My Bucket List: Villa San Michele

“I want my house open to sun and wind and the voice of the sea,

like a Greek temple, and light, light, light everywhere!”

– Axel Munthe, The Story of San Michele

Villa San Michele, Anacapri

Travel Theme: Golden

This week's travel theme was inspired by the warmth and glitter of the season. And there's no shortage of golden subjects to photograph in Europe, from the gold mosaic tiles of The Sky Over Nine Columns art installation on the island of San Giorgio Maggiore, to delicate Venetian carnival masks peering out from behind shop windows.

The Sky Over Nine Columns by Heinz Mack

Gardens of Augustus, Capri

The Italian island of Capri has been blessed with an abundance of scenic locales and one of its most colourful is the Giardini di Augusto (Gardens of Augustus). When we visited in July, the lush botanical gardens were in full bloom. The park is also the ideal vantage point from which to view the famous Faraglioni, a trio of rock formations just off the island’s coast.

Giardini di Augusto, Augustus Gardens in Capri

Simply Lovely Anacapri

Of the two towns on the Italian isle of Capri, Anacapri may be smaller and lesser known than glamorous Capri town but its charm and tranquility have won me over. You'll find luxury here too, like the Capri Palace Hotel, but the town’s top attractions are more modest: ancient Roman statues, an Egyptian sphinx and a traditional majolica tile floor.

Quiet Streets of Anacapri

Travel Theme: Noise

A parading brass band at the Changing of the Guard in London or the steady beat of a lone drummer at the Avignon Festival in France  - are these sounds considered music? Or are they noise?

Changing of the Guard, London

Postcards from Italy: Gondola Regatta

The twin-oared gondola regatta along the Giudecca channel, part of the Festa del Redentore festivities this weekend in Venice.

Postcards from Italy: Festa del Redentore

Thousands of people cross the Giudecca Canal on the floating pontoon bridge to the Redentore church.

Postcards from Italy: San Giorgio Maggiore

The bell tower on the island of San Giorgio Maggiore offers 360 degree views of Venice.

Postcards from Italy: Venice

The Giudecca Canal is preparing for Festa del Redentore celebrations over the weekend, beginning with the construction of a temporary floating bridge.

Postcards from Italy: Burano

Colourful houses on Burano, the fisherman's island, in the Venetian lagoon.

Postcards from Italy: Lake Maggiore

View from Isola Bella on Lake Maggiore.

Postcards from Italy: Italian Riviera

The harbour in the town of Portofino on the Italian Riviera.

Postcards from Italy: Tuscany

View of the Tuscan countryside from the hilltop town of San Gimignano.

Postcards from Italy: Florence

Good news for photographers: the Accademia in Florence now allows photos of Michelangelo's masterpiece, David.

Postcards from Italy: Sunshine and Sea Views

The breakfast view at Hotel la Residenza in Capri.

Postcards from Italy: Isle of Capri

Today we arrived on the legendary island of Capri.

Postcards from Italy: Morning in the Eternal City

Breakfast came with a view of the rooftops of Rome.

Postcards from Italy: Rome

Our first night in Rome we enjoyed dinner with a view of the Colosseum.

Postcards from Italy

Next weekend I’m leaving for a two week holiday in Italy with my daughter. This will be her first visit to this beautiful country and I’m so excited to share the experience with her: sampling numerous flavours of gelato; enjoying an evening passeggiatta; and participating in a centuries-old festival. Some of these places we’ll discover for the first time together. Others I’ve visited before.

The Colosseum, Rome

My Bucket List: Living the High Life in Monte Carlo

The tiny principality of Monaco has more millionaires per capita than anywhere else in the world. So naturally you’ll find the flashy sports cars, luxury hotels and super yachts to keep them amused. While planning my last visit to the French Riviera I couldn’t resist sampling a little bit of the high life myself by adding two once-in-a-lifetime splurges to my bucket list: a ride in a Ferrari sports car and dinner at a Michelin star restaurant.

Principality of Monaco