A Gondola U-Turn
Two gondolas trying to pass, as one does a u-turn in a narrow canal; only in Venice!
The Lions of Venice
Representing St Mark, the patron saint of Venice, statues of lions are to be found throughout Venice, including atop the column standing in St Mark’s Square.
The Piazza Limbo, Florence
The Piazza Limbo, near the Arno in Florence, marks where unbaptised babies were once buried. Charlemagne, apparently, laid the foundation stone of the church here in 786 AD
An Angel, A Florentine Painting, and My Novel.
Sometime around 1252, a monk fell asleep and an angel finished his painting. If only the angel would do the same for my novel.
A Small Green Door
Behind this little green door was my home in Venice for a short while; just outside the door, this magical city waited to be explored
Gardens in Venice
Gardens are everywhere in Venice, but often hidden from the casual eye.
It Began Here
The Oltrarno, Forence
The Oltrarno, or ’other side of the Arno’, is a place of winding streets and artisan shops, cafes, street markets, workshops, small piazzas and quiet spots - little has changed since medieval times.
Some Non-Touristy Ideas For Rome
Some things a little different to do in Rome, away from those places often thronged with tourists.
A Day Sailing the Cinque Terre
Memories of a day spent sailing (and swimming and eating) along Italy’s Cinque Terre.
Beneath the Duomo, Florence
Beneath Florence’s Duomo lies an archeological treasure trove: remnants from the old Roman town Florentia, an early 4th C Christian Church, Santa Reparata. This was later rebuilt as the Cathedral Santa Reparata, only to be demolished in 1379 for the new Duomo.
A Bookshop in Venice
The Acqua Alta Bookshop is so typically Venetian: hidden in courtyard, with a gondola overflowing with books in all languages.
Exploring Civitavecchia
Venice and the Church of the Skiing Jesus
An unusual church spire in Venice