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It has always been a dream of mine to visit this ancient city, which has also been nominated the "Capital of Culture 2019" in Italy. We had crossed the entire region of Basilicata which gifted us with STUNNING views of  ocra yellow and green valleys, little villages here and there, and hundreds of wind turbines every meter. It literally looked like the screensaver of my computer, but in real life. We even tried taking videos but our camera didn't do justice. The highway was EMPTY, and that contributed to the "magicness" of the landscapes.





We stayed in a huge apartment that was just less then 10min by car from the historical center. There is a public covered parking area that costs less than 2eur/hour, and parkings around the Castle. You just have to cross the main road Via Lucana which is the road that separates the new part from the old one, follow the directions towards the Sassi. Even if you just stroll around with no direction, you will not get lost.


Chiesa dei santi Pietro e Paolo

Once you enter the old part, you'll feel immersed to the history of the city, you can feel it is ancient and extraordinarily UNIQUE. I felt like walking through the roads of Jerusalem or something.




The city has been build and carved from the mountain, and the caves you can see were once inhabitated; but the conditions of the ones living inside were decaying and primitive, no electricity, no gas, no hygiene, so it was later forbidden to live in those caves, and inhabitants were forced to move.




Fortunately, we've been doubly lucky because some Dalì sculptures were places across the city.

Salvador Dalì's Melting Watch
Speaking about FOOD, prices in south Italy are cheap (compared to the rest of the country), there are many little stores, literally in every corner, that sell typical Materan street food like panini, stuffed fried pizza dough, varieties of salamis along with cheeses and Altamura bread, and my favourite of them all (that I'm craving so bad while writing this post) are the peperoni cruschi which are small bellpeppers (a variety that can only be found in this area) fried in olive oil until crisp. Simple but oh, so delicious.


Finally, we took a rest from all the walking and decided to watch the sun set over Matera, watching the sky turn from cotton candy pink to a jet black night.






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This south Italy tour has been epic for multiple reasons: my family and I travelled AAAAALL the way from our home in norhern Italy to reach, first of all, these southern gems which are all part of the famous AMALFI COAST: POMPEII, SORRENTO, CAPRI, POSITANO and AMALFI. We then drove to MATERA, ALBEROBELLO and ended the tour in BARI.

I decided to split this guide in 3 PARTS to make it a less heavy read, so I won't spoiler anything, if you're curious about this tour then go ahead to the following parts 2 and 3 😁



We don't fear long drives

My family has visited many foreign countries BY CAR such as Budapest, Munich, Salzburg, Vienna, Monaco, Nice and Cannes (you'll soon find my say about these cities in future posts), we love enjoying the view of the journey and stop to take photos. However, before heading to Campania region, we stopped by my aunt's house in Rome for 2 days to start fresh this Tour.

Depending on where you come from, obviously taking the plane or train will save you a lot of time but bare in mind there aren't direct flights or trains to the coastal area where you can find Positano or Amalfi. The main cities well connected to the public transportation for this area are Napoli, Sorrento and Salerno, from which you have to take a bus. Or you can always rent a car or a motorbike (highly suggested for couples), just choose your expert driver because the narrow road is made of steep climbs and hairpin turns.



POMPEII, Napoli

The first stop was Pompei, the city that has laid for centuries under the hardened lava of the volcano towering Napoli, Vesuvio. I have already been here but I was like 7 years old, not much I can remember. The Ruins and Archaeologic site are a must-include attraction to your South Italy tour. Check the official Pompei tourism website to see if you're eligible for free entrance, and sign the dates where the entry is free for everyone, you might plan your visit according to these days.






SORRENTO, Napoli

This is the first true coastal city we have seen, needless to say it was like a mirage. From Pompei we were heading to our apartment which was located in Sant' Agata sui Due Golfi (20min by bus from Sorrento) when we realized we were driving at the road overlooking Sorrento. We chose an apartment located a little bit outside the city because the town is not touristy at all, it wasn't chaotic and we truly lived like locals, even though for just 3 days.
From Sorrento you can take the buses to reach Positano, Amalfi and the coastal area, and from the naval port there are boat lines for Capri Island, Ischia, Napoli and so on. I suggest you to buy your tickets online although you still have to queue to collect you boat tickets.








CAPRI ISLAND

 First things first, the only way to reach the island is by ferry (unless you have an helicopter or your private yacht). The roundtrip ticket is pricey I have to say, we spent more than 200 euros for us 5 for a 20min ride. The price varies because there are different companies, but on average you'll spend around 40 euros each.
To reach the center of the island you have to take the cableway which is 2 euros just for one way, so the roundtrip costs 4 euros.

I suggest you to spend a whole day here to visit the island and go on a boat tour around the island to discover the typical views of Capri's faraglioni and grottos. If you are a small group (5-15 persons) it is better to rent a private boat/yacht which you can choose to drive on your own (if you have the license) or with the driver/boat chief (what we did). Prices can also vary, it's not cheap (nothing in Capri is cheap) but DEFINITELY WORTH the price. With the private boat the tour lasted 2h30 and we stopped by different grottos to take photos and swim, whereas with the large ferry tours that barely costs 20eur/pp the trip is only 1h long and it doesn't stop to let passengers swim.







POSITANO, Salerno

 Fortunately, Positano was just about 30min by car from our hotel. By 9 a.m. we had parked our car, went to the main beach SPIAGGIA GRANDE and were swimming. Sound easy right? Well...

It was July, not considered "high season" in Italy because people go on holiday in August, and there still weren't that much tourists around (the beach was empty when we arrived, people started to show up at around 12, plus it wasn't a sunny day but still hot enough to enjoy), it didn't take too long before we could find a public parking. Private parkings are expensive and most of the time, they almost pile up the cars to get the best out of their space, I would suggest you parking here as a last resort. The public parkings which have ordinary fares (not more than 2eur/hour) have blue lines, obviously they sell out quickly so you better "sacrifice" waking up at 4/5 in the morning. The road is narrow and steep, very chaotic during the day, so you won't get any of this if you rise before the sun.

To get to the MAIN BEACH, you have to go down a lot of stairs, it's quite tiring especially when going up, so girls, please wear you instagrammable shoes only after you got to the beach, trust your sistah :P

Another reason to get up really early is because the free beach is not a wide area, it gets crowded real fast, so if you want your sit  in the front row, you know what to do.
Rental of deckchairs is also pricey, that's why they're empty most of the time.









AMALFI, Salerno

 After spending just half a day in Positano (it's a small place and the buildings you see at the background are actually residential buildings or hotels), we headed straight to Amalfi to spend the rest of the day there. Just stroll around and you'll see the main attractions that are around the cathedral.







I hope you enjoyed this post and found it helpful to plan your next trip to the fabulous Amalfi Coast, see you on the next post!





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The higher the level of fun and adrenaline, the higher the level of post-festival depression. I have been to a lot of concerts, but as I said before, I am always hit by a good dose of nostalgia everytime I go home and look at all the pictures and videos I've taken.

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"Mine was the twilight and the morning. Mine was a world of rooftops and love songs."
 Roman Payne, Rooftop Soliloquy

Paris doesn't need any introduction or presentation. It has been one of the most visited cities of 2017/2018, and it was just pure casuality that my family and I decided to spend our Holy Week in la cité de l'amour.
It was around November '17 and my dad was casually surfing the web when he noticed an ad with very cheap roundtrip flights to Paris, and he immediately bought five tickets and our next travel was set. We've already been there before, in 2001 exactly, but I was just six years old and my memories weren't as vivid as I wished they were, but hey, I was just an innocent little girl.
Unfortunately the weather was raging and the days were freezy, but this didn't stop us from enjoying our 5-days stay at this wonderful, romantic city.
If you want to know more details and tips, keep reading, and you won't be caught unprepaired during your stay at the French capital!



ACCOMODATION, TRANSPORTATION AND TIPS

Airport parking

Our flight departure was scheduled at 6:30 a.m. from the airport of Venice. My first tip is, if you can't afford to park at the official airport's parking (they are quite pricey, and since we were about to go on holiday, we didn't want to spend further money just for the parking!), search for nearby parking services and book them in advance. The parking company we booked was just 2min by car from the airport, we only paid 22 euro for 5-days parking, and the shuttle was included! We were very satisfied with the service. At our arrival we just had to phone the driver and he'd pick and drive us back.

Paris transportation

We arrived at Charles De Gaulle Airport after a 2 hours flight. It was already raining and you couldn't imagine the sadness that took over me. By the way, I think it is very difficult to understand the transportation/metro/train connections if you're not a city person.

My main tip for travelling is, always search in advance for a country's transportation, general prices and culture before going, so that you'll never have to face unpleasant surprises.

 The easiest way to move around a metropolitan city is... The metro. To be precise, we moved by metro and buses.
The first thing to do once you arrive at the airport, is to search for the Information desk and ask for the Forfait Passe Navigo Découverte. The magnetic card costs 5 euro, plus the forfait which can be weekly or monthly. In our case, we chose the weekly subscription, and it costs around 27 euro/person (prices may increase). We were caught unprepaired on this one because the document picture was mandatory and we had to spend an extra 5 euro/person for the photo machine. Overall the pass is almost necessary if you're planning to move with public transportation, not only you will save money, but also time.
Everytime you hop on the metro/bus is 1.90 eur, so a roundtrip would cost you 3.80 eur. If you take the metro, let's say, 5 roundtrips a day, it's already 19 euro for a day, for one person!

 

Accomodation

Paris wasn't really a planned holiday, we decided to spend Easter vacay abroad just after dad bought the tickets. Hotel and apartment prices were already starting to increase, so I would suggest you to book your hotel/apartment months before the departure date. There are many hotels with a terrace offering you the fantastic skyline and overview of the city (which I see a lot on the Gram, LOL) and probably the next time I'll come back in Paris I'll book one of these, but since we were five, we didn't want to spend most of our budget on the accomodation, so we opted for a hotel which position was fantastic, near Gare de l'Est and just a few minutes from Montmartre.
I highly recommend booking a hotel with breakfast included, since prices in Paris are really high compared to Italy (my mom paid 4 euro for one espresso coffee, and the waiter was even upset because she didn't leave any tip... In Italy an espresso costs you 1 euro) and you might pay at least 6/7 euro per head for a breakfast with cappuccino and a pastry. If you are not on a budget, then lucky you, but for a family of five that's a big no-no.

Best areas to book your hotel? There isn't a fits-all answer to this, it depends on which area you want to be close to. The main attraction areas are Trocadéro or Champs de Mars (near the Tour Eiffel), Avenue de Champs-Élysées (Arc de Triomphe), Jardin des Tuileries (near Musée du Louvre and Palais Royal), the Montmartre area (Sacré-Cœur and Moulin Rouge), the Notre Dame, Montparnasse area and Saint-Germain area.

 

A few tips

Be careful of pickpocketers. If you're used to live in big cities and metropolitan cities, you can 90% of the cases spot fake "volunteers-for-a-right-cause" that may approach you to ask to sign a petition "against drugs" and any other ambiguous case, obviously asking for money then. They are such animals because they use delicate topics to fool people. But also, 80% of the time, these wretches will approach you in large groups, and try to surround you. Especially in touristy areas, always make sure to avoid people who approach you asking for favours. 
One of these wretches once covered my dad's face with the paper she was holding and simultaneously tried to open his bag and steal his wallet. It really was the meds bag and hopefully the woman didn't manage to take anything valuable.
Pickpocketers are everywhere, also make sure to keep your belongings secure when you're taking the metro, bus or any public transportation.


Cathédrale Notre-Dame

The entry is free and the queue doesn't take too long to move. It's a must-visit place to visit when in Paris.


Shakespeare and Company bookshop

It's easy to come across this bookshop while strolling around the Notre-Dame area. You have to visit it yourself to see with your naked eyes how magical this place is. Just imagine yourself sitting on an old couch, reading Baudelaire poems surrounded by old and dusty book shelves, the piano playing and the owner's cat napping on the table beside you.
I could have lived there forever.



Musée du Louvre

One of the things I loved most about Paris, is their free entrance tariffs for Europe citizens under 26 years old. Since I, my sister and brother are under 26, we had free access to all the museums we've been to, and I think this is an excelent incentive to encourage young citizens to learn more about the history and the culture of a city/nation.
The museum is huge, and if you want to accurately admire each piece, I suggest you to spend the whole day here.
At the end of your visit you can always walk around Jardin des Tuilleries all the way to Place de la Concorde, and don't forget to plan a visit to Musée d'Orsay and Musée de l'Orangerie, where you will be able to see with your eyes the most famous paintings you've only seen in your arts book.



Arc de Triomphe




Tour Eiffel



Chateau de Versailles

Free entry for EU citizens under 26. The waiting line is very long, almost 1 hour. Tickets for the Chateau and the garden are separate, so make sure to book them both if you want a full-immersion visit. I suggest you spend the whole day to visit the palace and the broad garden, just to reward yourself with a view like King Louis XIV had everyday!



Musée d'Orsay

I have seen most of the famous paintings I've only seen in my arts book. You will be amused by the paintings of many renowned artists as Van Gogh, Monet, Manet, Cézanne, Renoir, Degas, just to name a few.



Maison Ladurée

What is a trip to Paris without a box of Macarons? Get them at the most known macaron maison (I'm gonna tell you, they are pricey, but you know they are a statement!), but in my opinion, every French patisserie sells really good macarons (and cheaper!).




Jardin du Luxembourg

The whole Saint-Jermain area is enjoyable, especially if you're a football fan. Shopping addicts can satisfy their fashion cravings with the luxury boutiques you can find along the main street.
And after your crazy shopping experience, just take a sit on a bench at the Luxembourg Garden, surrounded by colorful flowers, the children playing, the sound of the fountain and the ducks quacking.




Montmartre 

Basilique du Sacré-Cœur

Montmartre has been my favourite area of Paris. It is the parisian life in a nutshell, all the French clichés you have seen or heard of in your entire existence comes to life HERE.
The smell of freshly baked baguettes et croissants, people wearing the basque beret (mostly tourists and bloggers, you know the drill), street artists, the cafés à la parisienne, macaron shops. Everything in this area is so "french" and romantic. I can't really express into words why does this little area gave me this impression, maybe it's the small rues, the street art, the restaurants, I can't really tell. This is the place I would visit a hundred times.



Les murs des Je t'aime

Told ya, can it get more romantic than this? A wall with "I love you" written in every language?


Moulin Rouge

I wasn't kidding when I told you Montmartre was about LOVE. Love in all its forms of expression. The world-famous cabaret is located in Boulevard de Clichy, also known as the adults street, the red light district. It will not take you more than two seconds to understand why. 
It is full of adults shops and entertainment shows with uncensored names and images (what does "Sexodrome" tell to your mind? Or maybe "Fantasy Sex" is easier to guess?). 
Besides all of that, the main attraction (literally, the neon red flashing lights and the red moulin can hardly not capture someone's attention) is the cabaret. Don't be fooled, while the neighborhood offers some "services" for only 20 euro, Moulin Rouge is for high-class clients. 
Only guests with a strict fabulous dress code can have the pleasure to assist their exclusive show, and tickets aren't really for everybody, but I'll surely give it a try in the future.
Visit their website for pricing and detailed information.






Five days aren't enough for a deep visit of Paris, I still have a lot more places to see but unfortunately the weather and the time weren't on our side, but this means I have to return to this wonderful city!
Visit my photography portfolio for more images from Paris!





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My first post ever on this blog is dedicated to that one city that almost stole my heart: BARCELONA.

I've been to many cities, many countries, but this one left something unexplainable in me that made me want to say "I will come back here, for sure!" Maybe because it is house of the most important architects/artists/characters such as Gaudì, Montaner, Dalì, Mirò, Picasso and Bacardi. Yes, the FAMOUS Bacardi. Beyond the architectural and artistic heritage, what I love about this city is it's freshness, the chill-out, mellow mood that you can feel walking around the streets. Especially in the areas around Barceloneta and La Rambla, you won't miss to encounter alternative people such as skaters, metalheads, tumblr-y girls etc. (but I bet most of them are tourists, ha!) And palm trees. Pink sunsets. And a cool cerveza by the shore. A.K.A. the good life.



ACCOMODATIONS, TRANSPORTATIONS AND A FEW TIPS

It was the 1st of September. Our departure was from Fiumicino (Rome) and landed at El Prat Airport with a delay of almost an hour and a half, due to the GPS signal fault of the aircraft. I went to Barcelona with the whole family, and since we are five, we decided to rent a car for the rest of our holiday. If you are not afraid of driving in new countries, just bring a GPS navigation device with you and you're ready to go. Car rental companies usually have their free shuttles departing from the airport taking you to the head office. If else, there are a lot of taxis awaiting in front of the terminal, and the Airport-Barcelona fare would cost you around 26 euros. This option is okay if you're a couple or friends going on a holiday. From the Airport to Barcelona center are about 20/30 min by car. A tip if you choose the car rental option: be careful of the motorcycles overtaking you! I've never seen so many all together EVER, and it gets quite dangerous because some of them would do risky maneuvers. Especially running through the highway. Having a car makes everything easier, but you have to be ready to put aside a budget for parking fares. It's hard to find free parkings, especially in a very crowded city. The cost is around 2,50 eur/h, but there isn't a same standard price for every parking provider. You can move from a point of the city to another by bus or taxi (that are everywhere), but I think the subway is the best choice because they have metro stops in all the important tourist spots, and are disabled-friendly. As a family of five, we chose to stay in an apartment because you have many advantages, such as your own kitchen complete with furnitures and cutlery. And it would cost you less than a junior suite booked in a hotel. Our apartment was in a very strategic position, just about 15 minutes by walk to the Sagrada Familia, and 50 meters from the Recinte Moderniste di San Pau. Another tip, STAY AWAY from suburb apartments. I mean, if you find any offer that's located in any of their barrios (especially the ones in the Barceloneta area), you will not be welcomed from most of the "neighbourhood". We've came across many handmade signs saying "Tourists are not welcome", and that's not a good beginning. I'm not saying Barcelona is against tourists, but they are against the consequences to the citizens brought from mass tourism (price increase, late night noises, dirt, and the amount of alcohol consumed). I once found a "Tourist, respect or die" threat written on the asphalt. Not only for Barcelona, but wherever you go, just be respectful and you'll have a pleasant stay. Prices in Spain, compared to Italy, are a little bit lower, so you can have fun with any means. Of course if you go have a drink in a chic bar or eat in a restaurant with a sea view, you know what you're going through.


THE SAGRADA FAMILIA


Of course at the top of the list there's the Sagrada Familia. Just about 15-20 min by walk from our apartment, through Avinguda de Gaudì street. What I love about their streets is that you'll see shops, pubs and restaurants both on your left and right side, so you won't notice any feet-ache (if you're not used to walk). At the end of Av. de Gaudì are KFC on the left and Burger King on the right (coming from the Recinte Modernista), and the majestic Sagrada Familia exactly in front of you. I suggest you to book your entrance tickets from the internet before you get there, because there's always a long waiting queue (and during summer, waiting for 30min up to 1h isn't that exciting) . Tickets cost from 12-18 euro, depending on your age and working status. Fast track tickets cost 18 euro. If you want a guided tour, it'll cost you more, obviously, but it's worth it, especially when you have absolutely no idea about the concept and construction of this masterpiece. You'll see many stalls and stands selling cheap and quality souvenirs, food, ice cream and beverages, but I suggest you to first look around because you'll always find the same souvenirs for less. I've bought 7 magnets big like the palm of my hand for 1 euro each. I could buy 100 and sell them 5 euro each, that'll be a great deal. Just joking! And of course, don't forget to visit the green area where the picture above was shot, Plaça de Gaudì! Just to shade from the sun, have a rest or take some artistic photos.

 

PARC DE LA CIUTADELLA

Barcelona is full of parks and green areas. Parc de la Ciutadella is 2,0 km from the Sagrada Familia, if you want to reach here by walk, the fastest route is to follow Carrer de la Marina. This park is perfect if you want to spend your afternoon having a picnic, having a nap on the grass or visit the Zoo. The main attractions are the Cascada Monumental (the fountain in the picture above), the Parlament, the Statue of the General Prim and a life-size Mammuth statue.

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EL BARRIO GOTICO and surroundings


Before actually entering the Gothic Quarter, let's mention two museums that are worth visiting. The first is El Born Cultural Center and Museu Picasso. El born is one of the most artistic and sophisticated quarters of Barcelona, with a medieval and antique feeling.
The Picasso Museum is perfect for having a glimpse into the personality of Barcelona's world renowned artist. Average visiting time requires at least one hour and a half, and entrance tickets vary according to your age and working status. Underaged, unemployed under 25 and University students enter for free, but don't forget to bring your IDs because they're checking! Normal visitors entry ticket cost 7 euro for the temporary exhibition, 12 euro for the temporary ex. and the complete collection. When you'll start to notice the new and old buildings blending, the modernity
embracing the antiquity, that's when you know you're entering the Gothic Quarter.



Barcelona's Cathedral is clearly one gothic piece. I loved the fact that it was surrounded by street musicians that would make the perfect background track while you're sightseeing the old part of the city. Security is strict regarding the dress code, so be sure you're not wearing short shorts or backless dresses because they won't let you in. And of course, despite it's a tourist spot, it's always a church, so don't forget to bring your respect with you.

 

PLAÇA DE CATALUNYA, PASSEIG DE LA GRACIA AND LA RAMBLA



Plaça de Catalunya is among Passeig de la Gràcia and La Rambla. This square is right in the middle of the shopping area. You can find the Spanish warehouse El Corte Inglès (the equivalent of Italy's La Rinascente or America's Barney's), Topshop, Zara, H&M and Hard Rock Cafè. If you're looking for high-end, branded and luxurious shops such as Louis Vuitton, Gucci, Hermès, Chanel etc., then have a walk through Passeig de la Gràcia. At the same street are located Casa Milà and Casa Battlò by Gaudì, just 550 m apart.

La Rambla is an aprox. 1,5 km long street that features souvenirs and craftwork stalls, and there's a high concentration of street artists. From caricature designers to portrait and landscape painters, this street is so rich of colours and vibes, and you can sip some quality sangria or mojito while losing yourself to the mellow air. A tip: drinks in this area wil cost you more. Halfway this street you'll find the famous market La Boqueria. 
 
Selling fresh vegetables, fruits, fish and meat and everything you can see at a market. The thing that attracts tourists, besides the odors and colours, is that you can find street food and extremely cheap fruit salads and fresh blended juices (compared to hawkers, where a cup of fresh fruit or juice would cost you from 3,50/4,00 eur), you can enjoy a strawberry-mango salad for 1 euro.







PARK GÜELL



The famous Gaudì park. The area with the major architectural inheritage has an entrance fee of 8 euro/head, but there's also a free area (which is wider, and has an access to the highest point of the hill, where you can admire the Barcelona skyline), both have different gateway. Words are never enough to describe any of Gaudì's art pieces, so you'll have to come visit this park yourself. Barcelona is an evergreen tourists destination, that's why I would personally suggest you to book your holidays two or three weeks before the hot season ends. Because I hate super-crowded places you can't even enjoy the city, but de gustibus. Hope this not-so-brief guide can help you organize your trip to this beautiful city and avoid typical touritsts pitfalls!
 Happy holidays!



RECINTE MODERNISTA


MUSEU NACIONAL D'ART DE CATALUNYA


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