The Tower of London
Trip Over to London
Indulging my passion for history and bringing back memories, I hadn’t been to visit the Tower of London since I went on a school excursion a very long, long time ago!! Not to mention my great fascination for standing in places where some historical figure stood centuries before me, albeit, Anne Boleyn was getting her head lopped off, and fortunately I wasn’t. Being in a building that was built 1000 years ago and learning all about what has gone on there in in the past thousand years is unbelievably interesting.
The White Tower, the main tall building that once dominated the London skyline, was built in 1078, by William the Conqueror and was extended and added to for the next few hundred years. Throughout its life it has been used as a palace, an armoury, a zoo, the Royal Mint, and a prison right up until 1952.
To get to the Tower catch the Circle or District tube lines to Tower Hill, then follow the signs to the Tower. As you leave the station you will see a huge chunk of the old city walls from the original Roman city of Londinium, built 2000 years ago. I love an old wall, and this is a serious wall, 3 metres thick, now being guarded by a bronze statue of the Emperor Trajan.
As you walk through the tunnel under the road there are modern art works depicting various London scenes, then you emerge on to the path that leads you around outside the Tower walls with many photo opportunities, then down the hill to the entrance at the West Gate. Having become a member of the Historic Royal Palaces, I was able to avoid the queues for tickets, but did have to join the bag checking queue. A sad reality of life these days, where a few lunatics have made it so these airport style safety checks are necessary everywhere.
Look for the meeting point for the Yeoman Warders Tours, we used to call these guys Beefeaters, no one knows exactly why – maybe they ate the beef??? Now they prefer to be called Yeoman Warders, except on their birthday when, I have heard, they are presented with a bottle of Beefeater Gin. Once you join the group, these tours are free and run every 30 minutes, they start by telling stories of the history of the Tower.
Our Warder was telling a very interesting story about a few chaps called Simon, who were all beheaded at the tower. Simon Sudbury, Archbishop of Canterbury, it took a rather gruesome, eight blows to his neck to get the job done in 1381. Then there was Simon Fraser, the 11th Lord Lovat, he was the last person to be beheaded at the Tower, beheaded for treason in 1747 at the Tower. There were so many people who came to view this beheading that the viewing platform collapsed killing 20 of them! The story was just getting to the part where it doesn’t pay to be called Simon in England, which I found very amusing as I have a good friend in England called Simon……………when the tour was suddenly called off…………
Tour tip – Don’t put your umbrella up!! While the Warder was in full flight telling fantastic stories there were a few drops of rain, people started getting their umbrellas ready, then there were a few more drops of rain and a few of us (yes, I was one of them…) put our umbrellas up. Straight away the Warder called off the tour, saying he always does that as soon as umbrellas start going up…..so we were on our own now……..everything is fairly well signposted, so you know what you are looking at and there is plenty of information telling you all about each section of the Tower, but the Yeoman Warders do add that extra touch with very animated stories.
The Yeoman Warders and their families live on site in rooms and houses in the walls of the Tower. They have their own pub, The Keys, which is not open to the public, only the Warders and their invited guests can go there. They have their own community within the Tower walls, but I believe some have houses elsewhere to go to, to get some time away from the never ending hordes of visitors to the Tower.
The queue to get in to see the Crown Jewels was huge, snaking around the queuing area and then going for a further 200 metres down the hill – nothing could make me join that queue. This is one of the advantages of becoming a member of the Historic Royal Palaces – members don’t pay to enter the Tower of London, so I decided to come back another day to see the Crown Jewels. But I can understand if you only have a one day ticket you want to make the most of it, maybe leave half your group in the queue while half goes off to see everything, then swap places……….or just forget it!! I went back the following week and there was no queue at all – the luck of the draw.
St John’s Chapel on the 3rd floor of the White Tower, is the oldest surviving chapel of the Norman era and they still hold services there on Sunday mornings. Henry lll had the Chapel redecorated in 1240 with the addition of stained glass windows. The Knights of Bath held an all-night vigil in the Chapel on the eve of Henry lV’s coronation, and this ceremony continued to be held until 1559 for the coronation of Elizabeth l.
There are various art installations around the Tower grounds. The Historic Royal Palaces commissioned artist, Kendra Haste, to create wire sculptures to commemorate some of the many animals gifted to the Tower – lions, a polar bear, baboons, even an elephant. These exotic animals made up London’s first zoo, from the 1200s to the 1800s. Any surviving animals were moved to what is now London’s Zoo in Regent’s Park.
As you walk around the battlements you will come across metal sculptures of Guards defending the Tower with various weapons – not to mention a few actors dressed up ready to re-enact some of the goings on at the Tower.
In 2006 a memorial to those who lost their heads at Tower Green was unveiled near the execution site, designed by British artist, Brian Catling, a circular piece of glass with a glass pillow in the centre. A peaceful place to reflect on what a brutal society we once were……..
The Armoury in the White Tower houses a gleaming display of armour and weaponry. It seemed quite a laborious task to get both man and horse were kitted out for battle. There is an enormous dragon sculpture there made from all manner of bits and pieces from the armoury, shields, helmets, guns, ammunition, etc.
When you have had enough of the torture and violence, head over to St Thomas’s Tower and see the far more relaxing recreation of Edward l’s bedchamber.
Last, but by no means least – The jet black ravens that live at the Tower are, according to legend, holding the whole thing together. The legend being that if the ravens every leave the Tower and the Kingdom will fall, so by Royal Decree there must be a minimum of six ravens on site, but the Raven Keeper does have a few extras, just in case! Seems to be working, so far……
While in London you might like to take a walk from Camden Town along Regent’s Canal, or if you are in London at the right time of year, visiting the Chelsea Flower Show or Kew Gardens is very inspirational, even for a non-gardener like me!
If you feel like a long walk through London’s History or for aleisurely day out, catch a boat up the Thames to Hampton Court
Read the PostCards I wrote on my recent Trip Over to London, shorter stories and pictures of places I visited.
Itinerary for my Trip Over to London
Flew from Sydney to London Heathrow via Singapore, with Qantas on QF1, then QF2 to come home.
Stayed at the Royal Overseas League in St James’s.
Picked up at Heathrow by Naz from Black Lane Limos.
Travelled around London using a Visitor Oyster Card.
The French exhibit at Fleurs de Villes at Calyx, in Sydney`s Royal Botanic Gardens. This was my favourite, love a bit of Moulin Rouge!!
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#moulinrouge #floraldesign #royalbotanicgardens #fleursdevilles #flowerseverywhere #moulinrougewindmill #brightpinkflowers #sydneyinwinter #sydneylife #sydneystyle #seeeverythingdoeverything #seetheworldthroughmyeyes #traveltheworldworldwithme #explorethecityyoulivein #sydneylocal #myhometown #sydneyaustralia #sydney #sydney
For more info about train travel in Italy and where I stayed on my recent solo Italian adventure to Venice, Florence, Siena, Pisa, La Spezia and Cinque Terre - click the link to my website in the bio.
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#solotravelinitaly #solotravel #solotrip #italytravel #italianadventure #madeinitaly #tripovertoitaly #traveltheworldwithme #traveladdict #travelinitaly #italytrip #seetheworldthroughmyeyes
My Solo Italian Aventure took me out to La Spezia, my base for exploring Cinque Terre, Porto Venere and Lerici. Staying @hotelfirenzelaspezia was ideal, just 50 mtrs from the railway station, and a short walk through La Spezia to the harbour, all methods of transport to easily get around are all nearby. The room was very comfortable and spacious, the buffet style breakfast was delicious, and the Terminus restaurant served fantastic meals.
For more info about the hotels I stayed in on my Italian Aventure, click on the link to my website in the bio.
#laspezia #italybytrain #hotelfirenzeecontinentale #hotelfirenzeecontinentalelaspezia #solotravel #solotravelinitaly #neverstopexploring #neverstoptravelling #solotrip #solofemaletravel #solomidlifefemaletraveler #seeeverythingdoeverything #hotelsinitaly #explorecinqueterre #traveltheworldwithme #traveladdict #passportready
As my ferry from La Spezia to Monterosso rounded the point Chiesa di San Pietro on above Porto Venere, I knew this was a place I needed to visit. This church has been here looking over the sea since 1198. After seeing the way the villages of Cinque Terre have lost their character to tourism, I imagine Porto Venere is what Cinque Terre used to be like - very few people, absolutely beautiful and so much history, a just a short bus ride from La Spezia.
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#portovenere #laspeziatomontarosaferry #daytripfromlaspezia #chiesasanpietro #chiesadisanpietroportovenere #medievalitaly #italianhistory #madeinitaly #italianarchitecture #oldbuildingsmakemehappy #historicbuildingsenrichourlives #historicitaly #italytrip #seetheworldthroughmyeyes #neverstopexploring #traveltheworldwithme #solotravel #solotrip #solotravelinitaly #italianadventure
Arriving in the beautiful medieval city of Siena, I checked into @relaisdegliangeli , a lovely boutique hotel. It felt like home 💖. Siena is definitely one of my favourite places in Italy, Made even better by this hotel, it is easy to get to from the railway station or the bus station, the staff are friendly and helpful, the breakfast is amazing!!
Click the link to my website in the bio for more info on the hotels I stayed in on my Solo Italian adventure.
I`m not an affiliate, this is just an honest recommendation.
#siena #sienaitaly #sienatrip @relaisdegliangeli #italianhotels #solotravel #solotravelinitaly #italytrip #seetheworldthroughmyeyes #neverstopexploring #traveladdict #neverstoptravelling #solotrip #solofemaletravel #solomidlifefemaletraveler #boutiquehotelsoftheworld #italianadventure #relaisdegliangelisiena
The northern part of Monterosso al Mare, I had a coffee and croissant in a coffee shop on the beach front here before I started exploring. Later in the day a few brave souls were climbing this rock a jumping into the very cool, crystal clear water in early spring. The train station is down here too, where I could buy my Cinque Terre Pass giving me a few days of unlimited train trips, it also includes the bus up the hill in Corniglia.
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#monterossoalmarecinqueterre #monterosso #monterossoalmare #cinqueterrenationalpark #cinqueterrecoast #cinqueterreitaly #cinqueterre #italytrip #solotravel #solotravelinitaly #neverstopexploring #seeeverythingdoeverything #traveltheworldworldwithme #traveladdict #italianbeach #seekandyoushallfind #clearwater
And even further up the hill in Porto Venere, the old castle walls, the ancient pathways, and more fantastic views out across the bay, and over Chiesa di San Pietro perched high above the sea.
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#portovenereitaly #portovenere #oldcitywalls #italianarchitecture #italianadventure #madeinitaly #tripovertoitaly #traveltheworldwithme #historicitaly #lookouttower #solotravel #solotrip #solotravelinitaly #neverstopexploring #medievalitaly #ancientcastle #chiesadisanpietroportovenere #viewfromthetop #seekandyoushallfind #seetheworldthroughmylens #seeeverythingdoeverything #experiencelifethroughtravel #
Tucked away inside Lerici Castle in the Gulf of Poets on the Italian coast, is the medieval Chapel of Santa Anastasia in the central core of the castle, well protected, so it has remained the same since the 13th century.
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#lerici #lericicoast #lericicastle #lericiitaly #santaanastasiachapellericicastle #medievalchapel #medievalitaly #oldbuildingsmakemehappy #historicbuildingsenrichourlives #historicitaly #italytrip #seetheworldthroughmyeyes #traveltheworldwithme #neverstoptravelling #solotravelinitaly #solotrip #solotravel #italianadventure #madeinitaly #italianhistory #castlechapel
This is typical of the style of buildings along the waterfront in Lerici, they all have a great view out over the bay.
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#lerici #lericicoast #lericiitaly #italianarchitecture #italianhistory #madeinitaly #tripovertoitaly #traveltheworldwithme #historicbuildingsenrichourlives #oldbuildingsmakemehappy #seekandyoushallfind #seetheworldthroughmylens #colourfulbuildings #lacebalconies #walkalongthebay #solotravel #solotrip #solotravelinitaly #neverstopexploring #seeeverythingdoeverything
One of the fountains in Sydney`s Royal Botanic Gardens up towards the NSW Art Gallery. I think someone needs to turn the tap on a bit more, it`s lacking in oomph!!
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#sydney #royalbotanicgardens #fountaininthepark #walkinthepark #seetheworldthroughmyeyes #seekandyoushallfind #neverstopexplroring #sydneyweekend #sydneylife #sydneyaustralia #sydneyharbourwalks #sydneystyle #sydneywalks
My walk towards San Terenzo from Lerici continues, past this very rocky section of the bay, towards the next empty beach.....I know this beach would have been a hive of activity the day after I was here, it was much warmer and a beautul sunny day.....but I was off to Pisa that day.
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#santerenzo #santerenzobeach #santerenzochedelgolfoepiubelfiore #santerenzolerici #lerici #lericicoast #lericiitaly #lericioutdoor #gulfofpoets #italytrip #madeinitaly #traveladdict #laspezia #italianadventure #italytravel #earlyspringinitaly #emptybeach #seasidewalk #traveltheworldwithme #neverstopexploring #neverstoptravelling
A great hotel in Venice for Solo Travellers with luggage, @rialtohotelvenice is easy to get to from the railway station or the airport with the vaporetto stop right outside on the Grand Canal. The staff are all lovely and so helpful. The location is perfect, at Rialto Bridge, you will always be able to find your way back, just keep following signs to Rialto!!
I had the best time there looking out over the Grand Canal, either from my room or up on the terrace, it would be so easy to spend all your time just watching all the goings ever changing happenings on the Canal.
I have written a story on my website about all the hotels I stayed in on my recent solo Italian adventure, all easy to access from transport, safe, friendly and comfortable. Click the link to my website in the bio.
Not an affiliate, just giving my honest recommendations.
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#hotelrialto #hotelrialtovenice #grandcanal #hotelsforsolotravelers #solofemaletravel #solomidlifefemaletraveler #solotravelinitaly #solotravel #italytrip #seetheworldthroughmyeyes #neverstopexploring #traveltheworldwithme #traveladdict #neverstoptravelling #italytravel #rialtobridge #rialtobridgevenice
An enormous stainless steel sculpture of Captain James Cook in the NSW Art Gallery, just next to the Royal Botanic Gardens. I made a detour to the Art Gallery before heading back into the gardens to continue my walk.
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#captaincook #stainlesssteelsculpture #nswartgallery #nswartgallerysydney #sydneyweekend #sydney #sydneylocal #sydneywalks #seeeverythingdoeverything #traveltheworldworldwithme #sydneylife #sydneystyle #explorethecityyoulivein
The curtains on this focacceria are made from real pasta, so clever!!! This is one of the little shops on the path in the ancient city of Porto Venere, inside the castle walls.
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#focacceriaportovenere #portovenere #portovenereitaly #pastacurtains #solotravelinitaly #solotravel #solotrip #italianhistory #madeinitaly #medievalitaly #italianarchitecture #oldbuildingsmakemehappy #seekandyoushallfind #seeeverythingdoeverything #experiencelifethroughtravel #traveltheworldworldwithme #daytripfromlaspezia #insidethecastlewalls
Back down at sea level in Porto Venere, beautiful restaurants and the smell of the sea, with Doria Castle and San Lorenzo Church watching over from high up the hill. It was quite a walk up to the top, but it`s doable, (even for an old chic with a dicky knee!!), you zig-zag slowly rising as you rise higher past San Pietro, past San Lorenzo and up to the castle.
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#portovenereitaly #portovenere #oldcitywalls #italianarchitecture #italianhistory #madeinitaly #tripovertoitaly #traveltheworldwithme #historicitaly #lookouttower #solotravel #solotrip #solotravelinitaly #italianadventure #seekandyoushallfind #seeeverythingdoeverything #seetheworldthroughmyeyes #traveltheworldwithme #traveladdict #chiesadisanlorenzoportovenere #oldbuildingsmakemehappy #historicbuildingsenrichourlives #boatsboatsboats #downbythewater
I caught the bus from La Spezia out to Lerici, on the southern side of the Gulf of Poets. So many boats in the bay, and look, another medieval castle for me to climb to the top of!!! Travellers tip:- there is a lift up to the castle 😃!! It`s fairly well hidden, but if you walk around the bay to the base of the castle, you will see a tunnel full of kayaks, just up there is the lift.
In the second photo, out in the distance on the left of the pic, you can see Chiesa di San Pietro out on the point in Porto Venere on the other side of the bay, see my previous 9 posts for Porto Venere photos.
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#lerici #lericicoast #lericicastle #lericiitaly #lericioutdoor #gulfofpoets #gulfofpoetsitaly #boatsboatsboats #boatsonthebay #solotravel #solotrip #solotravelinitaly #italianadventure #italianhistory #madeinitaly #tripovertoitaly #medievalitaly #italianhistory #italytravel #historicbuildingsenrichourlives #oldbuildingsmakemehappy #traveltheworldwithme #traveladdict #neverstopexploring #seeeverythingdoeverything #seekandyoushallfind
An afternoon walk around Cremorne Point to cool off in the sea breeze, summer has arrived in Sydney!! Blue sky, blue water, lots of boats, Sydney Harbour showing off it`s best side 🌞🌞🌞🌞🌞
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#cremornepoint #sydneyharbour #sydneyharbourwalks #sydneynorthshore #sydneybythesea #sydneylocal #myhometown #sydneylife #sydneyaustralia #sydney #sydneyinsummertime #blueskyandsunshine #walkinthesun #seetheworldthroughmylens #seeeverythingdoeverything #traveltheworldwithme #sydneyweekend #boatsboatsboats
Half way around the bay on my walk from Lerici to San Terenzo, looking over one of the beach clubs, still closed before the season starts, to Lerici Castle and the town of Lerici.
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#santerenzo #santerenzobeach #santerenzolerici #santerenzochedelgolfoepiubelfiore
#lerici #lericicoast #lericicastle #Italiancoast #traveltheworldwithme #solotravel #solotravelinitaly #seekandyoushallfind #beforetheseason
This sculpture of a broken man in the rocks at the northern end of the beach at Monterosso al Mare, is thecremains of Il Gigante, was damaged when Villa Pastine, behind him took a hit in WWll bombing. The second photo is from one of the art works in the tunnel, showing what he looked like before.
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#monterosso #monterossoalmare #monterossoalmarecinqueterre #cinqueterrenationalpark #cinqueterrecoast #cinqueterreitaly #cinqueterre #ilgigante #ilgigantemonterosso #ilgigantemonterrossoalmare #artinpublicplaces #brokenman #sculptureontherocks #solotravel #solotrip #solotravelinitaly #neverstopexploring #italianhistory #exploringitaly
A little port hole view from Lerici Castle over the town of Lerici, a great place to pause while I got my breath back ready for the next lot of steps to climb on my quest to reach the top of the castle lookout tower.
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#lerici #lericicoast #lericiitaly #lericicastle #windowontheworld #viewfromthecastle #historicbuildingsenrichourlives #oldbuildingsmakemehappy #medievalitaly #italianarchitecture #italianhistory #madeinitaly #tripovertoitaly #traveltheworldwithme #historicitaly #lookouttower #solotravel #solotrip #solotravelinitaly #italianadventure #seekandyoushallfind #seeeverythingdoeverything #experiencelifethroughtravel #stepsstepsandmoresteps
A sculpture of a tree on the beach front in San Terenzo, in the Gulf of Poets, near La Spezia in Italy. It was a lovely place to amble around on a cool, cloudy day in early spring.
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#santerenzo #santerenzobeach #santerenzochedelgolfoepiubelfiore #santerenzolerici #treesculpture #artinpublicplaces #daytripfromlaspezia #beforetheseason #solotrip #solotravel #solotravelinitaly #italytrip #seetheworldthroughmyeyes #neverstopexploring #traveltheworldwithme #traveladdict #travelinitaly #italytrip #madeinitaly #tripovertoitaly
Inside the 13th century Santa Margherita d`Antiochia Church in Vernazza.
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#cinqueterreitaly #vernazza ##vernazzaitaly #vernazzacinqueterre #cinqueterrenationalpark #cinqueterrecoast #solotravelinitaly #santamargheritadantiochia #medievalitaly #13thcenturyarchitecture #italianarchitecture #italianhistory #madeinitaly #tripovertoitaly #traveltheworldwithme #historicbuildingsenrichourlives #oldbuildingsmakemehappy #blackandwhitemarble #seekandyoushallfind
Sydney` Royal Botanic Gardens starting to come to life at the end of winter. It is still winter here, but we are having hotter weather that we get in peak summer, hopefully this doesn`t mean we are in for a relentlessly hot summer 😳
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#royalbotanicgardens #sydneyaustralia #sydney #sydneylocal #sydneyinwinter #sydneylife #explorethecityyoulivein #seekandyoushallfind #seeeverythingdoeverything #seetheworldthroughmyeyes #pondinthepark #birdinthetree #reflectiononwater #reflectiononwaterisbeautiful #whiteflowers #walkinthepark
Most areas in Italy have a statue of Giuseppe Garibaldi somewhere and Monterosso al Mare is no exception, here in Piazza Garibaldi surrounded by cafes and restaurants.
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#giuseppegaribaldi #piazzagaribaldimonterossoalmare #monterosso #monterossoalmare #monterossoalmarecinqueterre #cinqueterrenationalpark #cinqueterrecoast #cinqueterreitaly #cinqueterre #solotravel #italytrip #madeinitaly #traveladdict #travelinitaly #solotrip #italianhistory #seeeverythingdoeverything #traveltheworldwithme #neverstopexploring #neverstoptravelling
In the tunnel you walk through to go between the 2 beach front areas of Monterosso, on the Cinque Terre coast in Italy, they have made a few art installations in the walls along the way.
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#monterossoalmarecinqueterre #monterosso #monterossoalmare #cinqueterrenationalpark #cinqueterreitaly #cinqueterrecoast #cinqueterre #artinpublicplaces #tunnelinmonterosso #solotravel #solotrip #solotravelinitaly #neverstopexploring #seeeverythingdoeverything #traveltheworldworldwithme #traveladdict #travelinitaly #italytrip
On your walk around the bay from Lerici to San Terenzo, this house was one of many buildings along the way where the window frames and the mouldings above the windows are 3D on the front of the building and on the sides, they are all painted on, even with the shadow!! Very talented artist.
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#santerenzo #santerenzobeach #santerenzochedelgolfoepiubelfiore #santerenzolerici #solotravel #solotrip #solotravelinitaly #neverstopexploring #seeeverythingdoeverything #traveltheworldworldwithme #traveladdict #italianbeach #seekandyoushallfind #seeeverythingdoeverything #experiencelifethroughtravel #tompeloeil #italianarchitecture #madeinitaly #walkalongthebay
Oratorio di San Rocco, the small church with the clock and bell tower in Lerici, one of the more modern churches in the area, having opened in 1523!!
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#lerici #lericicoast #lericiitaly #italianarchitecture #italianhistory #madeinitaly #oratoriodisanrocco #oratoriodisanroccolerici #solotravel #solotravelinitaly #italytrip #seetheworldthroughmyeyes #historicbuildingsenrichourlives #oldbuildingsmakemehappy #historicitaly #belltower #clocktower #exploretheworld #neverstopexploring #seeeverythingdoeverything
Taking a short break from posting pics from my recent Trip Over to Italy, back here in Sydney, the Royal Botanic Gardens on the edge of Sydney Harbour, held the Fleurs de Villes exhibition at Calyx, this exhibit was just inside the entrance gates near the Sydney Opera House. One of those perfect winter days 🌞!!
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#sydney #sydneyaustralia #sydneylocal #sydneyinwinter #royalbotanicgardens #fleursdevilles #flowerseverywhere #sydneyharbour #explorethecityyoulivein #seekandyoushallfind #sydneylife #sydneystyle #seeeverythingdoeverything #seetheworldthroughmyeyes #neverstopexploring #boatsontheharbour #calyx
After arriving at Venice`s Marco Polo Airport, I caught the Alilaguna Water Transport directly to Rialto, then when I left Venice by train to Florence, I caught the Vaporetto from Rialto to Ferrovia, the ferry stop at the station, then straight on to the train, suitcase in the gap between the seats, and off we went, so efficient. Very easy, even for an old chic like me on a solo Italian adventure!!🥂
For more info on the art of train travel in Italy, click the link to my website in the bio.
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#venice #grandcanal #solotravel #traintravelinitaly #italiantrains #alilaguna #alilagunaferrytoairport #vaporetto #ferrovia #venicerail #venicetrainstation #solotravelinitaly #neverstopexploring #seeeverythingdoeverything #traveltheworldworldwithme #outonthewater #seekandyoushallfind #seetheworldthroughmyeyes
As any trip to Italy is full of medieval steps to climb to see fabulous things, Lerici is no different!! These are the steps from the bay up to Lerici Castle, or you can look out for this little unmarked tunnel, walk into the tunnel about 20 metres, and there is a lift up to the base of the castle. From there, there are still plenty of steps to climb up to get to the various levels in the castle, all worth it!!
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#stepsorlift #lerici #lericicoast #lericicastle #lericiitaly #lericioutdoor #lifttothecastle #hiddentunnel #kayakstorage #solotrip #solotravelinitaly #neverstopexploring #seeeverythingdoeverything #traveltheworldworldwithme #traveladdict #travelinitaly #italytrip #madeinitaly #solotravel #italianadventure #seekandyoushallfind #stepsstepsandmoresteps
What is the most efficient way to get from Venice Marco Polo Airport into Venice?
Alilaguna Water Bus,
@alilaguna_official operate from the airport to several stops around Venice and along the Grand Canal, making it very easy for solo travellers to get yourself and your luggage to your hotel with a minimum of fuss. I stayed the lovely @rialtohotelvenice just near the Rialto Vaporetto stop, so very convenient.
Click to link to my website in the bio to read bout my arrival in this watery wonder world.
#venice #alilaguna #venicewaterbus #airporttransport #solotravel #solotravelinitaly #solotrip #neverstopexploring #madeinitaly #tripovertoitaly #traveltheworldwithme #italianarchitecture #italianadventure #italytravel #earlyspringinitaly #solotravel #venicelights #veniceitaly #venicewalks #venicelife #venicecanals #venicetrip
Walking from the northern beach at Monterosso al Mare to the southern beach, on the Cinque Terre coast, there was a market setting up under the arches under the rail line and a few cafes in the square.
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#monterossoalmarecinqueterre #monterosso #monterossoalmare #cinqueterrenationalpark #cinqueterrecoast #cinqueterreitaly #cinqueterre #solotravel #italytrip #madeinitaly #traveladdict #travelinitaly #solotrip #solotravelinitaly #neverstopexploring #seeeverythingdoeverything #traveltheworldworldwithme #outonthewater #italianbeach #travelinitaly
Sea creatures carved into the rocks in a wall in Vernazza, Cinque Terre. Each of the villages has a quirky art work somewhere!!
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#carvedrocks #artinpublicplaces #vernazza #vernazzaitaly #vernazzacinqueterre #cinqueterrenationalpark #cinqueterrecoast #cinqueterreitaly #cinqueterre #solotravel #solotrip #italytravel #italianadventure #madeinitaly #solotrip #seeeverythingdoeverything #traveltheworldworldwithme #traveladdict #neverstopexploring #neverstoptravelling #seetheworldthroughmyeyes
After catching the bus from La Spezia to Porto Venere, I walked to the square and saw this ancient entrance to the old city within the castle walls, this is exactly what I was hoping the villages in Cinque Terre would be like. Porto Venere beats all the villages for beauty, fantastic views, history, lovely shops and beautiful food 😍 💖
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#portovenere #oldcitywalls #italianhistory #madeinitaly #medievalitaly #italianarchitecture #oldbuildingsmakemehappy #historicbuildingsenrichourlives #historicitaly #italytrip #seetheworldthroughmyeyes #traveltheworldwithme #neverstoptravelling #italytravel #italianadventure #italytravel #italiantrip #paradisefound #passionpassport
After walking up to the top of Lerici Castle, the drizzly rain had stopped, so I decided to walk all the way around the bay to San Terenzo, this place will be packed to the rafters, but in early April the only people around were people doing maintenance to get ready for the season.... and me.....
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#santerenzo #santerenzobeach #santerenzochedelgolfoepiubelfiore #santerenzolerici #solotravel #solotrip #solotravelinitaly #neverstopexploring #seeeverythingdoeverything #seetheworldthroughmyeyes #traveltheworldwithme #traveladdict #travelinitaly #italytrip #italytravel #earlyspringinitaly #emptybeach #seasidewalk #passagiato
This appealed to me......in the Art Gallery of NSW, Sydney. In reality it is an enormous work, but everything I see it a different size, it looks like something else.
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#artgallery #nswartgallerysydney #nswartgallery #artoftheday #artlover #explorethecityyoulivein #seekandyoushallfind #seeeverythingdoeverything #seetheworldthroughmyeyes #traveltheworldworldwithme #sydney #sydneyaustralia #sydneylocal
Chiesa di San Pietro in Porto Venere, high up on the hill, up so many steps, I can`t imagine what the guy with the bicycle is doing!! 😂 swipe to see the ancient interior of the church, and the doors covered in little figures. All looking a bit weather beaten after 900 years.
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#chiesadisanpietroportovenere #medievalitaly #italianhistory #madeinitaly #tripovertoitaly #traveltheworldwithme #historicitaly #solotravelinitaly #neverstopexploring #oldbuildingsmakemehappy #historicbuildingsenrichourlives #churchdoors #ancientchurchdoors #portovenereitaly #portovenere #oldcitywalls #italianarchitecture #italianadventure #seekandyoushallfind #seeeverythingdoeverything
Climbing higher and higher up through Lerici Castle, the views were amazing, I`m thinking of moving in!!! Lerici is such a lovely place, just a short bus ride from La Spezia, and no tourist tat anywhere. This is what I was hoping Cinque Terre would be like, but I think Cinque Terre sold out to tourism long ago.
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#lerici #lericicoast #lericicastle #lericiitaly #lericioutdoor #gulfofpoets #gulfofpoetsitaly #boatsboatsboats #boatsonthebay #solotravel #solotrip #solotravelinitaly #neverstopexploring #seeeverythingdoeverything #traveltheworldworldwithme #traveladdict #travelinitaly #italytrip #madeinitaly #italianarchitecture #oldbuildingsmakemehappy #historicbuildingsenrichourlives #medievalitaly #oldstonecastle #
In Florence I stayed @hotelatlanticpalaceflorence , just a short walk from the railway station, and an equally short walk to Duomo Firenze, Ufizzi Gallery and Ponte Vecchio. The roof top bar at the sister hotel, Hotel Machiavelli, 50 mtrs down the street has amazing views over Florence. In the hotel foyer is an amazing vase made to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Italian Constitution in 1898. The city of unbelievable art and design starts right here in the hotel 🤩. The hotel is very comfortable, safe and serves a lovely breakfast to fuel you up for a day of exploring.
For more info about the hotels I stayed in on my Solo Italian Aventure, click the link to my website in the bio.
#hotelatlanticpalace #hotelatlanticpalaceflorence #hotelatlanticpalacefirenze #florence #duomofirenze #viewfromtheterrace #solotravel #italytrip #seetheworldthroughmyeyes #neverstopexploring #traveltheworldwithme #traveladdict #solotrip #solotravelinitaly #italianadventure #madeinitaly #italianhistory #italytravel #historicbuildingsenrichourlives #solofemaletravel #solofemalemidlifetraveller
San Terenzo castle looking over the deserted beach as the boats and chairs get rolled out ready for beach weather, that actually arrived the day after I was there.
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#santerenzo #santerenzolerici #santerenzobeach #lerici #lericicoast #santerenzocastle #dessertedbeach #boatsboatsboats #gettingbeachready #tripovertoitaly #traveltheworldwithme #traveladdict #travelinitaly #solotravel #italytrip #seetheworldthroughmyeyes #neverstopexploring #seeeverythingdoeverything #daytripfromlaspezia
The bell tower above the 13th century Church of Santa Margherita d`Antiochia in Vernazza on the Cinque Terre coast in Italy.
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#cinqueterreitaly #vernazza #vernazzaitaly #vernazzacinqueterre #cinqueterrenationalpark #lifebythesea #cinqueterre #cinqueterrecoast #solotravelinitaly #solotravel #solotrip #italianhistory #madeinitaly #medievalitaly #italianarchitecture #oldbuildingsmakemehappy #historicbuildingsenrichourlives #historicitaly #belltower
The beach club on the bay between Lerici and San Terenzo, in the Gulf of Poets, Italy, just waiting for the sun to come out.
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#santerenzochedelgolfoepiubelfiore #santerenzo #santerenzobeach #lerici #lericicoast #lericiitaly #lericioutdoor #gulfofpoets #gulfofpoetsitaly #italianbeach #beforetheseason #solotrip #solotravel #solotravelinitaly #italytrip #seetheworldthroughmyeyes #neverstopexploring #travelinitaly #traveladdict #traveltheworldwithme
The Italian exhibit at Fleures de Villes in Sydney`s Royal Botanic Gardens, not quite sure why it`s Italian other than Italians seem to have claimed lemons as their own.....
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#fleursdevilles #royalbotanicgardens #italianexhibit #sydney #sydneyaustralia #sydneylocal #sydneyinwinter #sydneylife #explorethecityyoulivein #seekandyoushallfind #seeeverythingdoeverything #experiencelifethroughtravel #traveltheworldworldwithme #sydneyweekend
As the ferry from La Spezia pulled into Vernazza, on the Cinque Terre coast, we were all mesmerised by the efficiency of this helicopter that seemed to be bringing building supplies in from just over this hill, where the closest road is. The guys who unhooked the load were so fast the chopper seemed to not even slow down as it spun around to go back for the next load, then the same at the pick up location, it just swooped in and they were ready to hook the next load on and it flew on, a well rehearsed routine!!
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#vernazza #vernazzaitaly #vernazzacinqueterre #cinqueterrenationalpark #cinqueterrecoast #cinqueterreitaly #cinqueterre helicopter #deliveringsupplies #vineyardsofitaly #seekandyoushallfind #seeeverythingdoeverything #solotravelinitaly #solotravel #solotrip #italytravel #italianadventure
The pond in Sydney`s Royal Botanic Gardens, with glimpses of Sydney Harbour in the background.
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#royalbotanicgardens #sydney #sydneyaustralia #sydneylocal #sydneyinwinter #sydneylife #explorethecityyoulivein #seekandyoushallfind #seetheworldthroughmyeyes #seetheworldthroughmylens #pondinthepark #walkinthepark #sydneyharbour #sydneyharbourwalks
Some of the stations I became familiar with on my solo Italian adventure. Siena had the biggest step up from the platform to the train, but by the time I left Siena I was quite good at handling my luggage so it wasn`t a problem, and Pisa was the easiest and my visit to Pisa was a day trip from La Spezia, without any luggage!! Although I did have to change trains in Pisa a few days later on my way back through Florence to Venice....easy 🤩!!
For more info on the art of solo travel by train in Italy, click the link to my website in the bio.
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#traintravelinitaly #pisa #siena #Florence #laspezia #italybytrain #solotravel #solotravelinitaly #solotrip #neverstopexploring #madeinitaly #seetheworldthroughmyeyes #italytrip #italy #soloitalianadventure #solofemaletravel #solomidlifefemaletraveler #italiantrains #railwaystationsinitaly #traveltheworldworldwithme #traveladdict
The railway station at Monterosso al Mare is right at the beach, don`t be fooled by the lack of crowds on the platform, the train just left going north, the crowds are all behind me waiting to catch the train down to the other Cinque Terre villages, or to La Spezia, where I was staying.
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#monterossoalmarecinqueterre #monterosso #monterossoalmare #cinqueterrenationalpark #cinqueterreitaly #cinqueterrecoast #cinqueterre #solotravel #italytrip #madeinitaly #traveladdict #travelinitaly #solotrip #solotravelinitaly #neverstopexploring #seeeverythingdoeverything #traveltheworldworldwithme #travelbytraininitaly #travelbytrain
Only this tower was left standing after a WWll bomb hit Villa Pastine in Monterosso al Mare, it was recently restored and is along with the broken statue of Il Gigante in my previous post are a feature of the northern end of the beach.
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#villapastine #monterosso #monterossoalmarecinqueterre #monterossoalmare #cinqueterrenationalpark #cinqueterrecoast #cinqueterreitaly #cinqueterre #solotravel #italytrip #madeinitaly #italianarchitecture #italianhistory #italianadventure #solotravelinitaly #traveltheworldwithme #neverstopexploring #neverstoptravelling #seetheworldthroughmyeyes #seeeverythingdoeverything
I travelled by train between destinations on my solo adventure to Venice, Florence, Siena, Pisa, La Spezia and Cinque Terre. Very easy to use, booking through @trainline I became very adept at handling my luggage on my own, changing trains and enjoying hurtling through Italy in comfort.
For more info on the art of train travel in Italy by clicking the link to my website in the bio.
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#traintravelinitaly #solotravel #solotravelinitaly #solotrip #madeinitaly #traveltheworldwithme #italytrip #seetheworldthroughmyeyes #traveladdict #travelinitaly #italiantrains #cinqueterre #cinqueterreitaly #cinqueterrenationalpark #cinqueterrecoast
