From Gracie to Guggenheim
Trip Over to New York
Having seen Gracie Mansion from our cruise around Manhattan Island, it looked like it was definitely worth a visit. I looked it up online and called the number to book for the 1pm tour that day. Unable to get through, I left a message, but as the answering machine told me to expect a call back within a few days (by then I would be back in Sydney), the decision was made to head on up to Gracie Mansion and see if we could join the tour.
We headed out, jumping on to the #6 train from 28th Street to 86th Street, then walked a few blocks east down to the river. Gracie Mansion sits majestically looking over the East River in the top end of Carl Schurz Park on East End Ave at the end of 88th Street. Home to the New York City Mayor, should he choose to live there. Fortunately for us, Mayor Bloomberg chose not to, so it was more accessible to visitors. It is open, less often, for tours when a mayor is in residence, which is understandable – having tour groups coming through your private home would be a nightmare!
We arrived at the gates at around 12.45pm, where we met a lady who was checking off names of the people who had pre-booked. I explained that I had tried to book but couldn’t get through, I was tut-tutted at and told I should have called to book well in advance. After apologising for my tardy behaviour, we were sent up the back to stand with 3 others who had failed to book in advance. A lady in that group told me they had been standing up in the ‘naughty line’ for 10 minutes waiting to find out if their unruly behavior could be overlooked and they would be allowed in. There we all stood giggling like naughty school children waiting to discover our fate. The ‘good kids’ at the front were all ushered in through the gates while we were left outside not sure if that was it, or we would be allowed in, then the security guard came and said they had decided to let us in…………..we must have been forgiven. Phew!!
The tour was very interesting, lovely house (with creaking floors, a bit of joist work required), beautiful views out on to the gardens and the river, looking straight out at RFK and Hell Gate Bridges (Hell Gate Bridge is the one like a tiny Sydney Harbour Bridge). No photos were allowed to be taken inside, only in the gardens.
After the visit to Gracie Mansion was over we walked up East 88th Street, past the Church of the Holy Trinity to 5th Avenue to the Guggenheim Museum, first we went into the uninspiring looking restaurant for a late lunch, the menu looked good and we had high hopes after eating in some really great museum restaurants during our stay in New York. We should have realised there were problems when the couple on the next table were looking very glum, he had nearly finished his meal, she hadn’t yet been served. We saw another couple leaving having a heated discussion about the bill with the waiter. We ordered cocktails to drink while we read the menu. The cocktails still hadn’t arrived by the time we placed our order, then our soup was served, a fairly bland cauliflower soup with a sort of floating thing in it, still no cocktails and the couple on the next table had given up on her ever receiving her meal and walked out. Now there was only us and one other table of customers still there. Eventually we got our cocktails after asking many times, and every time the kitchen door opened the arguing and yelling in the kitchen could clearly be heard – it was like being in a TV drama.
I asked how much longer it would be before our main meals were served, the waiter disappeared back into the kitchen, lots more shouting could be heard. Eventually the waiter came out and plonked some plates in front of us, Christine got the meal she asked for, I didn’t.
I had ordered chicken that came with all sorts of vegetables, what I got was a pile of green spaghetti with 6 prawns dotted around the edge of the plate. I explained that wasn’t what I ordered and was told they had no chicken left so the chef cooked me that! I asked if I could see the menu so I could order something else (I suspect this is what happened to the couple next to us). Every time I said what I would like, they didn’t have it, I said I would keep the prawn thing and he offered to give us 10% off the bill – big mistake, the prawns were tasteless, the pasta was horrible, when he came back to see if everything was OK I told him it was disgusting, he said he would give us a free round of drinks. I thought that meant we wouldn’t have to pay for the cocktails we had already, but he brought more and said we would get a 10% discount on my meal only. I told him that I wasn’t prepared to pay for something I didn’t order that tasted so bad, now we were not only angry, we had too much to drink, those cocktails were strong. We asked for the bill, only paid for our soup and left. I told the lady at the entrance to the museum how bad it was, as she recommended it over the 3rd floor café. She was horrified.
Itinerary for Trip Over to New York
Flew from Sydney to New York on Qantas via LA.
Arranged to be picked up at JFK Airport with Viator for the drive into Chelsea, also used for the return trip.
Stayed for a month in magnificent artists loft in Chelsea, found on VRBO.
Bought a one month travel ticket for the NYC Subway.
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
A few views from Taormina, down to the beach, out to Mt Etna, up to Castelmola, always something wonderful to see on the streets of Taormina.
#taormina #taorminasicily #mtetna #mtetnasicily #castelmola #solotravelinsicily #soloadventure #traveltheworldwithme
Sunrise on my last day in London, after a few very cold, cloudy days, today we are going with a freezing 2 degrees, and sunshine ❄️❄️❄️
#sunriseinlondon #seetheworldthroughmyeyes #londonlife #coldmornings❄️ #solotrip
St Paul`s Cathedral dome as seen from the top of 1 New Change, the shopping centre across the road. I walked down Ludgate Hill, Fleet St and The Strand, coming across the Royal Exchange, Australia House, the dragon marking the boundary of London City. Every building along this street has incredible history.
#stpaulscathedral #royalexchange #australiahouse #londondragon #historiclondon
In the London Bridge area on the south side of the Thames, after visiting the Versace exhibition at The Arches, I walked down past The Shipwrights Arms across to Hay`s Galleria....used to be Hay`s Wharf....now shops, restaurants, Christmas stalls, and a giant Christmas Tree.
The streets of Valletta, Malta. Endless hours of exploring this amazing place. A wonderful place for solo travellers, easy to get around and very safe. Something for everyone, especially for history buffs!!
#solotrip #traveltheworldwithme #seetheworldthroughmyeyes #solotravelinmalta
Popped into Fortnum & Mason on Piccadilly yesterday evening ✨️ mainly to have a look at the new double helix staircase built up the middle of the store. Disappointed that they had no feature decorations hanging down the centre of it!!
The lower floors were absolutely packed with people, if one person moved, they all had to. I took a few pics and made a run for it!!
#fortnums #shoppinginlondon #doublehelixstaicase #londonlife #solotravel
London at Christmas time goes over the top with decorations ✨️ if it can be decorated it is ☃️
🎄 Leadenhall Market
🎄 Covent Garden
🎄 Liberty of London
🎄 Burlington Arcade
🎄 The Ritz
On a day trip to Agrigento from Palermo, I had about 2 hours or more to wander around the ancient Greek ruins in the Valley of Temples ✨️Is it just me, or do you love walking around places knowing that others have been walking there for more than 2000 years too?
#agrigento #valleyofthetemples #solotravelinsicily #daytripfrompalermo #sicily
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
Strolling along the southern side of Sydney Harbour Bridge from Walsh Bay to The Rocks.
#sydneyharbourbridge #sydneyharbour #sydney #historicsydney #sydneyoperahouse #sydneyharbourwalks
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
Went to the Gianni Versace exhibition over at The Arches, near London Bridge ✨️ Not many people there, so a lovely break from the crowds.
#gianniversace #thearches #londonbridge #highfashiom #londonlife
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
Spring Festival Taormina style ✨️ everywhere you look - flowers 💖
This is how spring should be!
#taormina #taorminasicily #springfestival #flowerseverywhere #solotravelinsicily #soloadventure #traveltheworldwithme #seetheworldthroughmyeyes
Just behind the markets in Ortigia, Syracuse, looking over the Mediterranean.
#solotravel #solotrip #seetheworldthroughmyeyes #traveltheworldwithme #seeeverythingdoeverything #ortigia #syracuse #sicily #meditteranean
Taormina is the prettiest place in Sicily 💖 after a short train trip from Syracuse, then a bus up the hill from the station, the whole town was decked out in flowers for the Spring Festival.
✨️I checked into the lovely @hotel_isabella_taormina , then wandered up and down Corso Umberto with a big smile on my face 🥰💖
#taormina #taorminasicily #hotelisabella #springintaormina #flowerseverywhere #solotravelinsicily #solotrip #seetheworldthroughmyeyes #beautifultown
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
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
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
A day trip from Palermo to Sicily`s south coast took me to Agrigento, to visit the Valley of the Temples, an ancient Greek archeological park ✨️The Temple of Concordia is the most complete of these ancient ruins, with it`s very own Fallen Angel!!
#agrigento #valleyofthetemples #templeofconcordia #solotravelinsicily #daytripfrompalermo
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 Design Museum over in South Kensington, the `Malta` paving stone was front and centre!!
#londondesignmuseum #southkensington #seeeverythingdoeverything #londonlife
I woke up in Palermo and decided that today was the day for a spontaneous adventure to Cefalu ✨️ After breakfast, I booked my train ticket, rushed across town on the 101 bus to Palermo Station, and made my train just in the nick of time - next stop, the beautiful coastal town of Cefalu, here I come! 🌞This is the street I walked down from Cefalu Station into the town, so pretty, and quiet at 10am! I realised on the train that I had forgotten to pick up my hat and sunscreen in my rush to get going, fortunately the shops soon started opening so I could sort this out 👒
#cefalù
#cefalusicily #prettytown #siciliantown #soloadventureinsicily #solotrip #solotravelinsicily #seeeverythingdoeverything #seekandyoushallfind #traveladdict #sicilylife
The wildly changeable weather in Sydney lately,🌧 last week I needed a snorkel and flippers to get out of my front door!!🥴
#raininsydney #wildweather #Sydney #sydneyaustralia #flowersintherain #seetheworldthroughmyeyes
Just opened my curtains to see this beautiful sunrise ✨️over Big Ben, Westminster Abbey, the Houses of Parliament and the London Eye. Beautiful colours to start the day, I was just in time to catch it, those peach colours are no longer there!
#londonsunrise #bigben #westminsterabbey #londoneye #housesofparliament
Getting out for a walk after sitting on a plane for 24 hours✨️ I did a lap of Piccadilly and St James`s to see the Christmas lights. All rugged up in a coat, scarf, hat and gloves, I was loving the bracing 3 degree temperature❄️❄️❄️ Then back to @royaloverseaslondon for mulled wine and mince pies💖🎄☃️
#londonatchristmastime #christmaslights #piccadillyarcade #burlingtonarcade #jermynstreet
A morning walk through St James`s Park on Christmas Day✨️all rugged up and ready for anything 3 degrees throws at me. A beautiful blue sky day in London. Then we eat, drink and be merry....then, maybe, go for another walk.....
#stjamesspark #londonatchristmastime #seetheworldthroughmyeyes #traveltheworldwithme #blueskiesandsunshine
In search of somewhere to have lunch, I walked down from Piazza del Duomo in the heart of Cefalu, there were many restaurants to choose from. I settled into a lovely place with a deck surrounded by the waves crashing over the rocks and a delicious meal, before continuing to explore the lovely town of Cefalu.
#cefalu #cefalucathedral #cefalusicily #piazzadelduomo #solotravel #traveltheworldwithme #tableforone #visitcefalu #crashingwaves #exploretheworld #solotravelinsicily #SoloTravelMagic
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
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
Then the next day....all blue sky and sunshine ☀️ this is what Sydney is meant to look like 🌺
#Sydney #sydneyaustralia #sydneyinspring #blueskyandsunshine #seetheworldthroughmyeyes #flowersandfountains
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
Inside the Monreale Cathedral, I was surrounded by gold everywhere. This stunning building was constructed between 1174 and 1267 and later adorned with millions of gold-covered glass tiles by skilled local and Venetian craftsmen. Unfortunately, my visit coincided with a packed Easter Sunday service, limiting my exploration of the intricate mosaic work, but what I did see close up at the back of the cathedral was amazing, I even loved the enormous doors to the Cathedral.
#monrealecathedral #glassmosaics #goldmosaics #solotravelinsicily #traveltheworldwithme
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
Delicious Christmas lunch🎄 @royaloverseaslondon ✨️
We started with a few glasses of bubbles, and a variety of finger foods 🥂while making new friends.
Then moved on to a celeric and truffle foam amuse bouche (that I forgot to photograph!!). Follwed by smoked salmon, roast turkey and Christmas pudding.
I won`t need to eat for a week 💖
#christmaslunch🎄 #christmastimeinlondon #perfectday❤️ #londonlife #londoneats
My stroll through the tranquil Palermo Botanic Gardens, where I came to a lovely glass house, ponds full of lily pads and this man known as the Genius of Palermo (at least they have one!!), the protector of the city, with this enormous snake chomping into his chest.
#palermo #palermosicily #palermobotanicalgarden #geniusofpalermo #solotrip #solotravelinsicily #soloadventure #traveladdict #neverstoptravelling ##seeeverythingdoeverything #seetheworldthroughmyeyes #traveltheworldworldwithme #glasshouse #lilyponds
Home sweet home in London, arriving @royaloverseaslondon ✨ lights on and ready for Santa🎄☃️❄️🥂!!
#londonatchristmastime #royaloverseasleague #christmaslights #christmastree #traveltheworldwithme
Isola Bella, the beautiful little island where Lady Florence Trevelyan made her home after being exiled from England, meanwhile, her lover wasn`t exiled, he became King Edward Vll 👑
Hmmm 🤔
📍Walk down from Toarmina for some great views, the cable car was closed for maintenance when I was there, I caught the bus back up to Porto Messina!! ✨️
#isolabellataormina #taormina #taorminasicily #visitsicily
#solotravelinsicily #ladyflorencetrevelyan #soloadventureinsicily #exploretheworld
#seeeverythingdoeverything
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
I would never get tired of walking around Toarmina, always something interesting to see 💖
Click the link to my website, in the bio, to read about the hotels I stayed at on my recent solo adventure to Malta and Sicily 🥂!!
#taormina #taorminasicily #solotravelinsicily #soloadventure #seeeverythingdoeverything #ancientsicily #isolabella #beautifulview
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
Below the buildings on the south side of Corso Umberto, this 2nd Century Naumachie is the foundation of places like @hotel_isabella_taormina ✨️(in the first photo), where I stayed!!💖
#taormina #taorminasicily #hotelisabella #naumachietaormina #solotravelinsicily #seeeverythingdoeverything #traveltheworldwithme
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
Looking for a place to stay in Sicily or Malta? Click the link in the bio to read my reviews of the hotels I stayed in on my recent solo adventure.
#sicily #Syracuse #palermo #piccolocasamia #hotelpoliteamapalermo #solotrip #solotravelinsicily #soloadventure #traveltheworldworldwithme #seetheworldthroughmyeyes #whereistayed
Cefalu`s Duomo, a masterpiece that took 100 years to build and opened its doors in 1240 ✨️. The exterior belies the intricate interior design, with delicate carvings and stunning mosaics everywhere.
#Sicily #cefalù #cefalusicily #duomodicefalù #cefalucathedral #solotrip #solotravelinsicily #soloadventureinsicily #traveltheworldworldwithme #seeeverythingdoeverything #historicsicily
Another short bus trip from Palermo in Sicily, up the coast to Mondello Beach✨️ lovely to walk along the promenade, but I have never had so many Indian market stall holders trying to sell me a sarong, and this was a quiet day in early spring, peak summer must be horrendous!!! I was hoping to have lunch at Alle Terrazze, a beautiful castle like restaurant just off the beach, but sadly they were closed for a private event, but further along I found a lovely seafood restaurant🥂
#solotravelinsicily #journeywoman #traveltheworldwithme #mondellobeach #sicily
Discover the serene Botanic Gardens, just a short stroll down Via Lincoln from Palermo Centrale Station.✨️ A perfect haven from the city`s hustle and bustle. And check out this fashionista lizard! 🦎 While reptiles aren`t my thing, and green isn`t my colour, he pulls it off nicely! While you might be thinking I was brave to get this close, the camera zoom made the magic happen 😜!!
For more on my solo Malta and Sicily adventures, visit my website - link in bio.
#palermo #palermosicily #palermobotanicalgarden #sicilianreptile #greenreptile #welldressedlizard #walkinthepark #solotravel #solotrip #solotravelinsicily #traveltheworldwithme #seeeverythingdoeverything #seetheworldthroughmylens
After checking into my hotel, I set off exploring Syracuse. It was all blue skies and blue water as I crossed the bridge to Ortigia Island. I came across a market next to an archaeological sites, note to self - find a coffee and something to eat, then come back here ✨️
I found a lovely coffee shop in Piazza Archimede, looking over Fontana di Diana, where I had a coffee and an enormous pastry 😋 just what I needed after getting up at 4.30am to catch the ferry from Valletta to Pozzallo, then the train to Syracuse!! I was now fuelled up and ready to continue my solo adventure.....
#sicily #Syracuse #ortigiaisland #fontanadidiana #piazzaarchimedeortigia #coffeeandpastry
#solofemaletraveler #solotrip #soloadventure #solotravel #seetheworldthroughmyeyes #solotravel #neverstopexploring
Perched atop a hill in western Sicily lies the medieval city of Erice ✨️. Most of the current structures, including churches, castles, and the main entrance, date back to the 1100s. And yes, the ice cream is a more modern delight, made fresh that very day!!
#ericesicily #sicily #solotravelinsicily #medievalsicily #sicilianicecream
