The glory of the Pantheon in Rome
One of the most celebrated architectural edifices you will encounter in historical centre of Rome is the ancient Roman temple- the Pantheon. The name of the building is derived from the Greek for ‘pan+theion” which literally means…
The Column of Marcus Aurelius
In Rome, as you take that mandatory walk around the historic centre, that most tourists do, you will find yourself in a shopping arcade which hosts the latest fashion brands. This is the Galleria Colonna, which is…
Finding my muse at Keats-Shelly Memorial House
Very early in school, my first English teacher, Mrs Beatrice Hawkins introduced me to John Keats, as she taught me cursive writing, by making me repeatedly write “A thing of beauty is joy forever” in my four-lined…
Venice: Queen of the Adriatic
Venice is built on an archipelago of 118 islands formed by 177 canals in a shallow lagoon, connected by 409 bridges. Before this trip I talked to people who had been there and I received diametrically different opinions.…
The colourful houses of Burano
We were lucky to visit one of the most colourful places in the world- Burano. This tiny island is as picturesque as a real life canvas. You just cannot take your eyes off the brightly painted houses.…
Capri: Tour of the blue island and Blue Grotto
Capri is an island located in the Tyrrhenian sea in the Bay of Naples. Famous for its amazing natural rock formations and its designer hotels and shopping, the island is inundated with tourists during summers. If you…
The Path of the Gods: A trek to remember
Last Saturday, Subodh and I embarked on a hike in Southern Italy called ‘Sentiero degli dei’ or more popularly known as the ‘Path of the Gods’. The trek takes you along the Amalfi coast in the Sorrentine…
The legend of Trevi Fountain
The Trevi Fountain is one of the largest fountains in the world. Designed in 1570 in Baroque style by Nicola Salvi, it is made of travertine stone. The theme is water. At its centre is Oceanus, the…
Pompeii: an ancient city buried under volcanic ash
Pompeii was an ancient Roman town which was buried under 4-6 metres of volcanic ash when Mount Vesuvius erupted in 79 AD. Archaeologists have excavated the site and have found the well preserved ruins of a thriving…
