You caught your breath, as hand in hand we stoodTo watch the luminous peak of Aetna thereSoaring above the cloudy solitude,Enmeshed in the opaline Sicilian air.Taormina, Taormina,Oh, the scent of the almond blossom. (Sir Charles G.D. Roberts) Taormina origins dates to around 396 BC. The first settlements were formed nearby Mount Taurus which gradually grew…
Author: polkaladysjourneys
travelling and working on alternative types of maps coming from my personal experiences.
I am also a writer, pianist and a regular worker when I am back at my place, which is Marseille in France.
I like to know more about the places where I come to visit, I almost never use the regular maps because the inhabitants are the best guides. I can't imagine to discover a new country, new town, without being in contact with people who live there. I like to share the perspectives and make from each new experience a great souvenir
Sicily, man-made and natural wonders: impressions from short three-day trip
Sicily is significantly different from northern Italy, mostly because of the organizational “chaos”, definitely fitting into the climate of southern Europe. However, during my short three-day trip I focused on visiting the most interesting aspects of the island: architectural monuments and natural wonders, e.g. Etna. Palermo is the biggest city of the island. The cathedral,…
Hérault in France – where one can explore the beauty of natural heritage. Part 1
Do you want to visit French mountains which landscapes can take your breath away because of their beauty and not difficult climbing? If your answer is yes, that you should definitely visit Herault. Mountains in the department are not very high which makes hiking possible at all different types of levels. Herault is a part…
Paradoxes of travelling inside of small volcanic islands – Santorini in Greece
Topography of the island is mountainous and makes it quite difficult to move by bike. Also, the absence of pathways along the main roads connecting major communities (such as Kamari, Perrisa, Oia and Fira) is making difficult to walk between places. But with the modernization of infrastructure would it be possible? Santorini is presenting a…
Journey through the clouds: Madeira’s highest peaks (Ruivo & Arieiro)
The highest peak in Madeira is Pico Ruivo, with 1862 meters of altitude. It’s the third highest peak in Portugal, only mountains on Azores islands are higher. Interesting fact is, that almost all pathway leading to the top, is wooded.. perfectly confirming why the island is called Madeira (‘madeira’ in portuguese means ‘wood’). Moreover, Madeira…
From sugarcane plantations, vineyards and banana exports to powerful energy factories: Madeira’s natural treasures
Geographically located two times closer to Africa than to Europe (about 1000 km of the closest cost) Madeira island was probably one of the legendary Fortunate isles mentioned for the first time in Plutarch’s “Parallel lives”.. Officially discovered and settled during 15th century, the island quickly became known for the production of sugar cane. Madeira…
Gjirokäster & Berat UNESCO treasures in Albania
Berat and Gjirokastra are inscribed as examples of an architectural character typical of the Ottoman period. These two sites from Central (Berat) and Southern (Gjirokastra) Albania, are more commonly known as “the city of a thousand windows”(Berat) and “the city of stone” (Girokastra). Albania was ruled quite a long time by the Ottoman Empire in different periods from 1479…
Albania… What? (part 1)
14-16/05/2021 Tirana – Shkodër Our plane has arrived at Tirana very late, after midnight, so our first ride on the streets and main road from the airport, were not at all representative. Because we really thought that the roads in Albania are empty. In fact Albanian roads are always plenty of everything!!!! Not only of…
Biking in Ulcinj
We were on our way from the restaurant Barracuda , the most popular place to visit in Ulcinj, a little islamic town situated the most at south of Montenegro, when something riveted our attention. On the map we saw a small place indicated as salina. We didn’t know what to expect, so when we arrived…
PolkaLady Art & Travel 