Architecture

Oxford

Oxford. A famous university city full of elegant, honey coloured buildings and a wonderful place to wander. I was there for less than a day but I could have spent many, exploring the narrow cobbled lanes and charming, bike studded university grounds. Next time.

 
 
 
 

The salt flats of Trapani

I can't tell you much about Trapani, except that I had an amazing bombolone alla Nutella at a bustling pasticceria on the way through. Trapani for me was about one thing. The salt flats. And they did not disappoint. Think shallow coastal waters, canals, windmills and mounds of snow-like, freshly harvested salt.

 
ESP_S7A0411.jpg
 

Cefalù

 

Arriving in Cefalù felt a bit like arriving in the Greek Islands, or maybe it's all in the name. A serene little town sitting pretty between its small bay on the Tyrrhenian Sea and the towering granite mountain of La Rocca.

Cefalù was all about colour for me. From dreamy pastel pinks, yellows and greens to the striking blues of the sky and sea, and its accompanying beach umbrellas.

It didn't steal my heart from Siracusa but a gorgeous little town nevertheless! 

ESP_S7A9793.jpg
ESP_S7A9523.jpg
ESP_S7A9893.jpg
ESP_S7A9514.jpg
ESP_S7A9532.jpg
ESP_S7A9548.jpg
ESP_S7A9824.jpg
ESP_S7A9794.jpg
ESP_S7A9786.jpg
ESP_S7A9595.jpg
ESP_S7A9929.jpg
ESP_S7A9915.jpg
ESP_S7A9933.jpg
ESP_S7A9920.jpg
ESP_S7A9599.jpg
ESP_S7A9917.jpg
 

And then there was Siracusa!

 

And then there was Siracusa, or more specifically the island of Ortigia, joined to the mainland by bridges. Oh my! Architectural styles vary widely on this tiny island - Greek and Roman ruins, Medieval Norman buildings and loads of subtle Baroque details. With limestone as far as the eye can see and blown-out white skies, this spectacular little island stole my heart.

ESP_S7A8652_LR.jpg
 
 
ESP_S7A9163_LR.jpg
ESP_S7A8655_LR.jpg
ESP_S7A8671_LR.jpg
ESP_S7A8692_LR.jpg
ESP_S7A8673_LR.jpg
ESP_S7A8985_LR.jpg
ESP_S7A8917_LR.jpg
 
 
 
 
 
 
ESP_S7A8705_LR.jpg
ESP_S7A8712_LR.jpg
 
 
ESP_S7A8761_LR.jpg
 
 
ESP_S7A8769_LR.jpg
 

Gerocarne - La Cittá dei Maestri Vasai

Gerocarne - The City of the Master Potters. First stop on my recent European adventure was Gerocarne. A small town of less than two thousand people, nestled in a valley in the Province of Vibo Valentia, Calabria. Historically a town of potters, though few remain, it is filled with beautiful moments of colour, stone and concrete.

ESP_S7A7346.jpg
ESP_S7A7605.jpg

Geelong Library

I haven't spent a great deal of time in Geelong but after a few visits recently, I'm on board. As manufacturing opportunities fade Geelong is making a push to become a place of arts and innovation. The impressive, award winning Geelong library by ARM Architecture, completed in 2015, is definitely a step in the right direction. 

ESP_S7A6296.jpg