Photos from the past 8 months of travels

This post showcases a smorgasbord of photos over the past 8 months of travel

Global travels for work  and conducting a large renovation and extension of your home in Australia do not seem likely partners, but that is exactly what I have been doing for the past 12 months, so posting photos here on my blog has suffered. 

So to rectify that now here are photos of our travels since June 2014 - with a brief description about where they have been taken.

JUNE 2014 - WALKING CAMINO DE SANTIAGO FROM ST JEAN PIED DE PORT TO LOGRONO

My good friend Ann & I walked the first 8 days of the Camino de Santiago - about 170km in total - with the remainder of it to be completed over the years ahead when we can fit it into our lives. It was a fabulous experience which I would totally recommend - we met some wonderful people and loved the appreciation of natural beauty at a walking pace. We both look forward to the time when we can continue our journey.

JULY 2014 - AT THE CONCLUSION OF OUR CAMINO WALK, WE SPENT SOME TIME BEING MESMERISED BY THE  ARCHITECTURAL BRILLIANCE OF FRANK GEHRY 

Upon completion of our camino trek in the town of Logrono, we drove to the small town of Elceigo in the midst of the Rioja wine region and stayed at Hotel Marqués de Riscal designed by Frank Gehry. The hotel is an absolute architectural masterpiece - with swirls of titanium reminiscent of chocolate curls on the top of a cake. One can't help but smile as you admire the playful way the shapes swoop & interact with each other. The fabulous spa and pool area and superb food & wine were also a perfect end to our 170km walk!

THEN WE TRAVELED TO BILBAO TO SPEND TIME APPRECIATING THE SUPERB GUGGENHEIM MUSEUM AND THE COLLECTION WITHIN

Another Gehry masterpeice - I love this building and the collections it houses. I particularly admire the way it showcases the power of architecture to transform a city. 
Its form is more serious than the Gehry designed hotel in Elceigo - the imposing shiny exterior, simultaneously both fluid & solid, commands attention. 
The art collection totally compliments the architecture and Jeff Koons' 'Puppy' at the entry is a delightful taste of more inside.

JULY 2014 - POSITANO & THE ISLAND OF CAPRI
We ran our 3 yearly conference in the spectacular Italian coastal region of Positano & the isle of Capri walking the incredibly scenic "Walk of the Gods" and visiting the ruins of Herculaneum  

AUGUST  2014 - CITTA DELLA PIEVE

We spent time in our Umbrian town, Citta della Pieve & enjoyed the centuries old tradItion of the Palio which included parades through the streets in traditional costume & fire breathing, then culminated in an archery event where the 'terziere' (the 3 divisions of the town)

competed for the honour of being crowned the winner!

SEPTEMBER 2014 CORTINA D'AMPEZZO & VENICE

We ran a conference, initially in Cortina D'Ampezzo where we hiked a difficult but exhilarating 'Via Ferrata' mountain climb, rode Bicycles down the 40km path from Cortina to Calazzo and spent time walking the paths in the mountainous local area. This area, better known for its winter snow sports, was millions of years ago under the sea, and the resulting monumental rock formations were created from the movements of the continental plates. 

Following this, in Venice where we learnt the art of rowing a gondola and visited an ancient Gondola building yard which now acts as a gondola museum 

This Via Ferrata Hike was actually easier than this photo makes it looks - great guides & a great location
made this one of 2014's highlights! 

OCTOBER 2014 - CROATIA

We ran a conference on the beautiful Le Soleal Du Ponant Cruise line that began in Venice, sailing through the Guidecca canal, and then traveled down the Croatian Coast to Dubrovnik, Monteneggro & the scenic island of Korcula

Following this it was time to return to Australia to complete my house build!