While Lille isn’t the biggest of cities, it sits within the larger European Metropolis of Lille with a regional population between 1.5-2 million. While I explored most of the historical centre there is lots more to come back one day and explore across the region.
And the usual steep and traditional winding French staircase to carry my luggage up…
Up early on a beautiful fall day, so I decided to head across town and up the hill to where there is not only a nice church, it has one of the best viewpoints of Turin as a city. The galleria for a little high end shopping… or catch a film at the Lux Just…
One of the most recognized sights in Paris and opera houses in the world, the Opera Garnier celebrates 150 years in 2025. This is also the theatre that was the inspiration for Gaston LeRoux’s Phantom of the Opera. I took a guided tour which was excellent. This was an opera house not built for acoustics…
My day started with a quick 20 min train ride to one of the southern suburbs of Turin, where standing high on a hill was Castello Moncalieri and the lovely historical centre that surrounds it. Originally built as a fortress for the Savoys in the 1100s, it was turned into a “pleasure residence” in the…
Two of the most beautiful churches in Lecce are Santa Croce and San Matteo. Santa Croce is a jaw dropping moment as you come around the corner and see the very ornate facade. I am sure it makes a stunning wedding venue. San Matteo is more bell shaped but just as beautiful inside.
Turin is quite a grand city. If you look across the city’s history it starts to make sense. Home to the Duchy of Savoy in 1563 and it was Turin that was Italy’s first capital when it was united into a single country. While it only lasted from 1861 to 1865 the remnants of fortifications,…
