Padua/Padova – fantastic markets, cathedrals and Europe’s oldest Botanic Garden, laid out in 1545 – with later glasshouse

  A short train ride from Venice to Padua/Padova (for the natives). Very strange to have to deal with cars and bicycles after a few days entrenched in Venice. A beautiful city, especially under continuing clear blue skies. Absolutely fantastic markets in the centre of town -  a foodie's dream - and at last a…

More from Assisi….

One mighty gallery here, from my Sunday perambulations around Assisi, from the valley floor right up to the Rocca Maggiore, in the cloud canopy. Such a rich experience, this visit, that I am certain to go again and explore further into the region to take in Perugia and Spello, Gubbio and Spoleto.... better brush up…

An Umbrian Adventure – Assisi and Roses

I visited Assisi a couple of weeks ago, to see the city and to attend a rose pruning course run by Richard Stubbs from David Austin at the rose nursery owned by Paola and Fabio Bianchi - Quando fioriranno le Rose - in the valley below the Basilica you can see rising up from the…