When you are next planning a trip to the wonderful city of Naples, you must pay a visit to the extraordinary Museo di Capodimonte, one of Itay’s finest museums, which sits in the hilltop haven of Capodimonte. When Charles III of Bourbon became king, he gathered all the artworks...
The island of Korčula is one of the largest in the Adriatic, some 47km (29m) long and mountains run the length of the island, reaching 560m (1,837 ft) at their peak. It has been inhabited since prehistoric times. The Greeks named it Korkyra Melaina (Black Corfu) and it has been...
Croatian wines are simply delightful and their variety and deep flavour have been impressing visitors to Croatia since the times of the ancient Greeks. The ideal conditions for viniculture in this region were recognized by the Greeks and Romans, who produced wine often in the same places, and with...
Established in the 17th century, the oldest cemetery in Brussels soon attracted aristocracy and bourgeoisie thanks to the presence of the tomb of the first Queen of the Belgians. With its tall trees and 13th-century church that now lies partly in ruins, it has an undeniably romantic character. Different...
In Assistens Cemetery Copenhagen, there is a rather unusual tombstone showing a many-breasted female figure which is dedicated to the natural philosopher and polymath Peter Christian Abildgaard. Abildgaard was a man of the Enlightenment who was interested in all branches of natural history, as reflected in the carvings. The...
Named after the rich Pinto family, this imposing classical style house today contains a public library with little-known superb painted ceilings. Fleeing the Inquisition against the Jews in Portugal, the Da Pinto family immigrated to The Netherlands at the very beginning of the 17th century. They set themselves up...
Inaugurated in the 17th century, the sanctuary of Notre-Dame-de-Laghet at La Trinité near Menton has an exceptional collection of over 4,000 ex-votos distributed between the cloister, the church and, for the most precious among them, the museum. Unfortunately, the sanctuary was pillaged during the Revolution and since the the...
The gallery of Villa Clerici is little known, although it has been open since 1955, primarily because it is some way from the city centre of Milan. Few in fact know that it has recently reopened after being long closed for maintenance work. This museum is one of the...
Next time you take a visit to Madrid I suggest that you visit an unusual museum – the Museo De Famacia Militar at Calle Embajadores, 75. This little known museum contains a wonderful collection of military materials all related to medicine. The museum was founded in 1928 with the aim...
Perhaps it is because it is located on the outskirts of the city of Milan that most Milanese have never heard of – and almost certainly have never visited – the old Charterhouse which Bishop Giovanni Visconti had built in 1349. This lack of knowledge is a shame, as...
Welcome to my love affair with the food, wine, history and culture of the Mediterranean, past and present. Here you will find not only recipes, drinks and fabulous products, but the history of the food and culture of the Mediterranean.
My purpose is to get you to explore and experience new tastes and along the way to immerse yourself in the wonderful history of this diverse and wonderful region – from Venice to Istanbul, Rome to Dubrovnik, Athens to Crete and all places in between and in the surrounds. Be prepared to be surprised, delighted and enthralled as you take this trip with me.
