Horizon Travel by Nigel Bennett

08/06/2026

Venice never seems to be the same city twice.

With temperatures reaching 28°C today, I spent the day wandering canals, bridges and hidden corners, soaking up the atmosphere of one of the world’s most unique cities. Every time I visit Venice, I leave with completely different memories and a new perspective.

I’ve been here before, but this visit felt completely different. Less about ticking off the sights and more about enjoying the atmosphere, getting lost in the back streets, and appreciating why people keep coming back.

08/06/2026

Venice never seems to be the same city twice.

With temperatures reaching 28°C today, I spent the day wandering canals, bridges and hidden corners, soaking up the atmosphere of one of the world’s most unique cities. Every time I visit Venice, I leave with completely different memories and a new perspective.

I’ve been here before, but this visit felt completely different. Less about ticking off the sights and more about enjoying the atmosphere, getting lost in the back streets, and appreciating why people keep coming back.

# Venice

06/06/2026

Milan surprised me.

I expected a beautiful cathedral and some good shopping, but the city has a completely different energy to the rest of Italy. It feels fast paced, stylish and effortlessly confident.

The Duomo di Milano is the undeniable star of the show. One minute you’re surrounded by busy streets, trams and designer stores, and the next you’re standing in front of a masterpiece that has watched over the city for centuries.

I spent the day wandering through the streets around the Duomo, soaking up the atmosphere, people watching and enjoying the buzz that seems to flow through every corner of the city.

A very different side of Italy, and one I’m glad I got to experience. 🇮🇹

05/06/2026

Today I visited the beautiful village of Bellano on the shores of Lake Como. With its colourful waterfront, narrow cobbled streets, and stunning mountain backdrop, it felt like a much more authentic and peaceful side of the lake. The highlight was exploring the dramatic Orrido di Bellano, a spectacular natural gorge carved through the rock by rushing water over thousands of years. A perfect escape from the crowds and a reminder that some of Italy’s most memorable places are the ones less travelled. 🇮🇹✨

05/06/2026

Bergamo has been such a pleasant surprise. The city is divided into two parts: the modern lower city (Città Bassa) and the historic upper city (Città Alta), which sits high on a hill and is surrounded by impressive Venetian walls. Città Alta is the heart of old Bergamo, with its cobbled streets, medieval buildings, beautiful piazzas and stunning views across the surrounding countryside. It also happens to be the birthplace of Stracciatella gelato, invented here in 1961, so enjoying a scoop of the original while wandering the narrow streets felt almost compulsory! It feels like stepping back in time and is easily one of the most charming places I’ve visited in Italy. 🇮🇹

03/06/2026

And the journey begins… Italy, Croatia, Malta, Majorca, Spain and Portugal. Looking forward to sailing on the Queen Victoria (Cunard) from Venice to Barcelona and joining a G-Adventures tour in Portugal from Lisbon to Porto.

25/05/2026

Please help Andrea reach his goal in raising money and supporting Coastguard NZ. So much dedication and discipline to support such a worthy cause. Well done

Why not dive in for Coastguard's Big Swim this June to help save more lives on the water? Or show your support by making a donation.

25/04/2026

We will always remember them. Anzac Day 2026. 111 years. (Sorry I couldn’t find the ‘Last Post’ audio)

14/04/2026

Can you guess where I am off to next?

In just 7 weeks, I’ll be boarding the Cunard Queen Victoria, sailing from Venice to Barcelona!

With stops along the way through Italy, Croatia, Sicily and Spain, I’m really looking forward to experiencing this journey firsthand and sharing it all, from the ship itself through to the destinations and everything in between.

Watch this space for more exciting updates 👀

06/04/2026

Important Update.

For those of you departing from or transiting through Auckland International Airport, please be aware of ongoing upgrades currently in place.

We understand this may cause some frustration or disruption to your journey, and we recommend allowing extra time when travelling through the airport during this period.

The good news is that these improvements are part of a major investment to bring Auckland Airport in line with other leading international hubs, ultimately enhancing the overall travel experience.

As always, if you have any questions or would like advice specific to your travel plans, please don’t hesitate to reach out.