• Jason Muir
  • Chrys Patsalos
  • Jason Muir
  • Chrys Patsalos

Italia 2024

Follow Chrys and I as we spend 5 weeks travelling around Italy from top to bottom including major cities, the coast and a road trip through Sicily and Puglia! Leer más
  • Day 1 - Naples

    29 de agosto de 2024, Italia ⋅ 🌙 27 °C

    Today we arrived in Napoli, the heart and soul of Italy. Naples is probably everything you imagined Italy to be - clothes hanging from balconies, mopeds everywhere, wild gesticulation - basically a Sophia Loren movie! Napoli is all of this and more - including the birthplace of pizza! That was our first stop of course - Sorbillo’s - known as the best pizza in the world (since the 1920s). We also caught a funicular (cable car) up to the top (poshy) part of Naples and got great views overlooking the city and nearby Mt Vesuvius and ended with dinner in the lively Spanish Quarter.Leer más

  • Day 2 - Naples

    30 de agosto de 2024, Italia ⋅ ☀️ 31 °C

    Today on our second day in Naples, we visited the National Archaeological Museum which included seeing original Greek artefacts from as early as 4th and 5th century BC! What we are learning is that a lot of the statues and things you see are Roman copies of Greek work done much later in history so it was exciting to see the originals LOL! We then did a tour of the Naples underground (Sotterranea). It was very interesting to see the old Aquaduct/tunnels under Naples and in one photo you can even see ancient Naples beneath the ground and modern day Naples above! We then took a little walk down to the port area of Naples and took some snaps of one of Naple’s many castles. You’ll also see some random snaps of Naples including one of Maradona. He has basically been made a Saint around here as he led Naples to victory many times. In fact everywhere you go you see D10S (Dios is the Italian word for God and his jersey number was 10!)Leer más

  • Day 3 - Naples (Pompeii & Herculaneum)

    31 de agosto de 2024, Italia ⋅ ☀️ 32 °C

    Today we did a fantastic guided tour from Naples of Pompeii and Herculaneum. We started at the very famous Pompeii about half an hour from Naples and then saw the lesser known Herculaneum back towards the city. Both towns were destroyed by the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79AD. Pompeii was a small Regional Roman town and Herculaneum was even smaller, a beachside resort similar to a modern day Sorrento etc. They were both really fascinating to see and our tour guide was an archaeologist which made the day even more fantastic.Leer más

  • Day 4 - Naples (Capri & Blue Grotto)

    1 de septiembre de 2024, Tyrrhenian Sea ⋅ ⛅ 29 °C

    Today we did the most incredible day tour from Naples, to the Isle of Capri including the famous blue grotto. We were very lucky to see the Grotto as it’s only open about 100 days a year due to weather conditions. On Capri we did an amazing chairlift providing the most spectacular views and visited AnnaCapri - the upper and most glamorous part of the island. To end the tour, we did a boat trip around Capri, taking in some of the rock formations etc. Once again we had a fabulous tour guide and it was an incredibly spectacular day!Leer más

  • Day 1 - Positano

    2 de septiembre de 2024, Italia ⋅ ⛅ 28 °C

    Today we arrived in Positano on the Amalfi Coast. Positano is like heaven on earth. Impossibly high mountains behind you and stunning villa studded coast and sea as far as the eye can see. And we are very lucky to be positioned up high looking over it all (see vid our pics for our views). The author John Steinbeck said it best - “Positano bites deep. It is a dream place that isn't quite real when you are there and becomes beckoningly real after you have gone.”Leer más

  • Day 2 - Positano (Amalfi Coast Cruise)

    3 de septiembre de 2024, Italia ⋅ ⛅ 27 °C

    Today we did a fantastic boat cruise around the Amalfi coast including some dips off the boat deep in the sea, some time in the town of Amalfi and a fabulous lunch at a reach-by-boat-only restaurant - and some sunbathing. The weather got quite stormy in the morning but before long was back to the bright sunny weather we have become accustomed to! See vids for the contrast! Oh and check out the first pic - one of the best photos of Chrys and I on holiday so far!Leer más

  • Day 3 - Positano (Path of the Gods)

    4 de septiembre de 2024, Italia ⋅ ☁️ 26 °C

    Today we did the Path of the Gods (il Sentiero degli dei). It is considered one of the most scenic hikes in the world and goes along ancient mule routes, through hillside villages, and provides the most spectacular views of the Amalfi and Sorrento Coasts. At 630m above sea level you really do feel as though you are up with gods - and you pass many mountains goats to remind you! An unforgettable experience albeit hard yakka at times!Leer más

  • Day 1 - Palermo

    6 de septiembre de 2024, Italia ⋅ ☀️ 29 °C

    Last night we arrived in Palermo, Sicily after a full day of travel. Sicily feels very different to mainland Italy and at first it was a shock di cultura! Sicily was shaped by a number of influences including Phoenician, Norman, Arabic, Greek, Roman and Jewish. This is reflected in its architecture, culture, people and food. We even had a famous spleen sandwich which is actually delicious - think luncheon meat but chewier and tastier! We did a range of things today including visiting the Palermo Cathedral, Royal Palace and the Massimo Theatre (the biggest opera theatre in Italy and the third biggest in Europe). We also visited the no mafia museum providing interesting details about the beginnings of the mafia, it’s devastation on Palermo/Sicily and attempts to stamp it out.Leer más

  • Day 2 - Palermo (day trip to Cefalù)

    7 de septiembre de 2024, Italia ⋅ ☁️ 32 °C

    Today we had a wonderfully relaxing day in Cefalù, a beachside town one hour from Palermo. Cefalù is a popular beach destination in Sicily and is famous for its Norman Church and Castle ruins on the hill. We had a relaxing time walking through the town and on the beach. It was a wonderful sand (not rock) beach and mostly populated with Italians (not tourists) - both things a novelty!Leer más

  • Road Trip - Palermo to Mazara del Vallo

    8 de septiembre de 2024, Italia ⋅ ☁️ 29 °C

    Today we started our road trip of Sicily leaving Palermo for Mazara del Vallo on the West Coast. On the way, we took in some beautiful sites including the stunning town of Erice and its spectacular views. Arriving in the fishing town of Mazara del Vallo, we took in many of its sites across its four quadrants including its Arabic Kasbah and Jewish quarter. It is one of the most historically significant towns in Sicily coming under many influences including Greeks, Vandals, Ostrogoths, Byzantines, Normans and Arabs - with a strong Arab influence still to this day being so close to Tunisia. It is still one of the most important fishing hubs in Italy and is famous for its giant red Mazara prawns - which were delicious!Leer más

  • Road Trip - Mazara to Caltagirone

    9 de septiembre de 2024, Italia ⋅ ☀️ 28 °C

    Today we drove on from Mazara del Vallo to Caltagirone (separate post) via the Selinunte Archeological Park and Agrigento Valley of the Temples. As you’ll see from the photos these places have the most incredible Greek Ruins, with Selinunte being the largest archaeological park in Europe.Leer más

  • Caltagirone (Sicily)

    9 de septiembre de 2024, Italia ⋅ 🌙 23 °C

    Today we arrived in Caltagirone, one of the eight late Baroque UNESCO Towns of the Val di Noto in south-eastern Sicily. Caltagirone is a very charming town, set in the mountains and is known particularly for ceramic production as it has done for millennia as you will see in the photos. The town centres around the Santa Maria del Monte Stairway detailed with ceramics and around which many ceramic stores exist. The Bell tower we went up is at the top of the stairs.Leer más

  • Road Trip - Caltagirone to Modica

    10 de septiembre de 2024, Italia ⋅ ☀️ 25 °C

    Today we drove from Caltagirone to Modica via Ragusa and Scicli (all UNESCO baroque towns). All towns are incredibly beautiful and have their own characters. Ragusa is divided into a low and high town (we stayed in the low side) and Scicli is a very intimate town made famous by the popular TV show Inspector Montalbano. Modica is particularly known for its chocolate! Modica has been making chocolate for centuries dating back to its Spanish/Catalan occupation. Due to its lack of cocoa butter, the sugar does not dissolve, giving it an interesting granular texture. We even found time to visit the Warhol and friends exhibition in Modica!Leer más

  • Road Trip - Modica to Syracuse

    11 de septiembre de 2024, Italia ⋅ ☀️ 28 °C

    Today we made the trip from Modica to Syracuse via Noto and Cassaro. Noto is another of the baroque towns and is movie set perfect! We then wound our way up to the mountain village of Cassaro (pop. 800) and the hometown of the paternal grandparents of two of my nieces (Chantelle and Kylie). I have fond childhood memories of them so was a special place to visit ❤️. We then arrived at our accommodation on the Isle of Ortigia in Syracuse. Ortigia is the historic town of Syracuse and is extremely picturesque with period buildings everywhere and set on the sea.Leer más

  • Taormina (Sicily)

    12 de septiembre de 2024, Italia ⋅ ☀️ 26 °C

    Today we continued on from Syracuse to Taormina. Taormina is a stunning hilltop town overlooking the Mediterranean and Ionian seas. The town has been a popular holiday destination for millennia and is famous for its ancient Greco-­Roman ruins and proximity to Mount Etna. It was also featured in season two of the popular TV show White Lotus!Leer más

  • Matera

    13 de septiembre de 2024, Italia ⋅ 🌙 16 °C

    Today we did the drive (and ferry) from Taormina in Sicily back to the mainland, through Calabria and across to Matera. Matera has over 10,000 years of continuously lived history and is renowned for its cave network (the Sassi) in which people lived into the 1950s. It is an incredibly unique and historic place and you may recognise it from films such as Mel Gibson’s the Passion of the Christ. You will also see a more modern part of the town, commenced in the 1700s. The history of this place is mind boggling and it feels like nowhere else (including Italy)!Leer más

  • Matera (Day 2)

    14 de septiembre de 2024, Italia ⋅ ⛅ 21 °C

    As we arrived earlier than expected yesterday, we were able to see some different aspects of Matera today. You’ll see some more shots of the town, of the Museo della Scultura Contemporanea (MUSMA) and inside the Duomo.Leer más

  • Alberobello (Puglia)

    15 de septiembre de 2024, Italia ⋅ ☁️ 18 °C

    Today we travelled to Alberobello (Puglia) via the coastal town of Monopoli and Cisternino. Like Alberobello, Cisternino is one of ‘I Borghi più belli d'Italia’ (the most beautiful villages of Italy). Alberobello is a magical place known for its trulli, whitewashed stone huts with conical roofs. Very hobbit-esque!Leer más

  • Lecce (Puglia)

    16 de septiembre de 2024, Italia ⋅ ☁️ 22 °C

    Today we travelled to Lecce on the Salentine Peninsula of Puglia via Ostuni the “white city”(giving it a Greek Isles feel). Lecce is known as "The Florence of the South" due to its rich Baroque architecture and is an absolutely stunning city. It has a very unique look due to the use “Lecce stone"—a particular kind of limestone that is very soft and therefore suitable for sculpture. You will also notice the Roman influence including wide streets and an amphitheatre.Leer más

  • Last full day in Italia!

    17 de septiembre de 2024, Italia ⋅ 🌬 22 °C

    Our last full day in Italia has arrived before we fly back home tomorrow from Roma! On the journey to Bari, where we caught the train to Rome, we made una piccolo tappa (a pit stop) at Polignano a Mare, known for its dramatic view of the water/cliff face. We also had a little bit of time in Bari to explore the historic centre, which was fabulous - like a mini Napoli! On our last night in Rome, we had the great pleasure of catching up with our lovely friends Mim (Rome) and Jim and Heath (UK). Last post tmw pre-flight 🥲 🇮🇹Leer más

  • Arrivederci Italia 🇮🇹

    18 de septiembre de 2024, Italia ⋅ ☁️ 16 °C

    On the way to the airport - after 5 weeks! We just wanted to take the opportunity to say a big thanks to everyone for following us on this amazing trip. It wouldn’t have been the same without you all XX. See you back in Oz 😘 🇦🇺Leer más

    Fin del viaje
    19 de septiembre de 2024