For someone who currently lives in Madrid, I don’t write nearly enough about this great city. I guess it’s like the saying goes: the grass always seems greener on the other side. Well, the grass is rarely green in dry, sunny Spain – but the sky is (famously) blue, the buildings vibrant, and the lifestyle even more so. So let’s back-track and return to a few of the places I’ve been (re)discovering these past few weeks…
So you’ve climbed the Spanish Steps, tossed a coin in the Trevi fountain and been herded into the Sistine Chapel; now what? Rome hides over 10,000 years of secrets. Book a room at the Parco dei Principi Grand Hotel, get on that plane, and explore some of these hidden Roman gems:
London is an expensive city, sometimes prohibitively so, but this doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy it. Here are a few pointers for those visiting London on a budget.
A couple of months ago I wrote about my favorite spots in London, and every time I read up on what’s going on in the capital that has everything, I realize there are many more places to add to my list. So, here are some hidden gems to keep in mind for those of you currently searching for London hotels.
The year is coming to a close and we’re already gearing up for the next 12 months ahead. In honour of the number twelve, here’s a personal kind of list of 12 good things:
It’s hard to compress eternity into just two days… It is Roma Aeterna, after all. But I’ve discovered that if you’re savvy at crowd-dodging, willing to wake up at sunrise and generally a good power-walker, then you can actually squeeze a lot into 48 hours. There are many itineraries out there on what to see and where to eat when in Rome, yet I find that the best itineraries are our own – the ones that come from wandering. So, an espresso in my veins and a map in my hand, I braved this chaotic city without a minute to waste. Because while Rome may be eternal, nobody should wait forever to see it.
Naples is… harsh. It is like the Bangkok of Italy: frenetic, noisy, its air often full of unidentifiable odours, and its streets as though a plane flew over and sprinkled them with trash. The locals can be abrasive and even more dismissive of tourists than the Romans (if that’s possible); and yet, I loved it. It is authentic, vibrant, and raw; the real Italy despite the flood of visitors it receives every year. Neapolitans live, eat and play in the street, and neighbours greet each other with a kiss on the cheek as they bump into each other at the corner. Of course, it also has the best pizza in the world; so, there’s that… During a week-long trip traveling through Southern Italy, I only spent 24 hours in this energetic city, and it turns out this is all you or I need to really enjoy it.
Pop up stores seem to be, well, popping up everywhere in Madrid. A trend that had its moment in the U.S a few years ago, is now catching on in the Spanish capital. And at a time when it is virtually impossible to open a small business and survive; artisans, boutique owners, and even cinemas are opting for the more pocket-friendly and mass-drawing option of the pop-up store. As temperatures rise, there are a few ephemeral spots that will only be around this summer…
I only left two days ago and I already miss it. This past year I called London my home, and while the weather and taxes might have gotten the better of me sometimes, there was still plenty to love about the amazing capital. I was sad to leave, but I’m also looking forward to a new career direction in another (equally) cool capital: Madrid. So, in honor of the city I have only just left, but already miss, here’s a roundup of some of my favorite places/frequented spots during my time in London (bear in mind, I’m neither an East Londoner nor a Westerner – I’m straight out of the heart of Bloomsbury :)
As I write this post, I am not sitting in the usual spot at my desk, staring out the window through grey sleet. No; today I’m sitting on a porch, in the sun, with a canvas of pure blue sky stretched overhead. I’m writing from the house my family has lived in for 13 years. And while times may be tough, and futures uncertain, I still count myself pretty lucky to call Madrid home.