A trip in 22 chapters
Around Italy
24 February 2018 — 2 April 2026
Chapter 1
Lago di Maggiore, Italy in April 2017
24 February 2018 · Baveno, Italy
I love Italy – the weather, the buildings, the culture, the food, the language, the people. Between 2005 and 2017 I…
Chapter 2
Pistoia – a day trip from Pisa
1 March 2018 · Pistoia, Italy
Having visited the popular tourist destinations in Tuscany such as Florence, Pisa and Siena on previous trips, my partner and…
Chapter 3
Lucca – a day trip from Pistoia
1 March 2018 · Lucca, Italy
Guinigi Tower Having visited Lucca previously the revisit in June 2017 concentrated on Guinigi Tower which intrigued me on my first…
Chapter 4
Villa di Corliano Relais all’Ussero – San Giuliano Terme
5 March 2018 · San Giuliano Terme, Italy
San Giuliano Terme San Giuliano Terme is only a district outside Pisa. It’s nothing special apart from the spa. There’s…
Chapter 5
Bari – our gateway to south Italy
7 March 2018 · Bari, Italy
Bari, the capital of Puglia was our base for exploring the heel of Italy’s “boot” for my partner and I…
Chapter 6
Lecce – Florence of the south
7 March 2018 · Lecce, Italy
Lecce is known as “Florence of the south”. It’s easy to see why! I first visited Lecce in 1988…
Chapter 7
Matera – The European Capital of Culture for 2019
8 March 2018 · Matera, Italy
Matera in Basilicata was the scullery maid that becomes a duchess, the Cinderella that became the belle of the ball! Chosen…
Chapter 8
Alberobello – another UNESCO World Heritage Site in Italy
8 March 2018 · Alberobello, Italy
Alberobello, Puglia is home to “trulli,” whitewashed stone huts with distinctive conical roofs. Alberobello is a UNESCO World Heritage Site for…
Chapter 9
Chioggia – off the usual tourist trail
18 April 2018 · Chioggia, Italy
My partner and I have been to Venice a few times and have done all the usual tourist stuff. Apart…
Chapter 10
Vicenza – a delightful city with elegant buildings
18 April 2018 · Vicenza, Italy
Italy is amazing! No matter how many times I have been there I always find new places to enchant me and…
Chapter 11
Bassano del Grappa – what a beautiful place!
18 April 2018 · Bassano del Grappa, Italy
Bassano del Grappa is just over an hour on the train from Vicenza (including changing trains) After the crowds on…
Chapter 12
Burano – the colours speak for itself
18 April 2018 · Venice, Italy
Years ago when my partner and I were in Venice we took a tour to the Venetian islands of Murano,…
Chapter 13
Views of Venice on a water bus to Murano
7 May 2018 · Venice, Italy
I have come to the conclusion that Burano and Murano are best visited on separate days for them to be…
Chapter 14
Picturesque Padova (Padua)
2 October 2018 · Padua, Italy
Padova Padova is the home to the second oldest university in Italy (after Bologna). This university city is a charming…
Chapter 15
The Divine Dolomites
30 June 2022 · Agordo, Italy
It’s my other half’s turn to celebrate his milestone birthday in June. He chose to spend it in Val di…
Chapter 16
Bolzano is an all-round beauty
30 June 2022 · Bolzano, Italy
Bolzano is known as “the gateway to the Dolomites” for good reasons. It’s the nearest city to the heart of…
Chapter 17
Cagliari – the timeless ancient city
10 September 2024 · Cagliari, Italy
Back in February when it was grey and dull everywhere, I booked this trip to cheer myself up. It ended…
Chapter 18
Naples – charismatic, chaotic, charming
15 March 2025 · Naples, Italy
Most tourists arrive at Naples airport to go some place else, like we did when we went straight to Sorrento! …
Chapter 19
Ischia – An Idyllic Island Retreat
15 March 2025 · Ischia, Italy
When my partner and I visited Sorrento years ago, we took the ferry to the island of Capri for a…
Chapter 20
Postcard-perfect Procida
15 March 2025 · Procida, Italy
An hour into our journey from Naples to Ischia, the ferry pulled into the harbour of Procida. I was treated to…
Chapter 21
Peschiera del Garda – charming, cool and convenient
2 April 2026 · Peschiera del Garda, Italy
Having been to Riva del Garda on the northern end of Lake Garda, my partner and I thought we’d check…
Chapter 22
Two great day trips from Peschiera del Garda – Sirmione and Parco Giardino Sigurtà
2 April 2026 · Castelnuovo del Garda, Italy
Day Trip 1: Sirmione Having chosen Peschiera del Garda over Sirmione, the least that my partner and I could do…