks on your memory, on your consciousness, on your heart, and on your body. You take something with you. Hopefully, you leave something good behind.” –…
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Catalyst
2022 has been a strange year; my life pivoted in July when I hit an age I never imagined I could be; 70! Then I encountered a much younger man and became madly infatuated with him. He was beautiful, sensitive and so open emotionally. At 70 I never expected such an intense sexual relationship. Older…
Escape to myself 