So, flying around is not a great idea now, but that shouldn't stop us from dreaming of far-away places & being inspired ... 'online travelling' is still possible and the only safe option for the moment. Where would you want to go if you could? Because of my passion for architecture & interiors, my trip destinations always offer history and architectural riches, but I also try to never be too far from the sea, the Mediterranean being one of my favourites, as the water in summer is too perfect to ignore.
After many requests to come with me for my work & play trips, last year, I started filming short ‘Postcards’ from places I visit, usually focussing on one key item that particularly caught my eye… I’ve finally placed a few videos on my YouTube channel, for anyone to watch & get inspiration, so if you’re missing travelling, grab a drink, sit back and enjoy this online-travelling with me ...
The Amphitheatre of Taormina - Placed on Sicily's east coast, this renowned small town perched on the side of a steep hill, is rich with history, culinary traditions & a magnificent coastline ...
The Stone of Gozo - The hills, the humble houses, the Baroque churches… this local honey coloured stone creates fascinating landscapes, and is of course the main building material of this area. These blond rocks are surrounded by an irresistible and intense blue Mediterranean Sea …
The Balconies of Valletta - Painted in so many bold colours & carved with so many geometric shapes, these small closed-in balconies are truly unique. Filtering the natural light allowed inside, they also create a visual feast on the historical facades crammed along the narrow streets of the Maltese capital ...
The Cathedral of Siracusa - On the now connected island of Ortigia, millennia of history humbly coexists. As you sip on a Spritz and look around, you are taken through a rich architectural history voyage ...
The Marble of Carrara - On my last visit to Tuscany, I ticked a box that had long been on my “wish list”. I couldn’t hide my excitement, and learning how carefully this precious material is still being extracted from the high mountains, as it was for Michelangelo, blew my mind ...
Exciting huh? I know, I know, nothing beats being there in first person, but let me tell you, to find the positive side of things, this home-isolation may be the perfect time to appreciate all that we cannot enjoy at the moment; and of course it's also a great time to search around and prepare a list of destinations we wish to visit on our next trips. So, keep surfing the web, get a pen and paper and start your own ‘wish list’, because soon you'll be able to get on a plane again and explore in person this beautiful World of ours.
A Special Message: Without wanting to bring down the mood, I want to send a huge shout out and much love to our family and friends in Italy! We had to cancel our trip for the Milan Furniture Fair 2020, and won’t get to see you this time, but all of us in Australia are watching what you’re going through, and our hearts and thoughts are with you! Stay strong, stay safe; we will be back there as soon as we can!
James Treble is an ambassador for Planet Ark and firmly believes in sensible purchasing, recycling and creative re-purposing. James has 3 decades of accumulated experience in the Building Industry, Real Estate and Interior Design and regularly shares his knowledge and experience in adding value to homes through clever design & styling. Watch his free videos on YouTube, and follow him on Facebook and Instagram for more free information.
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