We are a travel-blogging couple from the UK, both with two daughters and a passion for people and places. Former BBC journalist, Jane is always looking for a great story and is never happier than when she has a notebook and a travel ticket. Since he was a teenager, Nigel's ambition has been to travel to 50 countries by the time he was 50. And he's recently achieved that goal. He is a freelance business coach and management trainer in between trips.
If you’ve been to Venice, or seen pictures of it, you’ll know it’s a city of little islands in a lagoon within the Adriatic Sea. Most people get around by boat, along a network of waterways leading off from the magnificent Grand Canal. While many are privately owned, sharing their routes with freight-carrying craft, the … More Venice by Vaporetto: We meet the man who floats your boat
Venice is Nigel’s favourite city. In this article, he explains why, from it’s decrepit nature to it’s living history. … More Five reasons why Venice is my favourite city
Introduction: Time of year: March, 2017 Purpose of trip: We visited Venice as the second half of a two-city Italian spring break. Why we chose this place: We had stayed at the luxurious and historic Corte Realdi development in Verona and were given the opportunity to try out one of their self-catering apartments in Venice. How long … More Corte Realdi Suites Venezia, Venice, Italy
A comprehensive review of Cinque Rooms in Verona by the 2emptynesters – Nigel and Jane. … More Review: Cinque Rooms, Verona, Italy
Introduction: Time of year: March, 2017 Purpose of trip: We love Italy, had both wanted to visit Verona, and so decided to create a two-centre Italian city break for a few days. Why we chose this place: Corte Realdi is ideally located to stroll around the city centre and explore its pretty backstreets and squares. … More Review: Corte Realdi, Verona, Italy
Don’t worry. This is still a travel post. It’s just that you find us in Verona. And it’s been mentioned more than once that this is a romantic city. So it got me thinking about what makes a place romantic and, more broadly, what is this romance thing anyway? I freely admit to being a contrary … More What is romance?
Introduction: Time of year: March 2017 Purpose of trip: We don’t need an excuse to visit the Cotswolds as we love the area, but this was one of a series of weekend visits to research a possible property purchase. Why we chose this place: Eynsham Hall describes itself as “one of Oxfordshire’s great country houses” and … More Review: Eynsham Hall Hotel, Witney, UK
With apologies to Helen Fielding. And Bridget Jones 😉 Thursday, February 2nd: Summary: Weight: not known. Officially (c’mon…) still in ‘post Christmas-scoffing’ phase. So, for both of us, still a ‘work-in-progress‘, if you will. (In the same way that a woman might be forgiven for saying she’s still carrying her baby-weight…when the infant starts … More No time for calorie-counting on this 24 hour Viennese whirl.
Jane’s personal review of a mud treatment at the Balnea spa at the Danubius Esplanade hotel. Mud is thicker than water. Considerably so, you discover, when it’s heated up and slapped over your bare flesh. Its unique sulphuric properties attract thousands to spas like this one in Slovakia, from around the world. So what actually … More Get covered in hot mud.Why would you?
It’s minus six today in Piestany, and few people are out on the snow packed pavements. The town’s “fashion” shops are so plentiful that proprietors are competing for custom; wriggling their garments of the day over mismatched mannequins–who are then manhandled outside to be headless, hapless greeters. One’s jacketed nonchalantly in understated beige. Steps away, a … More Warming up in snowy Slovakia
2emptynesters 