Until recently, most of my travel was shaped by my quest to see wild cats in their natural habitats. But after spending a month in southern Spain doing fieldwork with the Iberian lynx, I fell under the spell of Europe’s old-world charm, where history, landscape, and everyday life are inseparable. From that point on, The Wildlife Diaries morphed into something more explicitly nature–cultural: a way of travelling that pays attention not only to animals and ecosystems, but to the long human histories that have unfolded alongside them.
This Europe category is therefore less about wildlife safaris and more about quests through cultural landscapes. Follow me into Renaissance Florence and Ancient Rome in Italy, trace the legacy of the Moors across Spain, discover Constantinople of emperors and sultans in Turkey, and wander through the bohemian past of Czechia. Alongside these, you’ll also find nature adventures in Switzerland and Portugal.
If you’re still wondering what Renaissance Europe has to do with wild cats, start with my post on Renaissance Cats in Florence
Towering over the southeast corner of Piazza della Signoria, Palazzo Vecchio looks more like a fortress than a palace. And that is because when it was built in 1299, security … Read more
Wondering what Florence is like in winter? This guide covers what to expect during the winter months, how the season changes the experience of the city, and which sights are … Read more
When you imagine exploring Roman ruins in Rome, you probably picture famous monuments from a single ancient world. But when you get there, you realise that what you’re seeing is … Read more
Italy’s beauty is often defined by its cities like Rome, Florence and Venice. Yet beyond the palaces and piazzas lies another Italy, one where culture and nature walk side by … Read more
Italy is best known for its art, history, and cities, but if you’re anything like me, you also want to know where the wild Italy still survives. I began researching … Read more
This walk traces Leonardo’s life in Florence through the streets and workshops of Florence, following the places where his ideas, training, and ambitions took shape and where his art can … Read more
Florence owes its reputation as the cradle of the Renaissance not only to the genius of its artists and thinkers, but also to the powerful Medici family, who shaped the … Read more
Looking for a charming hotel in Assisi Italy? Look no further than Quo Vadis – a boutique hotel in Assisi where medieval charm meets modern comfort The moment I walked … Read more
Nero’s Golden Palace, Domus Aurea, built in the 1st century AD, was nothing short of a fantasy made real—a sprawling palace that stretched across the Esquiline, Palatine, and Caelian hills, covering … Read more
Florence is more than a city. It’s a Renaissance idea of a better world expressed through spectacular art and architecture. It is a magical place that captures your heart and … Read more
Once the capital of the Moorish kingdom, Granada is filled with gorgeous hotels. From charming Renaissance palaces and Moorish mansions to slick 5-star establishments. But choosing one could be overwhelming unless … Read more
Looking for things to do in Granada? Only have one day in town? Here’s how to see Moorish Granada in one day. Shaped by three different empires, Granada has enough … Read more
Looking for things to do in Avila, Spain? Here is the guide to the best sites to visit and things to see in Avila in a day. Avila is a … Read more
Before you plan your Cordoba itinerary, check out this guide to Moorish Cordoba and the 16 Moorish monuments that represent the Arab legacy in Andalusia. Imagine a flourishing Muslim city … Read more
A Southern Spain road trip is a journey through a region shaped by powerful empires: the Romans, the Arabs, and finally, the Christian kings who flourished on the riches extracted … Read more