Across Europe's Heart

In my first short travel memoir, Across Europe's Heart: A Ligurian Adventure, I recount my 2023 solo adventure, driving from Whitstable in the UK, to Genoa in Italy. A 2,375-mile odyssey through 10 countries detailing alpine passes, coastal roads, and hidden gems. Drawing from personal experiences, it blends vivid travelogues with reflections on freedom, rediscovery, and the joy of the journey itself.

Across Europe's Heart Book Cover

Across Europe's Heart Book Cover

A Ligurian Adventure

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Across Europe's Heart: A Ligurian Adventure

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Gallery

Moments captured from my journey

Driving abourd the Eurotunnel train at Folkestone

Mittlere Brücke in Basel, crossing the Rhine

Enjoying the evening sun in Basel overlooking the Rhine

Enjoying my doner from Küne Kebab in Basel overlooking the Rhine

Enjoying the evening sun in Basel overlooking the Rhine

Marktplatz and Basel’s rich terracotta-coloured town hall

Driving in the valleys before the Grimsel Pass

The 2,164-metre summit of the Grimsel Pass

Views along the Grimsel Pass

My Nissan Qashqai at the start of the Simplon Pass

Driving along the Simplon Pass

My first Italian lunch at the MyChef services at Bormida Ovest

Looking down on Via XX Settembre from Ponte Monumentale

Piazza De Ferrari

Looking up Via Roma

The beautiful Kauris IV

Hotel Major, my hotel for my maiden solo adventure back in 2002

My Pannini and coke from Pasqualini Il Caffè overlooking Piazza de Ferrrari

Fruit and veg stalls in Mercato Orientale di Genova (MOG),

Views from Spianata Castelletto terrace

Views from Spianata Castelletto terrace

Views from Spianata Castelletto terrace

View of the Lanterna di Genova from Spianata Castelletto terrace

The evening sun creating a beautiful light amongst the arches near Porto Antico

Wandering along the narrow lanes of Via di S. Bernardo, amongst the carrugi

Piazza di S. Donato

Via XX Settembre looking towards Ponte Monumentale

The beautiful mediterranean pines near Barratti

Golfo di Barratti, looking towards Populonia

Worth the wait, my pannini at the Autogrill near Rosignano Marittimo

Bay of Poets, looking towards La Spezia

Evening drive along the SS1 heading back towards Genoa

Evening drive along the SS1 heading back towards Genoa

Evening drive along the SS1 heading back towards Genoa

View from my apartment window

Charity shop with the same old junk we get at home

Spiaggia di Punta Vagno

View looking up Via S. Vincenzo

Lunch at Focacceria Fossatello

Illy ice-cream coffee at Caffè Il Gelato

Galata Museo del Mare exhibit

Galata Museo del Mare exhibit documenting Italian emigration

Galata Museo del Mare exhibit documenting Italian emigration

View of Genoa from the roof terrace above Galata Museo del Mare

A typical scene in the carruggi

Piazza Banchi

Looking towards Porto Antico from Piazza Banchi

Enjoying an Aperaol Spritz in La Golletta Bar

Lots of beautiful old doorways like this in the city

Piazza delle Erbe

Via San Lorenzo looking towards Porta Soprana

My kebab from Monte di Noè on Via San Lorenzo

Piazza De Ferrari

Le Jardin Japonais, Monaco

Entrance to the tunnel in Monaco

Yachts enjoying Monaco Classics Week

Yachts enjoying Monaco Classics Week

Yachts enjoying Monaco Classics Week

View up towards Prince's Palace in Monaco

Port Hercules, Monaco

Sculpture in Monaco

Casino de Montecarlo

Loews Hairpin in Montecarlo

Porto Antico

Arancini from Heineken at 752

Evening gelato from GROM

The beautiful steps that led to Via Innocenzo Corso Andrea Podestà Frugoni from

Corso Andrea Podestà, where the ornate iron railings cast intricate shadows on the pavement

Santa Maria Assunta, the majestic Baroque church in the Carignano district

Casa di Cristoforo Colombo

Porta Soprana

St. Andrew’s Cloister

Typical narrow alley of the carruggi

Torta di spinaci from Trattoria Sciamadda on Via di Ravecca

Foccacia Genovese from Forno Patrone on Via di Ravecca

Small market along Via di Ravecca

Lovely neighbourhood heading back down towards the port from Piazza di Sarzano

Food hall within the Mercato Orientale di Genova

Lake Lugano to the left

Views of the scenery near the San Bernadino Pass

Views of the scenery near the San Bernadino Pass

The genius design of the sandwich wrapper

Part of the scenic drive following the San Bernadino Pass

View from my hotel room in Karlsruhe

The tasty caesar salad from Hotel Santo in Karlsruhe

Not a boiled veggie in sight!

The naked lady with the impressive jugs in Stephanplatz, Karlsruhe

Subdued Monday morning in Karlsruhe

The brooding storm as I get to Belgium

The final tally of 2375.3 miles as I arrive home

Route Map

Route Map

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