The Gelato Diaries: France, Italy & Greece

If there was a day during our trip from Paris-Athens that we didn’t each gelato, it evidently wasn’t worth remembering. Gelato, sorbet and on one occasion, plain old ice cream, was an essential party of our daily diet because this is what you do when you’re it’s summer, you’re in Europe with your best friend and you’re twenty years old. Sorbet at Berthillon, Paris On my … Continue reading The Gelato Diaries: France, Italy & Greece

Riomaggiore: Cinque Terre’s most colourful village

Cinque Terre is famous for it’s brightly-coloured buildings, but Riomaggiore takes the (rainbow) cake. The punchy colour scheme in Vernazza, the vivid blue sea and the colour-coordinated umbrellas in Monterosso and the popping pastels in Manarola are no match for the colours of Riomaggiore. Shades of sunshine yellow, bright orange and watermelon pink punctuated by forest-green shutters shine even brighter against the brilliant blue sky.  Bright bunting strung across … Continue reading Riomaggiore: Cinque Terre’s most colourful village

Postcards from Vernazza, Cinque Terre

We broke the “real” traveller’s cardinal rule for Cinque Terre. We didn’t hike any  of it. It wasn’t planned that way, but that’s how it worked out. I lugged my hiking gear through Europe for naught, but I regret nothing. We spent our first couple of nights in the nearby seaside village of Levanto, which was an unexpected delight and is now my ultimate relaxation … Continue reading Postcards from Vernazza, Cinque Terre

Itinerary: 2 weeks in Italy

Planning an itinerary for two weeks in Italy is exciting and overwhelming. Where do you start? In the north, the fashion & finance powerhouse of Milan, the sinking canals of Venice and the bright villages of Cinque Terre each demand attention. The olive groves and vineyards of Tuscany, the streets of Florence oozing Renaissance splendour and the fine foods of Emilia-Romagna tempt travellers in the … Continue reading Itinerary: 2 weeks in Italy

Top 5 Travel Experiences 2013

In 2013 I had an amazing five-week holiday with my best friend around France, Greece, Italy & Turkey. What a way to celebrate graduating from uni! I felt like most of 2013 was spent head down, bum up, as I finished my final semester of university, planned the trip and worked two jobs so I could afford to go. Of course, all of this added to … Continue reading Top 5 Travel Experiences 2013

24 Hours to win a trip to Cinque Terre

Dazzling Cinque Terre was one of my major trip highlights last summer and I would return in an instant (sans $2000 airfare!). The five hamlets of Riomaggiore, Vernazza, Monterosso, Manarola and Corniglia each have their own signature laid-back vibe and are unmissable destinations on the Ligurian coast. I’d love to re-visit Monterosso’s sparkling water and beach, Vernazza’s gorgeous little harbour and delicious pizzas, Riomaggiore’s festive … Continue reading 24 Hours to win a trip to Cinque Terre

Monterosso: The best beach in Cinque Terre

Monterosso al Mare is one of my favourite Cinque Terre villages, for having the best beach. We had lunch on the deck of Nuovo Bar Eden, overlooking one of the private beaches.  The fact that you can charge people for a beach seems so strange to me – I know that wouldn’t go down well in Australia. How can anyone set up shop and own the … Continue reading Monterosso: The best beach in Cinque Terre