One of the most beautiful works of art in Rome, a ceiling fresco in a corridor of Palazzo Madama, an untitled work by an eighteenth-century painter, transported there from a Roman museum during the building's renovation. The fresco is on a single canvas, mounted on wooden supports.
One of my favourites, just beautiful.
Some photos from my stay at Chateau Denmark in London. If you’re into creepy places or anything with a dark atmosphere, this place is definitely worth checking out.
It might not be very chubby and it’s definitely not for everybody, but if you enjoy these kinds of immersive experiences like I do, you’ll probably appreciate it. I thought people here might enjoy seeing what it actually looks like. Happy to answer if there are questions.
I wanted to make this post because my last post, where I shared a photo of the view from my table at this restaurant, received quite a few negative comments that I honestly wasn’t expecting.
Some people even asked me for photos of the food, wondering whether the price was justified by the food and service or if it was only about the view.
I simply wanted to share a moment that felt special. This view shows the place I’m most attached to in my beautiful city. Because of that, the food was honestly secondary for me.
First of all, nobody is forced to go to this restaurant. Everyone is free to spend their own money however they want without being judged. I think that’s the bare minimum.
That said, I personally thought the food was excellent. Could you find better food elsewhere? Of course. But I have absolutely no complaints about this. The service was outstanding, and the atmosphere is unlike anywhere else.
I think we could all benefit from judging other people’s choices a little less.
Rome is full of amazing restaurants where you can eat incredibly well without spending a fortune, and as someone who lives here, I know plenty of places that tourists rarely hear about.
At one point during dinner, the entire terrace started applauding because the couple sitting at the table next to mine had just gotten engaged. That actually happened while I was there, and moments like that are part of what makes the experience so memorable.
For me, though, this dinner wasn’t just about the food. It was about the feeling of being there, the setting, the atmosphere, and creating a memory I’ll never forget. That’s what I paid for. Thank you for understanding.
I’m available for any suggestions.
This was the view from my table, the restaurant is called Aroma, at Palazzo Manfredi. Let me know if you are planning a trip to Rome, I will be happy to suggest you the best places.
I recently stayed at Le Perseidi, a luxury glamping in Italy, was my first time ever trying this kind of accommodation and I can honestly say it was one of the most unique travel experiences I’ve had.
If you’re looking for a high-end glamping experience, this place is definitely worth considering. There are only a few suites, which makes the whole property feel quiet and private. Each suite combines comfort and nature making it easy to disconnect from everyday life.
One of my favorite parts was being able to lie in bed and watch the stars through the ceiling until I fell asleep. In the morning, the sunlight gently woke me up, and opening my eyes to nothing but nature made the whole experience feel incredibly peaceful.
That said, I would recommend staying for max one night rather than making it a longer trip. The real appeal is the experience itself. I think it’s perfect for a romantic getaway, an anniversary, or a special occasion.
The property is beautifully maintained, and you can tell that a lot of attention has gone into every detail. There are also a few adorable alpacas roaming around, which add a fun and charming touch.
I stayed in the Luna Suite (starting from 400€ per night), which had a private outdoor jacuzzi and a lovely swing in the garden.
Breakfast is delivered directly to your suite at a time you choose in advance. The selection isn’t huge, but it fits the concept of the stay.
Another highlight was the professional telescope provided in the suite. On a clear night, being able to observe the stars and planets made the experience feel even more special.
Overall, I had a fantastic stay. It’s completely different from spending a night in a traditional hotel and offers something much more memorable. I would definitely recommend it, but it’s not for everyone.
Happy to answer any questions!
I recently stayed at Le Perseidi, a luxury glamping in Italy, was my first time ever trying this kind of accommodation and I can honestly say it was one of the most unique travel experiences I’ve had.
If you’re looking for a high-end glamping experience, this place is definitely worth considering. There are only a few suites, which makes the whole property feel quiet and private. Each suite combines comfort and nature making it easy to disconnect from everyday life.
One of my favorite parts was being able to lie in bed and watch the stars through the ceiling until I fell asleep. In the morning, the sunlight gently woke me up, and opening my eyes to nothing but nature made the whole experience feel incredibly peaceful.
That said, I would recommend staying for max one night rather than making it a longer trip. The real appeal is the experience itself. I think it’s perfect for a romantic getaway, an anniversary, or a special occasion.
The property is beautifully maintained, and you can tell that a lot of attention has gone into every detail. There are also a few adorable alpacas roaming around, which add a fun and charming touch.
I stayed in the Luna Suite (starting from 400€ per night), which had a private outdoor jacuzzi and a lovely swing in the garden.
Breakfast is delivered directly to your suite at a time you choose in advance. The selection isn’t huge, but it fits the concept of the stay.
Another highlight was the professional telescope provided in the suite. On a clear night, being able to observe the stars and planets made the experience feel even more special.
Overall, I had a fantastic stay. It’s completely different from spending a night in a traditional hotel and offers something much more memorable. I would definitely recommend it, but it’s not for everyone.
Happy to answer any questions!
I recently stayed at Le Perseidi, a luxury glamping in Italy, was my first time ever trying this kind of accommodation and I can honestly say it was one of the most unique travel experiences I’ve had.
If you’re looking for a high-end glamping experience, this place is definitely worth considering. There are only a few suites, which makes the whole property feel quiet and private. Each suite combines comfort and nature making it easy to disconnect from everyday life.
One of my favorite parts was being able to lie in bed and watch the stars through the ceiling until I fell asleep. In the morning, the sunlight gently woke me up, and opening my eyes to nothing but nature made the whole experience feel incredibly peaceful.
That said, I would recommend staying for max one night rather than making it a longer trip. The real appeal is the experience itself. I think it’s perfect for a romantic getaway, an anniversary, or a special occasion.
The property is beautifully maintained, and you can tell that a lot of attention has gone into every detail. There are also a few adorable alpacas roaming around, which add a fun and charming touch.
I stayed in the Luna Suite (starting from 400€ per night), which had a private outdoor jacuzzi and a lovely swing in the garden.
Breakfast is delivered directly to your suite at a time you choose in advance. The selection isn’t huge, but it fits the concept of the stay.
Another highlight was the professional telescope provided in the suite. On a clear night, being able to observe the stars and planets made the experience feel even more special.
Overall, I had a fantastic stay. It’s completely different from spending a night in a traditional hotel and offers something much more memorable. I would definitely recommend it, but it’s not for everyone.
Happy to answer any questions!
I recently stayed at the IHG property Kimpton Los Monteros in Marbella. I want to share my thoughts about it for anyone who is considering staying in this hotel.
Property:
The hotel is a large resort with 195 rooms, including 60 suites, and a fascinating history. Originally opened in 1962, it was one of the Costa del Sol’s first luxury resorts and quickly became a destination for international celebrities, such as Michael Jackson.
Over the decades, the property has built a strong legacy.
After a complete renovation, it reopened in 2025 as Kimpton, entering a new era that blends its historic character with contemporary design. Still today, it remains a landmark hotel in Marbella.
The property feels more like a resort than a traditional hotel. Facilities include a spa (not included in the room rate and charged separately), a rooftop terrace with impressive views, and extensive gardens. The main pool area is spacious and rarely crowded, with a maximum depth of 1.5 metres.
The beach is approximately a five-minute walk from the hotel through the upscale Los Monteros residential area, although a branded golf cart service is also available for transport.
The hotel’s beach club, La Cabane, features a Dolce & Gabbana design. However, one drawback is the limited direct beach access from the sunbeds, as the shoreline in that area is quite rocky.
Room:
My reservation was for a King Premium Terrace (around €600 per night). At check-in I was happy to find out that we were upgraded to a Duplex Suite with Balcony on the top floor. We had views on both sides, which was great and much appreciated. The room was spacious and I appreciated the bathroom with two sinks.
Location:
The hotel is located in the centre of Los Monteros, the most exclusive and peaceful residential area of Marbella. It is surrounded by luxury American style villas, which were interesting to see while walking around the neighbourhood.
To reach Marbella city centre, a taxi was the only practical option, taking around 10 minutes at most. Málaga Airport is approximately a 40 minute taxi ride away.
Food:
The breakfast is excellent, served buffet-style with a small à la carte selection for certain dishes. The variety is very wide, making it suitable for all preferences. It can be enjoyed either outdoors on tables near the pool or indoors behind large glass windows.
The only aspect I did not appreciate was the limited options for guests with lactose intolerance, while the selection for gluten-free diets was well catered for.
Gym:
They have a spacious 24/7 gym, it is a separate building in the garden near the main pool. It is well equipped with a bit of everything, so it will be perfect if you are not too demanding. It is surrounded by gardens, and next to the gym they also offer yoga classes.
Service:
During my stay, I always felt well taken care of by the staff. From the moment I arrived, the bellboy was there to open our car doors. Everyone was consistently smiling, so my overall experience was very positive. One night I had dinner at the hotel restaurant Jara; the food quality was excellent. The service felt a bit informal, but still appropriate for the atmosphere. However, I didn’t like the loud music playing throughout the evening.
Overall, my experience was definitely positive, so I would recommend this hotel. However, I think it is more suitable for families than for couples, given the presence of many children, which can sometimes be disruptive.
Happy to answer any questions. :)
I recently stayed at the IHG property Kimpton Los Monteros in Marbella. I want to share my thoughts about it for anyone who is considering staying in this hotel.
Property:
The hotel is a large resort with 195 rooms, including 60 suites, and a fascinating history. Originally opened in 1962, it was one of the Costa del Sol’s first luxury resorts and quickly became a destination for international celebrities, such as Michael Jackson.
Over the decades, the property has built a strong legacy.
After a complete renovation, it reopened in 2025 as Kimpton, entering a new era that blends its historic character with contemporary design. Still today, it remains a landmark hotel in Marbella.
The property feels more like a resort than a traditional hotel. Facilities include a spa (not included in the room rate and charged separately), a rooftop terrace with impressive views, and extensive gardens. The main pool area is spacious and rarely crowded, with a maximum depth of 1.5 metres.
The beach is approximately a five-minute walk from the hotel through the upscale Los Monteros residential area, although a branded golf cart service is also available for transport.
The hotel’s beach club, La Cabane, features a Dolce & Gabbana design. However, one drawback is the limited direct beach access from the sunbeds, as the shoreline in that area is quite rocky.
Room:
My reservation was for a King Premium Terrace (around €600 per night). At check-in I was happy to find out that we were upgraded to a Duplex Suite with Balcony on the top floor. We had views on both sides, which was great and much appreciated. The room was spacious and I appreciated the bathroom with two sinks.
Location:
The hotel is located in the centre of Los Monteros, the most exclusive and peaceful residential area of Marbella. It is surrounded by luxury American style villas, which were interesting to see while walking around the neighbourhood.
To reach Marbella city centre, a taxi was the only practical option, taking around 10 minutes at most. Málaga Airport is approximately a 40 minute taxi ride away.
Food:
The breakfast is excellent, served buffet-style with a small à la carte selection for certain dishes. The variety is very wide, making it suitable for all preferences. It can be enjoyed either outdoors on tables near the pool or indoors behind large glass windows.
The only aspect I did not appreciate was the limited options for guests with lactose intolerance, while the selection for gluten-free diets was well catered for.
Gym:
They have a spacious 24/7 gym, it is a separate building in the garden near the main pool. It is well equipped with a bit of everything, so it will be perfect if you are not too demanding. It is surrounded by gardens, and next to the gym they also offer yoga classes.
Service:
During my stay, I always felt well taken care of by the staff. From the moment I arrived, the bellboy was there to open our car doors. Everyone was consistently smiling, so my overall experience was very positive. One night I had dinner at the hotel restaurant Jara; the food quality was excellent. The service felt a bit informal, but still appropriate for the atmosphere. However, I didn’t like the loud music playing throughout the evening.
Overall, my experience was definitely positive, so I would recommend this hotel. However, I think it is more suitable for families than for couples, given the presence of many children, which can sometimes be disruptive.
Any recommendations from people who actually live here? Not tourist traps, but authentic ones. Thank you!
You don’t expect to find a former WWII internment camp in a town famous for the fairytale trulli, but Alberobello, in Puglia has one.
Casa Rossa was used as an internment camp under the Fascist regime, holding Jewish prisoners and other civilians. It’s one of the lesser-known places tied to that part of Italian history, and the contrast with the town around it makes it even more unsettling.
It’s completely outside the tourist route, just sitting there in the countryside with almost none of the postcard atmosphere the town is known for.
Visiting it felt a bit weird, because Alberobello is so tied to this charming image, so u don’t aspect this.
The place itself isn’t “spectacular” in the usual abandoned sense, but that’s exactly what stayed with me. It feels quiet, isolated, and heavy in a way that’s hard to explain unless you’re standing there knowing what happened inside.
During my time in Rome, I visited the Casino del Bel Respiro inside Villa Doria Pamphilj, and it ended up being one of the places that surprised me a lot.
Most people know Villa Pamphilj as a park where locals go walking, running, or just escaping the city for a while. But at the center of it there’s this beautiful 17th-century villa, built for the Pamphilj family after Giovanni Battista Pamphilj became Pope Innocent X. It was designed as a grand residence meant to impress, and it still does.
What I found interesting is that it doesn’t feel like a typical tourist stop at all. Even a lot of Romans have never actually visited it, despite knowing the park itself. Today it’s also used by the Italian government for official events and institutional meetings, so it still has a very formal role.
If you’re in Rome and want something quieter and a bit outside the usual tourist circuit, I think it’s worth looking into. Villa Pamphilj is already a great place to walk around, and finding a place like this in the middle of it makes the whole visit even better.
During my time in Rome, I visited the Casino del Bel Respiro inside Villa Doria Pamphilj, and it ended up being one of the places that surprised me a lot.
Most people know Villa Pamphilj as a park where locals go walking, running, or just escaping the city for a while. But at the center of it there’s this beautiful 17th-century villa, built for the Pamphilj family after Giovanni Battista Pamphilj became Pope Innocent X. It was designed as a grand residence meant to impress, and it still does.
What I found interesting is that it doesn’t feel like a typical tourist stop at all. Even a lot of Romans have never actually visited it, despite knowing the park itself. Today it’s also used by the Italian government for official events and institutional meetings, so it still has a very formal role.
If you’re in Rome and want something quieter and a bit outside the usual tourist circuit, I think it’s worth looking into. Villa Pamphilj is already a great place to walk around, and finding a place like this in the middle of it makes the whole visit even better.
I recently visited the Casino del Bel Respiro inside Villa Doria Pamphilj, and it honestly feels like one of those places in Rome that even a lot of Romans have never actually seen.
Most people know Villa Pamphilj as a huge park where you go for a walk or a run, but at its center there’s this beautiful 17th-century villa, also known as the Casino dell’Algardi.
It was built for the Pamphilj family after Giovanni Battista Pamphilj became Pope Innocent X, and it was designed as a grand suburban residence meant to show status, taste and power.
The building is one of the most elegant parts of the whole villa complex, with a very theatrical Baroque feel. The name “Bel Respiro” fits perfectly because the setting still feels peaceful and open, even today.
What’s interesting is that it’s not just a historical site: today it’s used by the Italian government as a representative venue for institutional meetings and official guests.
So in a way it still serves the same purpose it had centuries ago: to impress people!
What struck me is that Villa Pamphilj is always full of people, but the Casino itself still feels strangely overlooked. A lot of Romans have probably walked past it without ever really visiting it, which is a shame because it’s a fascinating place.
I recently had the opportunity to do a full site inspection of MSC World Europa together with the ship’s hotel director.
*I’m sharing notes from a technical perspective rather than a passenger review.*
For context, this is one of MSC’s flagship “World Class” ships, delivered in 2022.
Some key figures:
Gross tonnage: 215,000 GT
Passenger capacity: around 6,700 guests
Crew: 2,100+
Decks: 22
What stood out during my inspection:
The “neighborhood” layout, instead of a traditional central promenade, the ship is divided into functional zones: family areas, lounge clusters, and a main promenade spine.
One interesting detail is that the terrace cabins on the promenade side are the most expensive ones!!!
The open aft structure is not just aesthetic. The Y-shaped design creates a long external promenade and improves airflow and visual continuity between sea and public spaces. It also influences how passengers naturally move through the ship.
Some details that are usually not visible to passengers:
Crew circulation is heavily separated from guest areas, reducing crossing points, u almost never see them.
Vertical circulation feels more constrained in certain areas compared to what you might expect at this scale.
Dining is structured more around capacity management than pure variety, despite the number of venues.
The LED ceiling in the main galleria is used not only for aesthetics but also for spatial orientation and subtle crowd flow guidance.
If anyone has sailed on her recently, I’m curious to know more about your experience! :)
I recently had the opportunity to do a full site inspection of MSC World Europa together with the ship’s hotel director.
*I’m sharing notes from a technical perspective rather than a passenger review.*
For context, this is one of MSC’s flagship “World Class” ships, delivered in 2022.
Some key figures:
Gross tonnage: 215,000 GT
Passenger capacity: around 6,700 guests
Crew: 2,100+
Decks: 22
What stood out during my inspection:
The “neighborhood” layout, instead of a traditional central promenade, the ship is divided into functional zones: family areas, lounge clusters, and a main promenade spine.
One interesting detail is that the terrace cabins on the promenade side are the most expensive ones!!!
The open aft structure is not just aesthetic. The Y-shaped design creates a long external promenade and improves airflow and visual continuity between sea and public spaces. It also influences how passengers naturally move through the ship.
Some details that are usually not visible to passengers:
Crew circulation is heavily separated from guest areas, reducing crossing points, u almost never see them.
Vertical circulation feels more constrained in certain areas compared to what you might expect at this scale.
Dining is structured more around capacity management than pure variety, despite the number of venues.
The LED ceiling in the main galleria is used not only for aesthetics but also for spatial orientation and subtle crowd flow guidance.
If anyone has sailed on her recently, I’m curious to know more about your experience! :)
I recently had the opportunity to do a full site inspection of MSC World Europa together with the ship’s hotel director.
*I’m sharing notes from a technical perspective rather than a passenger review.*
For context, this is one of MSC’s flagship “World Class” ships, delivered in 2022.
Some key figures:
Gross tonnage: 215,000 GT
Passenger capacity: around 6,700 guests
Crew: 2,100+
Decks: 22
What stood out during my inspection:
The “neighborhood” layout, instead of a traditional central promenade, the ship is divided into functional zones: family areas, lounge clusters, and a main promenade spine.
One interesting detail is that the terrace cabins on the promenade side are the most expensive ones!!!
The open aft structure is not just aesthetic. The Y-shaped design creates a long external promenade and improves airflow and visual continuity between sea and public spaces. It also influences how passengers naturally move through the ship.
Some details that are usually not visible to passengers:
Crew circulation is heavily separated from guest areas, reducing crossing points, u almost never see them.
Vertical circulation feels more constrained in certain areas compared to what you might expect at this scale.
Dining is structured more around capacity management than pure variety, despite the number of venues.
The LED ceiling in the main galleria is used not only for aesthetics but also for spatial orientation and subtle crowd flow guidance.
If anyone has sailed on her recently, I’m curious to know more about your experience! :)
The Mexican Ricardo Salinas Pliego bought this yacht in 2021. What do you think?