HOME Travel Guide Common Sense Travel
decorative font style

Polaroid of the Week: Salò, the Picturesque Lakeside Gem on Lake Garda

Polaroid of the Week: Salò, the Picturesque Lakeside Gem on Lake GardaLast week, selecting one photo from 1,500 shots in Iceland was tough. This week, choosing from a similar volume taken during my Italian adventures proved equally challenging. I settled on this captivating image of Salò on Lake Garda, captured as our boat approached the town. After a day exploring Sirmione's Roman ruins at Grotte di Catullo, Salò unfolded before us like the quintessential Italian lakeside retreat.

I've visited Italy numerous times, yet I've largely overlooked the north—rushing past it en route to Tuscany or the Amalfi Coast, save for a brief Milan stop and a day in Cinque Terre years ago. My recent week in Lombardy changed that. This vibrant region, with its Brescia vineyards, UNESCO World Heritage sites, iconic lakes like Como and Garda, and Alpine resorts perfect for summer hiking near the Swiss border, deserves far more than a week. Basing myself in Milan for day trips revealed endless attractions.

I explored Bergamo, Brescia, and Lake Garda's charming towns, then dove deep into Milan—far beyond the tourist hotspots. I wandered neighborhoods, bar-hopped evenings away, savored local cuisine, browsed the Sunday antiques market, biked canalside paths, enjoyed park gelato, joined the buzz at Mercato Metropolitano for street food, photographed vibrant street art, and caught live jazz. Milan has layers I could uncover for a month. Now, it's farewell to head to Venice!


Tourist Attraction
  • Polaroid of the Week: Rediscovering Erfurt s Fairytale Charm in Germany

    I recently left Berlin for a quick trip home to visit loved ones and photograph a close friends wedding. Erfurt, my hometown, often feels distant after years away—a classic case of outgrowing ones roots. I rarely return unless family or friends draw me back, keeping visits brief.This time was different. Visiting in summer with a first-time guest refreshed my perspective on this understated gem. I wandered cobblestone streets lined with meticulously restored half-timbered houses, admired the impo

  • Polaroid of the Week: Kayaking Adventures in Colombia s Amazon Rainforest

    When planning my Colombia itinerary, the Amazon wasnt on the list. But travels magic often unfolds through chance encounters—fellow explorers sharing tales of hidden gems that captivate your imagination. Thats how Jardin entered my plans for next week, and Colombias Amazonas region became a recent highlight after an unforgettable trip.Reaching this remote paradise requires a flight from Bogotá to Leticia, Colombias largest Amazon town (population ~35,000), straddling the borders with Brazil and

  • Polaroid of the Week: Captivating Street Art in Silver Lake, Los Angeles

    Though my tight work schedule in Los Angeles prevented me from ticking off my entire to-do list, I revisited favorites like Santa Monica, Venice, and West Hollywood. One neighborhood I was determined to explore before leaving was Silver Lake. Often called the Brooklyn of LA or more precisely the Williamsburg of LA, Silver Lake topped Forbes inaugural list of Americas Best Hipster Neighborhoods. CNN Money also ranked it in the top ten best big-city neighborhoods in the U.S. Naturally, I had to s