Is Bucharest Worth Visiting? My Honest Opinion, Pros & Cons

Image: Is Bucharest worth visiting? Dambovita River of Bucharest

There is plenty of mixed feelings when it comes to recommending Bucharest as a travel destination. Is Bucharest worth visiting? Is it one of those cities you should spend money and energy on? Even though a fascinating European capital, Bucharest is not as nearly popular as Rome, Paris, or Barcelona. Even though in more recent …

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Resilient to globalization? Visit Sedilo, Sardinia

casa nonna in Sedilo, Sardinia

I can’t remember how many times I’ve been to Sedilo, one of Sardinia’s prettiest villages. Impossible to count them, really. It’s the village where my mom was born, where my grandparents grew up, met, got married, and lived until their sixth child when they migrated to France. After more than twenty years of living beyond …

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The Legend of wolf that made Rome possible

lupa romolo e remo

Many people gape at Rome’s monuments, their authenticity makes it incredibly easy to picture toga-clad muscular men busy organizing naval battles at the Colosseum, but how many have wondered how all this started? To make sure Rome’s foundation sounded as grand as its present and future, historians, writers, and poets back in the BCs produced …

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Secret Sardinia, Shelter of the Knights Templar

santu lussurgiu sardinia

It’s easy to be seduced by Sardinia’s irregular beauty. The island’s rugged mountains framed by sandy beaches and crystal clear waters make for a pristine landscape one can hardly forget. Most villages proudly boast a great resilience against the waves of globalization, and although some traditions do struggle to survive, locals are very jealous of …

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Visiting the Museum of the Inquisition in Cordoba

Entering the Museum of the Inquisition

When I made the unfortunate suggestion to visit the Museum of the Inquisition in Cordoba on the last morning of our stay, just before catching the bus to the beautiful Granada, my cousin didn’t show much enthusiasm. “Are you sure?” she told me in an evident effort to talk me out of it. But since …

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Pratobello, a ghost town, or breeding ground for revolution?

Mural at the very entrance of Pratobello. It's in Sardinia's native language and reads: "Out the military State/ Out the nuclear State/ Out the State of threats from Sardinia"

“Does anybody live here in Pratobello?” Smirk. “Who would want to live here?!” A shepherd from Orgosolo was guarding his sheep grazing early morning and didn’t seem to appreciate our question, and due to Orgosolo’s reputation, we opted not to insist. At first sight, from the road, that small cluster of wrecked buildings gives for …

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Journey through Roman Grandeur

palazzo colonna garden

Recently, I was invited by Context Travel to a cultural walk led by Dr. Francesca Barberini through the magnificence of Princess Isabelle’s Apartment in Palazzo Colonna, 66 Piazza SS. Apostoli, just beside Piazza Venezia, in Rome’s city center. As soon as I arrived, something looked familiar. True, I had lived in Rome for seven years, …

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Best Things To Do In Bolzano, Northern Italy

what to do in bolzano italy

The cross-cultural reality of Italian and German traditions, Bolzano is a fascinating city that perfectly blends nature, history, and culture. One of the cities to visit in Trentino Alto Adige, it makes for a great travel destination in both summer and winter. From museums and historic sites to outdoor recreation opportunities, there’s something for everyone …

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Exploring Veio, Rome’s “last big enemy”

One of the best day trips from Rome is to Veio, the last Etruscan city that surrendered to the new conquerors’ fury, Rome’s “last big enemy”. It is such a shame that the civilization prior to the Romans in Central Italy has been wiped out by the mighty new dynasties of divine origins, and their …

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Top 10 reasons to visit Andalusia

Andalucia holidays, reasons why you should travel to this beautiful Spanish region.

A fascinating stormy past, cities blessed with sunny days all year round and great food are only some of the reasons to travel to Andalusia, a wonderful region in southern Spain. If you are still planning your next vacation, read on and get inspired to visit Andalusia. Andalusia is a place of wonder. Sunbaked and …

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Top 10 reasons to visit Granada, Spain

Top reasons to visit Granada

A fascinating and rich history, a stunning interplay of different architectural styles, beautiful natural landscape, and lovely weather are only some of the reasons why you would want to visit Granada, in the charming southern Spanish Andalucia region, now. Granada has and always will have a special place in my heart. I’ve visited this amazing …

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The best things to do in Granada, Spain

Best things to do in Granada, Spain

A trip to Andalusia won’t be complete if you don’t devote enough time to the best things to do in Granada. Sun-soaked southern Spanish city, Granada is famous for its Alhambra, and although the complex is truly stunning, it’s not the only reason that will keep you here for a couple of days. If you …

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La Judería, the Charming Muslim, Christian, Jewish Quarter in Cordoba

La Judería

After Seville and Cadiz, the third stop of my trip to Andalucía was the beautiful Córdoba. My 3-day stay was mainly focused on the Jewish quarter of Cordoba, the charming and historic neighborhood of La Judería. If Granada boasts a style that mixes Moorish and Christian influences, Córdoba combines these two approaches to art, society …

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20 things to do in Cadiz, Spain

Things to do in Cadiz, Spain

One of the cities in Andalusia you are likely to enjoy the most, despite the unbearable heat if you travel in summer, is Cadiz, the ancient Gadir, one of the oldest European cities located on a peninsula near the border with Morocco. Founded by the Phoenicians and transformed by the Romans into Gades, Cadiz has always …

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Is Sardinia Atlantis?

Giants tomb front - Travel Images

When I first wrote about Sardinia’s mysteries, I focused on popular tales, legends and unexplained facts that from time to time still happen. This second chapter is devoted to some studies that academics, journalists, and researchers are carrying out on the island’s most ancient history trying to answer the long-standing question: Is Sardinia Atlantis? Traveling …

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Don’t Miss a Visit to the Colosseum, Rome’s Most Photographed Landmark

colosseum2 - Travel Images

Hardly in need of any introduction, the Amphitheatrum Flavium, better known as Colosseum, is one of Rome’s most visited and photographed landmarks. One of those Rome must-sees no guidebooks would ever dare to forget. It must be its look, its majesty, its ancient wisdom overlooking whimsical modernity, what has been attracting thousands of people every day …

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Fantastic Day Trips From Florence, Italy

best day trips from florence siena

Find the best day trip from Florence to explore more of the beautiful Tuscany region. Medieval towns, thermal baths and cities like Pisa and Siena are only some of the the places to visit from Florence.

Don’t Miss Orgosolo in Central Sardinia, the Town of Beautiful Street Art

Sardinian shepherd 3 - Travel Images

Orgosolo is a small, apparently sleepy, town of central-eastern Sardinia located in the Barbagia region of the Nuoro province. It’s very well-known both on the island and in the rest of the country for its stormy past. This was, in fact, the place where misunderstandings would be solved with blood feuds involving entire families for …

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Tower Bridge in London, how to plan your visit to one of the city’s most iconic landmarks

How to plan a trip to London

The epitome of architectural majesty, Tower Bridge in London has always been one of the favorite and most iconic landmarks of the English capital. Symbol of a glorious bygone past, this beautiful building attracts thousands of visitors every day and is being used by over 40,000 people (motorists, cyclists, and pedestrians) daily. A suspension engineering marvel …

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Top 10 Reasons to Visit The Netherlands

Top reasons to visit the Netherlands

There are plenty of reasons to visit The Netherlands. And due to budget airlines like EasyJet, it’s cheap to get to Schiphol Amsterdam Airport from most major European cities. So why not plan a visit to the land of clogs, windmills, tulips, and cheese? Here are 10 reasons why you should visit this small but …

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Stunning S’Ardia horse race in Sedilo, Sardinia, racing for faith and tradition

Ardia1 - Travel Images

S’Ardia, the wild horse race in Sedilo that takes places every 6th and 7th of July, never fails to attract thousands of visitors from Sardinia, Italy, and Europe. Sedilo, a quiet village of some 2000 people in Oristano province in central Sardinia, holds every year one of the island’s most reckless festivals. While I’m not …

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Things to do in Strasbourg, the beautiful capital of Alsace

Things to do in Strasbourg, France

Is Strasbourg worth visiting? The capital and largest city of France’s region Alsace and the official seat of the European Parliament, even though known for more political and business reasons, there are many things to do in Strasbourg if you are on vacation. Historically on a delicate balance between France and Germany, the beautiful Strasbourg will …

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Best Turkey Tours: Dazzling Culture, Great Food, and Gorgeous Landscapes

Image: Cappadocia in the best Turkey tours

Not many touristic places can compete with Turkey’s unbelievably rich history and culture that is still very present, just like in ancient times. When we include the surreal landscapes and mouthwatering cuisine from every corner of the country, we get a widely attractive destination that every traveler feels called to at least once. Since there …

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Best Eastern European Tours – Explore Offbeat Europe

best eastern european tours

Slightly different, slightly more adventurous and slightly less-known roads is how these eastern Europe holiday packages could be described. Although “slightly” is a relatively mild expression of what awaits you if you decide to book one of these tours. These packages offer cycling adventures, as well as walking and sailing tours. When deciding whether to …

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Best 5-star Hotels in Budapest For A Luxury Holiday

Image: Parisi Udvar one of the best five-star hotels in Budapest, Hungary

Ever since Budapest emerged as a popular and affordable holiday destination, one of the reasons to visit Hungary’s capital, the palette of accommodation options grew avidly. Along with the great offer of budget hotels, there is an extensive number of 5-star hotels in Budapest located right in the heart of the Hungarian capital. Many of …

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Best Hotels In Budapest For An Unforgettable Holiday

Image: Hotel Moments one of the best hotels in Budapest

Whether you are planning a trip to Budapest for its attractions, events, rich and unique gastronomy, or work purposes, the first thing you need is adequate accommodation that will be a good starting point for any activity. It is vital to find a place that will provide a good night’s sleep, a convenient location, a …

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Best European Tours – Top Europe Vacation Deals And Packages

best european tours

Are you feeling like planning out any future trips to some of the most beautiful and interesting lands around the world? In this article, we’re going to look at some of the best European tours around different parts of the Old Continent, as they can offer a variety of experiences that you wouldn’t otherwise be …

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The Best Italy Tours To Build Wonderful Travel Memories

Image: Liguria cost in the best Italy tours

Italy. A country that is stereotyped by pizza, pasta and the Mario brothers. Yet, this boot-shaped piece of land in the Mediterranean has so much more to offer than these stereotypes would allow. Whether it is the alpine experiences of northern Italy, the rolling hills of Tuscany, the crowded city of Rome or the unique …

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One Day In Ljubljana, Slovenia – An Easy Itinerary

Image: Ljubljana in one day - Old Town

Ljubljana (pronounced more or less like ‘jubeljana’) is the capital of Slovenia. Usually, when you think of a capital city, you think a big city with a lot of people, but with Ljubljana that is not the case. Ljubljana is small, charming and the city centre is very walkable. It is a lively student city …

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One Day In Istanbul – A Simple Itinerary

Image: Istanbul Sultanhamet

Ideally you would be able to spend longer than one day in Istanbul to fully explore this beautiful city, but if you can’t swing it, then you definitely need to be very organised when planning your itinerary. Turkey is a fascinating place to visit and Istanbul the only city in the world that straddles two …

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2 Days In Barcelona – A Simple + Epic Itinerary

Image: Barcelona Cathedral

Are 2 days in Barcelona enough? Hardly. One of the most alluring metropolises in Europe, it’s a constantly developing city filled with art, music, endless sunshine and beautiful beaches. The harmony of all these together makes Barcelona a must-visit city in Spain! Imagine walking under palm trees, trying some amazing dishes, and enjoying the vibes …

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How To Plan a Trip To Porto, Portugal

autumn porto crystal palace gardens - Travel Images

Travelling to Portugal? Here are some great insider’s tips on how to plan a trip to Porto. From public transport to safety to where to eat, you will find all you need to organise a perfect holiday in Porto.

Things to do in Athens – Something for everyone

Top things to do in Athens, Greece

With so many great places to visit in Athens, the Greek capital is a top European travel destination and always included in the best tours to Greece. Whether you are a foodie, a history buff, or an adventure seeker, the things to do in Athens will make you enjoy your holiday and long for more. …

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Where to stay in Seville and where to eat

Where to stay in Seville, best Seville apartments and hotels

When planning your trip to Andalusia, you need to carefully decide where to stay in Seville. After reviewing several Seville apartments, budget and luxury hotels and also some hostels for some cheap accommodations, we are sure that here you can find the perfect option for you. Where to stay in Seville, the best hotels and …

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Top 10 reasons to travel to Greece

Top reasons to travel to Greece

In very little need for introduction, there are a million reasons to travel to Greece. The cradle of Western civilization, ambrosial food, and fantastic weather are only some of the things that make Greece a wonderful destination all year round. Read on and get inspired to book a tour to Greece now! **Guest post by …

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Top 10 reasons to visit Sarajevo

Top 10 reasons to visit Sarajevo

The fascinating capital of Bosnia and Herzegovina, visit Sarajevo for its tangled history, delicious food and its many things to see and do. From hiking Mount Trebevic to discovering its history in the many museums to having fun with the locals, Sarajevo can make your trip unforgettable. **Guest post by Gemma and Craig from Two …

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Capo Cubeddu and the unsung heroes of Italy’s Varignano

Capo Cubeddu, deep-sea diver from the Navy's Varignano to the seven Continents

When he was accepted at the Varignano, the famous diving training school of the Italian Navy in Le Grazie along La Spezia coastline, Domenico Cubeddu couldn’t even swim. Hailing from a small mountain village in central Sardinia, in 1954, when Italy was emerging from the debris of WWII, he was dreaming to join the Navy …

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Top 10 reasons why you should visit Berlin

Top reasons why you should visit Berlin now

Berlin, the capital of Germany, is a vibrant city brimming with multicultural communities and living a stylish, laid-back life. Boasting a long history and a very trendy contemporary art scene, there are countless things to do in Berlin. Have you made up your mind yet? If not, read on our top reasons to visit Berlin …

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Top 12 reasons to visit Italy

venice canals

For years Italy has been one of the most popular travel destinations for tourists from the world over. Culture, beauty, food, history, this small European country has it all and the reasons to visit Italy are endless. Thanks to its huge cultural heritage, the places to visit in Italy can keep you busy for a lifetime. …

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7 tips for a long solo motorcycle trip around Europe

Tips for a long solo motorcycle trip around Europe

Are you planning a motorcycle trip around Europe? This post, packed with useful tips and practical information, will help you do just that. Europe is a fantastic place for road trips, and if you are a passionate rider, you won’t be disappointed. Going on a solo motorcycle trip always requires some extra preparation than just …

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My top 6 reasons to visit Iceland

Why I want to visit Iceland: Skolaferdalag Energy Pool

I won’t deny that despite having traveled a lot, there are still quite a few places on my radar. I have been wanting to visit Iceland for a while now. Some eight years actually, when a friend of mine told me one of the things she liked the most about her trip was elves’ furtive presence. …

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Perugia city of staircases and arches in central Italy

perugia

They wandered to and fro, accordingly, and lost themselves among the strange, precipitate passages, which, in Perugia, are called streets, Some of them are like caverns, being arched all over, and plunging down abruptly towards an unknown darkness; which, when you have fathomed its depths, admits you to a daylight that you scarcely hoped to …

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San Sperate, the world of bees and Sardinian honey

sardinian honey

Home to Pino Sciola’s sounding stones and great honey, San Sperate, near Cagliari, is one of the places you should visit when planning a holiday in Sardinia. What would happen if bees went extinct? From BBC to Business Insider, we’ve been warned many times about the catastrophic consequences of bee extinction. After reading and listening …

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Visit Seneghe, hidden gem in central Sardinia

seneghe

Seneghe, according to the local mythology, is the town that engenders crazy people. It boasts a beautiful mountain, natural spring water, mouthwatering local cuisine and fertile lands. Yet, it generates crazy people. If you are planning a holiday in Sardinia, Seneghe is definitely worth it. But you will need to rent a car in Sardinia as …

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Exploring Rome like a tourist with Marco Polo Guidebooks

Rome marco polo guidebooks - Travel Images

With the extraordinary Jubilee, or Holy Year of Mercy, announced by Pope Francis and starting December 8th, from the very moment all sacred doors around the city will be open, Rome will be in the spotlight even more than usual, which is already quite a lot. While I sure am pretty confident getting around the Italian capital, …

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20 things to know before travelling to Sardinia

1 monte seneghe sardinia - Travel Images

Are you thinking about spending a holiday in this beautiful Italian island? Here are some of the things to know before you travel to Sardinia. #1 It’s a desert island. Or is it? #2 Get ready to gain weight #3 If you are offered rotten cheese, don’t take it as an insult #4 Do we speak Italian or Spanish? #5 Are you ready to travel in time?

Discovering my hometown Sardinia with Marco Polo Guidebooks

sardinia marco polo guidebook - Travel Images

If you’ve been following my Instagram gallery, you might know that I just got back from a blissful two-week holiday in my hometown Sardinia, which, to brag just a little, happens to be my hometown. This has obviously led me to write extensively about it, with a soft spot for the lesser-known places, customs and …

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Exploring Sicily with Marco Polo Guidebooks

sicily marco polo guidebook - Travel Images

Confession time: in all my wanderings, the country I have probably explored less is my own, Italy. This is why when I received a wedding invitation from a friend of mine from Sicily I grabbed my Marco Polo Sicily Guidebook, packed my new swimwear and summer dresses and got ready in a heartbeat to enjoy …

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Fascinating Romanian Folklore in Transylvania’s Bran Castle

Image: Bran Castle in Romania

Even though I’m not the biggest fan of very touristy spots, while delving into medieval Europe in Romania, I decided to visit also the Bran Castle, famous for being Dracula’s castle, which has actually nothing, or little to do with Dracula himself. But first things first. Who’s Dracula? A vampire. Do vampires exist? Of course, they …

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Venice Ghetto, the stormy past of Europe’s oldest Jewish Quarter

venice ghetto1 - Travel Images

It was the year 1516, to be precise March 29th, when the Senate of the Serenissima Maritime Republic of Venice declared official the institution of the city’s Jewish Quarter, known also as Venice Ghetto, Europe’s first neighbourhood of its kind. This is how I roughly translate the Renaissance Italian words issued by former Venetian rulers …

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Rural Finland, images from traditional village Vuolenkoski

cart vuolenkoski - Travel Images

Between an outdoor adventure and the other, alternated with the very much sought after sauna evenings, during my recent trip to Finland I had the chance to visit Vuolenkoski, a traditional village in the southern Häme region. Counting some 500 residents, Vuolenkoski is not a newly created village, but what’s remarkable is that its youngest …

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Hiking around Sammalisto Lake and experiencing Finland’s woodland

finland nature1 - Travel Images

After our adventure around Päijänne Lake, we headed to the highly densely forested area blessed by Sammalisto and Lapakisto Lakes lapping its shores, and here, as one of the highlights of my recent trip to southern Finland, we went for a scenic and revitalizing hike immersed in the untouched greenery part of Nastola, municipality of Häme region. I was introduced …

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First time kayaking? In Finland’s second largest lake!

finland kiuasniemi1 - Travel Images

As anticipated in my previous post, I just got back from a great 4-day trip to Finland where I had the precious chance to soak in this northern European country’s most unspoilt corners. This is also the trip that introduced to the world of kayaking. Where? In Päijänne Lake. That’s right, since I usually like going the …

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Nature and fairy tales, dreaming of Finland

yoga finland2 - Travel Images

While I’ve always spent my school holidays on the beach (clear legacy of my Sardinian origins), recently I’ve been finding myself always more often craving greenery and wilderness, and this is probably why I’m so thrilled to be heading to Finland on two days from now to explore its fascinating nature with the guidance, support and precious insight …

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Stepping back in medieval Europe between Brasov and Rasnov

1 brasov - Travel Images

After enjoying the beauty of, and soaking in, the clean nature of the Prahova Valley, the following stop of our Romania trip was the (in)famous region of Transylvania, mainly known for the Count Dracula’s castle, even though, how I will have the chance to better explain in my next post, little he had to do …

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Peles Castle, eerie beauty and luxury in Sinaia

3 peles castle - Travel Images

As promised in my previous post about my stay in the Prahova county, here I’m publishing a photo essay of beautiful Peles Castle, one of the main highlights in Sinaia, a maze of rooms and corridors, each with a different character, personality and nationality, as its owner, king Carol I, chose to adorn each space with different styles and decorations, both …

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Prahova county: soaking in Romania’s nature, royalty and spirituality

4 prahova county peles castle - Travel Images

Picture yourself wandering around half-empty roads framed by slightly gothic houses with medieval features somehow resembling gnomes’ residences. Here a car passes by every two or three minutes, all in the backdrop of the dramatic, snow-covered peaks of the Carpathian range. You are in Romania’s Prahova county. Visiting Sinaia, the Carpathian Pearl I won’t deny it, I’m very …

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Colors and tradition, a photo journey around Dimitrie Ghica Park in Sinaia

3 Dimitrie Ghica Park - Travel Images

After devoting a post to Sinaia’s pretty architecture, I thought it was only fair to show you also its green part, or some of it, since the whole region is surrounded by greenery everywhere. Sinaia is a charming little town nestled in the valley of Bucegi Mountains, dramatic snow-covered peaks part of the Carpathian range. Typical architecture …

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Delicacies from a traditional Sardinian meal

6 sardinian meal - Travel Images

Now in July, just for a little summer break from Rome’s hustle and bustle, I came up with the bright idea to spend a long weekend in Sardinia to enjoy some good sun and beach time. Or so I thought. From last Thursday, day of my arrival, right until Monday, when I came back to Rome, …

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A photo stroll around Ghilarza, my hometown in central Sardinia

ghilarza1 - Travel Images

A photo-reportage from a typical Sardinian village, Ghilarza, which happens to be also Antonio Gramsci’s and my hometown. Stone walls, a persistent nature, colourful flowers and churches are possibly the main characters of most villages in the big Italian island of Sardinia. Being a small town surrounded by a huge countryside, houses in Ghilarza are …

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Uncovering secret Trastevere with Scopri Roma

raphael fresco2 - Travel Images

Touristy yet traditional, Trastevere is one of the most famous areas of Rome. Even though most tourists like to linger here from morning to evening, the younger through the night, it may come as a surprise to learn that with so many hidden spots, there is much to discover about secret Trastevere. Who has been …

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A walk around Levanto, Liguria

On the day I arrived in Liguria, just before walking to La Francesca village resort, I decided to spend some hours and my first lunch of the region in Levanto, small medieval town a little more than an hour train from Genoa. Although it was cloudy and rainy, the city looked lovely already at a …

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Viterbo, beautiful medieval, shady City of Popes

7 quartiere san pellegrino - Travel Images

Devoting an entire day to Viterbo, Italy, beautiful and mysterious city about 80 km from Rome is an experience everyone traveling to the capital should make at least once. Steeped in history and folktales, Viterbo is the City of Popes. Hardly one of those cities you stumble on naturally, for Viterbo you need a proper plan, …

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Eleonora d’Arborea, woman, daughter, mother, ruler in medieval Sardinia

eleonora d'arborea

I used to live about 40 minutes drive from Oristano, the town in central Sardinia where they run the Sartiglia equestrian carousel, and I’ve gone past the imposing statue of Eleonora d’Arborea, dominating the square named after her, probably a million times. Woman, mother, daughter, ruler, strategist, Eleonora d’Arborea is a figure of inestimable value …

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