After a few days exploring Bergamo we flew down to Bari with a cheap Ryanair flight. Originally I thought it might be nice to take the train and meander down the length of Italy. Unfortunately, the cost came to a few hundred euro, the time it would take was going to take half a day at least and the flight came to 40 euro for both of us. Decision made. Continue reading
Words About Travel
Unique cultural travel experiences, tips and advice
What to do in Beautiful Bergamo Italy
What to do in beautiful Bergamo Italy
We received a really warm welcome when we checked into our Airbnb. When you choose not to stay in a standard hotel chain, you tend to get more personal service from people who actually care, and give you lots of local tips and what to do in Bergamo Italy or wherever you might be staying. This can lead to a richer travel experience overall. When we were in Italy last year in Lake Maggiore we also used Airbnb. Continue reading
Tips for visiting Amsterdam
I am Amsterdam sign, Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam
Here are some tips for visiting Amsterdam. Let me know your thoughts and if I need to add anything here.
List of Lisbon foodie faves for Ravenous Rory !
Lisbon Restaurants for foodies
This post is dedicated to Rory Kelly, my fave Bicyle thief … like ever! He has a food blog that will have your mouth salivating faster than a Ferrari. This super duper dude is popping across to Lisbon on his hols and here is the list of my fav foodie spots that he’s asked for. Continue reading
Panini’s with a view of Lake Maggiore & ‘Big Chuck’
San Carlo Hotel & Restaurant Pannini with a view
We sauntered in the direction of the lake, past bakeries that were closed, hairdressers, fish shops and estate agents. The people seemed happy and animated. The spray from a large fountain cooled us down. I then saw a group of Muslim women and men praying in the shade of a tree towards the lake. Surrounding the worshippers were dog walkers ambling, Italian tourists lazing on benches, couples taking selfies and kids playing and laughing. It felt like everyone was happily doing their own thing but as part of a community. Continue reading
Visiting Rocca di Arona Viewpoint at Lake Maggiore
Visiting Rocca di Arona – Angera italy view
We wandered from the centre of Arona in Lake Maggiore with no particular direction in mind. However, the sign for Rocca di Arona peaked our curiosity so we headed in that up another hill towards it. On the way I saw a “nonna” hunched over moving slowly but with purpose. She had a leathery iron creased face and was clutching a spade. all set to do some hard core gardening. Italian Grannies are great. Continue reading
Kilkenny in a Weekend, Festival Fun a Cat & Castle
Kilkenny Cat at the Butler House Gardens
To the back of the ivy covered Butler House building there were walled gardens that belonged in a fairy tale and a Kilkenny cat. He stole the show. Silky black and still, his beady eyes focused on the carp fish in the pond. His patience was endless, waiting for just the right moment to go fishing. He creeped forward slowly towards the waters edge. With a swift swipe of the paw he went for it. The fish evaded his attempt and the cat was left damp and disappointed. (The “Kilkenny Cats” are also a nickname for the local hurling team. They were the defending champions who also were left defeated at last years All Ireland Hurling Championship by the Clare team. )
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Things to do in Athlone when it’s raining!
Athlone Cathedral & Luan Gallery
The weather forecast gave warnings of heavy rainfall just before we were about to leave Dublin. One of my friends even said ‘I feel sorry for you’ heading down to Athlone tonight. Others asked “what the hell are you going to do there?” Turns out there is plenty of things to do in Athlone even when it’s raining. Continue reading
Stateside snippets: From New York, Boston & Dallas
Subway Train with New York Skyline at Sunset
New york is a city that is ever-changing. She shows me a new side to her every time I visit. It was love at first sight for me, the instant the Manhattan skyline revealed herself from the yellow cab window over a decade ago. We rekindled again a few years later for the St. Patrick’s day festivities, then again to visit friends in Queens and more recently experienced yet another new view of the big apple. Continue reading
Beeriliant Berlin Birthday Bash
Hallo Berlin
So as it happens every 4 years a bunch of my mates who live in various places across Ireland meet up and go on a weekend city break together in celebration of a birthday. The first time we went away it was Paris. Next we went to Rome. This time it was Berlin’s turn. Continue reading
My Dublin Bucket List
Image courtesy of dublinwithfoodallergies.blogspot.ie
Since I am now based in Dublin and not currently travelling. I thought it would be an interesting idea to bring my sense of adventure and exploration to my own city. I want to recreate that sense of openess and curiosity that I bring with me while travelling. I want to discover new places, new people, create new memories, push the bounderies a little by doing things I would not do normally, to really experience this city. Continue reading
Marketing a guesthouse or B&B online
Getting more internet bookings to your website can be a challenge. Especially when you are juggling the day-to-day tasks for your small tourism business and working with limited resources. Often during the busy summer months you just don’t have the time to sit down and work out the nitty gritty of how to market your bed and breakfast. However, there are a few things I would recommend for you to consider if you want to increase online bookings.
Irish Microbreweries the Black Sheep?
The Black Sheep Beer Menu - Capel Street, Dublin
Since we’ve been away there has been a big increase in Irish microbreweries and pubs that stock their produce. I visited Against the Grain on Aungier Street with some mates from The Netherlands and decided to check out their sister pub on Capel Street The Black Sheep.
Being Back in Dub Town
Airbnb Guinness Guestroom
The good thing about returning home after extensive travelling and not having a 9-5 job is that you have lots of free time to explore your own city. A lot has changed in the 2 years I’ve been away from Dublin and I’m enjoying getting to know her again. Continue reading
Top Travel Trends for 2012
Gadgetry set for world domination
It is no surprise that tablets, smart phones, e-readers and the like are now the mainstream. How the travel industry will embrace these technologies in 2012 will be interesting to witness.
A walk, a fall, a beer & a bet – Dandenongs, Australia
Sherbrook Falls, Dandenongs, Australia
I appreciate a state that gives its residents a day off for a horse race. The 5.6 million inhabitants of the State of Victoria are given a public holiday for the Melbourne Cup each year. So, to take advantage of this free time I roped a friend in to taking us on a road trip.
Sometimes you only realise how much you miss open space and nature when you escape from a metropolis. Ferntree Gully is in the Dandenong Ranges it is only about an hour from Melbourne CBD but feels like another world. Even in the carpark the green & red parrots swooped overhead and happily pottered about in gangs on the tarmac. The sounds were unfamiliar, the air pungent and the temperature was even a few degrees cooler. Continue reading
Video of travel writer Pico Iyer
Travel writer Pico Iyer talks with Marcia Franklin about his journeys, his travel tips and his latest book, The Open Road, about the Dalai Lama. The conversation was taped at the 2010 Sun Valley Writers’ Conference.
I have just created a Youtube channel with a few interesting videos of various travel writers. Stop by and have a gander.