The Arty Side of Town – Dorsoduro
Trip Over to Venice
Piazza San Marco is often crowded in the morning, so that is the time to explore other areas of Venice. The Dorsoduro area is the creative side of town, full of shops, galleries, restaurants, bars, museums, many smaller canals and space – some of the palazzos even have gardens!
With the Basilica San Marco behind you, walk to the far end of Piazza San Marco, follow the lane out of the square to the left of the Correr Museum. Stroll past some of the high fashion shops, Chanel, Prada, Hermes and Dior, past beautiful old churches like Chiesa San Moise. Make sure you venture up some of the side lanes as they are full of surprises around every corner, photo opportunities and bars to have a coffee to refresh and keep you going. Occasionally look up to see that you are following signs that say “All’ Academia”, or as you get lost exploring, keep returning to the last sign you saw to get your bearings again. Through the Campo San Moise you will cross a little bridge – watch the skilful gondoliers weaving past each other on the narrow canal, with the occasional outstretched foot to push on the wall to manoeuvre quickly around corners.
Continue following the “Academia” signs, though lanes and over tiny bridges, eventually you will turn left into Campo Santo Stefano, walk past the gardens of the Instituto Vento Scienze Lettre ad Arti (The Institute of Wind, Science, Literature and the Arts), with a giant white spaceman floating through the gardens with a plant and a chair! Then you will be at the Ponte dell’ Accademia, the high arched wooden bridge crossing the Grand Canal to Dorsoduro.
After crossing the bridge you are spoilt for choice of museums and galleries to look at, or just wander around the lanes and canals. On the advice of the concierge at our hotel, we turned right over the bridge and went in search of Ca’ Rezzonico, a magnificent 18th century palazzo, now a museum, full of art and luscious furnishings, and views of all the surrounding canals and over the roof tops.
Continuing to explore this side of the Grand Canal, we had lunch in a little home style restaurant that we found on the edge of a canal as we worked our way back towards the Gallerie dell’ Accademia and further on past to the Peggy Guggenheim Gallery which is surrounded by many smaller galleries, where we came across The Beatles crossing Abbey Rd, classic symbols of Italy in the form of Andy Warholesc coffee pots and Fiat 500s, enormous plush roses on chairs and the most amazing collection of wooden sculptures by Loris Marazzi. Then on through more winding lanes over bridges, past glistening canal views and to on the Basilica di Santa Maria della Salute and the Punta della Dogana art museum.
After catching up with artists from centuries ago and some modern day artisans you can either take a slow walk back the way you came, or catch the vaporetto back across the Grand Canal to San Marco.
We chose the slow walk back so we could do more exploring – I was amazed/horrified as I looked down one of the historic lanes towards a cute little arched bridge to see an enormous cruise ship leaving Venice through the Guidecca Canal. When I saw where the Cruise ship terminal was from the top of the bell tower in Piazza San Marco earlier, I thought that was bad enough, but I at least thought they would have the manners to arrive and depart around the south side of the Guidecca Islands and stay as far as possible from the delicate foundations Venice sits upon. After speaking to a number of local Venetians it seems they all absolutely detest everything about the cruise ships coming into the lagoon, and bringing 2000 plus passengers on each ship that all descend on San Marco Piazza at once making life hell for everyone, they add nothing to the Venetian economy, they don’t eat in the restaurants, most go back to the ship to eat. Apart from the damage the ships do by stirring up the water in the canal, sure they move fairly slowly, but underwater is where the damage is done, and Venice relies on what is under the water in order for the city to stay above it. Having that many tourists all trying to be in the same space at the same time, ruins Venice for everyone, there are times when you can’t move or see anything for the people, and a lot of them don’t seem to be remotely interested in the magnificent history of what they are experiencing – they are just getting in the way! I imagine that Venice earns good money from berthing the ships, but they could get the same money if the ships berthed out at the entrance to the lagoon, the passengers would still have a great view of Venice from the deck and those who were interested to immerse themselves in the historic splendour of Venice, could catch a vaporetto in to the city. Then they might have more respect for Venice and its people, instead of treating the place as a shipping terminal, as boarding and disembarking from a ship is easily done in less fragile surroundings.
Itinerary for Trip Over to Italy – Milan, Como and Venice
Qantas flight (Emirates code share) to Milan (Malpensa) from Sydney via Dubai
Stayed in Milan, Airbnb, for a week before going to Como
Picked up in Milan by Como Limousines and driven to Como
Stayed in Como, Airbnb, for 3 weeks
Picked up in Como by Como Limousines and driven to Venice
In Venice, water taxi to Al Ponte Antico Hotel for 3 nights and water taxi back
Picked up in Venice by Como Limousines and driven back to Como
Picked up in Como by Como Limousines and driven back to Milan (Malpensa) Airport
Qantas flight (Emirates code share) to Sydney via Dubai
Finally a sunny day in Budapest, strolling on Margrit Island, great weather, no complaints, perfect!
#margritisland #budapest #soloadventure #seetheworldthroughmyeyes
Beautiful day to have another amble around the gardens at Schonbrunn Palace after exploring the Imperial Apartments, in another month these gardens will be in full bloom☀️☀️☀️
#schönbrunnpalace #schönbrunnschloss #palacegardens #solotrip
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
After catching the tram across the river, I strolled through Letna Park, there are stunning views of Prague`s Vltava river, the bridges and the castle, not to mention all the flowers in the park.
#flowerseverywhere #viewsfordays #praguelife #solotrip #walkinthepark
Arriving in Vienna, I found my hotel at set off exploring the neighbourhood, the architecture is all gobsmacking, but hard to get far enough away from to photograph!!
#vienna #traveltheworldwithme #neverstopexploring #solotravel
Budapest Central Market Hall built in the late 1800s, extensively damaged in WWll, left in ruins until the late 1900s when it was returned to it`s former glory.....only to now be mainly selling tourist trash.
#budapestcentralmarket #budapest #traveltheworldwithme #solotravel
Cesky Krumlov, a quaint medieval town in the south of the Czech Republic, a simple day trip by train from Prague....then lots and lots of walking on cobble stone paths!!
#ceskykrumlov #daytripfromprague #solotrip #seetheworldthroughmyeyes
Vienna is magnificent to just wander around aimlessly, the buildings, the parks, everything, just perfect.
#vienna #solotravel #solotrip #traveltheworldwithme
Had a quick run around Prague after a 4 hour train trip from Vienna. I was last in Prague 9 years ago, all seems familiar except Wenceslas Square....apart from the statue of Good King Wenceslas on his horse, the rest of the square that used to be an elegant collection of historic buildings, hotels, cafes, etc......has now turned into Oxford Street, London...Primark, C&A, Half Price, the list goes on......who thought that was a good idea????
#prague #solotravel #traveltheworldwithme #charlesbridgeprague
Leaving Budapest from Keleti station, I found my ticket gave me access to the Business Lounge waiting room!!
Next stop on my solo adventure - Vienna🥂!!
#solotravel #budapest #keletistation #travelbytrain #traveltheworldwithme
The best part of the day trip from Vienna to Bratislava was the boat trip back to Vienna on the Danube!! The hydofoiling catamaran was fast, about 90 minutes, the crew were great. It was freezing cold and windy outside, but I couldn`t help myself, I just had to keep going out to take photos, then running back in to sip my wine 🥂!!!
Great for solo travelers, I met so many other travellers onboard.
#cruisingonthedanube #twinliner #solotravel #traveltheworldwithme
It`s a museum kind of day in Vienna, 2 to 5 degrees, we`ve had a bit of snow, a bit of sleet, a bit of rain and a lot of cold ❄️❄️❄️
The Furniture Museum is a collection of furnture and other items from the Imperial Palaces, including a display of the toilets from the day.
The museum holds huge stores of furniture that they lend out for movies, plays and other events needing furnishings from that era.
#viennafurnituremuseum #coldday❄️ #solotravel #traveltheworldwithme
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
Dinner at the Parisi Passage, a historic gem from the 1800s inspired by Parisian arcades, it withstood bombing raids but faced neglect post-war, now revived as a stunning hotel with an incredible restaurant and bar.
#solotravel #parisipassage #parisipassagebudapest #párisipassagecaféandbrasserie
Exploring Prague with lots of walking and lots of tram rides! Walking across Charles Bridge, up to the castle, through Lesser Town, into New Town, and historic Old Town.
#prague #praguelife #solotravel #seetheworldthroughmyeyes #seeeverythingdoeverything
The largest synagogue in Europe, built in the 1850s, has been witness to unmentionable horrors during WWII including being bombed. It borders the ghetto where the Jews were left to die. In the garden cemetery there are tens of thousands of nameless bodies and a few that could be identified.
There us a very powerful museum housed here too.
#dohanystreetsynagogue #budapestarchitecture #budapest #soloadventure
Started off this morning heading to a market, but as I was passing St Stephen`s Basilica, the bells were ringing to signal a service was about to start. I figured that would be the way to get in without paying the hefty admission charge ✨️I took a few quick photos before things got underway! Then realised I was the only person there who didn`t know the words, or the actions, so when everyone stood up as part of their routine, as I was in the back row, I just backed out completely.....
#ststephensbasilica #budapest #solotravel #sundayinbudapest
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
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
The grand entrance of the Botanic Gardens in Palermo sets the tone for an enchanting experience, complete with captivating sculptures, statues, and fountains✨️
#palermo #palermosicily #palermobotanicalgarden #statuesinthepark #walkinthepark #solotrip #solotravelinsicily #soloadventure #traveltheworldwithme #traveladdict #neverstoptravelling #seeeverythingdoeverything #seetheworldthroughmyeyes #
Everywhere you look in Budapest the buildings are amazing ✨️ so ornate, full of character, luckily the city is very walkable!!
#budapestarchitecture #budapest #solotravel #walkingthestreets
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
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
A crowd gathers every hour to watch the Astronomical Clock in Prague put on a show 😂 Then some people clap and cheer, and some people laugh in an `is that it` kind of way.
#prague #astronomicalclockprague🏰 #solotravel #traveltheworldwithme #seetheworldthroughmyeyes
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
As usual, when it cones to museums, I usually find the building more interesting than the exhibits!! Vienna Natural History Museum was no exception!!
#viennanaturalhistorymuseum #vienna #solotrip #seetheworldthroughmyeyes
Just a short hop from Palermo, the markets in Monreale were getting ready for the day, filled with traditional Sicilian Moor`s Heads, or Testa di Moro.
#moorsheads #testadimoro #monreale #solotravelinsicily
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
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
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.
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
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
Aimlessly wandering around the streets of Prague - beautiful💖
#prague #praguelife #solotrip #praguearchitecture
The fairytale world of Castle District, perched high above the Danube on the Buda side. Hours of leisurely strolling are a must!!
My solo adventures in Budapest continue...
#budapestcastledistrict #budapest #solotrip
St Matthias Church in the Castle District near Fisherman`s Bastion. Climb the steep stone spiral staircase for a stunning view into the main church and explore the artifacts on display. This historic church dates back to the 11th century.
#solotrip #stmatthiaschurch #budapestcastledistrict
Hofburg Palace, the Habsburgs` stunning Vienna residence until 1918. Emperor Franz Joseph I and Empress Elisabeth (Sisi) indulged in royal luxury here and spent summers at Schonbrunn Palace. What a life!
#hofburgvienna #sisimuseum #soloadventure #vienna
The Design Museum over in South Kensington, the `Malta` paving stone was front and centre!!
#londondesignmuseum #southkensington #seeeverythingdoeverything #londonlife
In Erice, I stumbled upon Sicily`s ultimate pastry haven, but what should I try??? The struggle to resist buying it all was very real😋 I was not disappointed with my choice!!
#ericesicily #grammaticomaria #solotravelinsicily
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
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
.....further to my previous post. I walked past Hochstrahlbrunne, a fountain built in 1873 to celebrate the opening of Vienna`s high pressure water system. Then once I arrived at Schloss Belvedere, I found that this was not the place to be at Easter. There was one long queue to buy a ticket to stand in one of 3 other long queues to get in!!! Even one of the staff on crowd control said he had never seen it like this - I`ll go back after the Easter weekend crowds have left.
#vienna #viennaeaster #soloteavel #changeofplans
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
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
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
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
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
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
Even if Fortnum & Mason on Piccadilly is too packed with people to fit inside, the outside of the building and the window displays are worth seeing.
#fortnums #piccadilly #londonatchristmastime #solotravel #traveltheworldwithme
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
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
