Trip Over to Istanbul

Exploring Erice ✨️ a medieval city perched high on a hill in western Sicily. It`s a beautiful spot to wander around for a few hours. The city has roots in the pre-Roman era, but most of the structures standing today date back to the Normans in 1148.

I was going to make my own way there on the train from Palermo to Trapani, then up to Erice on the cable car, but I found a small group tour that went to Erice, Trapani Salt Pans and Segesta so joined that instead. It meant I missed spending time in Trapani town centre, but I wouldn`t have been able to get to the Temple of Segesta by myself. You win some, you lose some!!

That just means one day I`ll have to go back to Sicily again 💖🥂!!

#erice #ericesicily #sicily #solotravelinsicily #medievalsicily

Exploring Trapani Salt Pans on the west coast of Sicily with a day trip tour from Palermo - what a quirky spot! Windmills, old boats, and epic views. The last shot shows the hilltop medieval city of Erice, which I featured in my previous posts. The solo adventure continues.....

#trapani #trapanisaltpans #sicily #solotravelinsicily

Home sweet home in London, arriving @royaloverseaslondon ✨ lights on and ready for Santa🎄☃️❄️🥂!!

#londonatchristmastime #royaloverseasleague #christmaslights #christmastree #traveltheworldwithme

Strolling through the gardens of Government House, taking in the stunning views of Sydney Harbour while I wait for my house tour to start.✨️ I`m going to snoop around like it`s an open house - who knows, I might want to move in 💖🥂 And yes, I do😍

#governmenthousesydney #sydneyweekend #sydneyharbourwalks #sydneyaustralia #sydneyharbour #fountain #beautifulgardensoftheworld #historicsydney #seeeverythingdoeverything #explorethecityyoulivein #myhometown

After visiting the Duomo di Cefalu, I followed the path behind the Duomo, which leads to the path to walk up Rocca di Cefalu. The giant rocky headland that promises amazing views and remains of old castles. By the time I was at the half way point, my knees were saying `nope, we`re good, here is enough`!! No need to go further up, I went back down to sea level and continued to explore the beautiful town of Cefalu.

#cefalù #cefalucathedral #roccadicefalù #amazingviews #oceanviews #historicsicily #solotravelinsicily #solotrip #traveltheworldworldwithme #seeeverythingdoeverything #exploretheworld #traveladdict

Way up at the top of the hill behind Taormina is the town of Castelmola, some interesting ruins from the middle ages, and a lovely place for lunch with amazing views✨️
I spent 2 hours up there as one of the stops on the hop-on, hop-off bus trip.

Click on the link to my website to read about the hotels I stayed in on my recent solo adventure to Malta and Sicily.🥂

#castelmola #Taormina #Sicily #medievalSicily #solotravel #traveltheworldwithme #seeeverythingdoeverything #soloadventure

Once fit for a Queen, or at least a Princess 👑

Villa Guardamangia, just outside Valletta, was Queen Elizabeth ll`s home when she was still a princess. She and Prince Philip lived here from 1949-1951 while he was stationed in Malta with the Royal Navy ⚓️

Currently being restored to its former glory, expected to be open to the public....eventually! As you can see there is quite a bit of work to be done. I did peek through the letter box, but it looked like there were more wooden doors just inside, so I couldn`t see anything.

It is the only place outside the UK the Queen ever called home - and yes, she described her time here as some of the happiest days of her life 💞

📍 Villa Guardamangia, Pieta (a stones throw from Valletta - I walked there!) 👑 British Royal history meets Mediterranean charm.

#villaguardamangia #maltaroyalhistory #hiddenmaltagems #maltamagic #solotravelmoments #solotravel
#seeeverythingdoeverything

Quattro Canti, or Piazza Vigliena, is a stunning Baroque square at the heart of Palermo`s historic centre. Located where Via Maqueda meets Corso Vittorio Emanuele, each corner symbolises one of the city`s ancient districts, built in 1620. Via Maqueda is now a pedestrian zone, bustling with restaurants, ranging from great spots to tourist traps, and it`s the perfect place to stroll around in the evenings.

#palermo #quattrocantipalermo #viamaquedapalermo #solotravelinsicily

Walking around Barangaroo to Walsh Bay, looking out over Sydney Harbour towards Balmain, Anzac Bridge and across to Luna Park on the north side.

#sydneyinspring #sydneyaustralia #sydneyharbour #barangaroo #sydneyharbourwalks #seetheworldthroughmyeyes

Visited the Titanic Exhibition and lived to tell the tale ✨️ but honestly, the harbour views and the walk around Walsh Bay and The Rocks stole the show!!

#sydneyharbourwalks #sydneyharbour #sydneyharbourbridge #walshbaysydney #seeeverythingdoeverything #myhometown #explorethecityyoulivein

Discovering Segesta`s Doric Temple, built in 420BC ✨️, and the adjacent Greek Theatre on a hillside. On this Palermo daytrip, we covered Segesta, Trapani, and Erice (previous posts have more). Apparently, some believe the temple remained unfinished, evident from the unfluted columns and remaining construction blocks.

#segestatemple #daytripfrompalermo #sicily #solotravelinsicily #sicilianhistory

💫Standing beneath one of the largest unsupported domes in the world at the Mosta

Rotunda, and wondering how on earth it’s still standing — especially after a WWII bomb

fell through the dome and didn’t explode! 😲


This beautiful church in the heart of Malta is a must-visit — stunning architecture, a

miraculous history, and serious ceiling goals. I first spotted it way off in the distance

when looking out from Mdina. After another bus trip from Valletta, I was here in

Mosta climbing up into the dome of this church built in the early 1800s.


📍Mosta Rotunda (aka the Rotunda of St. Marija Assunta)


🎨Inspired by Rome’s Pantheon


💣WWII miracle in 1942 — true story!


#MostaRotunda #MiracleChurch #MaltaMoments #SoloTravelMalta #solotrip
#mosta
#malta #HistoricChurches #WanderlustMalta #MaltaMagic #solotravelmoments

After visiting Isola Bella, I had lunch at one of the beach clubs, ✨️before walking up all the steps back up to the road. Then down the hill to Mazzaro to catch the bus up to Taormina......because the cable car was closed for maintenance 😒

For info about the hotels I stayed in on my recent solo adventure to Malta and Sicily, click the link to my website in the bio.

#isolabellataormina #islandparadise #isolabella #pizzabythesea #aperolspritz #solotravelinsicily #taorminasicily #solotravel #seetheworldthroughmyeyes #traveltheworldwithme

After visiting the Design Museum I strolled up Kensington High St doing a bit of window shopping, and came across St Mary Abbots Church and Kensington War Memorial on the corner of Kensington Church St. There has been a church on this site since 1262, but this one is quite modern - dating back to 1872.

#stmaryabbotschurch #kensingtonwarmemorial #kensingtonhighstreetlondon #london #solotravelinlondon

More from my ambling around exploring the medieval city of Erice in Sicily, more than 700mtrs above sea level and somehow, back in the 1100s they were able to get all this rock up there to build a castle and so many churches, not to mention a few shops and places to live!!

#ericesicily #medievalsicily #solotravelinsicily #traveltheworldwithme #exploresicily

`Angels of Our Time` sculpture of a modern couple of angels in business clothes relaxing in Parco Trevelyan in Taormina.

#angelsofourtime #artinthepark #parcotrevelyantaormina #parcotrevelyan #beautifulpark #taormina #taorminasicily #traveltheworldwithme #seeeverythingdoeverything #walkinthepark

Taormina-Giardini railway station💞 just as beautiful as everything else in Taormina ✨️
Used as the film set for The Godfather.
From here I continued on my solo adventure to Palermo, via Messina.

#taorminasicily #taormina #taormina-giardini #traintravel #solotravelinsicily #soloadventure #sicily #neverstopexploring #traveltheworldwithme #traveladdict

✨ Wandering through Mdina—the Silent City where time stands still. Stone streets, honeyed walls, and the sound of horses hooves on the narrow stone streets.

Once the capital of Malta, now it’s just quietly showing off with Baroque balconies and medieval charm. 👣 Come for the history, stay for the silence...

📍Mdina, Malta - I caught the #51 bus from Valletta bus terminal to get here.

#MdinaMoments #SilentCity #MaltaMagic #WanderlustMalta #SoloTravelStories #MdinaDoors #BaroqueBeauty #seeeverythingdoeverything #traveltheworldwithme

Spring Festival Taormina style ✨️ everywhere you look - flowers 💖
This is how spring should be!

#taormina #taorminasicily #springfestival #flowerseverywhere #solotravelinsicily #soloadventure #traveltheworldwithme #seetheworldthroughmyeyes

After catching the ferry from Valletta to Gozo, a scenic 45 minutes on the sparkling seas

up the north coast of Malta, the ferry arrived in Gozo`s Mgarr Harbour, from there I hopped on the bus up to Victoria — the island’s capital.


Once called Rabat, Victoria was renamed in 1887 to honour Queen Victoria’s Golden

Jubilee 👑 Wandering through the narrow alleys, limestone buildings glowing in the sun,

I found friendly locals, and a few tempting bakeries tucked away behind the churches.


Gozo might be Malta’s quieter sister, but she’s full of character, charm, and centuries of

stories. I should have spent more time exploring here, but with only one day in Gozo,

there was a whole island to see…..might have to go back one day!!


#Gozo #VictoriaGozo #Maltamagic #vallettatogozoferry #SoloTravelMalta #HistoricGozo

#Solotrip #solotravel #neverstopexploring #adventure2025 #maltesearchitecture🕍

Beautiful day in Syracuse, Sicily 🌞 Perfect for walking around Ortigia and out to Castello Maniace.

#ortigia #Syracuse #sicily #castellomaniace #solotravelinsicily #sicilianhistory #soloadventure #traveltheworldwithme #traveladdict #seetheworldthroughmyeyes #seeeverythingdoeverything

Wandering the streets of Cefalu, I stumbled upon the museum with incredible art, right near the Duomo.

#cefalù #cefalusicily #cefalumuseum #artworks #historicalsicily #traveltheworldwithme #solotravel #soloadventure #seeeverythingdoeverything

Everywhere you look in Taormina, there is another magnificent view, from Isola Bella to Mt Etna✨️

Click the link to my website in the bio to read about the hotels I stayed in on my solo adventure to Malta and Sicily🥂💖

#taormina #taorminasicily #visitsicily #isolabella #isolabellataormina #mtetna #solotravelinsicily #solotravel #seeeverythingdoeverything #traveltheworldwithme

An afternoon stroll around the coast of Ortigia Island, Syracuse, Sicily to Castello Maniace out on the point. This rather imposing structure has been defending the coast since the early 1200s.
There was an earlier fort on this site built in 1038!!

#ortigia #syracuse #sicily #historicalsicily #castellomaniace #seeeverythingdoeverything #seetheworldthroughmyeyes #traveltheworldwithme #soloadventure #solotrip

Wandering through Palermo in search of the bus to Monreale in the hills, I stumbled upon Porta Nuova, the ancient gate to Palermo. Which was a good find as it was the land mark I needed to make sure I was heading in the right direction.

#palermo #portanuovapalermo #solotravelinsicily #sicilytravel

The views from Erice stretch endlessly in every direction ✨️ No wonder they built their medieval stronghold here - a strategic spot to survey the land. The view here spans the salt pans and Trapani on Sicily`s west coast, with Isola Lavanzo and Isola di Favignana dotting the Mediterranean, and Isola di Marittimo on the horizon.

#ericesicily #solotravelinsicily #mysoloadventure

A short train trip from Syracuse to explore Noto✨️ It was completely rebuilt after a devastating earthquake in 1693. After a short walk up the hill from Noto Station, you find yourself walking through the city gates into a Sicilian Baroque paradise 🥂

#noto #daytripfromsyracuse #soloadventure ##solotravelinsicily #notocitygates #seetheworldthroughmyeyes #seeeverythingdoeverything #traveltheworldwithme

Sicily`s Palermo, where historic buildings meet sunshine and flowers in the Politeama area and down Via Maqueda, which was always good for an evening stroll.

#palermosicily #palermo #teatropoliteama #teatromassimopalermo #viamaqueda #sicily #soloadventureinsicily #solotravel #traveladdict #traveltheworldwithme

The markets in Ortigia, Syracuse can get very loud as the sellers sell their goods!! Especially as is gets on towards closing time...

#ortigia #syracuse #sicily #markets #fruitandvegetables #artichokes #soloadventure #solotrip #seeeverythingdoeverything

I finally arrived in Palermo✨️, after a ridiculously long train journey from Toarmina with unexpected delays. Checked into my hotel and set out to discover the city!

🎭 Teatro Politeama was right outside my hotel.

To read about the hotels I stayed in on my solo adventures through Malta and Sicily, click the link to my website in the bio.

#palermo #palermosicily #teatropoliteamapalermo #hotelpoliteama #sicilytravel #solotravelinsicily #soloadventure #traveltheworldwithme #seeeverythingdoeverything

Panoramic views from the medieval city of Erice, gazing out towards Palermo, far away and over the hills, across the north coast of Sicily. ✨️ My thoughts are with those in Sicily, Malta, and southern Italy who have lost so much due to Cyclone Harry.

#ericesicily #solotravelinsicily #viewfromthetop #medievalsicily

Inside Government House in Sydney, where Princess Anne is staying this weekend✨️ not sure what you do to get to stay there, but clearly she`s doing it....and I`m not!!

Open most weekends to walk through, definitily worth it, a magnificent historic buildingoverlooking the harbour, in the Royal Botanic Gardens.

#governmenthousesydney #princessanne #historicsydney #royalbotanicgardens #explorethecityyoulivein #seetheworldthroughmyeyes #myhometown

Teatro Antico, the ancient theatre in Taormina, built in the 3rd Century, still showing productions today.✨️

#teatroanticotaormina #taorminasicily #taormina #Sicily #sicilytravel #solotravelinsicily #seeeverythingdoeverything #ancientruins

Syracuse is more than just Ortigia Island. Taking a walk up the coast to the north with fantastic views of the rocky coastline.
I walked as far as the Monument to the Italians who died in the Ethiopian war in the 1930s.

#syracuse #sicily #rockycoastline #warmonument #soloadventure #solotrip #solotravel #seeeverythingdoeverything #traveltheworldwithme #traveladdict

Just took a free tour of Government House in Sydney`s Royal Botanic Gardens... now I`m considering a career change... Governor General, here I come! ✨️

#govermenthouse #governmenthousesydney #royalbotanicgardens #sydneyrbg #explorethecityyoulivein #walkinthepark #historicsydney #sydneyweekend #sydney #sydneyharbourwalks

The markets in Ortigia, Syracuse, Sicily - bellissimo!!!! The little boats of fried seafood were so delicious, I tried them all over Sicily, these ones were definitely the best 😋!!! All the fruit and vegetables are so fresh, and seafood straight off the boats.

Don`t make the mistake I did and think you can come back later to buy some bits and pieces, they pack up at about 2pm, hose the place down and they`re gone......until another early start the next day.

#ortigia #Syracuse #sicily #ortigiamarket #frittomisto #solotravel #solotrip #seetheworldthroughmyeyes #seeeverythingdoeverything #olives #fruitandvegetables

Beautiful Taormina on Sicily`s east coast. Little streets and stepped lanes there just for exploring.✨️
Who doesn`t need a Dolce & Gabbana Vespa??? Perfect 💖🥂

#taormina #taorminasicily #solotravelinsicily #soloadventure @dolcegabbana #seeeverythingdoeverything #traveltheworldwithme #flowerseverywhere

Sicily`s hidden gem! Strolling through Cefalu`s ancient rock arches, where the Mediterranean waves crash against the rocks on one side and calm awaits for a swim on the other.

#cefalu #cefalú #cefalubeach #cefalusicily #Sicily #sicilylife #historicsicily #soloadventure #solotrip #solotravelinsicily #traveltheworldwithme #exploretheworld