Le Ortensie di via Rossetti Trieste

... in July.

Plus a whole range of children’s entertainment: from St Nicholas’ blow-up village with games and sweet surprises to the seashore ice-skating rink where you can skate under the stars until the old year ends, not forgetting Father Christmas’ traditional visit to distribute gifts.

Music lovers are spoilt for choice: on 19 December at 4.30pm in the Basilica of St Eufemia a concert by the ...

Ok, since I have all the time in the world right now, I'm going to try and pick up where I left off. My computer that had all my blog writing saved on, was sadly destroyed by some idiot drunk at a hostel. Long story short I don't have any photos or updates after about a week of my parents being here. I am completely and utterly devastated. So let's not talk about that.

Mum and Dad arrived on the 27th of October in Milan, and I arrived the same day there back from Lubeck ...

... the day leaps and bounds) into upgrading our room to a junior suite, and OMG!!!!! ITS FAB! We have this massive room bigger than half our flat in London with a balcony view overlooking the ocean. Life doesn't get much better than this. Had a really nice fish dinner last night and are about to embark on a bit of culture during our ...

... I will have that image transfixed in my mind for some time to come – probably the one I will remember most from Piran – a little spooky, as I think back on it, but very cool and mystifying as I watched.

When I awoke in the morning, the rain had not yet ceased, but fortunately, after breakfast, I was able to catch a lull, long enough to wander around the town for about an hour. As I am want to do, I immediately headed straight for the ...

... to the heart of the city. On your way, a stop at the the Miramare Castle is an absolute must, not only because of its historical value, but because you will be able to admire its beautiful park filled with tropical tree and plant species.

Once you enter the city, enjoy a relaxing, slow-paced stroll through history and modern times, just like a local would do! The Borgo Teresiano with its Canale Grande, the Ghetto and the Old Town, Piazza ...

... and patient and helpful. No one is in a huige impatient rush.

The Istrian drive took us to Grosyhan and Motovun and Hum and happilz for Bill along many very windy mountain roads where I shut my eyes a lot. More town walking and incredible food at Motovun. Hum bills itself as the smallest town in the world, but Bill wonders if it has ever met Arco, Idaho. We have now had white mistoletoe grappa from oak and from applewood, apple is ...

... of Italy and brightly-colored windowboxes filled with geraniums were also scattered around the city center.

The water was a deep teal green and looked so clean, even in the middle of a busy shipping port with 6-7 large container ships in port.

The Adriatic was a beautiful place to sail. Rolling hills covered in grape vines rose out of the water & were met by short mountains (foothills of the Julian Alps) on the Istrian peninsula.

... hostel was a good 4miles outside the city centre but Ive no comprehension as to how far 4miles actually looks like. When the bus pulled to a halt and I found myself the only person left I was under the suspicion that the driver had forgot about me and that I was quite a bit further outside the city than 4miles. My suspicion was confirmed when I tapped on the Perspex glass that cocooned the driver and he began waving his arms wildly in the air and apologizing profusely with his ...

... in the morning. After all: it is nothing compared to today! We went to an ice-cream bar and I bought a chocolate ice-cream. The others bought milkshake and cappuccino. The beach promenade is incredibly nice, and it seemed like it took less that 10 minutes to walk home! (It was really around 30 minutes.) The moon was shining on the clear sky. I saw Cassiopeia. Now, I am so tired, that I should put down the pen before I faint.

... around the trio of towns of Samedan, Pontresina, and St. Moritz. Each visit was pretty short. We tried to drive around Samedan, but the snow quickly made that difficult. We went back to Pontresina to stock up for lunch. Lastly we headed for St. Moritz, the land of the rich and famous. The streets here are lines with fancy shops like Rolex and Louis Vuitton, among others. We were told you don't get a place in St. Moritz ...