I began 2015 atop a snow-covered mountain high up in the Italian Dolomites, and I’m bringing the year to a close, at a much lower elevation, among the vineyards and olive groves of Italy’s Euganean Hills.
In between the well-above-sea-level antics, I’ve packed and unpacked multiple times over as I’ve logged countless miles — on land, sea, air and around la tavola — traveling the Bel Paese and frequently beyond. Why, I even changed my permanent postal code, and that may very well be the highlight of my year.
From the Dolomites to the Apennines to Macgillacuddy Reeks; from the Adriatic to the Ionian to the North Sea; and, from the Balkans to the Salento to the Wild Atlantic Way.
Large cities, historic castles, even tiny dots out to sea, were well-documented in my dispatches dated 2015.
Monte Elmo, Alta Pusteria, South Tyrol, Italy
Centro Storico of Vicenza, Italy
Monte Berico, Vicenza, Italy
Aperitivi time in Vicenza, Italy
Sunset in the Colli Berici above Vicenza, Italy
Leaning Tower of Pisa
Parco Giardino Sigurta’ (VR), Italy
Montagnana (PD), Italy
Santa Maria della Salute, Venice
Inside St. Mark’s Cathedral, Venice
The 4 Bronze Horses of St. Mark’s Cathedral
Wings over St. Mark’s Square, Venice
Cicchetti and an ombra at a Venetian bacari
Jesolo Beach near Venice, Italy
Wings over Croatia
Panoramic view of Sarajevo, Bosnia
Bosnian dessert
Turkish delight at Sarajevo coffee house
Stari Most Bridge, Mostar, Bosnia
Welcome to Croatia
Dinner is served on Korcula, Croatia
Korcula, Croatia
Cycling on Korcula, Croatia
A sip of Croatian spirits
Wine and cheese tasting in Croatia
Split, Croatia
Dubrovnik, Croatia
Dinner in Dubrovnik, Croatia
Terra cotta roofs of Dubrovnik, Croatia
Tre Cime di Lavaredo in the Italian Dolomites
Lago di Braies (BZ), Italy
Contented brown cow in the Italian Dolomites
Wings over Ireland
Ireland’s favorite tipple
Bust of John Locke in the Long Room, Trinity College, Dublin
Kilkenny Castle, Co. Kilkenny, Ireland
A bowl of piping-hot Irish stew, Kilkenny, Co. Kilkenny, Ireland
Rock of Cashel, Co. Tipperary, Ireland
John the jarvey, Killarney, Co. Kerry
A jaunting car ride through Killarney National Park, Co. Kerry, Ireland
Ballinskelligs Bay, Ring of Kerry, Co. Kerry, Ireland
Along the Ring of Kerry, Co. Kerry, Ireland
Nightcap at Ashford Castle, Co. Mayo, Ireland
Giant’s Causeway, Northern Ireland
Buckingham Palace, London
Buckingham Palace, London
Cascata delle Marmore, Umbria, Italy
Otranto, Puglia, Italy
Santa Cesarea Terme, Puglia, Italy
Grilled veggies at Torre Santa Sabina, Puglia, Italy
Costa Merlata, Ostuni, Puglia, Italy
Torre Guaceto, Puglia, Italy
La Città Bianca: Ostuni – Puglia, Italy
Cavatelli con cozze e ceci, White Ostuni Tito Schipa, Ostuni, Italy
Duomo di Ostuni, Italy
Alberobello, Puglia, Italy
Alberobello, Puglia, Italy
Locorotondo, Puglia, Italy
Castle fronting the Centro Storico of Gallipoli, Italy
Grilled mussels at Grotta Marinara, Gallipoli, Italy
The vineyards of Valnogaredo, Colli Euganei (PD), Italy
Franco Zanovello in the cantina of his namesake winery
Monte Fasolo, Colli Euganei (PD), Italy
Aperol Spritz at sundown in the Colli Euganei (PD), Italy
Fiery sky at sunset over the Colli Euganei (PD), Italy
Thanks for traveling with me, virtually, as I’ve thoroughly enjoyed your company this past year. And, here’s hoping you’ll pack a bag and ride shotgun with me again in 2016.
Buon Anno! Happy New Year!
©The Palladian Traveler

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Greetings of Happy New Year 2016 to you and your family from Penang, Malaysia.
Thanks so much. Happy New Year to you and yours.
Always such beautiful photos! Happy New Year Tom. Orna
Thanks, Orna. Buon anno to you, too!
I signed on to your site about 4 years ago since I have been interested in Palladio’s projects. I am/was a civil engineer who got hooked on his work. You have covered a lot of territory over the years in an interesting way. So keep up the good articles and photos. Good luck in the new year!
William Strangio
Thanks very much, William. Buon Anno to you, too.
If it wasn’t for your camera’s eye and and your well written narrative, I would never understand the beauty that you have passed along. Have an interesting new year with your new vantage point.
Thanks, Fred. Be well in 2016.
I know I don’t comment as much as I should but do know that you were one of my first blog inspirations and this post is just another confirmation of why…spectacular photos and great writing…Happy New Year, Tom!
Inspiration? Me? Well, thanks Victoria. Buon Anno!
Indeed! We can never tell who’s out there being influenced by our writing, etc.
Thanks for taking us along.
Thanks for riding shotgun, Jill!