Matera has long been known as the Subterranean City. No massive prizes for guessing why, but more on that later. Located in southern Italy, in the region of Basilicata, Matera has been declared Italian host of European Capital of Culture for 2019. It's a beautiful spot, and somewhere I was lucky enough to spend a couple [...]
Oh go on then, just one more quick post about my time in Venice. As if I haven't posted enough about surviving the train journey from London to Venezia with no luggage, about exploring it canals by gondola, about wandering it's tiny streets and alleyways in search of amazing architecture and hidden galleries. So you [...]
London to Venice by train? With no luggage? No luggage no problem? No, not exactly, there were definitely a few mini problems that came about through having 'lost' my luggage, but on the whole my journey from London to Venice by train with no luggage was still a lot of fun. Last week I bought [...]
London to Venice by train ... with no luggage. Well I did it. It wasn't quite as easy as I thought it might have been, and there were a few hiccups along the way, but I survived it - the MoneySuperMarket Lost Luggage Challenge. Yay me! 18-25% Yay me indeed, but at this point [...]
Il Volo dell’angelo, or the Flight of the Angel as it is known in English, is not just Italy's, but also the world’s fastest zipwire. Yep, THE fastest. Not 2nd fastest, not 3rd or 4th, THE fastest. How fast? 120kph fast. Seriously fast. Fast enough to make you eyes water and for your cheeks to do [...]
As an Englishman, the chance to visit an area of the world which was once used as a set for a James Bond 007 movie is terribly exciting. From the moment I received my #helloBasilicata itinerary a visit to Craco stood out a country mile as something I thought I would love and learn a [...]
Oh hello Basilicata, didn't see you there, lurking in the south, on the instep of the boot, away from the likes of Milan, Venice, Rome and Florence. No litterally, I did not see you there. Who are you? Where did you come from? I wont lie, before the start of the year I knew little [...]
The Golden Gallery of Genoa, a room bathed in a sea of precious metal. It has to be seen to be believed, seriously, its incredible! A grand oblong room, centred around a giant mirrored table which reflects the expensive shine from the 24 carrot chairs, chandeliers, mirror frames, door handles, fittings and sculptures. With some [...]
The Italian city of Bologna is known by three names. All three of these names ring true and with good reason. 1. The Educated City - The city is home to the worlds oldest University - educated 2. The Fat City - The city is rich in culinary history and somewhere to eat is never ever far [...]
"Gelato" "GEL-A-TO" ... mention the words 'Ice Cream' around here at your own risk says Francesca, our guide for the day at the Carpigiani Gelato Lab and Museum. 'Was that a joke or a threat?' I asked my girlfriend as we make our way into the reception area, she shrugs as if not caring, and lets [...]
