Text: Claire LessiauPhotographs: Claire Lessiau & Marcella van Alphen Lucca is this kind of city. The more time you spend here, the longer you want to stay. Yes, the picturesque walled Tuscan city at the foot of the Apennine Mountains and along the Serchio River is touristy. Still it remains an authentic city with a…
Tag: photography
The secrets of pasta making & everything you need to know to enjoy your pastas [Siena, Italy]
Find out the secrets of pasta making in Siena, Italy (and the locals’ favourite when ordering).
The crafts behind the masterpieces of Florence
Text: Claire LessiauPhotographs: Claire Lessiau & Marcella van Alphen Florence is the artistic capital of the Renaissance. The Italian city is world famous for its museums and masterpieces by some of the most revered artists of all times. However, the unspoken stories of its craftsmen need to be told. Without them, most of these masterpieces…
The Florence Duomo: 10 fascinating facts about this masterpiece of the Renaissance
World’s fourth largest cathedral is a masterpiece of the Renaissance and dominates the skyline of Florence. 10 things you did not know about it!
Your 1-day Vespa loop from Siena itinerary [Chianti, San Gimignano, Certaldo…]
Ride your Vespa through Tuscany on this great loop from Siena (can also do it with a car, but it is not as fun!)!
Sleeping in the cradle of the Kingdom of Italy [Bernini Palace]
More than staying in a 5-star hotel, staying at the Hotel Bernini Palace is sleeping in the cradle of the kingdom of Italy and stepping into history…
Exploring the white waters of the Apuan Alps [Bagni di Lucca, Tuscany]
Close to Lucca, discover an outdoor paradise!
In Puccini’s footsteps in & around Lucca [Italy]
Follow the footsteps of the beloved composer Giacomo Puccini in his birth town of Lucca, Tuscany.
Barga: the Scottish dream
This beautiful Liberty-style villa sums up perfectly the recent & fascinating history of the charming city of Barga…
The Saint Paolino celebrations in Lucca
Text: Claire LessiauPhotographs: Marcella van Alphen Paolino (or Paulinus) is the patron of Lucca and, according to the legend, its first bishop sent by Saint Peter himself to evangelize the Lucchese about 2,000 years ago. Celebrated since the Middle Ages, it is in 1664, the day of his holiday, on July 12, that Paolino became…
The naughty history of tiramisu
The history of tiramisu is much older than thought, and involves nobility and brothels… Find out, and get the original recipe!
From mountain to statue: the Carrara marble quarries of Italy
The Carrara marble is the best in the world, the one from which Michelangelo sculpted his masterpieces, visiting the quarries himself to find the best piece of marble. Visit this exceptional place in this article!
An active day [or not] along the Italian Riviera
Text & photographs: Marcella van Alphen & Claire Lessiau For the most active ones, this article describes a day packed with activities from biking, to hiking and swimming. All the villages described can also be reached by train and boat from Genoa to enjoy their charms, cultural sites and delicious food without getting sweaty (nor…
Visit a castle so beautiful it got its owner jailed by the king [Vaux le Vicomte]
Vaux le Vicomte is the most beautiful castle around Paris, so beautiful that its owner was jailed by the Sun King! Visit it with ts stunning French gardens…
Ponte Vecchio from the water: SUP adventure in Florence
Take in the iconic Ponte Vecchio from a different point of view!
Cinque Terre: do not visit, EXPERIENCE it
The very touristy Cinque Terre is worth way more than a quick visit and a few selfies. Know how to truly experience it in this article.
High on wine: Cinque Terre’s dramatic vineyards
Explore one of the best and most dramatic vineyards of CInque Terre where the best sweet wine of Italy is crafted by a local and passionate winemaker.
Let’s pesto in Cinque Terre!
Uncover the secrets of pesto making in the most beautiful decor ever, overlooking the village of Manarola in the heart of Cinque Terre!
Exploring Eastern Lesotho
Go on a cultural adventure in Eastern Lesotho and discover the fascinating Kingdom in the Sky!
Elephant facts – all you need to know about the African elephant [Africa’s big 5 series]
Fact sheet and impressive photographs of world’s largest terrestial mammal. Check this out to learn all about the African elephants!
Stroll the atmospheric King’s Kitchen Garden [Versailles]
Stroll the alleys of the Kitchen Garden of the King in Versailles, a secret & atmospheric hidden gem…
Lions facts – how & where to spot wild lions [Africa’s Big 5 series]
South Africa’s big 5: the lion. Learn about lions with this fact sheet, and cutest photos so that you know how and where to spot them in the wild!
Notre Dame de Paris: back then & today
Notre Dame de Paris used to be the most visited monument of Europe. Admire it, know where it is at and learn about its history.
Top 15 most instagrammable spots of NYC [& their fun facts]
New York City is very photogenic! Here are a few of our favorite photography spots. Enjoy!
Why is Reunion called the Intense Island?
One of the most active volcanoes in the world, the Furnace Peak on Reunion Island is a jewel to be explored! Know where to go when the volcano erupts or when it is not undergoing an active episode.
Hong Kong in 5 days
Here is your perfect itinerary for a fantastic and diverse 5 days in Hong Kong! From star restaurants to food stalls, shopping to hiking, beaches to fishing villages, walking tours to spas. Make sure to give this article a read before your trip to Hong Kong!
The Murray, more than luxury: a landmark
Discover The Muray, more than a luxurious hotel it is also a succesful conservation project in the heart of Hong Kong.
The Castle of Good Hope [6 fun facts]
Dicover the oldest building of South Africa, and learn 5 fun facts about it!
6 facts about Bo-Kaap you probably did not know about
Discover fun facts about the most instagrammable district of Cape Town, the colourful Bo-Kaap home to the Cape Malays.
Cape Malay cuisine secrets straight from Bo-Kaap! [Cape Town]
Cook the favourite Cape Malay recipes in the heart of Bo-Kaap, the most colourful neighbourhood of Cape Town!
The best of Lantau Island in a day!
Find out how to make the most out of your time in Hong Kong and fly over the jungle with a cable car, visit the Big Buddha and explore the Tai O fishing village!
Visual tour of the United Arab Emirates
Here is a compilation of our best shots capturing the essence of the United Arab Emirates to inspire you. Let us take you on a visual tour through the country to inspire you for your next trip!
A Sunday in Athens [off the tourist track]
The perfect program for a day in Athens and even better on a Sunday!
Visual Tour of Lesotho
Get inspired and travel through Lesotho from behind your laptop with this visual tour!
The Call of the White [Rafting the Biggest White Waters of the USA!]
Join a thrilling 4-day expedition down the Colorado River on a rubber raft and conquer some of the craziest rapids in the USA!
Offbeat Athens, exploring the city with a local
Explore the real Athens with a local and uncover the secrets which remain untouched by tourists!
Visual tour of Reunion Island
Get inspired by the striking beauty of the Reunion Island through this visual tour!
Visual tour of Oman
Here is a compilation of our best shots capturing the essence of Oman to inspire you. Let us take you on a visual tour through the country to inspire you for your next trip!
Greek cooking in the heart of Athens!
Curious to learn the secrets of Greek cooking? Hit the link to the article to figure it out and learn how to cook some of the best Greek food!
In the footsteps of Mandela, Robben Island, South Africa
Follow the footsteps of Nelson Mandela on Robben Island where he spent the majority of his 27 years in jail.
People of Oman [photo gallery]
Photo gallery of people of Oman.
Behind the scenes in Kirstenbosch, Cape Town
Beyond the stunning plant collections and jaw-dropping landscape, the Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens are paramount for flora conservation. Go behind the scenes & plan your visit!
5 days in San Francisco [your day-by-day ultimate guide]
Explore the top museums of San Francisco, find out how to explore the bay in style and where to go for the best cultural experiences. Save this article for your next trip to SFO!
Flying legends [San Francisco]
Join us on a legendaric flight over one of world’s most iconic cities!
Alcatraz, the rock standing in ever changing tides
Alcatraz remains the nr. 1 tourist attraction of San Francisco. Explore why the fascinating island attracts people from all over the world!
The SFMOMA [what you need to know]
Step into a temple to Modern Art in the heart of San Francisco!
A Weekend Getaway in the Up and Coming Californian Vineyards
Visit the up and coming Santa Lucia Highlands vineyards and taste some of the best Pinot Noir and Chardonnay of California!
The Tenderloin, more than meets the eye [San Francisco]
Why you should visit the Tenderloin, the dodgy and forgotten district of San Francisco.
Otter focus [Big Sur & Monterey Bay Aquarium]
Get up close and personal with the cutest Californian specie!
Where rock stars, toons & climbers meet [Joshua Tree NP]
Admire the spring super bloom of desert flowers in Joshua Tree National Park, meet its wildlife and have fun bouldering!
Best regards from far, 