Pompeii and Herculaneum

As a big fan of ancient history, I couldn't miss out on seeing Pompeii and Herculaneum while I was in Naples.

What initially overwhelmed me was the scale of this ancient city...It took us 4 1/2 hours in the unbearable heat to cover the place!

As you explore inside the walls, you will discover a variety of dwellings - from modest to magnificent it is amazing how well these interiors were preserved.

A typical house in Pompeii was rectangular in plan. Windows were only used internally and faced out onto the central courtyards. The atriums were covered with a sloping roof which was open in such a way to allow rainwater into the implucium. The bedrooms were then positioned around this central area along with a reception and dining room.

Towards the back of the villas you would find the kitchen as well as the storehouses.

Still to this day, and even more so now that I have seen it in person, I am amazed at how advanced this civilization was. So many of the techniques used back then are being implemented today when we design new homes. Especially in Australia where a floor plan like the ones found in Pompeii perfectly suit our warmer climate.

After Pompeii we made our way to Herculcneum. Significantly smaller, this place is still undergoing extensive excavating as well as facing the problem of a densely populated suburb which could perhaps be covering something as big as Pompeii!

The condition of the frescos were impeccable and the detailing in the exterior walls was simply breathtaking...

A also fell in love with the tiles - both on the walls and floors. The colours were so vivid and something I would definately like to see more of in today's interiors.

Napoli

Napoli is one of the oldest cities in the world with a rich culture that saw several civilisations come and go, each leaving traces in its art and architecture. I think that's what makes the place so fascinating. As you walk though the streets you can determine the time period in which each building was constructed just by looking at the facades.

Each building tells a story and it is nice to see the progression of the city through the change in colours used, the detailing in the columns and ironwork, as well as in the windows and hardware used. The forms of architecture showcased in this city include Medieval, Renaissance and Baroque.

Despite all the history that lies in Napoli, the one major thing that ultimately attracts the crowds of tourists every year is their Pizza...

The humble pizza started out as a bakers tool where the dough was used to verify the temperature of the oven. It was then considered a dish for the poor and was only sold on the streets as it wasn't considered a restaurant meal.

So as you can image, lots of pizza has been consumed in the last couple of days...not to mention a copious amount of sweets! If you love your gelato, your coffee and your biscotti, you have to check out La Nuit. It's this funky little cafe near the Marina in Naples that stocks every Italian sweet imaginable!

I absolutely loved the decor of this place. It was such a stark contrast to what we saw outside and it really helped lift all the food on display.

My favourite feature was definately the image on the wall. The colours were so enticing and it definately broke up the stark white furniture, becoming a focal point as you entered the store.

I couldn't go past this Nutella filled pastry above. After all this eating in Napoli I am going to have to jump on a strict diet in Bologna so my body can get ready for a whole new food experience in Paris!

Pietragrande

If you ever find yourself in Calabria, Pietragrande Beach is a must. It is located in Caminia which is a good 20 minute drive from Santa Caterina.

The beach is probably most well know for the large rock that protrudes out of the sea just near the coastline. It's a big drop from the top and definately not for the faint hearted!

I fell in love with the sublime blue tones of the water. They were so soothing and the coolness of the water that morning was inviting. I wish I could have bottled up some of that sunshine to take to London with me...

My Amazing Discovery

A trip to the Paese is a must when family travel to Calabria. Located in the mountains, this is where my grandparents grew up before they came to Australia.

My sister and I had the most amazing day walking through the narrow streets and stumbling across amazing sites at every turn. We were fascinated to see that almost everything remained true to the time of it's construction - right down to the colours of the doors and textiles hanging from the windows.

Unfortunately my Nonna's childhood home has been renovated since the family moved out but we were pleased to discover that Nonno's was still in it's original state.

My only expectation that day was to see the exterior of the house. So, when my cousin shook the door and it opened you can only image how shocked I was! What lay before me took my breath away...

The house had been vacant since 1974 after a fire in the village caused my grandfather's family to move to the sea. Most of their possessions were taken at the time but we were trilled to find that there were some items left behind.

In a briefcase positioned on an old mantel we found images of my mother and uncle as a child, accompanied with a letter from my Nonno to his parents. The letter spoke of how my mother just had her first Holy Communion, that my uncle Nick had started walking and Nonna was expecting her third child.

Another highlight for me was finding a cabinet in the house still intact - filled with miss-matched cups and plates that look as though they were all from the 60s and 70s. Most of the items we left behind but I couldn't resist taking a little teacup to house on my mantel back home.

I was so overwhelmed about what I found that day that I have contemplated buying the house...don't you think it would make a good Summer studio?

Back to my roots

My last name may be Macedonian but the other half of my heritage lies in Calabria, a southern region in Italy that is filled with family and new found friends.

Every year my family members that no longer live in Calabria make their way back down to Santa Caterina for the summer. This year was my first time and as soon as I arrive I had never felt more at home. I have spent the last 14 days feasting, celebrating and discovering the beauty that lies in the 'toe' of Italy.

Not unlike my upbringing in Australia, life in Calabria revolves around family and food. Lunch is the most important meal of the day and should be spent with loved ones gathered around a long table - taking time to share a beautifully prepared pasta or yummy dessert (like the Nutella cake I'm devouring above!) .

After lunch when the weather was a little cooler, we would all head down to the beach for an afternoon in the sun with friends. The gorgeous blue water is perfect to wade in and after a few hours of tanning, we were all ready to head to the Lido for an afternoon drink as we watched the sun set.

Santorini Sunrise

Santorini is one hot island...literally! From about 6am the temperature starts to rise and your sanctuary becomes the water.

One hot morning I wondered onto Perissa Beach. The view that lay before me was like something out of an old Hollywood movie. The colours, the terrain all still intact and the slight eeriness of the cliff faces was a sight I had never seen before.

At about 8am I started to smell the waft of waffles beaconing me to this cute little cafe across the street...my morning couldn't get any better!

This place was a little gem. I loved the furniture selection because it wasn't something you would expect in Santorini but it worked so well. Traditional wicker dining chairs adorned each of the marble topped tables and then Thai lounges mellowed the space in a gorgeous shade of red and layers of miss-matched fabrics. The colours used were crucial to making this space work.

My Intro To Santorini...

When I first stepped foot in Santorini I will have to admit that I was a little disappointed. The drive to where we were staying was baron - the mountains were dry and lifeless and the buildings half complete. I had high expectations and an image in my head that as nothing like what I first saw.

It wasn't until I visited Thira that I was blown away. The white houses precariously hanging on the sides of cliff faces were spectacular and the water seemed to go for miles. There was something magical about this spot and it caused me to think about what it may have been like before the volcanic explosion all those years ago. After all, it was thought to have been the most advanced civilization of that time.

Stay tuned for more on the design of the town and the full story behind this amazing place...

Hitting the Streets

Like every girl I love to shop and Mykonos definately didn't disappoint. On my final night there I decided to hit the streets and make a few purchases before leaving for Santorini the next day.

Now for those who are familiar with the island, its soul is hidden in the corner of Chora, which is away from all the tourist attractions. To find the true Mykonos you really need to seek it and I found that this was best done at night where the temperature was cooler and the atmosphere was like no other.

The 'marketplace' of Mykonos is simply mesmerising. The whitewashed fasades of the traditional buildings really make their contents pop as you wonder through the streets.

I fell in love with the curved walls of the interiors - I honesty didn't think that they would be maintained to that extent. I also was surprised to learn that just before spring, each of the shops are washed and all the windows and doors are repainted to maintain the iconic appearance of Mykonos.

I am currently in Mykonos, which is most well known for its nightlife but after a few days of wandering the streets and getting lost amongst the locals, I have realized there is much more to this place than meets the eye.

What I have fallen in love with the most are the colours - they are so rich and vibrant that it's hard to look away. You have to remember though that the natural light here is different to that at home so these stark whites and bright hues wouldn't have the same effect.

At this moment I am sitting in this fantastic little cafe just a short walk from where I'm staying. Now, to be perfectly honest with you, I didn't think that many of the places that I were going to visit on the islands would be up to date in terms of their decor but I tell you what, they have definately proved me wrong.

A gorgeous pallet of pastels and hints of turquoise have been used to decorate the space. I love the mix of old and new furniture as well as the original structure of the building being maintained.

Stay tuned for more images of Mykonos...