Category: Europe

  • Monte Conero Natural Park

    Monte Conero Natural Park

    Destinations › Europe › Italy

    Monte Conero Natural Park

    Hidden coves and white cliffs on Italy’s Adriatic coast.

    How to get here?

    The Conero peninsula is on the coast in the south east of Ancona, in Le Marche region of Italy, and consists of a rocky coast and a number of fantastic small beaches on the Adriatic Sea, set around the Natural Park of Mount Conero. The closest airport is Ancona, around 30minutes away. The best way to explore this area is by car, it will give you the chance to explore every corner of the peninsula. There are several popular beach towns on the Conero Riviera, the most popular ones are Portonovo (fantastic beach and seafood restaurants), Sirolo, Numana, and Marcelli (with a very long beach that stretches over several kilometres). Sirolo also has a medieval borgo standing on a hill, with a beautiful panoramic view of the coast.A popular way to explore and enjoy the coast around Monte Conero is by following the coastal road by car, with many highlights and scenic viewpoints. Boat trip also is one of the most popular ways to discover and see the Riviera from a different perspective, there are several rental boat companies in the area or the hotel can arrange it for you as well. You can also rent a kayak from any beach, and weather permitting explore the smaller beaches that are not accessible by foot.

    Exploring the Conero Riviera

    There are several scenic hiking trails in this park, and all of them have beautiful views from the forest to the coast. The most popular one is “Passo del Lupo” (you can leave the car in the Bar Belvedere and start walking from there, on your way back, you can stop for a snack or dinner in this Bar, the view of the bay is simply stunning). At the end of this path you will enjoy spectacular views of the famous “Due Sorelle”, the 2 rocks that have become the symbol of the Conero Riviera and it can be visited only by boat or kayak.Sirolo’s main beach is San Michele, it’s reachable through a 15-minute walk from the town center. Next to it is the Spiaggia dei Sassi Neri, and Spiaggia Urbani, all three of them are really beautiful beaches.The most beautiful in my opinion and more hard to reach, as the path to go down the beach is quite hard, is Mezzavalle beach, the deep path starts from the main road.The scenery along this part of the coastline is different from the landscapes that you will find elsewhere in this region, with steep white cliffs descending into the sea, rocks and beautiful coves, it’s the most interesting stretch of the Adriatic coast in Italy until the region of Puglia.

    Scoglio della vela – Portonovo

    Scoglio della Vela, Portonovo

    Mezzavalle beach Path, Portonovo

    Monte Conero view

    Grotta Azzurra, Ancona

    Passetto beach, Ancona

    Seggiola del Papa, Ancona

    Tailor-made

    Want this trip, made for you?

    I’ll design your trip to Le Marche — the route, the right hotels and the experiences that matter, around your dates.

    Written by Graziano
    Travel designer & photographer

    Photo gallery

    Monte Conero Natural Park through my lens

  • Spain in 11 days: Madrid, Andalusia & Barcelona

    Spain in 11 days: Madrid, Andalusia & Barcelona

    Destinations › Europe › Spain

    Spain in 11 days: Madrid, Andalusia & Barcelona

    Royal palaces and tapas bars, the Mosque of Córdoba, flamenco in Seville, the Alhambra and Gaudí’s Barcelona — a road trip across Spain.

    Duration

    11 days

    Best time

    May – June, Sep – Oct

    Getting around

    Rental car

    or trains

    Route

    Madrid → Barcelona

    I travelled

    [Year?]

    Spain is three countries in one: the grand boulevards of Madrid, the Moorish palaces and orange trees of Andalusia, and the beaches and modernist architecture of the Mediterranean coast.

    This 11-day road trip links them all, from Madrid to Barcelona — and it works just as well in reverse.

    The route at a glance

    From Madrid to Barcelona

    Tap a stop on the map to jump to that part of the trip

    SPAINMediterranean SeaPORTUGALMadrid – jump to the day1MadridToledo – jump to the dayToledoCórdoba – jump to the day2CórdobaSeville – jump to the day3SevilleGranada – jump to the dayGranadaMurcia – jump to the day4MurciaValencia – jump to the day5ValenciaBarcelona – jump to the day6BarcelonaBy road

    Madrid
    2 nights

    Córdoba
    1 night

    Seville
    2 nights

    Murcia
    1 night

    Valencia
    2 nights

    Barcelona
    2 nights

    Day by day

    The itinerary

    Days 1–2 · 2 nights

    Madrid

    Arrive and explore by metro. Plaza Mayor, the Royal Palace, El Retiro, Puerta del Sol, Gran Vía, Plaza de España, the Prado and Puerta de Alcalá — then tapas at the Mercado de San Miguel.

    Day 3 · 1 night

    Toledo & Córdoba

    An hour south to Toledo: the Gothic chapel of San Bartolomé, the Alcázar, medieval bridges and Puerta de Alfonso. Then another 1.5 hours to Córdoba.

    Days 4–5 · 2 nights

    Córdoba & Seville

    The Mosque-Cathedral and its Patio de los Naranjos, the Alcázar, the Roman bridge and the Jewish Quarter. Then Seville: the cathedral and La Giralda, the Real Alcázar, Plaza de España — and a flamenco show at night.

    Day 6 · 1 night

    Granada & Murcia

    Head east to Granada for the Alhambra, the most beautiful palace in Spain, then continue north-east to Murcia.

    Days 7–8 · 2 nights

    Valencia

    A morning in Murcia, then on to Valencia for two relaxed days of beach, paella and the futuristic City of Arts and Sciences.

    Days 9–11 · 2 nights

    Barcelona

    A last swim and then north to Barcelona. The Sagrada Família, Park Güell, La Boqueria market, Casa Batlló and Casa Milà — and the beach before your flight home.

    When to go

    The best time to visit Spain

    May to October is beach season, but avoid July and August inland: temperatures can go over 40°C.

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    Before you go

    My top 3 tips for Spain

    01

    Hire a car

    It gives you total freedom — though trains and buses are good too.

    02

    Eat on Spanish time

    Lunch is the big meal, between 2 and 4pm. Don’t expect dinner before 8pm — most Spaniards eat around 9.

    03

    Respect the siesta

    Many shops close for 2–3 hours around 2pm; big stores and restaurants stay open.

    Tailor-made

    Want this trip, made for you?

    I’ll design your Spain road trip — the right hotels, Alhambra tickets, flamenco and tapas tours.

    Written by Graziano
    Travel designer & photographer

    Graziano
    Ciao, I’m GrazianoTravel designer and general manager of an Italian tour operator — I’ve travelled to 40+ countries since 2008.More about me →

    Photo gallery

    Spain through my lens

    More trips you’ll love

  • Tuscany & Liguria in 11 days: Portofino, Cinque Terre & Florence

    Tuscany & Liguria in 11 days: Portofino, Cinque Terre & Florence

    Destinations › Europe › Italy › Tuscany & Liguria

    Tuscany & Liguria in 11 days: Portofino, Cinque Terre & Florence

    Colourful fishing villages on the Italian Riviera, the five villages of the Cinque Terre, medieval hill towns, wineries and the art of Florence.

    Duration

    11 days

    Best time

    May – June, Sep – Oct

    Getting around

    Rental car

    or regional trains

    Route

    Genoa → Florence

    I travelled

    October 2019

    You could spend a month in Tuscany and Liguria and still want more. This 11-day route is the essential version: the Riviera, the Cinque Terre, the medieval towns and wineries of Tuscany and, of course, Florence.

    As an Italian, it’s the trip I recommend to anyone visiting my country for the first time.

    The route at a glance

    From the Riviera to the Tuscan hills

    Tap a stop on the map to jump to that part of the trip

    TUSCANYLIGURIALigurian SeaGenoa – jump to the dayGenoaPortofino – jump to the day1PortofinoCinque Terre – jump to the day2Cinque TerrePisa – jump to the dayPisaLucca – jump to the day3LuccaVolterra – jump to the dayVolterraSan Gimignano – jump to the day4San GimignanoFlorence – jump to the day5FlorenceArezzo – jump to the dayArezzoSiena – jump to the day6SienaMontepulciano – jump to the dayMontepulcianoBy road

    Portofino area
    2 nights

    Cinque Terre
    2 nights

    Lucca
    1 night

    San Gimignano
    2 nights

    Florence
    2 nights

    Siena
    1 night

    Day by day

    The itinerary

    Days 1–2 · 2 nights

    Genoa & the Riviera

    Land in Genoa, pick up a car and visit the city (don’t miss the aquarium). Then the Riviera: Camogli, Santa Margherita Ligure, Rapallo and Portofino — see them all, or pick your favourites.

    Days 3–4 · 2 nights

    Cinque Terre

    Monterosso, Vernazza, Manarola and Riomaggiore — plus Portovenere nearby. Explore them on foot, by boat or by train.

    Day 5 · 1 night

    Pisa & Lucca

    An hour and a half south to Pisa and its leaning tower, then sleep inside the walls of Lucca.

    Days 6–7 · 2 nights

    Volterra, San Gimignano & a winery

    Volterra in the morning, then San Gimignano and its towers. Next day, spend the afternoon at a local winery — the countryside, the vineyard, the food and the wine are unforgettable.

    Days 8–9 · 2 nights

    Florence

    The Duomo, Ponte Vecchio, Santa Croce, the Uffizi and the Accademia with Michelangelo’s David. Two days is the minimum.

    Days 10–11

    Arezzo, Siena & Montepulciano

    Arezzo in the morning and Siena in the afternoon. On the last morning, visit the great medieval town of Montepulciano before flying home from Florence or Rome.

    More time?

    Add a few days

    Saturnia

    Soak in the free hot springs of the Cascate del Mulino.

    Monte Argentario

    The sea and seafood of Porto Ercole and Porto Santo Stefano.

    When to go

    The best time to visit

    Spring and early autumn are ideal for walking the Cinque Terre and touring the hill towns. In summer, time your trip for the Palio di Siena on 2 July or 16 August.

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    Before you go

    My top 3 tips

    01

    See the Palio di Siena

    A bareback horse race around Piazza del Campo on 2 July and 16 August — about 90 seconds of pure medieval drama, after the historic parade.

    02

    Buy the Cinque Terre Card

    The Cinque Terre Treno MS card covers the trains between Levanto and La Spezia and the coastal paths — buy it at any station.

    03

    Visit a winery

    Spend an afternoon among the vineyards around San Gimignano or Montepulciano.

    Tailor-made

    Want this trip, made for you?

    I’ll design your Tuscany trip — agriturismi, wine tastings, private guides in Florence and the best of the Riviera.

    Written by Graziano
    Travel designer & photographer

    Photo gallery

    Tuscany & Liguria through my lens

  • Sicily in 15 days: the complete road trip

    Sicily in 15 days: the complete road trip

    Destinations › Europe › Italy › Sicily

    Sicily in 15 days: the complete road trip

    Baroque towns, Greek temples, volcanic beaches and the best food in Italy — a full loop of the island by car, from Catania to Taormina.

    Duration

    15 days

    Best time

    May – June, Sep – Oct

    Getting around

    Rental car

    Start & finish

    Catania

    I travelled

    May 2019

    Sicily is the place I always recommend to friends who want to understand Italy: Greek temples and Baroque cathedrals, markets full of colour and noise, turquoise coves and an active volcano — and food so good you will want to share every plate.

    This is the loop we drove in two weeks, starting and ending in Catania, with the stops, the beaches and the dishes you should not miss.

    The route at a glance

    A full loop of the island

    Tap a stop on the map to jump to that part of the trip

    SICILYTyrrhenian SeaMediterranean SeaCatania – jump to the day1CataniaSiracusa – jump to the day2SiracusaNoto – jump to the day3NotoMarzamemi – jump to the day4MarzamemiRagusa & Modica – jump to the day5Ragusa & ModicaAgrigento – jump to the day6AgrigentoMarsala – jump to the day7MarsalaTrapani – jump to the day8TrapaniSan Vito lo Capo – jump to the day9San Vito lo CapoPalermo – jump to the day10PalermoCefalù – jump to the day11CefalùMessina – jump to the day12MessinaTaormina – jump to the day13TaorminaEtna – jump to the day14EtnaBy road

    Catania
    2 nights

    Agrigento
    2 nights

    Cefalù
    1 night

    Taormina
    3 nights

    Day by day

    The itinerary

    Days 1–2 · 2 nights

    Catania

    Land in Catania, pick up your rental car and settle in. Next day, explore the black-stone Baroque centre: the Cathedral of Sant’Agata and Piazza del Duomo, Via dei Crociferi, Porta Garibaldi and the Teatro Massimo Bellini.

    Days 3–4 · 2 nights near Noto

    Siracusa, Ortigia, Noto & Marzamemi

    Spend a day on the island of Ortigia in Siracusa, then explore the south-east corner: golden Baroque Noto, Pachino and the tiny fishing village of Marzamemi.

    Days 5–6 · 2 nights

    Modica, Ragusa & Agrigento

    Stop in Modica and Ragusa on the way west, with a detour to the mosaics of Piazza Armerina. In Agrigento, visit the Valley of the Temples first thing in the morning, then walk on the white cliffs of the Scala dei Turchi at sunset.

    Days 7–9 · 3 nights

    Sciacca, Marsala, Trapani & San Vito lo Capo

    Drive along the coast through Sciacca and Marsala to Trapani, then on to San Vito lo Capo. Spend two days on the beaches of San Vito and the coves of Scopello and the Zingaro reserve.

    Day 10 · 1 night

    Palermo & Cefalù

    A full day in Palermo — markets, churches, street food and the beach at Mondello — then sleep in the beautiful seaside town of Cefalù.

    Days 11–13 · 3 nights

    Capo d’Orlando, Messina & Taormina

    Follow the northern coast to Capo d’Orlando and Messina, then two full days in Taormina: the Greek theatre, Corso Umberto and the little island of Isola Bella. Don’t miss the Alcantara gorge nearby.

    Days 14–15

    Mount Etna & Aci Castello

    Hike on Mount Etna, Europe’s highest active volcano, and spend the last night near Catania. Before your flight, visit the castle and sea stacks of Aci Castello.

    More time?

    Islands to add

    Favignana

    A short ferry from Trapani: cycle between turquoise coves.

    The Aeolian Islands

    Ferries from Milazzo to Lipari, Vulcano and Stromboli — read my Lipari guide.

    When to go

    The best time to visit Sicily

    Late spring and early autumn are perfect: warm sea, long days and fewer crowds. July and August are very hot and busy.

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    Before you go

    My top 3 tips for Sicily

    01

    Hire a car

    It’s the best way to see the island — public transport is slow and limited.

    02

    Share your plates

    Portions are huge: order one dish for two and taste more of the menu.

    03

    Visit the temples early

    Go to the Valley of the Temples first thing in the morning, before the heat and the crowds.

    What to eat

    Sicilian dishes you have to try

    Arancini

    Fried rice balls stuffed with ragù or butter and cheese.

    Granita & brioche

    The Sicilian breakfast — almond, pistachio or coffee granita.

    Pasta alla Norma & cannoli

    Aubergine, tomato and salted ricotta — then a real Sicilian cannolo.

    Tailor-made

    Want this trip, made for you?

    I’ll design your Sicily road trip — car hire, the best hotels and masserie, boat trips and the restaurants I love.

    Written by Graziano
    Travel designer & photographer

    Graziano
    Ciao, I’m GrazianoTravel designer and general manager of an Italian tour operator — I’ve travelled to 40+ countries since 2008.More about me →

    Photo gallery

    Sicily through my lens

  • Portugal in 12 days: Porto, the Douro, Lisbon & the Algarve

    Portugal in 12 days: Porto, the Douro, Lisbon & the Algarve

    Destinations › Europe › Portugal

    Portugal in 12 days: Porto, the Douro, Lisbon & the Algarve

    Port wine and azulejos, a night in a wine barrel, the hills of Lisbon and the golden cliffs of the Algarve — a road trip from north to south.

    Duration

    12 days

    Best time

    May – June, Sep – Oct

    Getting around

    Rental car

    Route

    Porto → Algarve

    I travelled

    2016 & 2019

    two trips

    Portugal is a small country, full of history, architecture and incredible food — and still one of the best-value destinations in Europe.

    I explored it on two trips — Lisbon and the Algarve in 2016, then Porto, the Douro and the rest of the country in 2019 — and put them together into one 12-day road trip from Porto and the vineyards of the Douro all the way down to the beaches of the Algarve, with Sintra, Lisbon and Évora along the way.

    The route at a glance

    From the Douro to the Algarve

    Tap a stop on the map to jump to that part of the trip

    PORTUGALSPAINAtlantic OceanPorto – jump to the day1PortoBraga – jump to the day2BragaDouro Valley – jump to the day3Douro ValleyNazaré – jump to the day4NazaréSintra – jump to the day5SintraLisbon – jump to the day6LisbonÉvora – jump to the day7ÉvoraAlgarve – jump to the day8AlgarveBenagil, Marinha, CamiloBy road

    Porto
    2 nights

    Douro Valley
    1 night

    Lisbon
    2 nights

    Évora
    Stop

    Algarve
    5 nights

    Day by day

    The itinerary

    Days 1–2 · 2 nights

    Porto

    Arrive and head straight for the restaurants and bars on the riverfront. Next day, walk along the Douro, cross the Dom Luís I bridge and visit the Jardins do Palácio de Cristal and Liberdade Square.

    Day 3 · 1 night

    Braga & the Douro Valley

    Pick up a rental car, visit the gardens of Braga, then drive 90 minutes to the Douro Valley for a wine tasting. We slept inside a giant wine barrel at Quinta da Pacheca — an unforgettable night.

    Day 4 · 1 night

    Nazaré & Sintra

    Drive south for a swim at Nazaré, home of the biggest waves in the world, then spend the afternoon among the fairy-tale palaces of Sintra. Don’t miss Cabo da Roca, the westernmost point of mainland Europe.

    Days 5–6 · 2 nights

    Lisbon

    Day one: the Alfama district, Mercado da Ribeira, Bairro Alto and Praça do Comércio. Day two: Belém Tower, the Jerónimos Monastery and the view from the Cristo Rei sanctuary.

    Day 7

    Évora

    On the way south, stop in Évora to see the Roman Temple and the cathedral, then continue to the Algarve.

    Days 8–11 · 4 nights

    The Algarve

    Four days of golden cliffs and coves: Praia da Marinha, Praia dos Três Irmãos, Praia do Camilo and the famous Benagil cave. Buy a Bola de Berlim from the beach sellers — about €1.

    Day 12

    Back to Lisbon & home

    A last morning on the beach before driving back to Lisbon airport.

    When to go

    The best time to visit Portugal

    Avoid July and August — the busiest, hottest and most expensive months. Spring and autumn bring great deals and good weather.

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    Before you go

    My top 3 tips for Portugal

    01

    Rent a car at the airport

    The best and cheapest way to travel; trains and buses work too.

    02

    Keep to the right lane

    On motorways, driving in the middle lane can get you a fine.

    03

    Travel off-season

    Avoid July and August for better prices, fewer crowds and still lovely weather.

    What to eat

    Don’t leave without trying

    Pastel de nata

    Warm custard tarts — eat them fresh with cinnamon.

    Port wine

    Taste it in the cellars of Porto and the quintas of the Douro.

    Bola de Berlim

    The Algarve beach treat, sold by vendors on the sand.

    Tailor-made

    Want this trip, made for you?

    I’ll design your Portugal road trip — quintas in the Douro, boutique hotels in Lisbon and the best beaches of the Algarve.

    Written by Graziano
    Travel designer & photographer

    Graziano
    Ciao, I’m GrazianoTravel designer and general manager of an Italian tour operator — I’ve travelled to 40+ countries since 2008.More about me →

    Photo gallery

    Portugal through my lens

    More trips you’ll love