Part two of Italy. Firstly - where we stayed after MUCH perusal through Trip Advisor reviews:

Rome - the IQ hotel. Perfect location, SO close to a metro stop. Small but exceptionally planned contemporary room. Blackout blinds. Safe in the room, amazing water pressure/heat in the shower. Only downside? We are massive herbal(me)/regular tea drinkers so we will have a special kettle rating. No kettle in the room? Goodbye one star. Oh yes. We ARE that Irish. Sorry.

Venice - Becher hotel. As opposite a style of room to the IQ as one could fathom. Plush, warm, spacious, a BATH and big windows that opened right on to the canal. Shutters for total darkness, though not sufficient to block out the rather loud boats - but hey, no major complaints from us on that. We were sleeping right beside a canal. In Venice. It was amazing.  Oh - no kettle. Dammit. Also, avoid Venice in the Winter. After the initial atmospheric awesomeness of the mist and the canal, it is incredibly cold.  It was still a beautiful place, but it would be beautiful in the non-baltic Springtime too.

Florence - Palazzo Tolomei. This place is incredible. Really, truly - from arrival, where we were treated in such a full on manner that we genuinely double checked that they hadn’t mistaken us for celebrity guests. Genuinely. We also had to double check our booking to make sure they hadn’t confused our room, as we were shown to the nicest hotel room I have EVER stayed in… The superior double, which had a view of the Duomo, boasted not only the FLIPPING KETTLE but also a fully stocked kitchenette including a microwave, cutlery, delf etc. Add to this the dining area, sitting area, pretty plush shower room and a dvd player - and you have quite the home away from home.

The owner, a delightfully eccentric French lady, presented us with a pice of her own artwork upon our departure. We were invited to have an apertif with them every evening. Honestly, I could gush some more so instead I shall offer two small downsides just to make sure this is all genuine etc. The room was big and old and therefore chilly. This won’t be an issue if you visit in warmer times, so not a big deal. The windows were big and old and therefore not great on the old sound levels. This is not an issue if, like us you brought ear plugs.

That is my little hotel round up, hope it’s helpful if you’re planning your own trip.

Oh and more on each city itself in the next post.

xBlanaid

I recently travelled to Italy - my first ever visit there, part work, part play. We travelled to Rome, which was intensely amazing, Venice , which was atmospheric - and then on to Florence, which was just cool. It was like holidaying in a live-action version of The Sartorialist.

Here are some images from my days there - with a couple more posts to follow, a little collection. So many odd or interesting or astounding things to capture, so little time when stuffing one’s face with Straciatella gelato. I’ll add notes about where we stayed etc to the next posts, just in case you’re currently concocting a travel plan.

Italy - I heart you.

xBlanaid

P.S Discovering the Canadian maple leaf graffiti was poignant as my time away clashed with a sudden, unplanned, yet with reason, visit from my Canad-ia residing sister, who’s a total doll.

This blog is slowly becoming an occassional travel diary. My apologies, but I’m either flat out working or getting gone. My determination to be outside at least five weeks out of fifty two is on track. For one who never travelled much at all, this year I appear to be constantly planning the next trip.

All the clichés are true - it is important  for my little tiny mind to get away. I come back rested, inspired and ready to work. That, of course, could also be down to the perpetual guilt of the self-employed person who has to quantify every hour away from work. Whichever - it’s good to get gone and get back.

xBlanaid

This time last week I was covered in mud at the Lovebox festival in London. This event, (the music, not the mud )is quickly becoming the highlight of my year  - it’s just too much fun for serious. While on a day-after, fake-energy buzz, we wandered toward Portobello, the promise of Humming Bird cafe red velvet cupcakes being the main trigger for the wander. I became slightly obsessed by the flowers along the way, although the beautifully decrepit door was found in Stratford.

xBlanaid