Trip Over to London – England
London is Always a Good Idea!
The cosmopolitan city of London is a thoroughly modern city with a rich history stretching all the way back to when the Romans ruled the world. All the iconic landmarks are right there in the centre of London, Westminster Abbey, the Houses of Parliament, Big Ben, Buckingham Palace, Kensington Palace, the Tower of London, the River Thames and so much more to see and do. London is very easy to get around on the underground network, and taking day trips out of London is just as easy with a very efficient and comfortable rail network. If it is Royal pomp and ceremony you are after, there is no shortage it. Parades, guard changing, palaces and gardens to visit, add in a few fabulous museums, theatres, pubs and restaurants…………
Long Walk Through London’s History
The South West East End Area!
As London is a fantastic city for walking, and the weather in early October was quite pleasant, I seemed to quite unintentionally find myself walking and exploring all day. Exploring one area then coming across something else, which led to something else, until I found myself in in 500 year old pub down by The Thames eating fish and chips. Read more….
Regent’s Canal
A Leisurely Walk in London
Beautiful narrow boats are moored all along the canal, some look like they are permanent homes and others would be for leisurely summer jaunts along the English canals. There were people kayaking on the canal, a few stand up paddle boarders, the occasional tour boat and local bird life that lives along the canal…… Read more….
Voyage Up The Thames
Westminster to Hampton Court
The trip takes about 3 hours and you will be entertained the whole way with the commentary from a local Londoner who points out all the places of interest, as well as telling stories about all the things you see along the way. There is a fully licensed bar on board – sipping on a G&T watching the world go by has got to be one of the pleasures of life!…… Read more….
The Chelsea Flower Show
London in Bloom
It was a magnificent sunny, warm day for my visit to the Chelsea Flower Show in London. I couldn’t have planned it any better, especially as it was booked so far in advance. The Show is held over five days in May every year. The sculptures and outdoor ornaments are stunning….. Read more……………..
Kew Gardens
Art and Nature in the Sun
Fortunately when we were there, there was an exhibition of Dale Chihuly art works, one of the world’s most celebrated glass artists. The magnificent glass sculptures are placed throughout the Gardens, and inside the glass houses. They both blend in with and stand out in all environments. . Read more……………..
The Tower of London
The Crown Jewels and a History of Torture
Indulging my passion for history and bringing back memories, I hadn’t been to visit the Tower of London for a very long, long time!! 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. . . Read more……………..
Trip Over to London
Post Cards from London
On my recent Trips Over to London I wrote some shorter stories to whet your appetite with pictures of places I visited, and useful tips if you are visiting London . . . Read more……………..
Spring Festival Taormina style ✨️ everywhere you look - flowers 💖
This is how spring should be!
#taormina #taorminasicily #springfestival #flowerseverywhere #solotravelinsicily #soloadventure #traveltheworldwithme #seetheworldthroughmyeyes
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
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
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
Another bus trip from Valletta bus terminal on bus 81, out to Masaxlokk fishing village on Malta`s east coast. Lots of traditional Luzzu, Maltese fishing boats, and some not so traditional, all over the bay. There is a fantastic fish market here on Sundays, sadly I was not there on a Sunday!!!
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#luzzu #luzzuboat #maltesefishingboats #marsaxlokk #marsaxlokkharbour #malta #seetheworldthroughmyeyes #seeeverythingdoeverything #solotrip #solofemaletravel #soloadventure #adventure2025 #traveltheworldwithme #traveladdict #neverstoptravelling
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
Yesterday evenings stroll to walk off my enormous Christmas lunch ✨️ past Fortnum & Mason, up Bond St, past the Royal Arcade, then past all the fashion shops dressed up to the nines. Chanel was my favourite 💖 Then Oxford St and back down Regent St to Piccadilly. Londin really knows how to do Christmas lights 🥂✨️💖
#londonatchristmastime #christmaslights #streetsoflondon #bondstreetlondon #regentstreetlondon
It was a lovely sunny London day to walk through Kensington Gardens from South Kensington to Baystwater Rd. Kensington Palace was all locked up for the Christmas break.
#kensingtonpalace #kensingtongardenslondon #london #solotravelinlondon #traveltheworldwithme
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
Cruising around Gozo in an open-top double decker bus, not normally my chosen
method of transport, but with only one day in Gozo before catching the ferry back to
Valletta, it seems like the best way to see more of the island.
📍Gozo Harbour – picture perfect.
⛪That church watching over the harbour? That’s Our Lady of Lourdes Chapel, doing
her best to photobomb every shot.
🚜Oh, and a bonus quad bike gang rolled past—clearly living their best adventure
movie moment. Another very popular way to tour around Gozo.
Solo travel tip: Open-top buses are a fab way to see the island without the stress of
maps or dodgy parking. Just sit back, snap some pics, and enjoy the breeze! ☀️I met a
lovely couple from Chichester in England to chat with on the bus.
#GozoIsland #SoloTravelMalta #BusWithAView #OpenTopAdventures #GozoVibes
#MaltaAdventures #SoloTravelMagic
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
Parco Trevelyan, public gardens in Taormina created by Lady Florence Trevelyan, who was exiled from England after an affair with the Prince who would become King Edward Vll.
She made her home on Isola Bella, and then married the Mayor of Taormina.
Click the link to my website in the bio to read about the hotels I stayed in on my recent solo adventure to Malta and Sicily.
#parcotrevelyan #parcotrevelyantaormina #taormina #solotravelinsicily #soloadventure #walkinthepark #solotravel #exploretheworld #seetheworldthroughmyeyes
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
Sydney`s Jacaranda trees are bursting into bloom! Hopefully this wintery snap doesn`t put the brakes on it......🤔 Enjoy the stunning purple displays (and then complain about the slippery footpaths and car stains as the flowers drop) 😂 It`s all part of the annual ritual✨️
#jacarandas #sydneyinbloom #therockssydney #sydneytownhall #explorethecityyoulivein #historicsydney #seetheworldthroughmyeyes
Strolling through the tranquil Palermo Botanic Gardens took me to this lovely glass house, complete with a statue of the Genius of Palermo with a giant snake biting his chest, then on to ponds full of lily pads. The gardens are just down the hill from the station, and a peaceful escape from the gritty, grubby city centre.
#palermo #solotrip #solotravel #seetheworldthroughmyeyes #traveltheworldwithme #seeeverythingdoeverything #palermosicily #palermobotanicalgarden #thegeniusofpalermo
Sailed out of the Grand Harbour in Malta under a soft pre-dawn sky, watching Valletta slowly fade behind me. The Virtu Ferry, named John Paul II, was built all the way over in Tasmania—a little slice of home carrying me across the Mediterranean. ✨️
Bound for Pozzallo, Sicily, the journey was fairly smooth, peaceful, and just the right
amount of dramatic (cue moody sunrise lighting and salty sea spray).
There`s something special about watching a place you`ve loved drift into the horizon. Malta, you
were warm, layered with history, and full of solo travel magic, I’ll definitely be back one day……..the solo adventure continues in Sicily….🌻
#MaltaToSicily #solotrip #SoloTravelMoments #VallettaAtDawn #GoodbyeMalta
#virtuferries #traveltheworldwithme #traveladdict #neverstopexploring #soloadventure
Exploring Fort St Angelo was like stepping into a living postcard from Malta’s past.
Across the Grand Harbour from Valletta out on the tip of Birgu, one of the Three
Cities, I could see it from my hotel room!
Built in the 13th century, it was the HQ for the Knights of St John during the Great Siege of
1565. The chapel of St Anne, within the fort’s walls, has seen it all - outside, the Flag of
St John and the Maltese flag wave in the breeze, standing as symbols of the island’s
rich heritage and its resilience.
A perfect blend of history and serenity—just what I was looking for on my solo adventure
through Malta.
#StAnneChapel #FortStAngelo #MalteseHistory #SoloTravelMoments #Birgu #solotrip
Continuing my recent solo adventure posts....I flew from London to Malta at the end of March, caught a taxi from the airport to my hotel in Valletta, then had a walk around the area to familiarise myself with my home for the next 10 days, everywhere in Valletta is so interesting, then went to La Pira on Merchants St and tried the delicious traditional Maltese meal of Rabbit Stew.
1. Flying over the French/Italian/Swiss Alps on KM Malta Airlines.
2. Santa Katarina Church
3. A typical Valletta Street
4. Maltese Rabbit Stew at La Pira
#flighttomalta #alps #snowcoveredmountains #streetsofvalletta #malta #valletta #rabbitstew #solotravel #solotrip #solotravelinmalta #seetheworldthroughmylens #seeeverythingdoeverything #traveltheworldworldwithme
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
`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
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 #
The Spring Flower Show 💐every year at David Jones city store, not sure that this one is my favourite 🤔 what do you think?
#davidjonesflowershow #sydneycbd #sydney #flowerseverywhere #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
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
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
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
The Nymphaeum is the only structure within Fort St Angelo which has never had any
military function. It was built in 1531 for the Grand Master of the Knights of St John as a
relaxation area, in part of a medieval tower.
As the Nymphaeum was built with its back to the sun, it offered constant shade against Malta’s hot summer. Still used today by the Knight Resident of the Order of St John, who I believe lives here. I hope he didn`t mind me sitting here for a while!! ✨️
# Nymphaeum #FortStAngelo #MalteseHistory #SoloTravelMoments #Birgu #solotrip
#neverstopexploring
Tarxien Temples, a short bus trip from Valletta on the #81. This is the home of what is assumed to be the first people who lived in Malta. This complex dates back to 3400BC, so really, really old!!!
#tarxien #tarxientemples #malta #ancienthistory #ancientcultures #prehistoriclife #earlylifeinmalta #solotrip #soloadventure #solotravelinmalta #seeeverythingdoeverything #seetheworldthroughmylens #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
Signs of England all over Malta, not to mention they all speak English and drive on the left!!
1. King Edward Vll post box.
2. Red telephone box.
3. A cover for something on the foot path.
4. A Royal thing from 1893, in Mtarfa near where there were navy/military buildings
5. Red telephone box in Mdina, now used as a first aid station.
6. Me, heading out for a hard day exploring Malta!!
#malta #Valletta #mtarfa #Medina #redphonebox #englandinmalta #outfitoftheday #solotrip #solotravelinmalta #solofemalemidlifetraveller #exploremalta #neverstoptravelling #seeeverythingdoeverything #seetheworldthroughmylens
Home sweet home in London, arriving @royaloverseaslondon ✨ lights on and ready for Santa🎄☃️❄️🥂!!
#londonatchristmastime #royaloverseasleague #christmaslights #christmastree #traveltheworldwithme
Upper Barrakka Gardens, a lovely park looking over the Grand Harbour, there`s not much space in Valletta for parks!! The photo of Victoria Gate in the previous post was taken from here, so having walked up all the steps, this is a good place to catch your breath before exploring more of Valletta. The Upper Barrakka Gardens are on the same level as the main street through the city, so you get a good break from all the steps!!
#upperbarrakkagardens #upperbarrakkagardensvalletta #Malta #valletta #vallettamalta #solotrip #solofemalemidlifetraveller #solofemaletravel #soloadventure #solotravelinmalta #seetheworldthroughmylens #seeeverythingdoeverything #traveltheworldworldwithme #adventure2025
I couldn`t enough of the view from the Grand Harbour Hotel in Valletta across the Grand Harbour to the Three Cities, staying here for 10 days was a fantastic base to explore Malta from. If you look closely at the roof top terraces in the lower section of pic 1, there is a toilet next to the BBQ, I hope it`s not connected!!!
1. Looking towards Senglea, the southern most of the Three Cities across the Grand Harbour.
2. Looking towards Birgu, and Fort St Angelo.
3. Victoria Gate, built in the late 1800s, was the main entrance to Valletta from the Grand Harbour.
4. The Grand Harbour Hotel, my home in Valletta, loved it 💖
#valletta #vallettamalta #grandharbourhotelvalletta #grandharbourmalta #3cities #senglea #birgu #fortstangelobirgu #victoriagate #malta #solotravelinmalta #soloadventure #solotrip #adventure2025 #seetheworldthroughmyeyes #traveltheworldworldwithme
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
After more exploring Noto on my day trip from Syracuse, in Sicily ✨️I indulged my passion for a bit of fried seafood, then followed that with a Sicilian gelato 😋
#noto #sicily #frittomisto #gelato #exploringsicily #solotravelinsicily #soloadventure #traveltheworldwithme ##seeeverythingdoeverything
Decided to escape the heat in Sydney🔥 for the cold, and a cozy London Christmas🎄☃️ ❄️❄️❄️ ✨️And London has delivered with a lovely 4 degree (and falling ❄️❄️❄️) evening to start things off.
Merry Christmas to everyone 🎄☃️❄️🎄☃️❄️🥂!!
#solotravel #traveltheworldwithme #merrychristmas #londonforchristmas #christmaslights
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
Stepping inside Government House reveals a treasure trove of polished wood, just look at that amazing dining table ✨️ leather furniture, and glittering chandeliers, every bit as magnificent as its exterior.
#governmenthousesydney #polishedwood #amazingplace #historicsydney #explorethecityyoulivein #chandliers #sydney #sydneyaustralia
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
Strolling along the southern side of Sydney Harbour Bridge from Walsh Bay to The Rocks.
#sydneyharbourbridge #sydneyharbour #sydney #historicsydney #sydneyoperahouse #sydneyharbourwalks
The beautiful ancient streets of Ortigia Island in Sicily.✨️Perfect for aimlessly wandering through exploring whatever comes along.🌞
#ortigia #ortigiaisland #Syracuse #sicily #sicilytravel #visitsyracuse #solotravelinsicily #streetofortigia #seetheworldthroughmyeyes #traveltheworldwithme
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
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
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
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
An evening stroll through Taormina ✨️ around Piazza Aprile IX and down Corso Umberto deciding where to go for dinner🥂
Click the link to my website in the bio to see my reviews of the hotels where I stayed in Malta & Sicily🥰
#taormina #taorminasicily #piazzaapriletaormina #corsoumbertotaormina #lapassagiata #eveningstroll #solotravelinsicily #soloadventure #seeeverythingdoeverything
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
Isola Bella, the little island paradise on the beach below Taormina✨️You have to walk through knee deep water to get there. I had my water shoes and small travel towel - ready for anything😂🥂
Read about the hotels I stayed in on my recent solo adventure in Malta and Sicily, click the link to my website in the bio.
#isolabellataormina #isolabella #taorminasicily #taormina #islandparadise #downbythesea #soloadventure #sicily
They built a new walkway crossing over the Mororway, it will have a roof to protect us from the sun and rain they said.
Turns out it only has a strip of roof on one side, so in the morning the shade is on the motorway below, and in the afternoon the shade is on the other side of the motorway below.
Then they cut holes in the roof, the shape of bugs (!?!), no doubt to let the sun and rain through 🤔
In the middle of the day, the shadow from the roof with the holes in it turns into an X rated phallic display!!
Do you see that, or it it just me??🤣
Should there be a Parental Guidance warning before walking on to the foot bridge???
#northsydney #nswgovt @north.sydney #phallicart #walktowork #morningcommute #seetheworldthroughmyeyes #sydneyuncovered
Porto Nuovo, or `new gate`, was built in the 15th century, but after a fire, the current gate was built in 1669. Guess `new` is relative! This spot became a hub for me - markets nearby, lovely parks and the bus stop to other towns like Monreale, was just through here. Located on Corso Vittorio Emanuele, Palermo.
To read about the places I stayed on my solo adventure to Malta and Sicily, click the link to my website in the bio.
#palermo #palermosicily #Sicily #portonuovo #soloadventure #solotravelinsicily #traveltheworldwithme #solotrip #seeeverythingdoeverything #sicilianhistory #neverstoptravelling
