All good things must come to an end. After the perfect combination of rest, relaxation and exploring in northern Queensland, the return trip had to be made. Our drive south was not going to be boring, there was more to see in our backyard. If you haven’t read about our journey north, read Part One for our recommendations on places to visit on the way north first, and you will have everything you need to discover beautiful Queensland, Australia.
Beautiful Mission Beach
Having heard so much about Mission Beach’s raw beauty, we were looking forward to our stay. The small township of Mission Beach on the Cassowary Coast is a three hour drive from Port Douglas and renowned for two things.
Its close proximity to the Great Barrier Reef.
Its 14km of palm lined golden sand beach.
There are no glitzy bars, cafes and restaurants or walking promenades in Mission Beach. The small village atmosphere makes it the perfect getaway from simply everything! Be prepared to slow down right down and be captivated by its natural beauty. On our late afternoon walk we were surprised to find that we had the whole beach almost to ourselves sharing it with a sole walker we could just spot in the distance. Stopping to watch a pod of whales playing in the waters just off the shore was a delight. There are few places where you can have kilometres of golden sand all to yourself!
Golden sand for kilometres at Mission Beach
Dunk Island is a short water taxi ride away to take advantage of the walking trails or take the scenic drive along the coast road to tiny settlement of Bingil Bay and pop into Bingil Bay Café for lunch or dinner.
Discover Airlie Beach
Airlie Beach is the gateway to the idyllic Whitsunday Islands and the Great Barrier Reef. The town and its own beauty are often overlooked by tourists using it only as a base or launching point to the islands. We decided avoid the islands and stay in Airlie Beach to appreciate this laid back town.
We had found the township bustling with backpackers and holidaymakers on a previous visit. Not this time! The streets were deserted because of travel restrictions. With school holidays due to start we hoped that vacationers would make their way to the area. It’s a great place to take the family. Note that most beaches are out of bounds from November to May because the waters are full of box jellyfish. Their sting can be life-threatening. To counter this, one of Airlie Beach’s attractions is the large family friendly beach side lagoon area so you swim safely while enjoying the gorgeous views.
The spectacular water views along Bicentennial Coastal Walkway, Airlie Beach
By now you’ve guessed that we love to walk! There are a number of hiking trails to choose from in the area including some catering for the bushwalker in the Conway National Our favourite is the Bicentennial Coastal Walkway. The walk, for us, started from our accommodation at the Mantra Boathouse at the marina just outside of the town centre. Officially starting at the Lagoon, the 4 kilometre walkway meanders mostly along the water’s edge as far as Cannonvale Beach showcasing beautiful ocean views. Take a brisk morning walk or a more leisurely evening stroll pausing for a cocktail or meal at the bars and restaurants at Abell Point.
Views along the Bicentennial Coastal Walkway
For another viewpoint, take the short drive to Coral Point at Shute Harbour for views out over the Whitsunday Passage and the islands. And, if you’re up for it, walk up to the lookout at Mount Rooper for more spectacular views.
Views over Shute Harbour passage
The hidden gems of Gladstone
A few days of rest and recreation in Airlie Beach prepared us for the final days of our road trip.
The road into Gladstone portrayed the town’s main purpose. Home to Queensland’s largest multi-commodity port, the landscape was littered with overhead and on-ground rail tracks for shunting goods to the port.
The town isn’t to be underestimated. It provides easy access to the southern end of the Great Barrier Reef, and to Heron and Wilson Islands or visitors can take the short ferry ride just off shore to Curtis Island to explore a combination of the lush National Park and the pristine beaches.
Beautiful views from Auckland Hill Lookout, Gladstone
Wanting to stay on dry land? The town offers a small heritage walk. There are few historic buildings in the town but the centre is full of its own unique character with a small heritage walk to follow. We wandered around the backstreets on the outskirts of the town centre finding beautiful Queenslander homes with veranda views over the port. Our meandering eventually found us at Auckland Point Lookout which gives a panorama of the harbour and beyond. Be sure to look up at the wall by the cafe for a little inspiration.
Steps leading down from the Lookout brought us to the East Shores Precinct. The parklands have a waterpark, picnic and barbeque areas, and a waterfront boardwalk. An impressive feature of the precinct is how well the site’s original industrial heritage has been incorporated into the waterfront. Signage along the boardwalk gives a detailed guide of the area’s previous function and history.
The historic past is well displayed at Gladstone’s East Coast Shores Precinct
Looking for more to see around the Gladstone region? The towns of Tannum Sands, Agnes Waters, Seventeen Seventy are all great places to explore and only a short drive away.
Our recommendations
We punctuated the six hour drive from Airlie Beach to Gladstone with a stopover for lunch in Rockhampton. With more time we agree that we would have enjoyed staying a few days in the city. The heart of the city centre boasts wide and the leafy streets with beautiful old buildings. A delight to stroll along!
The beautiful architecture in centre of Rockhampton
Where we stayed
Castaways Resort and Spa at Mission Beach boasts rooms and apartments from where you can step into beautiful gardens with direct access to the 14 kilometre beach. Quiet and secluded but right in the centre of Mission Beach, Castaways is a wonderful place to slow down pace and get away from it all.
Absolute beachfront. Our stay at Castaways Resort.
The Mantra Boathouse Apartments in Airlie Beach was perfect for our midway stay. All apartments have balconies with spectacular views over the marina and beyond to the Coral Sea. The apartments are a short walking distance from town but far away enough to make it feel like we were in our own little world. We were content to while away our time reading and getting takeout for dinner to enjoy on the balcony between our sightseeing jaunts around the vicinity.
Views from our balcony at Mantra Boathouse, Airlie Beach
Not far from the centre of Gladstone, we stayed at the Mercure Gladstone. Our hotel room was well furnished with a private balcony and the hotel is conveniently attached to the local sports club where we had breakfast and enjoyed pre-dinner drinks. Make sure you have a look at their beautiful art corner featuring local artists.
Where we ate
Mission Beach – We dined at Bibesia restaurant at the Castaways Resort. The staff were friendly and attentive offering us a seafront table. The menu offers fresh local produce.
Gladstone – The Dock at East Shores is a wonderful spot for a relaxed dinner – delicious seasonal food combined with spectacular night-time port views make it a “must do” when you visit this down to earth town.
Everything you need to discover beautiful Queensland!
2020 became the year of no International travel. Restrictions changed our original travel plans. “That’s okay, we’ll see more of our country. Driving holidays are the best way to see your backyard”, we thought.
It was not long before our plans had to change again. No interstate travel either! Instead of an interstate road trip, we decided our holidays were not only going to be shorter this year, but we were also going to have to be satisfied with travelling within our backyard. Lucky we have a huge backyard!
Queensland is a large state with much natural beauty. It’s home to the Great Barrier Reef, one of the seven natural wonders of the world, an unspoilt coastline and luscious rainforests. Visitors from the rest of Australia and overseas come to marvel at the state’s beautiful offerings.
“You’re driving to Port Douglas?”. Some were astounded that we would choose to drive when it is easier to fly.
“The inland route or coastal?”, was the next question. Driving through Queensland’s interior would be a good experience, however, we are drawn to the coastal road enabling us to drive shorter distances and stopovers in both smaller and larger towns.
Contrary to its name, the Pacific Coast Highway (also known as the A1 or Bruce Highway) doesn’t run entirely along the coastline. The road runs a little inland most of the way between sugar cane and banana plantations, mango orchards and flat lands nipping alongside the sea every now and then.
We found many spectacular spots (often by chance), and stayed mostly in the main centres.
Bargara
A small seaside settlement a short distance from Bundaberg, Bargara is 375 kilometres from Brisbane and the perfect first overnight stop.
With a chance to experience the best of both worlds, we arrived with plenty of time to stroll along the banks of the Burnett River and the deserted streets of Bundaberg. Known for its famous rum and ginger beer, tours are available at both distillers. We opted to absorb the atmosphere and architecture of the city by walking around the town before driving to The Hummock lookout between Bundaberg and Bargara, overlooking the vast countryside which is the food bowl of Queensland.
Other highlights are found on our walk the next morning. The Coral Coast Pathway leads along the Esplanade to the swimming basin built by indentured Kanaka labourers who worked on the sugar cane farms from 1863 to the early 1900s, then further on the Mon Repos trail which is home to the largest concentration of nesting turtles on the east coast of Australia. A “Good morning” by everyone we passed on the path was a sign of how welcoming the community here is to visitors.
One of the small coves along the Bargara seafront
Yeppoon
On the Capricorn Coast, Yeppoon boasts an esplanade lined with chic boutiques and beaches with great views of nearby Keppel Island. The quiet laidback atmosphere attracts weekenders from nearby Rockhampton and travellers like us from further afield.
Preferring to be more active than sitting on the beach, we were spoilt for choice with a number of walks in Byford National Park.
We spent an afternoon walking up the Double Head Track to two lookouts with breathtaking views over Rosslyn Bay Harbour, the Keppel Islands and Byfield National Park. While the views are enough of a drawcard, the track itself is a highlight taking walkers along paths lined with fig trees and fauna which change to open grasslands leading to the remnants of a volcano. The trail is steep in parts and takes 40-60 minutes depending on fitness level and the paths are very well laid. If you’re a photographer, the walk is definitely worth the effort.
Splendid views from Bluff Head in Yeppoon
Another walk we had hoped to do was the Bluff Point Walking Track. This shorter trail promised views out to the hinterland, along the coastline and the Keppel Bay Islands. The morning sky was grey as we followed the route towards what we thought was the entry point only to find ourselves amidst a new housing development on the rise. Despite the fantastic views, the clouds were darkening so we decided to turn back. Our timing was not perfect, the skies opened up and we got drenched on the way back to the foreshore. Almost on queue, the sun came out as we sat down for breakfast.
Mackay
The drive to Mackay was flanked by sugar cane fields and not much else so the highlight was arriving in the city in time for lunch. There are few people out on the streets and many shops are closed. We’re unsure if this is normal!
We don’t waste time and are off to find the Botanic Gardens from where we connect to the Bluewater Trail. Twenty kilometres of cycling and walking tracks meander along the Pioneer River through riverside wetlands, along the environmental walk past some of the city’s main attractions. A number of art installations can be found on the way to the endpoint at Bluewater Lagoon water park just minutes from the city centre.
The nature walk and cycleway in Mackay
Townsville
Our early arrival gives us plenty of time to get a feel for the coastal scene. Castle Hill is Townsville’s gem, providing visitors and locals alike with wonderful vistas over the city. Access to Castle Hill was only minutes away from our accommodation, and yes, we could have walked up. With no dedicated walking trail to the top and our priority to take an oceanfront walk later, we drove up and walked from lookout to lookout to remind us of how much more there was to this city.
Drive or walk up Castle Hill for expansive views across Townsville’s coastline
The real walk is along The Strand, up to Kissing Point and Jezzine Park and Barracks. The Strand is a relaxed walking and bicycling path along the foreshore and many locals are out for their evening walks. Even in the gusty conditions, it’s great to see so many people enjoying the facilities. Families are sheltering strategically with their takeaway fish and chips, couples are strolling with their prams, and runners too are out in force.
Jezzine Park and Barracks sit on and around the lookout at the end of the Strand boardwalk and are an important part of Townville’s history. It is a precinct created to commemorate the city’s military and Aboriginal heritage and worthy of a visit.
Jezzine Barracks Park
In the blustery conditions, we stop to watch a lone kayaker bravely try to get himself upright in the water before admitting defeat and returning to the shore. Likewise, we battle the wind back to our apartment to enjoy the views from the comfort of our sheltered balcony.
Cairns
The scenery changes. Everything is green. Sugar cane crops slowly give way to hillsides covered in lush rainforests.
A light drizzle that’s accompanied us into the city disappears after we have checked into our accommodation and we make the most of an afternoon walk along the esplanade discussing plans for our next couple of days in the city detouring through the Night Markets on the way back.
The varying scenery you’ll find along the esplanade in Cairns
A day in the Atherton Tablelands
The next morning dawns bright and sunny, perfect for our drive into the hinterland.
We’re headed over the range to Mareeba, a small rural town in the Atherton Tablelands region. The area is known as the food bowl of the tropics and produces 70% of Australia’s coffee crop and beautiful fruit wine.
About 45 minutes easy drive from Cairns we divert for a walk to Barron Falls. The pretty rainforest canopy trail ends at a lookout to the waterfalls. It’s springtime and the water trickles over the edge at the moment and will become a spectacular torrent in the wet season.
Beautiful Barron Falls
Back on the Kennedy Highway, we drive past mango orchards, fruit farms, and tea and coffee plantations towards Mareeba. We’re disappointed to find Jacques Coffee plantation is closed (a result of the decline in tourism from the pandemic). We had hoped to take a tour.
We carry on to the next best option. Coffee Works has a number of small outlets throughout northern Queensland but Mareeba was where it all began. In what can be best described as a rustic shed a couple of minutes out of Mareeba town centre, a visit to this boutique roaster is a delight for the senses. Bins containing an array of coffee beans line the entrance to the gift and antique store. Further inside is a chocolaterie where up to 50 different chocolates are made. Ready to taste their signature coffee, we order and are kindly treated to a complimentary tasting of their divine chocolate and coffee liqueurs.
Inside Coffee Works gift store at Mareeba
There is one more stop to make on the leisurely drive back to Cairns. de Brueys is a boutique winery a few kilometres out of Mareeba. Set among mango orchards and surrounded by nature, de Brueys specialise in tropical fruit wines and ports. A visit to their cellar door ensures we leave with a bottle of one of their signature lychee wines. A fruitful day in the Tablelands.
A day trip to Fitzroy Island
Fitzroy Island is larger but quieter than our other option, Green Island. Green Island has more to offer tourists and family groups with plenty of shops, cafes and tours. We have been there before as a family. Fitzroy Island, however, is the better choice if you’re looking to share the shoreline and tracks with fewer people and not travel too far from Cairns.
Crystal clear waters greet our arrival as we disembark the ferry in front of Fitzroy Resort. People are snorkelling and relaxing beachside. Our main aim of this visit is to walk to the summit so we start up straight away. The track is initially through the lush rain forest which slowly transforms into a rocky but well-laid out path uphill. We are amazed to meet only one other person on the trail. She is on the way back down. The climb up is relatively easy but we anticipate a slower trip down because of the rocky landscape.
The captivating views from the walking trail to the summit on Fitzroy Island
Reaching the summit we are delighted to find only two other people at the lookout. Once they leave we are left to enjoy the expansive views on our own. It is truly spectacular!
As we are reluctantly preparing to make our descent, another couple appears. They tell us that we can take descend via another route with a stop at the old lighthouse. The walk is narrower and steeper in some places and the reward is a break at the lighthouse to enjoy the wonderful views out to sea before taking the steep, but paved trek down to the beach.
There’s more to see beachside. Further scrambling for about 15 minutes along a track and over boulders takes us to the highlight of Fitzroy Island. Nudey Beach is a small stretch of white sand where the clear waters gently lap the shoreline. Secluded and quiet it is the perfect place to swim and appreciate the views of Cairns hinterland. We, however, like the few others who have ventured here, do not swim. It is a little windy and too cold for us. It’s only spring!
The golden sand and crystal clear waters at Nudey Beach
Port Douglas
Our Saturday morning starts with joining walkers and family groups along the esplanade and at Rusty’s Market in Cairns. The market is a feast for the eyes with stalls full of tropical fruit and fresh vegetables and we indulge in buying some Mareeba red pawpaw.
By lunchtime, we are in Port Douglas having driven along one of the most amazing stretches of our road trip hugging the coastline.
We’re staying at Peppers Beach Club, metres from the hub of this town, Macrossan Street. Quiet and laidback, it’s the perfect place for a little rest and relaxation before we embark on our return journey to Brisbane.
The highlight of Port Douglas is Four Mile Beach, a long stretch of white sand beach which is actually four kilometres long. One of the best places to appreciate it is from above at the summit on Flagstaff Hill. Our favourite view is from partway up the stairway to the top. From Flagstaff Hill, you can go back down and carry on along the one-and-a-half-kilometre walking trail linking to Rex Smeal Park. The trail provides sweeping views of the Coral Sea. We complete our walk to end up in the middle of the Sunday markets, a pleasant way to spend an hour or two wandering through the stalls before walking a little further to the marina area.
Spectacular Four Mile Beach
A short 20-minute drive from Port Douglas is the lush Daintree Rainforest. The best way to experience it is by taking a walk in it at Mosman Gorge. We enjoyed its beauty with a self-guided walk along the popular circuit trail. For a more informed visit, take advantage of the guided tours. Whichever way, it is a must-do. Enjoy walking under the canopy of the rainforest under the eye of the surrounding mountains stopping at the waterfalls along the way. A great way to spend an afternoon.
One of the beautiful rainforest walking trails in Mosman Gorge
Our recommendations
Some of our favourite places to break up the drive
Many small spots captured our attention as we drove and were perfect for short driving breaks. We were delighted at finding so many! Following are just some of our recommendations.
Cooroy Not far on our way out of Brisbane, we hit a traffic jam which worked in our favour. It allowed us to detour off the motorway for a stop in Cooroy to avoid sitting in traffic. We arrived during the mid-morning hustle and bustle to find charming old buildings some of which have been restored as interactive historical education spaces. We wandered through the old butter factory art centre and will return for a day trip to explore the heritage trail and other attractions nearby.
The old butter factory in Cooroy has been converted into an arts centre promoting local artists
Seventeen Seventy/Agnes Waters 1770 was the second place Captain James Cook landed on after Sydney’s Botany Bay. Despite its historical significance, it is a pretty spot to veer off to on the way to Yeppoon from Bargara. There are plenty of lookout points with walk tracks or simply take a stroll along the foreshore.
Clairview A tiny seaside village just off the motorway, Clairview is a picturesque stop about 100 kilometres south of Mackay. The settlement sits alongside an unspoilt coastline of clear blue waters and golden sand and is also part of the dugong conservation area.
The unspoilt beach in the tiny settlement of Clairview was a treat to stop at
Bowen The highway is still surrounded by sugar cane on our way from Mackay to Townsville. Bowen (home of mangoes) is a small reprieve. It’s a quaint old town with wide streets, a courthouse and a town hall building reminding us of the past. A typical country pub with wide verandas seems to be inviting us to come in, sit back and enjoy a tipple. Instead, we drive on so we can explore Townsville.
Cardwell Cardwell is the only town directly on the coast between Townsville and Cairns. Sitting just off the main road and overlooking Hinchinbrook Island it was the perfect place for a short driving break. We stopped to admire the views, the long jetty and the sculptures lining the foreshore.
Trinity Beach Trinity Beach is a small seaside sanctuary just out of Cairns. We have stayed there on a previous visit and detoured for a short visit for old time’s sake. It is as we remember it, quiet and peaceful. We recommend staying there if you want to stay outside of the city but close enough to take advantage of what the city offers.
Palm Cove We broke our short drive to Port Douglas with a stop in charming Palm Cove to savour the Melaleuca trees lining the esplanade, the boutiques and eating spots and another spectacular waterfront.
The tree-lined promenade of Palm Cove
Our favourite places to eat
Mackay Looking for somewhere to sit down for a light lunch, we were enticed into a Coco Cubano. The cafe serves Cuban-inspired food in a setting reminiscent of what we imagine Havana to be. It transforms into a cocktail lounge for its evening clientele. And, for dinner, try Sorbellos for a generous and authentic Italian meal. They have an extensive wine cellar if you’re a wine connoisseur.
Cairns It’s lunchtime and the streets of Cairns are quiet. Normally bustling with tourists, we notice only a few people out on the city streets. Looking for somewhere to have lunch we stumble on what seems to be one of the city’s lunch hot spots, The Chambers. This cafe/restaurant is housed in a former bank building dating back to 1920. The outdoor areas, private rooms and main areas are stylish while maintaining the old charm. The menu is extensive and the food delicious and there’s a Friday lunchtime happy hour.
Our stay at the Pullman Reef Hotel Casino provided a generous credit towards a meal at Tamarind which is located within the casino complex. Elegant Asian fusion dining which lived up to its reputation. Stop by the bar located just inside to enjoy an aperitif before dinner and if you’re staying during the weekend, pop back for a nightcap and enjoy the live band.
Port Douglas For a casual meal to complement the relaxed atmosphere of the town, enjoy a Thai meal at Star of Siam. The restaurant offers an extensive menu of fresh food.
Our verdict
Northern Queensland relies heavily on national and international tourism and 2020 has been particularly taxing financially on the tourist and hospitality industry there so we were delighted to be able to contribute in a small way to keeping hotels and other accommodation providers, cafes, restaurants and tourist attractions afloat during a difficult time. Everyone in both industries we met on our journey was appreciative and went beyond expectations to make sure we had a wonderful experience.
Of course, after our 1,400km drive north, we did have to return home. Yes, there is more to see. We’ll cover that part of our road trip in another post soon.
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A short distance from Piazza di Spagna and Rome’s bustling tourist district lies a sanctuary that few except locals know of. We think it’s worth taking the time to pay a visit to this free attraction in Rome.
Villa Borghese is a sprawling park on Pincio Hill. Covering over 80 hectares, there are a number of ways to enter the gardens. Our favourite is from the Spanish Steps, by turning left at the top in front of the Trinita dei Monti and walking up the gentle sloping pathway to the entrance.
Villa Borghese was established in the early 1600s when Cardinal Scipione Borghese, nephew to Pope Paul V decided to turn his city vineyard into Rome’s most extensively landscaped garden. Over years a number of attractions were added turning the Gardens into a small parcel of paradise in the middle of the city. The State acquired the Gardens from the Borghese family in the early 1900s and opened them for the public to enjoy.
We have visited the park over a number of visits and have still to complete our exploration. Some highlights we’ve discovered:
Enrico e Giovanni Cairoli Monument
A non-descript monument to take note of as you enter via the sloping pathway from the top of the Spanish Steps. Look down over or walk down to the monument for a closer look.
The monument honours a small contingent of compatriots who fought in a campaign to liberate Rome from the rule of Pope Pius IX. Enrico led the small contingent suffering in the attack and the monument depicts Giovanni, his younger brother supporting his dying brother up the Spanish Steps. The names of the other volunteer fighters can be found on the monument.
Enrico e Giovanni Cairoli Monument
Pincio Terrace
Walk further ahead once you enter the park and you’ll find one of the best photo spots in Rome. The terrace provides a commanding view of the domes and rooftops that make up Rome’s skyline and it’s the perfect place to do a little landmark spotting. It also gives you a birdseye view over Piazza del Popolo.
You can never have enough of looking out to the domes and rooftops of RomeWatch the comings and goings over Piazza del Popolo from the Pincio Terrace.
Temple of Aesculapius
The Temple of Aesculapius sits on a small island in the middle of an artificial lake not far from Pincio Terrace.
A serene spot in the park, the temple dedicated to the God of Medicine and built in 1785 is said to replicate an ancient temple originally situated on the River Tiber.
You can hire a row boat to lazily while away an afternoon on the lake.
The idyllic Temple of Aesculapius on the lake
The Water Clock
Looking for something quirky? Find the water clock (hydrochronometer) in the gardens not far from the Pincio. It was built for display at the Universal Exposition held in Paris in 1867 and brought back to be placed in a fountain in the Gardens in 1873. It still works.
The Water Clock hidden in the Villa Borghese Gardens
Galleria Borghese
Our favourite attraction in the park, Galleria Borghese was originally called Casa Nobile.
The Villa Borghese houses a number of museums within its grounds. The Galleria Borghese is the highlight and one of the world’s leading museums. While not large, it houses some of the finest artworks and sculptures from the 1500s to 1800s. Works by Bernini, Raphael and Carravaggio are housed in an intimate setting.
Tickets for a timeslot are required. A guarantee that you won’t be vying with other art enthusiasts to view the masterpieces. Book your tickets well in advance to avoid missing out on your preferred date and time. We can guarantee you will not be disappointed.
The inviting entrance to the Galleria Borghese museum
Other ways to enjoy the Gardens
Take a walk in the park
The shaded walking paths lined with busts, fountains, manicured gardens (some reflecting an old English style), and rotundas weren’t opened to the public until the early 1900s. Today, you can stroll through the park exploring all its nooks and crannies to find the secret gardens spotted throughout the park.
Visit the zoo
The Villa Borghese Gardens is also home to the Bioparco di Roma Zoo which is a wonderful way to break away from the historical sites and entertain children if you are travelling as a family. When you’re finished visiting the Bioparco, drop by to watch the puppetry show at the Teatro Dei Burattani San Carlino. With puppet theatre not so common these days, it will give the children a special experience to treasure.
Stop by the equestrian arena
If you like watching equestrian events, and you’re visiting Rome in May, stop by the Piazza di Siena to watch the International Horse Show, one of the most well-known horseriding events in Italy. The event is free and open to the public.
Go to the theatre or watch a movie
If you are not excited by horse events and prefer something with a hint of culture then take in a Shakespearian play at the Silvano Toti Globe Theatre. Emulating the famous Globe Theatre in London, it’s the only Elizabethan theatre in Italy.
Otherwise buy a ticket to one of the summer outdoor screenings of the Casa Del Cinema, an arthouse movie theatre.
Browse through another gallery, or two
The Borghese Gallery is just one of several galleries in the gardens. We are looking forward to visiting the 16th-century mansion, Villa Medici which houses the French Academy on our next visit to have a look inside its beautiful interior.
You can also visit the Museo Pietro Canonica which is dedicated to the work of artist Pietro Canonica or the Museo Carloi Bilotti which displays the large art collection of billionaire Carlo Bilotti
Cycle around the Gardens
If you’re not keen on walking around the gardens or are pressed for time, then an easy way to explore the sprawling gardens is to rent a bicycle. The park has a number of cycle rental vendors spotted around the park. A more novel way to see the sights around the gardens is to hire a quadricycle. The four-seater electric quadricycles are fun and a family-friendly way to enjoy an afternoon.
A picnic in the Borghese
After all the rushing from one monument to another, a great way to have a bit of downtime is to gather some goodies from the markets in the morning, pack a picnic lunch and find a shady spot in the Gardens to while away an hour or two.
Time out to exercise
Like to exercise? The park’s wide trails are the perfect place to take a run, jog or power walk. Or, roll out your yoga mat in one of the many secluded spots for the perfect start to your day in the Eternal City.
What better way to start the day in Rome than a jog along the trails in the Borghese Gardens
People watch
The perfect way to complete your visit to the Villa Borghese is to take a seat on the park bench (you might find one close to a street musician) and enjoy a little people-watching. The Park is a sanctuary for Romans to escape the chaos of their city. If you visit on a Sunday afternoon you’ll find family groups enjoying the many recreational activities or young and elderly couples taking a romantic passeggiata around the park.
The Villa Borghese is the perfect sanctuary in the heart of Rome
Our conclusion
These are just a few of the many activities offered in Villa Borghese. We have yet to explore more of the Gardens. We’ll definitely be spending time there on our next visit to Rome. We have been entranced by this haven in the city. It will take just one visit for you to love it too.
P.S. We’ll have more to say about the Galleria Borghese, our favourite art museum, in a dedicated post coming soon. Make sure you sign up to receive an email notification when we tell you about our favourite gallery in more detail. You’ll be as mesmerised as we were!
P.P.S. And, if you found this suggestion useful for your next visit to Rome, then you may like these posts:
We had been talking about visiting the Lake District for some time. The perfect opportunity arose when we visited one of our tribe who was living in Oxford for a time. He had stopped off there on the way to Scotland in the middle of winter and was keen to join us to see its beauty in the height of summer. And, take us on one of the best hikes in the Lake District.
We made the drive from Oxford in a day, stopping for lunch and a walk around the city of Chester. Known for its Roman walls and tudor-style half-timber buildings of Chester Rows, the city was a convenient mid-point on our drive north with plenty to see.
Our decision to stay in the small town of Kendal on the outskirts of the Lake District was two-fold; we wanted to spend time around the Lakes and also the Yorkshire Dales. The Castle Green Hotel was the perfect accommodation decision. It provided a cosy sanctuary after our long days of exploring.
On the recommendation of hotel staff, our first hike took us from the township of Ambleside to Grasmere. Sitting at the head of Lake Windermere, the township of Ambleside is a short 20-minute drive from Kendal and worthy of spending some time wandering around its watermills, the Bridge House and pretty township.
Leave enough time to wander around Ambleside
A small path behind St Mary’s Church led us over a quaint bridge and up a gently sloping trail surrounded by farmland to a lookout over the expansive Lake Windermere. The trail then carried on downhill through luscious green pastures, around small lakes and along pebbled paths intermittently lines with old stone houses which seemed to have been part of the landscape for hundreds of years. We were even treated to several flyovers by British fighter jets as we arrived closer to Grasmere.
A glimpse of Ambleside township from the walking trail Lake Windemere
The village of Grasmere is known for hosting many poets, craftsmen and artists in its time. Samuel Taylor Coleridge, Sir Walter Scott, Robert Southey and William Wordsworth amongst others found inspiration in Grasmere’s beautiful surroundings. Wordsworth lived there for 15 years. You’ll find Wordworth’s family plot at St Oswald’s Church in the centre of Grasmere.
The beautiful surroundings are not the only reason visitors come to Grasmere. Chocolate from the handmade chocolate shop and the legendary gingerbread found at shops in the village are special treats to look forward to at the end of the walk.
We came upon some handsome stone dwellings along the picturesque paths
We enjoyed an indoor lunch at a cute coffee shop followed by an ice cream cone from the booth directly outside. And, after an amble through the village, prepared ourselves for the return journey on an alternative route back to Ambleside where our car was parked.
The Lake District is known for its rainy disposition. Our walk from Ambleside to Grasmere had been accompanied by cloudy skies and we were not surprised to have the heavens open up on us as we walked to the starting point of our return trail.
With no sign of the rain easing, we decided to take the bus back to Ambleside.
Like our walk up the Old Man of Coniston returning to complete the Grasmere to Ambleside trail and enjoying some of the other trails is high on our list.
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“Have you been to the University?” asked our Greeter, Dino as he led us out of the San Bernadino alle Ossa church in Milan after having a look inside its unique side chapel filled with human bones. We had never visited the church despite it being just a short distance from our accommodation in central Milan, where we have stayed on past visits.
The answer to Dino’s question was “No”, even though like the church the University of Milan is only a short walk from the centre of Milan.
We’ve been fortunate to stay in many university towns during our travels albeit during the summer when many students have vacated the towns over the summer holiday period.
Universities in our home country are young so there is a sense of awe in visiting towns to be surrounded by jaw dropping architecture and to tread along streets where scholars have stridden for hundreds of year.
Some of our favourites (in no particular order):
Oxford University, Oxfordshire, England
We were fortunate to have one of our tribe live in this beautiful English city for a time so we had the opportunity to see more of the city than we had on a past day trip when we joined a short walking tour which led us around the more popular colleges. A longer stay gave us the time to appreciate the history and the stately architecture of the some 38 colleges which make up the University. All were within walking distance of our accommodation. We were able to spend a full afternoon at the Oxford University Museum of Natural History, and amble along the canals of watching the boats move through the lock systems. We watched rowers go through their paces while punters cruised lazily along the river. We took day trips around the surroundings through picturesque villages and countryside. Oxford is worthy of more than a day trip from London.
Historic architecture can be found around every corner in Oxford
Cambridge University, Cambridge, England
We drove to Cambridge on a day visit. While similar to Oxford (it was established by some Oxford rebels), the University precinct seems smaller and easy to manage on a daytrip. We traversed through some of the quieter back streets, and came out to the lively Kings Parade to Kings College, stopped to watch chocolatiers prepare fresh delectable and summer picnickers sitting on the banks of the River Cam while others took a relaxed punt. We noticed a notably more casual air about the city.
The beautifully manicured lawns and gardens of Kings College
La Sorbonne, Paris, France
Pascal, our Paris Greeter, showed us around his city for an afternoon. Knowing that we would re-visit many of the city’s popular attractions on our own, Pascal concentrated on showing us parts of his city he knew we would not find on our own. He opened gates and doorways into sanctuaries we would never have found around the Left Bank including La Sorbonne, one of the oldest and famous universities in the world. The serene courtyard of Les Ecoles, was one such sanctuary. Les Ecoles is a hostel for female university students inspired by the Spanish Saint Josemaria Escriva, the founder of Opus Dei movement.
The courtyard sanctuary of Les Ecoles, La Sorbonne, Paris
University of Milan, Italy
The University of Milan boasts teaching facilities in buildings of historical significance in central Milan. Dino ushered us into the entrance of the former Palazzo dating back to the 15th century.
We were greeted by a beautiful courtyard filled with a luscious green lawn surrounded by a covered arcade around the perimeter. Similar but smaller courtyards branched off from the left and right. Two of these hold further historical significance. Each has an archaeological site displaying ancient Roman ruins. The first is relatively intact, displaying the remains of the Roman version of a refrigerator, and the second, the remains of a large kitchen.
The main building of the University known as “La Cá Granda” (the Big House) was used as a hospital for the poor until after the Second World War when it was handed over to the University. The Law and Humanities Library is now housed in one of the largest old hospital wards. Wander in and imagine it full of hospital beds.
Brera Academy of Fine Arts, Milan, Italy
Located on the site of a former monastery, the Academy in Palazzo Brera shares its location with the Pinacoteca di Brera, the main gallery for paintings in Milan, the Astronomical Observatory and Botanica Gardens located behind the Palazzo. There is plenty to fill your afternoon here before you dine at one of the many restaurants in the area.
Start your visit in the courtyard where you’ll find a replica of the nude bronze sculpture of the great French rule, Napoleon. Take a wander along the corridors and into the galleries. You may be treated to some more modern art pieces if students were showing their art portfolios at the time. The piece de resistance for us was walking up the grand staircase and stepping inside the Great Library, one of Europe’s oldest libraries with its wood-panelled reading room and books dating back to the 1600’s lining in glass bookshelves.
The bronze statue of Napoleon Bonaparte at the entrance to the Brera
University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
Known for its music and culture, the University, founded in 1365, the third oldest university in central Europe. While the University is spread out in buildings throughout the city, the main building at the “New University” on the Ringstrasse (the “Old University” is located near the Jesuit Church) is worthy of entering. The building hosts domed entrances, elegant staircases and beautiful hallways, a shaded courtyard where summer students gather. At the entrance there is a display of photographs of the 20 Nobel prize winners who studied at the University.
The Old University is not generally open to the public but you will be able to take a look at the exterior of the building and if you get to have a look inside, head to the main hall to see the frescoes. It won’t be a wasted visit, there is plenty to see around the area. Look out for an upcoming post dedicated to our visit to Vienna.
The grand staircases and hallways of the University of Vienna
University of Southern California, Los Angeles, USA
The primary purpose of our visit to USC was to visit a family member who works there. We met her at her office space in a building just off campus which gave us the perfect chance to enjoy seeing more than the University buildings. Instead, as we walked toward the main University buildings to have lunch, we walked through the streets of sorority and fraternity houses, some with students enjoying the summer afternoon outdoors throwing a ball around.
The University was founded in 1880 and is the oldest private research university in California. A recent renewal of the University campus has introduced beautifully gardened quadrangles and open areas intermingled with the old and new red brick buildings designed to reflect Romanesque architecture.
The red brick buildings of the University of Southern California campus
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