My travels in 2019, why this title? Because I can’t find a better way to celebrate last year, since traveling is almost like breathing for me.
It is the way I find to escape from an often ugly reality, to decompress from the work stress, to know new places, feel new smells, taste new flavors, meet new people.
Traveling solo can be daunting to many people, and here on my site I have a couple of posts that can help you start your solo travel journey, trust me I have been in your shoes (https://heelsandspices.com/2018/06/solo-traveling-how-to-start/ https://heelsandspices.com/2018/05/being-a-solo-traveler-and-a-woman-overcoming-the-fear-of-flying/ ).
Believe me, it can sound terrifying leaving our comfort zone, daring to fly out of our cozy nest, and dare traveling. But nothing will make you feel more powerful or stronger than breaking your boundaries, your limits, conquering your fears, and traveling to places that were in your dreams for years and years.
My travels in 2019 are a true reflection of that. I traveled to places I never imagined. I broke ties, I demolished dogmas, fears. I traveled alone to places I did not speak the language, and I did not know if they would speak English enough to make myself understandable.
Of course I learned a few basic words and sentences in Slovenian and Croatian, because I make a point of doing that to every country I travel.
Nothing opens more doors and puts a smile on people’s faces, than seeing a foreigner interested enough in their country, to make an effort and learn their language.
As far as Italian goes, I can now communicate easily in Italian, and I understand it quite well now; just because I love Italy so much, I decided to study Italian (as I did with English, French and Spanish in the past).
Enough talking? I guess so. Now I leave you with a beautiful collection of my travels in 2019. I hope you enjoy, and if you do, or have any questions, just leave it in the comments, and visit my facebook page and Instagram! I really appreciate building a community!
December 2018/January 2019
End of December I was quite worn out after a busy and stressful year. In my family the tradition is to spend Christmas together and for New Year’s each one goes wherever he/she wants to. I decided to book three places. Tomjachu Bush Retreat from 28 Dec to 1 Jan, Loerie’s call in Nelspruit for the 1st, and then Torburnlea from the 2nd to the 4th of January. I wrote about them in previous posts, just check it out, it is worth reading.
The views from one of the trails at Tomjachu Bush retreat Tomjachu Bush retreat landscape and trail Tomjachu Bush retreat Tomjachu Bush retreat Delicious meals at Tomjachu Bush retreat The living room at Tomjachu Bush retreat My verandah at Tomjachu Bush retreat The food….oh the food Resident zebras at Tomjachu Bush retreat My room at Tomjachu Bush retreat The resident Ostriches Leaving Tomjachu Bush retreat 100% relaxed
My room at Loerie’s Call My room at Loerie’s Call My room at Loerie’s Call – the one on top Deck at Loerie’s Call Visit to Casterbridge Shopping Complex Visit to Casterbridge Shopping Complex Visiting Lowveld Botanical Garden Lowveld Botanical Garden Lowveld Botanical Garden Casterbridge
April – Amalfi Coast and Gulf of Napoli
I had dream for years with the Amalfi Coast, but I had only seen it in movies and read in books. Finally I went there, and it was all and more than what I expected and imagined. Every single town is beautiful and the views are among the best I have ever seen.
Vietri Sul Mare Atrani Positano Positano Amalfi Duomo – Salerno Salerno – Giardino della Minerva On the road from Salerno to Positano Hotel Bellevue Syrene – Sorrento Vietri Sul Mare Hotel Bellevue Syrene – Sorrento – how gorgeous is this view with the Vesuvius at the back? Ravello – Villa Rufolo Pompeii Sorrento Ravello – Villa Cimbrone and of course, food, lots of it Amalfi Having a Tisana in Salerno and planning next days Ravello Vietri Sul Mare On the road from Salerno to Positano Sorrento Ravello Salerno Villa Rufolo – Ravello Atrani Positano
Florence, Tuscany and Lucca
As I told you in my last post about Florence, Florence is a growing and endless love, so there I went again, and this time took a day to go to the beautiful Lucca, easily reached by train from Florence. One day for Lucca is tight but doable.
Sunset on the Arno Puccini’s statue in Lucca Melted Pecorino with honey and cinnamon in Lucca – Trattoria Rusticanella Lampredotto (Lucca) Beautiful Lucca – the famous landmark – Torre Guinigi Piazza dell’Anfiteatro – Lucca Florence – Ponte Vecchio Tuscany – the rolling hills Tuscany sunset Dinner at Simbiosi Bio – Florence – degustation menu, delicious Dinner at Simbiosi Bio – Florence Tuscany My favorite Duomo My hotel in Florence
April – Bologna, Ravenna and Modena
My first time in Italy I landed in Bologna, but only had 3 hours there. I left promising to get back there soon. There I was in April, and also took the time to visit the beautiful Ravenna ( (I had the best olive oil of my life there at Ristorante Al Passatore, close to Basilica di Sant’Apollinare Nuovo) and Modena. In Modena I tasted the real Balsamic Vinegar – oh my, I will never be able to have the ones I used to. I bought a 25 year Balsamic Vinegar, costed 50 Euro, but is 100% worth it.
You will probably hear people raving about Ravenna as it has an impressive number of UNESCO sites, and stunning mosaics and beautiful basilicas, but Modena was the one that captured my heart and soul. What a great vibe and amazing food , not to mention the Ferrari and Lamborghini (I do love cars), the churches, the market, the gardens. Modena is really a gem
Basilica di San Petronio – Bologna Bologna Modena Modena Market Lunch in Modena No caption needed Modena Enzo Ferrari Museum in Modena Balsamic Vinegar tasting in Modena Bologna Bologna Ravenna Ravenna Basilica di Sant’Apollinare Nuovo in Ravenna Basilica di Sant’Apollinare Nuovo in Ravenna Ravenna Ravenna
May – Rome and Orvieto, Lisbon
Roma, la mia bella Roma, mi amore, la città eterna. I simply cannot miss my favorite place in Italy. I also visited Orvieto in Umbria, and was enchanted.
Piazza Navona – Rome Coliseo – Rome Panoramic View of Rome Coliseo – Rome Orvieto Orvieto Orvieto Orvieto Stairs to Piazza Campidoglio – Rome Belém – Portugal
May – South Africa, Mpumalanga
As I wrote in previous posts, South Africa is so close to where I live, that I travel there often (check recent posts). This time I went to Malelane for a relaxing weekend.
Lunch at Hamilton’s – yes please
June – Nacala (Mozambique) and Malelane, Hazyview and Nelspruit (South Africa)
Nacala is a town in Northern Mozambique, I went there for work, but took some time to visit it.
Then after returning it was my birthday and I went with my son to South Africa for a relaxing 4 days visiting Malelane, Kruger Park, Hazyview and Nelspruit (https://heelsandspices.com/2019/12/lets-talk-malelane-and-kruger-park/)
Fernão Veloso Beach – Nacala Nacala A family selling local fruits – Nacala Mangrove forests in Nacala Elephant sanctuary – Hazyview Little Pilgrims Boutique Hotel in Hazyview Little Pilgrims Boutique Hotel in Hazyview Malelane Rio Vista Lodge Malelane Rio Vista Lodge Kruger Park Kruger Park Kruger Park Kruger Park stunning landscape in Kruger Park oh oh, he is coming – Kruger Park
September – Milan, Mantova (Italy), Slovenia
This time I took some non paid leave to add to my 2-week holidays, as I needed to sort some family matters in Portugal. Before that I spent 17 days in Italy, Slovenia and Croatia. I visited the beautiful Mantova in Italy, from where I took a bus to Slovenia. Slovenia is mind blowing. Neat, organized, clean, green, everyone speaks English, I literally fell in love with it
Milan, on the way to Mantova Mantova’s library Mantova’s Bibiana Theater Mantova – Lago Superiore Coffe anyone? Grand Café Ljubljana Ljubljana Ljubljana’s market Ljubljana Bled Castle Bled Castle Bled Castle – coffee anyone? Lake Bled Lake Bled Bled Island My sin – gelato Bled island Ljubljana Ljubljana Ljubljana Ljubljana Ljubljana Ljubljana Vintgar Gorge Vintgar Gorge Lake Bohinj Lake Bohinj Lake Bohinj Lake Bohinj Ljubljana Chillin’ at Mediteraneo Restaurant (Great Goulash) in Ljubljana On the road to Croatia
October – Rovinj and Plitivce lakes (Croatia), Venice, Bassano del Grappa, Padova, Florence (yes, again) and Rome (and yes again)
After Slovenia I went to Croatia, and visited lovely Rovinj, and the stunning Plitvice Lakes, a place that all of us should visit one day – it is breathtaking.
From Croatia I took the bus to Venice, visited the beautiful Bassano del Grappa, Padova (the city of one of the most beautiful frescoes I have ever seen) , spent 3 days in Florence where I met a friend from Brazil, and then headed to my beloved Rome, where I besides my favorite places, I also took the time to visit what I call “unexpected Rome” – the places off the beaten path that people so often miss
Sunset and Dolphin watching in Rovinj Rovinj And food of course Lunch with a view in Rovinj Panoramic view of Rovinj Rovinj historial centre Rovinj Plitvice lakes Plitvice lakes Plitvice lakes Plitvice lakes The famous libreria acqua alta in Venice Venice Piazza San Marco in Venice Bassano del Grappa Bassano del Grappa Bassano del Grappa Café Hemingway – Bassano del Grappa Teatro la Fenice – Venice Padova Padova – Basilica Santo António de Padova Piazza della Signoria – Florence My Duomo Piazza della Repubblica Florence Piazza della Signoria – Florence Florence Wine and Cheese – Florence Basilica de San Lorenzo – Florence Quartiere Coppede – Rome Ponte Sant’Angelo – Rome Trastevere – Rome