The exquisite medieval coastal town of Alghero is bursting with charm and local culture. It was once a Catalan speaking city and still retains its uniqueness to the rest of the island. Shops and eateries are abundant in the old town and strings of lights keep its narrow thoroughfares warm and friendly. It was here that I landed in Sardinia.

An experience outside of time: the panoramic view from this private haven atop the Palacio Belmonte is nothing short of breathtaking. Several strains of fado music make their way up to our perch high above the rooftops of the city, melodies blending as they waft on the slight tendrils of a cool breeze.

Venice appeared to float on the lagoon, the water gleaming like a mirage as the sun began to dip in the sky. Charming outdoor markets, romantically arched bridges and countless gelato purveyors marked our way. We wound through a maze of streets shortly arriving at our Bed & Breakfast.

In Venice the streets near the most typical sights are packed in summer. We preferred exploring corners of the city that were a little more tucked away and we found ourselves venturing under a church into a dark, cavern-like crypt that looked like something out of an Indian Jones film.

Venetian masks are infamous but the tradition of masquerade apparently spawned such widespread hedonism in the opulent Venetian Republic that the Roman Catholic Church restricted the use of masks until this practice was constrained to certain festivals. Now the masks are reserved for Carnival and playful parties.

Our stay in Venice was made memorable by the endearing company of good friends who kept us laughing, showed us the city from a local perspective and in every way made us feel truly at home. Our last evening in the city was no exception. Conversation and laughter took the place of sleep that night and it was just before dawn when a friend personally ferried us through dark and eerily quiet canals, then out into the lagoon to the airport to catch an early flight.