Once a year in May, museums in Rome are open to the public from 8 pm to 2 am for Notte dei Musei (Museum Night) for a symbolic one Euro entrance fee. The concept started in reunified Germany in the late 90s and was popularized in Paris with the free Nuit Blanche (white night) events…
The picturesque Island of Capri has long been a destination sought out by emperors, jet setters, and day trippers alike. Although there are a couple of other islands in the Bay of Naples, Capri consistently attracts the majority of visitors from Naples and the Amalfi Coast. During a long weekend in Naples, we included…
The town of Castel Gandolfo is a quick day trip from Rome. Last year, the Vatican opened up the summer residence after Pope Francis decided not to spend his summers at the villa as had been tradition with his predecessors. Pope Francis had already ordered the grounds of the Barberini gardens open to the public…
The Bastille Market (Marche de la Bastille) is the perfect place to start a lazy Sunday in Paris. Located on boulevard Richard Lenoir (Metro Line 1 or 5), the outdoor market is open every Thursday and Sunday. [easy-image-collage id=1047] I found it to be one of the best neighborhood markets in Paris to get fresh produce…
Only the Eternal City can looks so good after a few thousand years. The public rose garden or Roseto Comunale’s opening coincided with Rome’s birthday week. The city celebrated 2769 years on April 21st. Over a thousand varieties of roses are planted in two sections of the Roseto Comunale. The garden has spectacular views of the ruins…
As Audrey Hepburn famously said, Paris is always a good idea. Following that advice, I decided to squeeze in a day in Paris during a connecting flight back from a work trip to the Ivory Coast. I paid the price with some sleep deprivation, but it was totally worth it for the unexpectedly sunny day. …
Spending time in Africa again has brought back so many wonderful memories. Top among which are the incredible safari adventures that are possible while living and travelling in South and East Africa. I’m already daydreaming of a longer return trip that can include some nature time and of course sunset cruises. The safari options in…
Now that I am living in Italy, it was finally time to take a trip to Naples. It’s such a short train trip from Rome and the birthplace of Pizza Margherita after all! In previous trips to Italy, and the Amalfi Coast specifically, Sorrento was always recommended as a more manageable base. Although Naples…
Spring is my favorite season and the perfect time for a Daytrip to Keukenhof Tulip Garden located in Lisse. Although I will miss the Cherry Blossom Festival in Washington this year, I am closer to my favorite place in the Netherlands. [easy-image-collage id=2172] Keukenhof served as the “kitchen garden” of a Dutch Countess in…
On the first Sunday in March, my friends and I decided to take advantage of the Italian government’s Domenica al museo (or free first Sunday at the museums). The official list of participating museums is available here. It is only available in Italian, but this National Geographic guide is also useful. The lines tend to be…