Day seven of our Southern Italian adventure began with a classic, chaotic travel puzzle that only Italy could provide. While trying to locate our train to Alberobello, we faced a blank departure board and a deeply bewildered moment at customer service, where a clerk simply told us to look for "The track with no number". Confused, we asked her to explain. In an exasperated voice and chopping her hand in the air with each number, she counted: " 8, 9, 10, the track with no n

After a good night's sleep and a carefully wrapped bandage for my throbbing injured big toe, we were out the door, two cappuccino andare (to go) in hand, ready to explore Bari. Once again, our early May weather was outstanding; mornings start at a pleasant 18C and rise to a gorgeous 21-24C in beautiful sunshine, making it the perfect temperature to wander the historic streets. If you are planning a trip to Southern Italy and are deciding on which towns to visit, Bari offers s

Today we said ciao to our cozy AirBnB, checking out by 10 am to begin the next leg of our Southern Italy adventure, heading off to Bari! We navigated the city with our luggage in tow, walking 20 minutes to the Municipio metro station to catch the Yellow 1 line towards Centro Direzionale to reach Piazza Garibaldi. With our train not departing until 1:15 PM, we found the official Kibag luggage storage right at the station to drop our two suitcases for €6 per bag, freeing us up

It's our fourth day of exploring the chaotic beauty of Naples, a trip that has already been a whirlwind of history and sensory overload.

Day three in Naples promises an unforgettable deep dive into the city's vibrant, contrasting layers. We’ll spend the morning losing ourselves in the bustling, crisscrossing alleyways of the historic Spanish Quarter, experiencing the authentic heartbeat of local life before riding the funicular to the summit of Saint Martino Hill. To cap off the day, we’ll capture breathtaking, panoramic photos of the city and bay from the serene gardens of Villa Floridiana and the imposing ra

Welcome back to day two of our Southern Italian adventure! We are kicking off this morning literally "at the top of the hill," diving into palm-fringed gardens and a world-class art gallery filled with breathtaking Renaissance and Baroque masterpieces. From there, we’ll swap high art for serene, citrus-scented cloister gardens, hunt down a majestic spiraling Art Nouveau masterpiece in the chain district, and spend the afternoon winding through three of Naples' most picturesqu

At the edge of the waterfront, Piazza del Plebiscito is a large ceremonial square which today May 1st (labor day) is filled with bright white tents, formally dressed dignitaries, military musicians, flag waving civilians and armed gendarmerie. From here we walked to the eastern edge and toured the decorated, formal rooms of Palazzo Reale di Napoli (Royal Palace), with chandeliers, tapestries, trompe loire painted ceilings, paintings and pottery. Next it was time for our ca

In one week, my wife and I begin a journey through Southern Italy, visiting Naples, Bari, Lecce, Tropea, Diamante, Salerno, and Rome. I am looking forward to starting my mornings like a true local: standing at a bustling pasticceria counter with a steaming espresso or cappuccino in one hand and a warm, traditional pastry in the other. While I know I can enjoy a classic graffe (fried dough), crunchy biscotti, or a soft cornetto throughout Italy, we plan to explore the specifi

Traveling to Southern Italy is an exciting adventure, but the key to a smooth and enjoyable trip lies in careful planning. With just 12 days left before departure, I am deep into Phase 8 of my trip preparation: The Final Countdown. This phase involves reviewing every detail, confirming bookings, and creating a single, comprehensive itinerary that holds all the critical information. This guide shares my approach to building that final itinerary, practical tips for avoiding com

With our Italian adventure just 13 days away—on a Friday, no less—it feels fitting to conclude my "Good, Bad, and Ugly" series by addressing the risks of international travel. While travel brings adrenaline-fueled adventures, unfamiliar environments turn excitement into hazards. Extreme pursuits like cave diving, BASE jumping, and mountain climbing offer high rewards but carry significant dangers, often boasting high fatality rates, such as 1 in 3,125 for climbing. Navigating

We love to travel, but "overtourism" is a real problem. It happens when popular spots become too crowded, driving up costs and forcing locals out. Authentic Lisbon: Laundry drying in the narrow, sun-drenched streets. Here is a breakdown of how irresponsible travel habits are negatively impacting host countries: Massive Cruise Ship Crowds: Instant congestion, zero long-term impact on local income. Party Tourism & Disorderly Conduct: Vandalism and disrespect towards local c

With just 15 days left before our holiday in Southern France, I find myself reflecting on a question that connects me with the 1.52 billion international travelers expected in 2026: why do we travel? Beyond the excitement of new destinations and the thrill of adventure, travel holds a deeper meaning that touches our minds, hearts, and souls. It offers more than a break from routine — it shapes who we are and how we see the world. A winding cobblestone street in Toulouse, Sout

With only 16 days to go before our trip, I thought I’d share my itinerary for Southern Italy. While my 'hub' cities are set in stone, the day trips are still flexible, so I’d love to hear your suggestions! The 'Boot' of Southern Italy We will be flying into Rome Fiumicino Airport (FCO) and immediately transferring to the Leonardo Express to Roma Termini, followed by Intercity 861 to Naples , with a scheduled arrival of 6:30 PM. Before exiting the airport, we will pass throug

Packing for a trip to Southern France can feel like a puzzle. How do you fit everything you need into just one carry-on? As someone who has traveled extensively across Europe and refined a practical packing system, I understand the challenge well. With only 17 days left before our Southern France adventure, I’m finalizing my packing list to ensure I have all essentials without the bulk. This post shares my approach to packing light, focusing on smart choices and must-have ite

Traveling to Southern Italy has been a dream for years. As a retired Canadian art and media teacher, I have always been drawn to places rich in history, art, and culture. Now, just 18 days before our departure, I’m excited to share my first blog post documenting this journey. This post will offer a personal look at what it’s like to plan and experience a trip to Southern Italy, including the highs, the challenges, and the unexpected moments. A charming cobblestone street in S