by Helen | Dec 13, 2023 | Lifestyle
I love a good rummage around an antiques market. I dream of living in a village with a brocante. But I’m just not very good at bartering and securing a bargain. The last time we were in Ljubljana, the Sunday Market was on, along the river. I think this was my most successful bartering exercise ever, as I managed to buy two old zinc planters and negotiated a whole 10€ off the price he gave me initially. What I paid was probably he wanted anyway, but I still felt like I’d secured the bargain of the century. But, as I say I’m not a seasoned bargain hunter – and we don’t really have places here, where I can hone my skills. Or, so I thought until recently. Maybe I’ve just been walking around with my eyes closed, but this summer, we did discover some very rich pickings, and so maybe I can practice and become a better bargain hunter.
In Istria, it seems that there are two accessories which are mandatory in any outdoor space – big glass demijohns and greek style urns. Every self respecting garden and outdoor space, has a least one of these, if not multiple versions. And, this summer I finally found out where these Istrian must-haves can be found.
Right on our doorstep…
That’s right, within a few kilometres of the house, we have discovered a couple of real treasure troves. These will most likely be known to everyone in these parts, but as we’ve not found them before, I feel that I have uncovered a secret. A secret full of antiques…
This is typical of Istria. These beautiful urns, and demijohns and industrial vintage light shades, are all just stacked up outside the antique seller’s property. They’re not taken in and kept under lock and key, because there’s no need. Because no-one would ever think to just grab a few and drive off. Because honesty is held above all else out here. It’s one of the things we absolutely love about where we live.
The urns are absolutely stunning and I am still mulling these over – as beautiful as they are, they are also expensive, so I think I have to be absolutely sure that our garden really, really needs one. Or, two…
But the demijohns are much more affordable, and so we do have three of these. Because I couldn’t decide on the shade of green I wanted, I decided that a mix of shades would work. And now, they are sitting prettily on our little balcony, out of the way of the winter winds, so we can see them from the living room. I love them so much, that I may be tempted to add to the collection, come the spring.
by Helen | Dec 12, 2023 | France, Travel
Strasbourg, frequently named “European capital”, is a city in eastern France in Alsace on the left bank of the Rhine, playing a major role as a business, commercial, and cultural centre. Besides its traditional role as the chief city of Alsace, Strasbourg is also the seat of a number of European institutions and bodies including the European Parliament, the Council of Europe, and the European Court of Human Rights. And these are the things I knew Strasbourg – until we visited it, one chilly day in January, on our road trip back from the UK to Istria. Long after Christmas had ended for most people. But not this city, known as…
…the capital of christmas
Now, I’m not a superstitious person, but I do like to have my decorations down well before the 6th January. Once New Year is done, I like the idea that spring is just around the corner, and so I want the house to feel less cluttered and more spacious. Christmas decorations are all lovely and make the house cosy, but they do have a sell by date, and after a week or so of twinkling lights, I want a bit of minimalism back. Well, it’s a good job I don’t live in Strasbourg, because however pretty it is, the ongoing display of festiveness would really do my head in. We stayed over between the 12th/13th January, and the city was most definitely still in the Christmas mood, in the medieval centre…
Perhaps the most visited part of Strasbourg – apart from probably the Markets – is the Carré D’Or Area, a little neighbourhood, not too far from the Cathedral, and if you LOVE Christmas, you’ll love this area. The streets here are fully decked with glittering light strands to greenery on doorways and teddy bears, polar bears, penguins, nutcrackers, and glittering stars and garlands above the shops.I found it all a bit too over the top for me – but that’s the point I guess…
Strasbourg Cathedral – Cathédrale Notre-Dame-de-Strasbourg – is an outstanding masterpiece of Gothic art. The construction of the Romanesque cathedral, of which only the crypt and the footprint remain, began in 1015, and the spire of the current building, in a Gothic style, was completed in 1439.
It really is an astonishing structure – and when you’ve had enough of teddy bears and tinsel and glitter, I’d really recommend that you explore this building, if just to see the astronomical clock, which dates from 1843. It is the third clock which has occupied the spot, the first being built in the 14th century and the second in the 16th century when Strasbourg was a free imperial city of the Holy Roman Empire. The main features of the current clock are a perpetual calendar, an planetary dial, a display of the real position of the Sun and the Moon, and solar and lunar eclipses. However, the main attraction has to be the procession of the 18-inch high figures of Christ and the Apostles, which occurs every day at noon, while the life-size cockerel crows three times. It really is pretty spectacular.
There is so much more to take in besides the Astronomical Clock, but when we were there, it was still Christmas all the way…
Strasbourg also lays claim to having the oldest Christmas markets in Europe. Dating back to 1570, the famous Christkindelsmärik, appears to work its festive magic every year, as the visitors just keep coming. With a medieval centre, you can expect to find an old building or two – such as La Maison Kammerzell, which is said to be the most beautiful house in Strasbourg, and certainly one of the oldest. Built in 1427, and elaborated in the 16th century, it takes its name from its 19th century owner, Philippe Kammerzell, who was a grocer. It has quite the stunning location too, nestled just underneath the Cathedral.
We found the most gorgeous French bistro to have our evening meal – almost like being in brocante which served the most delicious food and wine.
But of course, being in a French bistro, it would have been verging on criminal not to have opted for the thick, rich French Onion Soup. I wouldn’t have forgiven myself if I’d not indulged, on a chilly, January night in Strasbourg…
by Helen | Dec 12, 2023 | Lifestyle
Bergamo is a fabulous city in Lombardy, northern Italy, not too far from Milan. It’s often overlooked for Milan, but don’t make that mistake – you’ll only regret it. With a medieval walled upper town, a cosmopolitan lower town and views across to the (often snowy peaked) Orobic Alps, it is a stunner. But, if history and beauty don’t float your boat, maybe eating out will. And, Bergamo does this in the best of style. From takeaway pizza shops to high end restaurants, it does everything. And everything, very, very well.
We spent last weekend in Bergamo with friends who’d flown in from Manchester. It was their first visit and we were keen that they were impressed. It was a short visit so we had to choose places to eat, wisely. One place we knew we had to visit though, was Vineria Cozzi, a quirky, thoroughly original and totally bonkers (decor wise) restaurant in the heart of Citta Alta, where we were staying. This restaurant has been operating since the 1840s and it’s clear to see why it’s still thriving and very popular. As well as the restaurant – lots of little nooks and crannies and rooms, winding their way back from the entrance – the bar is open to non-diners and when I say it is a veritable Gin Palace, I am not exaggerating. Beautiful old walnut mirrored cabinets house hundreds of bottles of gin – and if this is your tipple of choice, you will spend quite a long time placing your order.
However, it is the food which is the stand out star of the show, at Vineria Cozzi and it’s the food which keeps bringing us back, time and time again. The menu is so inventive, with many nods to local produce and Lombardy inspired dishes. But, all with a twist. This is no ordinary Italian restaurant. Pizza is not available on the menu, and whilst pasta does feature, along with red meat dishes, they are not what you would normally be served. The dishes are quite magical when they arrive – even a “hamburger”, normally to be avoided at all costs, is a sublime work of art. Often with vegetarian options, nowhere near as much attention is paid to them as with their meat counterparts, but not so at Vineria Cozzi. There is a real variety of dishes and all are given as much love as the non-veggie options.
Vineria Cozzi is a real special occasion restaurant – when we last visited it was our friend’s birthday and so we knew that it was the perfect choice – but it is not overly expensive. It’s not the cheapest place to eat in town, but for four people with two bottles of wine, we paid just over €120, which for a birthday meal, was more than reasonable.
We also took the funicular up to the highest point in Bergamo, the stunning San Vigilo, and just outside the small station is Baretto di San Vigilio, described on its website as “the most romantic restaurant in town“. Without doubt, it has the most splendid view of the city of Bergamo, with the Orobie Mountains in the background, and to the front, a large terrace where you can enjoy the shade of the lime trees of the summer or the warmth of blankets and heaters – as we did – in the winter. Housed in an old Bergamasque villa, the restaurant has a feel of English charm, mixed with French bistro, serving generous traditional cuisine reinterpreted with a modern twist. We decided that we’d have a Sunday afternoon bite to eat here, as the winter sunshine still had a little heat in it and we were lucky to get a table right on the edge of the terrace.
The menu is not extensive, but wow – it’s amazing! We were initially slightly concerned that there weren’t any real options for our two veggie friends, but our concerns were soon allayed when we were advised that they could indeed be catered for. So, the decision was made to stay – and how glad are we, that we did. Prior to our food arriving, we were presented with a basket bulging with fresh breads, of various kinds and a big dish of home-made whipped butter. I don’t normally eat butter but this looked just too good to pass on, and it was indeed delicious. We were also each given a small, complimentary dish from the kitchen – tomato paste, topped with whipped ricotta, and sprinkled with pink salt. The tomato paste was utterly delicious – cold, but filled with flavour, and complemented perfectly by the ricotta, especially when swirled into it and mopped up with fresh crusty bread.
The main courses were just beyond our expectations. We’d thought we’d have a little Sunday snack which would satisfy us until we ate out in the evening – but these dishes were really verging on fine dining. Two of us opted for the maccheroncini di pasta fresca alla carbonara di gamberi (fresh macaroni pasta, carbonara style with prawns), whilst our friends opted for mezzi paccheri dei pastai Gragnanesi con carciofi, pasta di salame e formaggio stagionato di Cristian Locatelli (half paccheri of Gragnano pasta with artichokes, sausage and local cheese), without the sausage. All four of us were in agreement that although definitely not cheap – each dish was €21, so a little more than we were expecting to pay on a Sunday afternoon – the food was utterly exquisite. And with the views we had, it was agreed that this was a perfect way to spend a sunny winter afternoon in December…
The funicular is the best way to travel between the different levels of Bergamo, and the art deco station in Citta Alta is absolutely beautiful. As well as being able to hop on and off the cable car, the front of the station, which is another vantage point with spectacular views of the lower city and mountains beyond – and the airport, for plane spotters – is now a bar and restaurant, with a glass fronted terrace if you want to get even more of a view. Previously, this restaurant was a part of the Lombardy Slow Food Movement and the food was inspirational – and we were really sad on our last visit, when we found it to be all closed up. However, it’s now open again, but with a different identity. We were just glad it had re-opened, and we’d settled ourselves in, on the terrace, before realising it was now part of a chain called The California Bakery. Not having heard of this before, we were a bit disappointed that it was now part of a chain – but then we remembered we were in Bergamo and Bergamo does food brilliantly, so we needn’t have worried. Two Salty Omelettes were ordered, with sides of French Fries and Rosti – and once again, we were pretty much blown away by the quality and attention to detail.
The portions were very generous, and with the additional sides – plus a side salad of fresh fruit, which complemented to omelette beautifully – we were a bit overwhelmed initially. However, when food is this good, you try your best and suffice to say, clean plates were collected away.
But Bergamo isn’t just fabulous for sit-down eateries. If you fancy a quick slice of pizza, on the go, you couldn’t find a better place than the famous Il Fornaoi, located in the heart of the action, Via Bartolomeo Colleoni. Open from 7am – 8pm every day, you won’t miss this place. Just look for the crowd of people, drooling outside – either queuing to be served or taking photos of the most incredible array of pizzas (and pastries and cakes) on display. These aren’t your average round pizzas – these are huge pizza slabs, cut with scissors and wrapped in paper for you to take-away. And, with so many varieties on offer, you can be sure there will be at least one to get your taste buds tingling…
If you have a sweet tooth, Bergamo will definitely satisfy your sugary cravings, as you will never be too far away from an exquisite chocolatier or patissierie.
It’s safe to say that our latest weekend in Bergamo didn’t even scratch the surface of culinary delights. It was great to see old favourites still thriving, as well as some new additions which we just didn’t have time to try. And the whole of Bassa, as equally full of wonderful restaurants, is still to be revisited. Luckily we are back in this amazing city twice around Christmas time, so I’m sure we’ll have more to report on. Oh, and just a little snack to accompany our Prosecco at Bar Flora, on Piazza Vecchia…
by Helen | Dec 11, 2023 | Renovation
Our stone house in Istria isn’t currently a holiday home. Having relocated from Manchester nearly seven years ago, we have lived here full time, renovating the house from top to bottom. We’ve lived through walls being knocked down and out, kitchens and bathrooms being ripped out and started again, the draining of a 10 metre internal well chamber. Every room painted to within an inch of its life. Some, more times than once. Or twice. Demolition work. Excavation work in the garden. Diggers and dumper trucks and the multiple deliveries of many cubic metres of white pea gravel. Chopping down of trees and planting up of trees. Electrical work. You name it, we’ve probably lived through it.
So, the major renovation work is finally, we think, finished. Although we still have lots of ideas for how we can improve the house further, we think we’ve done what we want to do, to give us a very comfortable life, and to not see renovation chaos again, for quite some time. But, that doesn’t mean we’ve downed tools. Our stone house is very unlike any other house/property we’ve lived in before. This one needs to be looked after and cared for. For most of the year, she’s fine and ticks along very nicely, not giving us any trouble. But come winter, we do need to make sure we are on top of her, because like all stone houses, if left, problems and issues can emerge. The rear walls of the house and the side elevation walls are the most exposed to the weather and so these are treated with an impregnation to keep the house as watertight as possible. We don’t have water ingress, and this is due to the maintenance – however, ingress can be seen on many properties in the area, which are left either locked up for most of the year or empty. Our house is also heated – woodburners and heaters ensure even distribution of warmth and so unless we close up a room, over the winter, without heat, there are no cold-spots, as we use the whole of the property.
Neither of us has a head for heights, but luckily our builder is undaunted by our tall house and so this week, he got out the ladders and sprayed the exterior walls with the impregnation solution. The Istrian stone is usually milky white, but when treated, it became much darker – exactly what it would look like if we left it to the elements and did nothing with it. Thankfully, once the solution had dried, the appearance returned to normal.
As he had the ladders out, our builder also cleared all of the guttering – those unseen jobs, which if not tackled, will lead to problems. He also checked all of the terracotta roof tiles and replaced a small number which were cracked – again, not something we would necessarily have noticed until a problem emerged. The join between our house and our neighbour’s property (currently un-lived in and un-renovated) was also checked and we’re pleased to report that he assessed all was OK.
This is a big job, but one that can be easily overlooked – if there are no signs of water ingress or damage, it’d be easy to not have this important work done. But, we love our home & feel a real duty to keep her in the best condition possible, so we do the work necessary on a regular basis. Meaning that whoever purchases our home, will be safe in the knowledge that she may be old (we think in places over 200 years old), but she’s in the best condition possible.
by Helen | Dec 8, 2023 | Travel, UK
Rocksalt Restaurant and Rooms – with four boutique en-suite bedrooms – have a very enviable location on the South Kent coast. The glass fronted restaurant sits right on the harbour, overlooking the English Channel, whilst the rooms are just behind, on a cobbled street, above a restored and renovated fish market building, now a very funky and cool restaurant. (Although its website does state it is currently closed, at the time of writing). When we stayed, it was in December, and we arrived on a cold, dark early evening – check in was done in the hotel, which did look rather lovely, but as our time was limited, we just wanted to get into our room and relax, after a long drive up from south east France and a ferry crossing.
Our room was called “La La” and is classed as a standard king room, but I think it offers a little more than “standard” fare. With just four rooms, the B&B feels very cosy and intimate and has been styled exquisitely. Stripped back brick walls, and an industrial chic look – certainly in our room and en-suite – made the place feel very contemporary, but still retaining a nod to its past. We believe that each of the four rooms is individually decorated and each has its own style, but they all share certain features as standard – Egyptian cotton linen, antique wrought iron beds, Nespresso coffee machines, industrial wall lights, modern wet rooms and metro tiling.
The bare brick walls and industrial piping, to hide cables – hurrah, as exposed cables are the bane of my life and there is NO need for them! – were complemented with soft Victoriana wallpaper and chocolate brown fabric blinds.
The ensuite was small, but perfectly formed. White metro tiles ensured that the wet room was pristine – you can’t hide much when your room is white tiled – and much attention to detail was paid to the sanitary ware, including a Victorian cistern and a wall of bare bricks. The shower was modern and super effective – with a big rainhead and a hand held attachment, it was a pleasure showering in this room.
We’re not sure if they still do breakfasts in the way we received ours, as it was a few years ago that we stayed (Dec 2017), and it may now be served in the restaurant. But our picnic basket, delivered to the door at the time we requested, was perfect for us – croissants, pastries, French stick, museli. juice and fruit.
Next time we do a ferry crossing, we’ll definitely be doing a return visit to Folkestone and Rocksalt. And, hopefully, this time, we’ll take in the restaurant, too.
additional info:
- parking is available, in a nearby car park, at a daily fee
- the Port of Dover is approximately 14 minutes away (7.3 miles) via A20 and B2011
- rocksalt restaurant information here
We were not sponsored to write this post and we received no kick-backs. Full price was paid for our accommodation. We recommend it simply because we really liked it, and thought it was definitely worth what we paid.
by Helen | Dec 7, 2023 | Travel, UK
It’s been a while since we’ve visited the permanent sculpture exhibition on Crosby Beach, but it was a place we’d often drive over to from Manchester, if we wanted to get some blowy, fresh air. Called Another Place, it is a piece of modern sculpture by British artist Antony Gormley, featuring 100 cast iron figures, modelled on the artist’s own naked body, facing towards the sea. After being exhibited at three other locations – the beach of Cuxhaven, Germany, Stavanger in Norway and De Panne in Belgium – it was put on display at Crosby in summer 2005. On 7 March 2007, Sefton Metropolitan Borough Council decided that the sculptures should be permanently installed at the beach.
The figures stand on the beach, and depending on what time of day you visit, can be fully visible, partly submerged, or if the tide is high and in fully, completely submerged. Eerily, at times like this, you may see a head emerging from the water when the waves roll back – I’d imagine this could be a pretty disconcerting sight if you arrived at the beach and knew nothing of the statues. They are spaced liberally across the beach for about three kilometres and almost a kilometre out to sea. Each iron man faces the water and they are all identical and emotionless. According to Antony Gormley, Another Place harnesses the ebb and flow of the tide to explore man’s relationship with nature.
The seaside is a good place to do this. Here time is tested by tide, architecture by the elements and the prevalence of sky seems to question the earth’s substance. In this work human life is tested against planetary time. This sculpture exposes to light and time the nakedness of a particular and peculiar body. It is no hero, no ideal, just the industrially reproduced body of a middle-aged man trying to remain standing and trying to breathe, facing a horizon busy with ships moving materials and manufactured things around the planet.
Parking is available at Burbo Bank car park, by the Crosby Coastguard Station, and the statues stretch out on the beach below. Our only advice would be, if you visit in the winter – wrap up warm, as the wind can be biting. And, watch the tides – they come in fast!
by Helen | Nov 30, 2023 | France, Travel
Continuing our late summer road trip to France, we headed to the city of Nîmes, known for its well-preserved Roman monuments such as the double tiered Arena of Nîmes, dating from approximately 70 AD and still in use for concerts and bullfights, and the Pont du Gard tri-level aqueduct and the Maison Carrée white limestone Roman temple, both around 2,000 years old. This trip showed that our knowledge of France is quite limited, largely to Paris, because a lot of the places we stayed, we knew very little, if anything, about. Nîmes being one of them.
Our timing for this stay, however, was spectacularly bad. We arrived on a Tuesday afternoon and were delighted that our hotel was located on a beautiful square – Place d’Assas – filled with fabulous looking bars and restaurants. It was looking as if we’d be spoiled for choice come Tuesday evening. Sadly. we’d arrived just as the whole city was literally taking a couple days rest after an extended weekend of celebrations, marking the Maison Carrée’s inclusion on the UNESCO World Heritage List. A weekend of parties, celebrations, music, street-food, fireworks etc etc etc. Meaning that come the day we arrived everyone was so shattered, the whole city had literally shut down. We did eventually find a great Italian restaurant which was open, saw the Forum and the Arena and stayed in a fab hotel, so all was fine in the end.
Located on the edge of the square, and a couple of minutes walk from the Maison Carrée, the Royal Hôtel is an old 19th century cloister, full of charm and authenticity. It has recently been renovated and from what we saw – communal areas, breakfast room and our room – it has been carried out sympathetically, but with quirky and modern twists, making it a bit of a stand out hotel. Our room was a superior double room, and it was huge, with a very spacious bathroom, with a very powerful walk-in shower. The room’s enormous shuttered windows, overlooked the square, which is incredibly impressive. Lots of trees – I love cities where they value trees and nurture them, rather than chopping them down – and statues and fountains. Elegant and very beautiful.
Communal artwork in the corridors and staircases is very playful and gives a strong nod the kind of hotel this is – fun, not stuffy, a bit different and definitely a bit boutique. The shot of The Rolling Stones was apparently taken when they played at the arena – which still hosts bullfights, unfortunately.
Breakfast was included in our room rate, and for the hotel, was done in quite an inventive – and probably cost effective – way. A tray for each of was brought to the table, with fresh croissants and bread and individual jars of museli, along with little pots of jam, packs of butter, sealed yogurt, sealed nutella and fruit. I certainly didn’t eat everything and I’m assuming that what isn’t opened is reused. It would seem a real waste of money if unopened juice or jams were thrown away. We thoroughly enjoyed breakfast, and with unlimited coffee, it set us up for the day. It was also served in a lovely dining room, which may also be open to non-guests as a couple of guys had set up with laptops etc at other tables and were working.
We found this hotel to be really good value for money, well positioned and perfect in style and decor. Although it’s a shame that the city was on a general holiday post-celebrations and so we didn’t get the full on Nîmes experience, it didn’t detract in any way from our stay. A beautiful city and a fab hotel.
by Helen | Nov 29, 2023 | Lifestyle
And just like that, we’re into the coldest and darkest part of the year. It only seems days ago that we were sweltering in the garden, throwing windows wide open, dispensing with even summer duvets and sleeping with fans whirring away next to us. Winter in Istria can be pretty magical. Don’t get me wrong – we do have days where the low lying grey clouds seem as if they’ll never go away. Days where rain just falls and falls. But it’s never like that for long. We have crisp, sunny days with blue sky – days when the sun still has a flicker of warmth in it, when you can sit outside a restaurant, although well wrapped up. We have days which are atmospherically foggy, which are also gorgeous.
Hibernation over the winter is a lovely option, but just not practical for us. We still need to go out and about, live our lives and just generally *do * things. However, it’s certainly a very different time of year as the house transforms from a summer home, filled with light and heat from the sun and the buzzing outside of the cicadas and tweeting of the birds, to a winter house. A house where the windows are closed, timers go on so that lamps are lit from late afternoon, the sofas are strewn with throws, and it even smells different as more heady scented candles are burned and diffusers diffuse their winter aromas. The wood burners are lit – one earlier than the other to get the house warmed up evenly, and we find we reach for the hot chocolate much more frequently.
I think I’ve always harboured a desire to live in a Scandi- hygge home, and with this one, we’re more able to create it than in our three bed terrace back in West Didsbury. It feels more authentic here, as we’re quite rural, surrounded by small forests and a wintery landscape when we look out of the windows. So, come December, my Scandinavian home emerges, and we wrap ourselves up in cinnamon and orange and faux fur and hot chocolate and candlelight. Although, and this must be emphasised – not all the time! Most days, we’re working away on laptops, designing, talking to clients, resolving website issues, paying bills, shopping, cleaning – you know, the normal stuff that we all do. Which is why, when we have a bit of down time, we light those candles, and embrace the winter.
by Helen | Nov 29, 2023 | Italy, Travel
Aquileia was an ancient city, founded in 180BC, lying at the head of the lagoons, to the east of Venice, on the road to Trieste, as a Roman colony due to its strategic position between the port and the inland area. It is one of the most important archeological sites in Northern Italy and it was elected UNESCO World Heritage site in 1998, for the significance of its archaeological area and the beauty of the floor mosaics, which can still be seen.
In the summer, we were travelling back from Venice, and rather than take the motorway, we decided to do a new route, a road which more or less hugged the coast and gave us the opportunity to visit the resort of Grado, which we’ve been intending to do for ages. But, before we got to Grado, we just had to stop, when this sight greeted us, at the side of the road…
We’d heard of Aquileia, but had no idea it was effectively an outdoor museum, full of Roman antiquities. It was a very, very hot day when we stopped, and we were keen to also get to the coast and hopefully find a cooling breeze, so our trip was short – but over the winter, we will return, as there is just so much more to see.
The Forum, of which these columns were a part, was the very heart of the political, administrative and social life of the city, built as early as in the 2nd century BC. It was huge and rectangular in shape, measuring nearly 200 meters long and about 80 meters in length, and originally there were 50 columns. Before being restored, the columns lay dispersed in pieces, all facing the same direction as a consequence of a violent earthquake. I love the idea that this is where citizens would meet each morning to buy and sell goods, chat about recent events or hire workers for the day. Politicians and merchants would talk to their friends and competitors, negotiate deals, discuss politics and try to increase their influence.
Today, the ruins cover quite an expanse, and there is a lot to see – a day would probably be needed to take everything in. I found this information online, which provides quite a guide to the town :
Within the archaeological area, much of it is in the open air and with free admission. Here you will find the remains of the Forum, the river port, and the late antique markets and the Roman burial ground. The precious mosaics uncovered during the excavations are preserved in the Paleochristian Museum and the National Archaeological Museum of Aquileia. The Basilica of Aquileia, is an extraordinary architectural complex bearing the signs of several renovations and extensions carried out over the centuries. At over 750 square metres, the real treasure of the basilica is the floor mosaic from the 4th century, the largest in the Western Christian world.
The archaeological site Domus and Episcopal Palace are also unmissable stops in Aquileia. Through the work of the Aquileia Foundation, visitors have the rare opportunity to see the superimposed floor levels of different eras thanks to skilful architectural play. This archaeological site is the most recent to be opened to the public.
January or February, with hopefully some snow, is when we are planning to return, and to get to know Aquileia more. We still it find it so exciting that we can just stumble across places like this – not in the sense that we’re the first people to have found these places, obviously. More in the sense that we didn’t know about them, until we either read about them, saw something online or drove past. And this is what makes living in Istria so cool – as well as all of the Roman and Venetian influences across our little peninsula, we are so close to Italy and all of its ancient sites. Some like Aquileia, almost being on our doorstep.
by Helen | Nov 29, 2023 | Renovation
We’ve never lived in a house before that has a private parking area. All of our previous properties have had on-road parking, and because we lived in busy Mancunian suburbs, parking could be tricky. Often, our car would be parked away from the house as you basically had to grab a space when you saw one. So now, it’s a real treat to have space for not one, but two, vehicles – and our own private land.
Initially, this was a grassed area with a big elderflower tree. However, the tree wasn’t the most healthy and it blocked out a lot of sun, so in our early days this was chopped down, and the cars were parked on the grassy area. This was good, as it meant they were on our land, but parking on grass wasn’t ideal, especially when it rained. Fast forward a few years, and we had this dug out and hard-surfaced, giving us for the time, a proper parking area.
Potted trees – bamboos and olives – were stood in front of this area, providing a sort of screen, to detract from the cars, but we were sure we could better to enhance the garden and obscure the parking area.
With a great builder on site, who was constructing lots of walls for us, to clearly define all of our boundaries, we decided that another wall was the answer. This time, we opted for two separate block walls, with a gap in the middle, affording us easy access to and from the cars. The potted plants were redistributed around the gardens, as well as the furniture. The wooden planter of bay trees was moved closer to the new wall and turned around, so that it sat horizontally, so that you walk around the planter to access the parking area. This has meant that the cars are all but obscured from the patio area.
I think we are now more than happy with the exterior of our home. Especially when we look back to 2016 and this was the very same angle…
