Capodistria: Italian Slice of Slovenia

A picturesque view of coastal Slovenia

Koper is a university town, looking a little forlorn for want of its former glory as Capodistria (Capo d’Istria, meaning the head of Istria in Italian). This sleepy little corner of Slovenia was once under the auspices of the mighty naval power that was Venice. A doge was appointed to oversee this area, whose palace […]

A Small Pisa Italy

The Plaza of Miracles with the world-famous Leaning Tower

Formerly one of Italy’s biggest maritime powers, modern day Pisa is about 60 miles from the sea, and a shadow of its former glories. Most people do a day trip from Florence to see the eponymous tilted tower and don’t consider Pisa for much else. It’s a shame too that some attractions are now closed […]

Bozen Around the Tyrolean Alps

Piazza Walther, Bozen

Bozen, or Bolzano in its Italian nomenclature, is a curious place. I was mentally prepared for a small village and yet, it was much larger in reality. Despite the highways, one can still get caught up in terrible traffic jams. The train ride from Verona was an uneventful and pleasant 100 minutes across acres of […]

A Greek Food Odyssey – Part 3

A Greek Food Odyssey 3

The mountain roads were steep and the turns were sharp. One marvelled at how those goats with their jangly bells could navigate those heights without fear of falling. We had to cross a mountain range to get from Sparta to Kalamata. Those in the know already recognise the name “Kalamata” as the fertile land of […]

A Greek Food Odyssey – Part 2

A Greek Food Odyssey 2

Standing atop the magnificent mountain citadel of Mystra, it is hard to stifle any feelings of elation or pride. I didn’t quite get up the nerve to yell out the now ignominious “This is Sparta!” from the film 300, although the locals were probably bemused (if not disgusted) when I played the YouTube video of […]