It’s a bit of a love/hate relationship with the Louvre. It’s stunning, the largest and one of the most important art galleries in the world. Some 35,000 pieces of art across 780,000 square feet. It hosted 8.7 million visitors in 2024. Thankfully I had a 09:00 am entry and headed for the Richelieu wing, which…
I am finding my own suburb, Boulogne-Billancourt to be incredible charming. The majority of buildings seem to be from the 1920s and 30s so there is a strong art deco feel. Across the Seine, heading towards Paris is the area of Javel and the Andre Citroen Park. A beautiful park sitting next to the sleek…
Starting my day in the 13th Arrondissement for its great street art. Then starting at Republique, making my way along the Canal St Martin. What was once an important shipping canal complete with locks. It makes for a long and pleasant stroll. Arriving finally at the City of Science and Industry – an interactive museum….
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…
The Haussmann architecture and mansard roofs…feels great to be back in Paris. Though certainly moving from the summer heat of Rome to the fall temperatures of Ile-de-France. Still plenty of work happening post fire at Notre Dame. Starting the day with rain and cold…but I had tickets to the Galerie Dior. Christian Dior is iconic…
With a bit of searching there are some amazing sights in Rome. This includes Santa Maria Maggiore, a large Basilica not too far from Rome’s Termini train station. While looking serene and peaceful it was a busy place even at 9 am on a weekend. The combination of it being a jubilee year in Rome…
It feels great to be back in Rome, though it’s always busy with tourists there is also never a shortage of places to wander and explore. Warning – it’s gonna be churches and more churches. Santa Maria della Vittoria having smaller crowds over the last few years and I wonder if they curse Dan Brown…
A quick train ride from Bari (and a seven minute train ride between each other) are the seaside towns of Monopoli (no relation to the game) and Polignano ad Mare. Monopoli has that port / fishing village feel. Great buildings and narrow streets to wander. Less expected was Monopoli’s cathedral. It was a masterpiece of…
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.
