Baia degli Uscocchi Duino

... 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 ...

... was really good to see them again. And I was very excited to be seeing Sam as well the following day. We had hired a car to get around while they were here, so that day we drove back to Merate, and Mum and Dad met my Italian family and we had a nice dinner at their place. The next morning we went on a little drive around the lake areas, Lecco, Como, Bellagio, etc. In the afternoon we went to pick up Sam from Bergamo. Might I just through in there and remind everyone that Dad ...

So we decided to splurge with the hotel in Verona and Trieste a bit and boy is it nice......its like a vacation on our extended vacation......we got to this hotel here in Trieste, beautiful and right on the water. Jason sweet talked the receptionist (though he thought she said small king instead of smoking - his Italian is improving ...

... 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 ...

... d'Italia, the largest and undoubtly the most beautiful square in Europe overlooking the seafront, and the Molo Audace...all within easy reach!

When your legs start to feel tired, stop for a coffee or a glass of spritz, perhaps in one of the famous places where Joyce, Saba or Svevo used to get inspiration for their masterpieces. Just to mention a couple, Caffè degli Specchi in Piazza Unità, and Caffè San Marco, in via Battisti 18.

The ...

Italian is not a common 2nd language in the countries we've visited, but Koper Slovenia had clearly been conquered by the Italians and left with evidence of their rule. The city was settled in Roman times, then influenced by the Byzantine Empire around 600-800 AD, and ruled by Venice from 1300-1800.

Street signs were in Italian and Slovenian, and the lion emblem of Venice was posted on several important buildings. The familiar locking window ...

This is a great small town, where they actually choose to not speak english. We went from the restaurant to bar to wedding to bar to restaurant to bar (the Black Stuff) etc. Eat, Drink, Sleep repeat for a few days. It was a beautiful wedding and a great town.

... one of the best kept secrets Italy has available for a discerning travelling member of the public. The delightful Garni Aurora is located about twenty minutes drive from Ronchi Dei Legionari along the SS14, through Monfalcone and turn off at the sign. Follow your nose, turn left at the Castello Duino (more on that later) and drive 50 metres along the narrow street, on the left there will be a plot guarded by a chain, respect the owners' wish and put the chain ...

Last thing I did before bed was to set my phone 1 hour back and alarm. Sunday 29 October Hoped to wake at 6 but managed to set the time but set the alarm for 1600 for some reason so got woken up by French couple packing noisily. When they'd left I got up and couldn't find my Stranger Hostel t-shirt I was wearing the previous night. Searched everywhere but still couldn't find it so the French must have packed it by mistake, so ...

... had the delicious Slovenian breakfast ( consists of egg, cheese, thinly sliced air dried ham, jam, honey and bread ) I bid goodbye to the nice host family and moved onto Postojna. I was originally going to visit Piran, which is on the Adriatic cost, for the day and return to the tourist farm, but from the lesson I learned the night before, I gave up the idea and decided to move on. Postojna (pronounced as posto-ee-na) is also famous for its touristy caves and castle. Since the city ...