Wealthy Play St Tropez, a place for sheer opulence, people watching, & great restaurants and bars. Please remember to take your money with you. 🙂
Boules-type games are traditional and popular in France, Italy and Croatia, and are also popular in some former French colonies. In those countries, boules games are often played in open spaces (town squares and parks) in villages and towns. Dedicated playing areas for boules-type games are typically large, level, rectangular courts made of flattened earth, gravel, or crushed stone, enclosed in wooden rails or back boards.
Paella anyone?
The huge place des Lices Market is a kaleidoscope of everything from fruit and veg to antique mirrors and slippers. It’s truly legendary and It is studded with plane trees, cafés and (when the market’s not on) pétanque players.
Saturday is market day in St Tropez
The seaside resort town Saint Tropez is still very popular with the tourists, although the jetset and the in-crowd have long since left it behind. Set on the lovely blue water of the Bay of Saint-Tropez, this modern version of a medieval town is most popular for the line of yachts along the quay, and the facing line of terrace cafés, divided by a parade of strolling tourists.
Look at me, look at me. 🙂
Naturally all the chairs face the footpath so customers can ogle & gawk at the people passing, while pretending not too. 🙂
The famous Cafe de Paris.
There is of course another famous Cafe de Paris in Monte Carlo.
So many restaurants & so little time. 🙂
I guess I’m stating the obvious however you can get far better value for your money by visiting the restaurants a couple of blocks away from the sea front.
The old part of town is quite fascinating.
Behind the cafés, the small streets and old buildings are picturesque, but they’re more popular for the multitude of shops and restaurants than historical significance.
The back streets are interesting
Very interesting back streets of ST Tropez.
Wealthy Play St Tropez
There are always luxury yachts cruising in the area.
Narrow lanes & arches
I’m sure this arch has not changed for hundreds of years.
L’Olive St Tropez
Very good food at L’Olive at 9 Rue Aire du Chemin, 83990 Saint-Tropez.
A very brassy lady
Surely this can’t be Bridgette Bardot. 🙂
Could this be a Trojan Horse?
I really like this sculpture near St Tropez wharf.
Mt travelling companions Deb and Jodie heading for a night out, some guys bought them drinks and Deb in return shouted a round, 110 Euros later, some smelling salts were required for her to recover and fight another day.
There is always someone with a bigger boat.
Imagine the cost of filling this east up with fuel. 🙂
You can really smell the money here. 🙂
Wealthy Play St Tropez”.
Super boat
Certainly not the prettiest boat in the harbour.
If you can’t afford a boat, get a bike.
Not much traffic here so a bike would be a safe way to see the city.
Amsterdam sex drugs & bicycles are what comes to mind when I think of this great city. The red light district attracts tourists like moths to a flame. Marijuana is freely available if that’s your thing, & every time you walk down the street you are in danger of being run down by Cyclists who believe the roads & footpaths were built exclusively for them to use.
In Amsterdam, this is the only windmill I saw, I know there are many more in the country however my 6 days were spent exploring the city.
Central Station
My journey started & ended here at the very busy Central station. I arrived by train from the airport and my wonderful B & B was only a five minute walk, then 6 days later I caught the fast train to Brussels.
Did I mention bicycles by any chance?
Authorities say there are well over 600.000 bikes in Amsterdam. The population is 747,290 in Amsterdam proper, and 2,158,592 in the metropolitan area.
Opposite Central station
Amsterdam, capital of the Netherlands, has more than one hundred kilometers of canals, about 90 islands and 1,500 bridges.
Lots of good restaurants
There are hundreds of restaurants to choose from in Amsterdam, just wander around until one catches your eye.
Fresh seafood in Amsterdam.
THE FRESH SEAFOOD LOOKED FANTASTIC.
Late night cafe
This is one of my favourite Amsterdam photos, I was wandering around the back alleys looking for somewhere to dine.
Ava Thomas, Italian restaurant
This Italian restaurant was the one I chose, nice food at a reasonable price.
The Grasshopper
The Grasshopper — one of the world’s best-known Cannabis cafés — is no longer selling cannabis, hash, or related products. The coffee shop located in landmark building across from Central Station, is one of the first of more than two dozen such shops in and around the Red Light District that are to be closed down over the next few years.
Amsterdam want to create a “grand entrance” — Amsterdam’s ‘visiting card’ — to include high quality hotels, shops and restaurants — and coffee shops simply don’t fit into that picture. To make this ‘grand entrance’ a reality, in December 2007 Amsterdam introduced Coalition Project 1012. Named after the postal code for downtown Amsterdam, the project is designed to clean up the entire medieval center of the city. That includes the Red Light District, where the city has been working to take back control over the area from what one alderman referred to as ‘riff-raff.’
The project’s goals are to ban window prostitution from all but two locations, close down businesses set up with (or ‘susceptible to the involvement of’) white-washed money, reduce the number of coffee shops in the area, combat organized crime, and to promote the ‘Red Carpet’ vision.
At the introduction of Project 1012, then-alderman Lodewijk Asscher said that Amsterdam wants to recapture the historic city center in order to “give it back to the Amsterdammers.” Clearly, it’s not just the locals the City council was thinking about, but also well-heeled tourists more interested in fine dining and upscale shopping than in using soft drugs. Sadly if this eventuates Amsterdam will never be the same. NB: Coffeeshop (yes, one word) is a Dutch euphemism for establishments where soft drugs are legally sold and used. Enjoy this while you can.
Amsterdam sex drugs & bicycles
De Wallen is the largest and best known red-light district in Amsterdam and consists of a network of alleys containing approximately three hundred one-room cabins rented by prostitutes who offer their sexual services from behind a window or glass door, typically illuminated with red lights. These “kamers” are the most visible and typical kind of red light district sex work in Amsterdam and are a large tourist attraction. Amsterdam sex drugs, you can count on it.
De Wallen Amsterdam
I imagine this whole district will just move to another location, Amsterdam can’t afford to lose the millions of tourists that come to see the RLD with Amsterdam sex drugs & rock & roll. 🙂
Amsterdam sex drugs & rock & roll
It really is a wonderful city.
Window shopping at its best
May I remind you when I think of Amsterdam I think of sex drugs & bicycles. 😆
Amsterdam sex drugs & bicycles
As with other countries, estimates regarding the total number of prostitutes vary. Most sources place this number between 15,000 and 30,000. An article published in 1997 in the International Encyclopedia of Sexuality claimed that the total number of prostitutes in the Netherlands was about 15,000 to 20,000. CATW has stated that there were 30,000 prostitutes in the Netherlands, citing “Sex tax Ticks off Dutch,” Associated Press, 14 October 1997. According to Radio Netherlands, in 1999, there were estimated to be 25,000 prostitutes in the Netherlands, with 12,500 working at any one time at a total of 6,000 locations. A later study by the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs in 2000 estimated that there were a total of between 20,000 and 25,000 prostitutes in the Netherlands
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Watching the boats
This bridge was 30 meters from my B & B and 20 meters from my favorite restaurant, De Belhamel.
De Belhamel
I had dinner twice here and on two other evenings called in to the delightful bar for a nightcap.
Lamb at De Belhamel
The Australian lamb at De Belhamel was magnificent, put this delightful restaurant on your list.
De Belhamel bar
That’s my red wine sitting on the bar, this was my compulsory stop before retiring for the night.
de belhamel is Dutch for “the rascal” – literally translated, but the Dutch translate it as “naughty child”
My friend visits in September 2015
The blonde lady Joyce Weir has been a friend of mine for over 40 years, I told her about this great restaurant, I’m so pleased she took her friends there, naturally they loved it. 🙂
One of the 2500 house boats in Amsterdam
All year long canal tours show people from all over the world how amazing the historical canal houses of Amsterdam look from the water. Some people enjoy this view every day from their own houseboat. Holland counts many houseboats, but Amsterdam holds the record with approximately 2500 houseboats.
Always lots of activity on the canals.
There is never a dull moment in Amsterdam.
Stout Restaurtant
Another good restaurant close to where I was staying.
Nice atmosphere.
TripAdvisor rate it #109 of 3,243 Restaurants in Amsterdam.
A pie at Stout.
With such a high rating it seems a shame to only have a pie, however I only found out about the rating when I was back home. 🙂
Cafe de Prins
I had lunch here twice, good food, cold beer and a great spot for people watching.
Cafe de Prins
The perfect lunch. 😎
The traffic can wait
Another way for the tourists to see Amsterdam.
Science Center NEMO
NEMO proves that there is a fun way to learn more about science and technology. The largest science center in the Netherlands has five floors full of exciting things to do and discover. All your senses will be stimulated by exhibitions, theatre performances, films, workshops and demonstrations.
The replica of the three masted “Amsterdam”
The replica of the three masted “Amsterdam”, a large vessel of the Dutch East India Company, which in its maiden journey to Batavia sank in a storm in the English Channel in winter of 1749, stands high above the waters of Ij Bay, directly at the museum quay. The wreck of the ship has been discovered off the English coast in 1969, and the museum replica has been completed in 1990. Visiting the ship, you may see how small and primitive spaces were to house 350 people during the ship’s journey, with more comfortable but equally minute quarters for the ship’s captain and officers.
A wonderful B & B
Of all the places I stayed on my “seven super cities” adventure, my B & B in Amsterdam was the best accommodation by a long shot. There are only 2 apartments in the building beside the delightful couple Tony & Loes who live there.
The breakfast room
The location was perfect, only 10 minutes walk to Central Station and close to shops & restaurants.
What a fabulous city.
Amsterdam sex drugs & bicycles is one of my favourite posts, I hope you enjoyed it.
The Luxer is a short walk from the station, use THIS LINK for a discount.
Barcelona exciting Mediterranean city is one of my favourite places in Europe, architecture, food people pigeons, Ok forget the pigeons. 😆
La Rambla is a street popular with tourists and locals alike. A tree-lined pedestrian mall, it stretches for 1.2 kilometres connecting Plaça de Catalunya in the centre with the Christopher Columbus Monument at Port Vell.
Plaça de Catalunya
Plaça de Catalunya is a large square in central Barcelona that is generally considered to be both its city centre and the place where the old city and the 19th century-built Eixample meet. The Eixample is a district of Barcelona between the old city and what were once surrounding small towns, constructed in the 19th and early 20th centuries.
Plaza de Cataluña
The open top bus in the background is by far the best way to see the city, buy a 24 hour pass and jump on and off as you wish.
Casa Milà, better known as La Pedrera, is one of Gaudí’s main residential buildings and one of the most imaginative houses in the history of architecture. This building is more a sculpture than a building. The façade is a varied and harmonious mass of undulating stone that, along with its forged iron balconies, explores the irregularities of the natural world. UNESCO recognised this building as World Heritage in 1984.
Old Customs building.
Port Vell literally in English ‘Old Harbour’ is a waterfront harbour in Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain, It was built as part of an urban renewal program prior to the 1992 Olympics. Before this, it was a run-down area of empty warehouses, railroad yards, and factories. 16 million people visit the complex each year.
Columbus monument
The Monument a Columbus was established in honour of the discoverer of America, Christopher Columbus. In 1493 Columbus was received in Barcelona after his return from America by King Ferdinand II. The monument is opened since June 1st, 1888.
In the background is Arenas de Barcelona
Arenas de Barcelona, with its beautiful neo-mujedar architecture, used to be a bullfighting arena but has now been converted into a shopping plaza which houses an excellent Desigual store.
Gothic Quarter in Barcelona exciting Mediterranean city
The Gothic Quarter is the centre of the old city of Barcelona. It stretches from La Rambla to Via Laietana, and from the Mediterranean seafront to Ronda de Sant Pere. This is where my hotel was, in fact I took the photo from the hotel window.
Barcelona exciting Mediterranean city
The Gothic Quarter is the centre of the old city. It stretches from La Rambla to Via Laietana, and from the Mediterranean seafront to Ronda de Sant Pere.
Despite several changes undergone in the 19th and early 20th century, many of the buildings date from Medieval times, some from as far back as the Roman settlement of Barcelona. Remains of the squared Roman Wall can be seen around Tapineria and Sots-Tinent Navarro to the north, Avinguda de la Catedral and Plaça Nova to the west and Carrer de la Palla to the south. El Call, the medieval Jewish quarter, is located within this area also.
The Barri Gòtic retains a labyrinthine street plan, with many small streets opening out into squares. Most of the quarter is closed to regular traffic although open to service vehicles and taxis.
The Mercat de Sant Josep de la Boqueria, often simply referred to as La Boqueria , is a large public market in the Ciutat Vella district, and one of the city’s foremost tourist landmarks, with an entrance from La Rambla, not far from the Liceu, the cities opera house. The market has a very diverse selection of goods.
Do you like lollies?
Make sure Barcelona’s market is on your bucket list.
Sagrada Família
The Basílica i Temple Expiatori de la Sagrada Família Basilica and Expiatory Church of the Holy Family), is a large Roman Catholic church in Barcelona, Spain, designed by Catalan architect Antoni Gaudí (1852–1926). Although incomplete, the church is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and in November 2010 Pope Benedict XVI consecrated and proclaimed it a minor basilica, as distinct from a cathedral which must be the seat of a bishop. Construction of Sagrada Família had commenced in 1882, Gaudí became involved in 1883, taking over the project and transforming it with his architectural and engineering style, combining Gothic and curvilinear Art Nouveau forms. Gaudí devoted his last years to the project, and at the time of his death at age 73 in 1926 less than a quarter of the project was complete. Sagrada Família’s construction progressed slowly, as it relied on private donations and was interrupted by the Spanish Civil War, only to resume intermittent progress in the 1950s. Construction passed the midpoint in 2010 with some of the project’s greatest challenges remaining and an anticipated completion date of 2026, the centenary of Gaudí’s death.
Sagrada Família
Is there any other architect in the world who has a more recognisable style than Gaudí?
Paris Fashion Food Wine, even though generally the French are rather arrogant & rude to tourists. I’m guessing they love their city & resent the intrusion of so many foreigners.
It was years ago in 2005 when I was last there so I’m due to visit again soon. In 2014 I was in Amsterdam, Brussels and London, and in 2013 I got as close as Bruge & Versailles which of course is adjacent to the beautiful city.
Ella says it better than I can.
Notre Dame Hotel Paris.
I imagine the attraction of Paris means different things to many people. The architecture, the food & restaurants, the culture & museums, etc etc.
Grand Cluny
Everywhere you look in Paris there is a brasserie.
Champs-Élysées.
The Avenue des Champs-Élysées is a street in Paris. With its cinemas, cafés, luxury specialty shops and clipped horse-chestnut trees, the Champs-Élysées is arguably one of the world’s most famous boulevards.
ZAZ - Champs Elysées (Clip officiel)
Dinner with friends in Paris
Another great dinner with friends in Paris washed down with a nice Bordeaux. I’m with Gavin & Cheryl Kernot from Australia & Malvina who now lives in Paris. I first met Malvina a few years ago when she lived in Mexico city.
Paris Kebab.
This is one of my favourite photos from Paris. I think the guy looks a little like Al Pacino.
Wonderful seafood street stall
Malvina has a photo with this great Parisian character.
Paris Fashion Food Wine
I rally need to plan another trip to Paris, perhaps in 2017.
David Herd loves Paris
The Buddha Bar is a very cool trendy spot with good music, make sure you have plenty of money. You will find it at 8 Rue Boissy d’ Anglais M. Concorde.
Here is some Buddha bar music.
Buddha Bar.
No prizes for guessing what dominates the floor space inside this ultra-cool Parisian imbibery. You might think it’s the Buddha that attracts the oh-so-trendy set here, as it’s always flattering to stand next to someone more rotund than yourself. A very popular haunt with drinkers and diners alike.
Sunset in Paris and another wonderful evening begins.
Cruising along the Seine.
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Buildings along the Seine.
Take a boat cruise you won’t regret it.
Restaurant on the Seine
So many wonderful photo opportunities along this magic river.
Cruising on the Seine.
I think an open top boat is more fun.
I wonder if there are bats in the belfry?
The ancient buildings are amazing.
This structure looks familiar.
Located on the Champ de Mars in Paris. It was named after the engineer Gustave Eiffel, whose company designed and built the tower. Erected in 1889 as the entrance arch to the 1889 World’s Fair, it has become both a global cultural icon of France and one of the most recognizable structures in the world. The tower is the tallest structure in Paris and the most-visited paid monument in the world; 7.1 million people ascended it in 2011.
The tower received its 250 millionth visitor in 2010. The tower stands 324 metres (1,063 ft) tall, about the same height as an 81-storey building. During its construction, the Eiffel Tower surpassed the Washington Monument to assume the title of the tallest man-made structure in the world, a title it held for 41 years, until the Chrysler Building in New York City was built in 1930. Because of the addition of the antenna atop the Eiffel Tower in 1957, it is now taller than the Chrysler Building by 5.2 metres (17 ft). Not including broadcast antennas, it is the second-tallest structure in France, after the Millau Viaduct.
Nymphs of the Seine
The Pont Alexandre III is an arch bridge that spans the Seine, connecting the Champs-Élysées quarter and the Invalides and Eiffel Tower quarter, widely regarded as the most ornate, extravagant bridge in Paris. It is classified as a historical monument.
Santa Margherita Italian resort near Portofino, if you walk from Santa Margherita you will be amazed by the beautiful homes and wonderful views of the Mediterranean sea. It only takes an hour or so and is quite spectacular.
The path between the two towns
A delightful one hour walk between Santa Margherita & Portofino.
Santa Margherita Italian resort
Hotels opposite the beach.
Many luxury hotels here
As you can see it is the “off season” with no tourists to be seen. 🙂
Overlooking the Mediterranean
Many beautiful homes overlook the sea.
Wonderful narrow walkways
Wonderful narrow lanes thread through the village.
Santa Margherita Italian resort
Lots of restaurants to choose from here.
So many beautiful homes
Santa Margherita Ligure is a fair-sized town; large enough not to seem smothered by the tourism which has been an integral part of the town’s existence for decades. The harbor mainly caters for luxury yachts, but the town is also home to a small fishing fleet which can be seen unloading opposite the morning fish market. There are wide ranges of hotels and restaurants, and many good day trips to make if you get tired of wandering along the laid back seafront.
My hotel offered good price and excellent restaurant. For the budget minded like myself it makes more sense to stay in Santa Margherita and visitPortofino on foot or by ferry. The Lido Palace is on the beach if you want to go upmarket, my hotel was one block back and reasonable priced, with free car parking,
Portofino wealthy holiday resort, if you want to see how the rich & famous live in Europe just take a wonderful one hour walk fromSanta Margherita. The homes are truly magnificent, prepare yourself for a great experience when you arrive at the beautiful waterfront village of Portofino. The buildings, the boats, the restaurants, it’s all there. Just make sure you have your credit card and a wallet full of Euros.
Bella bella!
Portofino is an Italian fishing village, and upmarket resort famous for its picturesque harbour and historical association with celebrity visitors. It is a comune located in the province of Genoa on the Italian Riviera. The town is crowded round its small harbor, is closely associated with Paraggi Beach, which is a few minutes up the coast. Other nearby beaches include Camogli, Chiavari, Lavagna, and Sestri Levante.
An amazing destination
Just sitting in the morning sun, sing it for us Otis. 🙂
You can smell the money here. 😎
This is a fascinating place to visit, it is however very expensive as you can imagine.
The Portofino wealthy Italians arrive
I wonder if he can afford to buy everyone lunch? The truth is he can probably afford to buy the damn restaurant.
Lunch, nice but expensive.
If I remember correctly my seafood soup was 26 Euros.
King of the hill
The sheer wealth here is astonishing, I imagine most of these homes have been handed down through families for centuries. If walls could talk there would be some fascinating tales to be told here. 😳
Same house different aspect
No matter which way you look at this home it is simply breathtaking, I wonder which boat is theirs? My money is on the red one.
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This is the Club Mediterranean yacht.
Quite an amazing looking yacht.
Some people really struggle in life, others don’t.
Naturally there is a helicopter aboard.
And the beat goes on.
Now this is what I call a great boat.
Portofino wealthy holiday resort
Global inequality is certainly growing, in 2015 half the world’s wealth is in the hands of just 1% of the population.
Can you imagine the cost to fill the tank?
Imagine this, you pull into the dock and say “fill it up please”, it would cost as much as an around the world air fare.
Big Daddy
No matter how big your boat is I guarantee someone around the corner someone has a bigger one.
For the budget minded like myself it makes more sense to stay at Santa Margherita and visit Portofino on foot or by ferry. The Lido Palace is on the beach if you want to go upmarket, my hotel was one block back and reasonable priced, with free car parking, The Mediterraneo.
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Camogli Italian tourist resort located on the west side of the peninsula of Portofino, on the Golfo Paradiso at the Riviera di Levante, in the province of Genoa on the Italian Riviera. Wikipedia
Part of the Italian Riviera.
Camogli was in the late Middle Ages a considerable seaport. In its heyday, the fleet consisted of hundreds of Camogli’s Tall Ships. It was called the “city of a thousand white sails.” 1798, the city has a large contingent of Napoleon’s fleet, which was beaten in Egyptian waters of the Nile by Admiral Nelson. This prestigious naval college founded in 1874, Cristoforo Colombo is the nautical tradition as well as a retirement home for masters.
In 1880 the city had (in a population of 12,000) 500 patented ship captains. The former fishing village, which now lives mainly from tourism, is known for its colourful houses that line behind the beach. The colours once helped the fishermen to find their way back to port.
Seaside restaurant
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Camogli Italian tourist resort rocky beach
This town has a lot of appeal
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Camogli Italian tourist resort
I really thought this place was a hidden gem, lots of restaurants overlooking the sea, and hundreds of hotels to choose from. You can actually walk toPortofino which is just south of Camogli, or if you are lazy like I am take the ferry.
Where is the sand?
Of course the sand does not exist along this fabulous Italian coast.
Wonderful seafood
Washed down with a chilled vino of course. 🙂
My travelling buddies
I’m a guy who usually travels alone however Deborah Holliday & Jodie ONeill from the Gold Coast certainly added a new dimension for me. Both extremely nice people.
David Herd enjoying life as usual
A perfect holiday spot except for the rocks on the beach. 🙂
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Piazza del Duomo Milan Northern Italy is one of my favourite places in Europe. Here is the entrance to The Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II which is the world’s oldest shopping mall. The arcade principally contains luxury retailers selling haute couture, jewelry, books and paintings, as well as restaurants, cafes and bars. In 2012, a McDonald’s restaurant was prevented from renewing its tenancy in the mall, after 20 years of occupancy.
Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II
As of 2013, the arcade principally contains luxury retailers selling haute couture, jewelry, books and paintings, as well as restaurants, cafés, and bars. The Galleria is famous for being home to some of the oldest shops and restaurants in Milan, such as Biffi Caffè (founded in 1867 by Paolo Biffi, pastry chef to the monarch), the Savini restaurant, the silverware store Bernasconi and the Art Nouveau classic Zucca’s Bar.
In 2012, a McDonald’s restaurant was prevented from renewing its tenancy in the mall, after 20 years of occupancy. The restaurant contended that it was the only mall tenant to be denied the right of first refusal on its new lease, and that the public tender to replace it was “unfair”. McDonald’s has sued the landlord—the city of Milan—for €24 million in damages, alleging that the loss of the lease will deprive McDonald’s of €6 million per year in sales. During its last few hours of operation, the restaurant offered free food and drink to over 5000 customers. The McDonald’s restaurant was replaced with the mall’s second Prada store.
Music at the Galleria
Play it again Sam. 🙂
One of the many sidewalk cafes in Piazza del Duomo Milan
Watching the world go by in Milan. 🙂
Piazza del Duomo Milan Northern Italy
In the Piazza Del Duomo Milan you will find the magnificent Milan Cathedral, and at the edge of the square is the entrance to The Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II which is the world’s oldest shopping mall. Milan Cathedral is the cathedral church of Milan, Italy. Dedicated to Santa Maria Nascente, it is the seat of the Archbishop of Milan, currently Cardinal Angelo Scola. The Gothic cathedral took nearly six centuries to complete. Wikipedia
Milan Cathedral
One of the most incredible buildings I have ever seen.
Piazza Del Duomo Milan
Too many pigeons are never enough. 🙂
Giuseppe Garibaldi in Piazzale Carioli (“piazza Castello”)
Giuseppe Garibaldi was an Italian general and politician. He is Considered, with Camillo Cavour, Giuseppe Mazzini and Victor Emmanuel II, as one of Italy’s “fathers of the fatherland.” Wikipedia
Milan has some great cafes
Remember in Italy coffee is always cheaper if you stand at the bar. 🙂
David Herd with a very friendly bartender at Cafe Milano.
Piazza del Duomo Milan & Galleria Vittorio Emanuele are both wonderful places to spend a couple of hours drinking coffee and watching the passing parade.
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Verona beautiful northern Italy just a 90 minute drive from Milan, I stayed at the Best WesternHotel Amando at Vicolo dietro Pallone 1 • 37121 Verona, reasonably priced, walking distance to all the attractions with an excellent Italian restaurant right next door.
Because of the value and importance of its many historical buildings, Verona has been named a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Like so many other Italian cities there is a surprise around every corner. Verona’s most popular site is the balcony said to be Juliet’s in Romeo and Juliet. The house said to be Juliet’s house is in a courtyard off Via Capello. You can see the balcony and the bronze statue of Juliet for free (you can also rub Juliet’s breast for good luck). The 13th century house is a good example of Gothic architecture and inside is a museum with period furniture.
Juliet’s house is in a courtyard off Via Capello.
Juliet’s House (Casa di Giulietta), Via Cappello (just off the Piazza delle Erbe). Supposedly the location of the famous balcony love scene from Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet. The house is a major destination for tourist pilgrimage, as the tiny courtyard is normally packed with lovestruck teenagers photographing each other on the famous balcony. In fact, the house has no connection with Shakespeare’s fictional characters – although the house is old, the balcony was added in 1936 and declared to be “Juliet’s house” to attract tourists.
You can also rub Juliet’s breast for good luck
Her boobs are very shiny from all the attention. 🙂
Love letters at Juliet’s house in Verona.
The balcony overlooks a tiny courtyard containing a statue of Juliet. There is an unbelievable amount of graffiti and general scrawling on the walls, floor, seats, anything that will hold ink – there is a tradition of writing love messages to Juliet, and visitors leave notes, trinkets and bits of chewing gum fashioned into love hearts. Juliet’s house is a popular romantic shrine, but its popularity belies its value; compared to some of the treasures around Verona, Juliet’s house has very little to offer.
Piazza delle Erbe and Torre dei Lamberti
The famous thin tower, Torre dei Lamberti is located on the north side as you enter the piazza and at 275 feet high, is Verona’s highest landmark and can be seen from a distance. You can climb it or take an elevator and have fantastic views of Verona from this vantage point. In the centre of the piazza is an awesome 14th century fountain with a Madonna statue on top.
Piazza delle Erbe
There are some very fine and ancient buildings around this square like the Romanesque ‘Palazzo Comune’ and the 15th century ‘Loggia del Consiglio’, one of the most beautiful buildings to be seen in Verona. The statue of the ‘divine poet’ Dante is particularly interesting.
Another lovely Verona street.
A perfect city for walking and exploring.
Piazza Bra
Piazza Bra, once a suburban field or braida, is a huge piazza inside the main gate entering Verona. You’ll see the Roman Arena on one side of the piazza and near it the neoclassical Palazzo Municipale. Part of the piazza is a garden with a central fountain. On the opposite side from the arena are elegant porticoed buildings with cafes and restaurants along a broad walkway. You can have a glass of wine or coffee in one of the cafes and spend some time people-watching.
Verona beautiful northern Italy
Verona Comune Building.
Verona beautiful northern Italy Lamberti Tower
This is the highest tower of the Roman relics at Verona is completed in 1463. You can enter this tower and climb the 238 stairs. Do not worry, there is an elevator available. Arriving at the top of the tower, the beautiful scenery of Verona is in front of you.
Verona’s Roman Arena.
The Arena is an enormous, spectacular Roman amphitheatre, crumbling on the outside but still functioning today. It was erected in the 1st Century AD in an elliptical shape, and is the world’s third-largest amphitheater to survive from antiquity. Much of the outer ring was damaged during the earthquake of 1117 but the inner part is still intact. If you can, plan your trip during the Opera season and see a performance in the Arena.
Roman Arena
Verona’s Roman Arena is the third largest in Italy
Killing Christians is hard work
Even Gladiators need a rest between slaughters.
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Beautiful footpath in Verona.
One of the many beautiful old stone Verona buildings.
Next to BEST WESTERN Hotel Armando
Right next to my hotel was this excellent old Italian restaurant. It is well worth a visit, you won’t be disappointed.
Stolen GPS in Verona
Sadly Italy is a very risky country for thieves, pickpockets etc.
Thanks for visiting my Verona beautiful northern Italy photo blog.
Leonardo da Vinci Tuscany Italy surrounded by the Tuscan hills mainly consisting of vineyards and olive groves. The city of course is surrounded by the Tuscan hills mainly consisting of vineyards and olive groves. The city of course is famous being the birthplace of Leonardo Da Vinci who was born on 15 April 1452, in a farmhouse about 3 kilometres from the town, between Anchiano and Faltognano.
Leonardo was, and is, renowned primarily as a painter. Among his works, the Mona Lisais the most famous and most parodied portrait and The Last Supperthe most reproduced religious painting of all time.
Church of Santa Croce
The church of Santa Croce, mentioned in documents dating from at least the year 1132, was originally a simple structure of Romanesque architecture to which was added a portico with Tuscan columns. In honour of Leonardo, at the IV centennial of his birth (1852), it was decided to build the bell tower we see today.
The house where Leonardo was born
This was Leonardos home, Leonardo da Vinci was born on 15 April 1452, his full name was “Leonardo di ser Piero da Vinci”, which means “Leonardo, son of Piero, of Vinci”. Half a million visitors a year come to visit the Museum of Leonardo and his birthplace.
Wooden representation of the Vitruvian Man
Behind the castle of the Conti Guidi, in the small but lovely center of town, you will notice a wooden representation of the Vitruvian Man, a drawing by Leonardo in which he represented a man with the ideal proportions. From this terrace, you can enjoy a wonderful panorama of the surrounding hills.
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The Leonardo Museum
The Leonardo Museum is arranged in two buildings which cover the history of the master both as architect and scientist. There are rooms dedicated to his building-site machinery, textile manufacturing technology, mechanical clocks, war machinery, flying machines and much more.
I guess this must be a wall garden.
Looks rather spectacular.
David Herd in Vinci in Tuscany.
There are so many interesting places to visit in Tuscany.
This is the view from Horizons the amazing rooftop bar. A great five star hotel located opposte the beach & above the Central Festival shopping mall. Just book through THIS LINK for an excellent room rate.
