Thoughts Archives - Page 2 of 2

The two things Rome’s piazzas sadly lack

The famous squares of Rome There’s a certain romance to the grand piazzas of Rome. Bernini’s symmetry and classicism makes St Peter’s Square justifiably revered worldwide, the grand fountains of Piazza Navona provide a glorious focal point for the café terraces and elsewhere, restaurants spill…

Italy, parks, Rome

The destination I adored that I never want to go back to

In 2012, what seems like a lifetime ago, I decided to go to Palau on a whim. At the time, I knew nothing about Palau, other than it was the most obscure country I could think of and there were relatively cheap flights available from…

Pacific Islands, Palau

How travelling as a parent has changed me

When seeing the world becomes less important than letting little people see it. Daisy and the Sistine Chapel “Dad! Dad! Dad! Dad!” came the cry from upstairs, followed by the unmistakable thud-thud-thud of the world’s least demure princess. My eight-year-old burst into the living room…

children, family travel, Italy, parenting, Rome

In praise of the decent restaurant within a short walk of your hotel

Repeat after me: Not every meal needs to be an adventure. Before I write this exhausted. I have spent four days on my feet, walking back and forth across Rome, and having my ankles repeatedly brutalised by its savage, merciless cobblestones. It is my last…

Italy, restaurants, Rome

Michelangelo's frescoes from the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel in the Vatican.

Why I hated the Sistine Chapel

I went to see one of the greatest pieces of art ever created, and it was awful. The Conclave Fantasy If I was a cardinal, I would drag the Conclave to elect a new Pope out as long as possible. It would be a shameless…

art, Italy, Rome