Posts from @butterfly-jt9

Travel Digest #3077

worldmappin — Wed, 21 Oct 2026 15:44:39 GMT

Introduction

Hello everyone, friends of Worldmappin. I’m @lauramica, and today I’m sharing our Wednesday Travel Digest. Come along as we travel the world today!

Among today’s featured posts, we’ll visit Spetses in the Greek Islands, take a tour of Fortín Solano in Puerto Cabello, Venezuela, and check out the Santa Rosa viewpoint in Maracaibo. We’ll also explore other corners of the globe, including Bosnia and Herzegovina, Italy, Cuba, and Norway. There’s a little bit of everything!

Thank you all for sharing your travels on the Worldmappin map! Have a wonderful day! 😃❤️

All featured posts are visible on the Editors Choice Map and upvoted by @worldmappin, our curation trail, and potentially @blocktrades. For more travel digests check out #traveldigest.

Our winners today

🥇 The Greek Isles: Spetses (the final stop) by @zo3d

After an incredible cruise of the Greek Isles on the Norwegian Getaway and a busy itinerary, we were excited to leave the ship and hop on a two and half ferry ride from Athens to the small lesser known island of Spetses.
From my investigations I had realised that Spetses is more of a local island with Greeks catching the ferry from the mainland to spend the weekend in this less frequented island. After the busyness of Santorini, this little piece of paradise was the absolute epitome of rest and recuperation.

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🥈 Fortín Solano - An ancient fort: learn about its history and enjoy the view from above [Eng - Spa] by @soyunasantacruz

Fortín Solano offers beautiful views from above of Puerto Cabello in all directions, where you can see its islands, the port, and the entire city.
In ancient times, societies would build fortifications on mountain tops to monitor their coastlines and prevent pirates or invading nations from plundering their resources. Venezuela is no exception to this part of history, and most cities with economic and natural potential have structures built for this purpose.

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🥉 Santa Rosa de Agua Viewpoint in Maracaibo. | Mirador de Santa Rosa de Agua en Maracaibo. by @noelyss

Santa Rosa de Agua is a place full of stilt houses, surrounded by abundant water, where most of the people of the Añú tribe live – a word which means ‘water’. There is a beautiful viewpoint here, from where, at certain times of the day, boats set out to take you on a tour along the entire length of the water, allowing you to enjoy this beautiful place, which boasts a rich history steeped in culture, tradition and much more.

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Honorable Mentions

A walk, step by step, story by story, Málaga, Spain by @avdesing
A Refreshing Beach Walk on a Rainy Day, Cumaná, Venezuela by @belkyscabrera
Mangrove Lagoon, the natural heart of Sunsol Ecoland,

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Chiampo, the city of marble, famous throughout the world!!

butterfly-jt9 — Wed, 21 Oct 2026 12:47:00 GMT

This weekend, I visited a town of about 12,500 inhabitants in the province of Vicenza, which is famous for several things—most notably its economy, which revolves around the processing of stone and marble. In fact, its marble is exported all over the world; I even learned that it is currently being used for the White House ballroom.

But as you can see from the display in the center of the square, the town is also famous for its cherries—which are quite well-known throughout Italy.

I came here partly to discover this place and to share it with you; above all, this site is home to one of the most significant Franciscan sanctuaries in Italy—the Sanctuary of the Madonna della Salute. It features a reproduction of the Grotto of Lourdes, created in 1935 by Blessed Claudio Granzotto, as well as a 600-meter-long Stations of the Cross with life-sized bronze statues. It is a truly unique place, and one that is deeply moving from a spiritual perspective.

As a first stop, I visited the parish church of Chiampo, dedicated to Saint Mary of the Assumption and Saint Martin. Dating back to 1650, the church was later expanded—with work continuing into the 1800s—and underwent its most recent restorations in the 1900s. It features a single nave with side chapels and is a site of significant importance; it is well worth a visit if you happen to be passing through Chiampo.

As for the sanctuary, we visited the Stations of the Cross, and then—as I mentioned—we passed by the sanctuary itself. It’s a place that draws people from all over the world, especially those traveling for religious purposes.

Actually, the purpose of my visit to Chiampo was to check out a second-hand market I’d seen a while back—a place that sells all sorts of used items, from clothing and furniture to various kinds of accessories. I was mainly hoping to find some interesting books, but unfortunately, that didn’t happen. That said, the prices were truly excellent—you could practically pick up a book for just one euro.

In any case, if you have the chance, do stop by this place; besides being rich in monuments and various spiritual, religious, and cultural sites to visit, there’s also an interesting little market here with many items available at low prices. I wish you all a great day—see you soon!

There is a Christ the Redeemer in Italy!!

butterfly-jt9 — Wed, 14 Oct 2026 12:42:03 GMT

Hi friends! I hope you’re doing great. I didn’t do anything particularly exciting this weekend, but I decided to go for a walk to a place where there’s practically a clone of Rio de Janeiro’s Christ the Redeemer statue. We’re actually in the province of Vicenza—or rather, right between the provinces of Vicenza and Verona. I started out from a small village called Agugliana and went for a round-trip walk of about 5 km to discover this statue, which is a truly unique feature of the area.

If you happen to be in this area, I recommend having this experience anyway, as you’ll find yourself immersed in a walk through the local vineyards and olive groves—in fact, while I was walking, I saw plenty of people harvesting olives. But the main thing is that this statue stands on private property; it belongs to the owner of a nearby pizzeria who decided to place this massive, 26-meter-tall statue right in his garden—something truly crazy, in my opinion.

Unfortunately, you can't get right up close to this statue—a perfect replica of the Christ the Redeemer in Rio de Janeiro, though the original is likely a bit taller. Still, it is quite striking to see it towering amidst these hills. Who knows why the owner chose to place it in their garden? Perhaps they are a devout believer—it’s hard to say—but lately, people have been traveling from far and wide to see it.

For me, it was also a chance to go for a nice walk—something I hadn't done in a while because the high temperatures had kept me from going out. But it was practically 20 degrees and the weather was absolutely perfect, so it was really lovely to take that walk, even though I was a bit out of shape—especially since there were a few stretches that were quite steep.

I hope you found this discovery interesting; thank you for reading, and see you next time.

San Giovanni Rotondo: a day at the place of Padre Pio 🙏✨

butterfly-jt9 — Sat, 10 Oct 2026 12:48:00 GMT

Some time ago, I went to visit a very dear friend who was staying at the hospital founded by Padre Pio in 1956—the Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza (Home for the Relief of Suffering). It is not a tourist attraction, so to speak, but rather the most tangible proof of the legacy left by this Saint—a place where faith has translated into medical care, research, and assistance for the sick. I took some photos during my visit to the hospital and the adjacent Sanctuary of Santa Maria delle Grazie—the spiritual heart of San Giovanni Rotondo, a major pilgrimage center linked to Padre Pio.

So, since I had these photos, I thought, "Why not make a post about it?" Construction on the sanctuary—or rather, the work to build it—began in 1968. You can visit it for free, and it is a very unique and moving place; there is a real sense of quiet reverence inside the sanctuary.

You know well that I’m not particularly religious; when I visit places like this, I always do so with a secular perspective—though also with the aim of understanding and seeing sites that are artistically fascinating. In any case, the Casa Sollievo—Padre Pio’s hospital—has around 900 beds and is a non-profit facility, although I’ve recently learned that it is unfortunately facing severe financial difficulties, likely because it relies solely on charitable donations. It has always been a crucial hospital for the local area, yet it draws people from all over the world; this is because it offers over 50 clinical specialties and more than 4,300 diagnostic and therapeutic services, and reportedly records over 60,000 admissions annually—so, all in all, it’s a very popular and highly sought-after hospital.

As I mentioned, at the sanctuary you can see both the old church and the large new one; the old church dates back to 1540, while an expansion was carried out in 1959. Beneath it lies the historic crypt where Padre Pio’s remains were kept, and the interior features numerous mosaics. All in all, it is a beautiful place to visit—though, to be honest, it isn't necessarily the most amazing church I’ve ever seen. Still, if you happen to be in the area, I think it’s worth a visit to see these sites that are part of the religious tourism circuit. Thanks for reading, and see you next time.

Parma has so much to tell.

butterfly-jt9 — Thu, 08 Oct 2026 12:39:00 GMT

Hi friends, I hope you’re doing well and that everything is going smoothly. Yesterday, I popped over to Parma to take care of some work matters. But as you know, my love for art and museums is truly unique, so while I was there, I took the opportunity to visit a few museums and see things I’d never seen before. In my opinion, Parma might not be the most famous tourist destination, but it has so many stories to tell. Before starting my tour, though, I treated myself to a quick break at a café in the city center—a good coffee and a few minutes to soak up the atmosphere—and then I set off to explore this fantastic city.

My first stop was the Benedetto Antelami Diocesan Museum, located right in Piazza Duomo; it is a small museum, but in my opinion, it is incredibly rich. The exhibits trace the history of the spread of Christianity in Parma, ranging from Roman-era artifacts to the Middle Ages. Essentially, the museum houses various treasures that were originally kept inside the Parma Cathedral and the Baptistery. At the time, I was the only visitor there. I should also mention that I purchased a single combined ticket—valid for two days—which allowed me to visit the Diocesan Museum and the Baptistery; naturally, I also visited the Parma Cathedral, which had free admission.

As I mentioned, visiting the cathedral is free; tourist access is simply suspended during religious services—which is standard practice. However, I always recommend checking the opening times before you go so you don't get locked out because of a service. In any case, the cathedral left me truly speechless—the frescoes inside are incredibly impressive. I think you really need a couple of hours there to see everything. Fortunately, churches in Italy are truly beautiful.

I have to be honest: what struck me the most was the Baptistery of Parma—it was a real surprise for me. I don't want to sound like a layperson, but it actually impressed me almost more than the one in Florence. It is a building I had seen many times in photographs, but seeing it in person is a completely different experience. Built from pink Verona marble and designed by Benedetto Antelami, the Baptistery has a distinctive octagonal shape; yet, upon entering, one is truly enchanted by the sculptures, the decorations, the dome, and—above all—the cycle depicting the months, seasons, and signs of the zodiac, which unfolds into a genuine narrative.

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Travel Digest #3061

worldmappin — Mon, 05 Oct 2026 12:36:57 GMT

Introduction

Hey, hey! This is @gabrielatravels, and I am excited to bring you a brand new edition of #TravelDigest! ❤️

Today's post is going to take you on a virtual tour with stops at a waterfall in Cuba, a beach in Venezuela, and a park also in Cuba. We also have the honourable mentions, where you can get a few more travel postcards from Spain, Indonesia, Venezuela, Philippines, Belgium and Italy, so don't forget to check these posts too! 😊

Our winners today

🥇 Visiting the Desparramaderos waterfall: Nature and peasant tradition in "El Nicho" Natural Park, Cienfuegos, Cuba. [ENG] [ESP] by @ibarra95

Today I have the pleasure of inviting you to discover one of the most beautiful waterfalls in Cuban geography: "Desparramaderas," located in El Nicho Natural Park, in the Escambray mountains, Cienfuegos. In this last part of the tour, I will show you the cascading fall from more than 30 meters high, with transparent waters crashing against the rocks. I will also delight you with the exquisite Creole food of the local farmers.

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🥈 A Beautiful Town in Sucre Called Río Caribe (Final Part) (Eng - Esp) by @josemalavem

Although the municipality has traditionally relied on fishing and agriculture, tourism has come to play a central role in both household and the overall economy. Despite the shortcomings that Sucre State generally faces in public services, such as water and electricity, the tourist life in these towns remains very vibrant.

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🥉 A HISTORIC AND VIBRANT PARK./UN PARQUE HISTÓRICO Y VIVO.(EN/ES) by @pinero

The park was created in 1928 for the Sixth Pan-American Conference, which was held in Havana.A ceiba tree was planted in the center on February 24, 1928, nourished by soil brought from 28 American republics as a symbol of unity. The park also houses a collection of busts honoring key figures in the history and thought of the Americas. At the time of the inauguration, there was an initial group of eight prominent figures, a number that has since grown to over twenty. I am showing you a few of them here, as the lighting conditions in several instances prevented me from taking good photos of the busts.

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Honorable Mentions

Beach, Barcelona, Spain by @portugalcoin
Hike, Medan, Indonesia by @riyat
Excursion, Java, Indonesia by @macchiata
Beach, Puerto La Cruz, Venezuela by @virgilio07
Beach, Naga City, Philippines by @lj1728
Walk, Brussels, Belgium by

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Giardino dei Semplici in Florence ♥️

butterfly-jt9 — Mon, 05 Oct 2026 12:30:03 GMT

Hi friends, how are you? This weekend I took a trip to Florence, but I visited a rather unique spot—one that likely falls off the usual tourist trail. You know I love seeking out these special, one-of-a-kind places; today, I’m taking you to the Giardino dei Semplici in Florence. It is essentially the University of Florence’s botanical garden, located right near Piazza San Marco, yet it’s a place many tourists probably don't know about.

As far as I recall, this botanical garden is open almost all the time. There is an admission fee, but it is included in the Firenze Card if you are visiting the city; furthermore, the ticket price is very low for young people, seniors, and students—in fact, there are various agreements with universities around the world.

One might wonder why one would visit a place like this. Well, this botanical garden is one of the oldest in the world; it was founded in 1545 at the behest of Cosimo I de' Medici. Its name essentially stems from the medicinal plants that were cultivated there—or rather, were originally cultivated there. Nowadays, it houses plants from all over the world, used primarily for university research experiments. However, it also seemed like the perfect place to visit on October 4th—the feast day of Saint Francis of Assisi, Italy's patron saint—a man who surely would have enjoyed strolling through this garden.

Here you can see large greenhouses—originally built in the 19th century—housing tropical plants from all over the world. You will also find palms, ferns, and citrus trees; I even spotted carnivorous plants—something truly unique that isn't usually found in Italy—though I unfortunately forgot to take a picture of them. There are also water lilies and a yew tree planted in 1720—plants that are incredibly old and, fortunately, still stand here as a testament to the passage of time.

The route is essentially laid out on a single level, making it accessible to people with disabilities—a very important detail, in my opinion. Inside, you’ll also find restrooms and benches where you can rest or enjoy a peaceful picnic.

I hope you found my post interesting. I hope I’ve introduced you to a spot in Florence that’s a bit more hidden—far from the usual tourist trails. See you next time!

A lovely Sunday of culture

butterfly-jt9 — Mon, 28 Sep 2026 12:34:03 GMT

Hi friends, it’s been a while since I last wrote to you, but I wanted to share the photos I took yesterday. I don’t know if culture will save the world, but it certainly saved me—it was a wonderful day filled with discoveries in a place I had actually visited before. This time, however, I took a guided tour with others, and—as always—you end up discovering new things.

For the first part of the visit, we went to an archaeological site—the ancient Etruscan city of Spina—where excavations are still ongoing. This important city was brought to light during land reclamation projects around the 1920s; since then, digging has continued, yielding artifacts that are subsequently sent to museums. Thanks to an archaeologist, we learned about the various stages of the excavation and the importance of understanding the history behind this city.

Then we went to Comacchio—a sort of "Little Venice" in the Po Delta—where the Eel Festival was taking place. I had the chance to sample some delicacies, as this is a deeply cherished local event; the town center is decked out for the occasion, and you can taste the lagoon's undisputed star—crispy on the outside and tender on the inside—prepared using the traditional recipes of local fishermen.

After eating the eel—and I have to say it wasn't bad, especially served with polenta, as I had never tasted it before—we paid a special visit to the Ospedale degli Infermi. It is an imposing Neoclassical building that now houses the Museum of the Ancient Delta; walking through its halls feels like a journey back in time. You can see the entire cargo of the Roman ship from Valle Ponti—which sank in this area over 2,000 years ago—and view the onboard equipment, trade goods, and everyday objects up close; honestly, it all left me speechless.

If you would like some information on visiting this interesting museum: a full-price ticket costs 7 euros, while the price is 4 euros for youths aged 11 to 18 and for those over 65. It is open from September/October through the year—Monday to Sunday, including public holidays—making it a great way to discover the area and its history. Naturally, you can also pair your visit with the delicious local cuisine.

What struck me most about the museum was definitely these sandals—which are over 2,000 years old and were recovered from a shipwreck—that can truly be compared to our modern-day flip-flops; it always makes quite an impression on me to see artifacts like these. Anyway, thanks for reading, and I’ll see you in my next post.

Bologna is always unique.

butterfly-jt9 — Mon, 21 Sep 2026 12:35:03 GMT

Hi friends, how are you? Unfortunately, I’ve been a bit absent lately because I’m always very busy with both work and things to do at home. However, this Sunday I decided to visit my cousin who lives in Bologna—a city I absolutely love. Plus, it doesn't take long to get there by train; it’s only about a two-hour journey.

I always enjoy wandering around this city; not only is it rich in distinctive monuments, but it is also a place where you can breathe in an atmosphere of culture.

I visited Piazza Maggiore—the main square and, in my opinion, the true heart of this important city—and also took a look inside the Basilica of San Petronio; said to be one of the largest brick Gothic churches in the world, it features a distinctive façade that remains partly unfinished. The square is also home to the Fountain of Neptune—known to locals as "Il Gigante" (The Giant)—which was created in the 16th century by Giambologna, a renowned artist and arguably one of the most important figures of the Bolognese Renaissance.

While in the area, I visited Palazzo Boncompagni at Via del Monte 8—one of the city's most important historic Renaissance buildings. It is now a museum housing various masterpieces by different artists, such as a work by Pistoletto, the famous Italian sculptor and artist whom many of you likely know.

In my opinion, the best thing about visiting these cities is simply strolling through the streets without a specific destination in mind; after all, around every corner there is always some place, a building, or a street worth admiring. That is the real beauty of Italy—and, I think, of any country in the world.

In the end, I did make my usual rounds at the Nanni bookstore—one of the most renowned spots, where I often find and buy art books. I was a bit unlucky this time, as I didn't find anything interesting; still, with access to libraries and so many titles available online, you can find things remotely. Even so, it’s always nice to spend some time inside these bookstores, discovering books—sometimes even dusty ones—that are a joy to come across.

I hope you found my tour of Bologna interesting. I hope you, too, get the chance to visit this city—which may not be as famous as others, but which, in my opinion, has a lot to offer.

I visited Buonconsiglio Castle in Trento.

butterfly-jt9 — Mon, 14 Sep 2026 12:50:03 GMT

Hi friends, sorry for the absence. I’m back now to share some posts about the adventures I’ve had recently. There is one place in particular that I really enjoyed—though I had visited it before—and I highly recommend going there if you happen to be vacationing in the city of Trento: the Castello del Buonconsiglio. In my opinion, it is one of the most important monumental complexes in Trentino-Alto Adige and one of the most beautiful castles to visit.

To get to Trento, I opted for the train; it’s a mode of transport I really like because it’s very comfortable. While I don't find it particularly cheap these days, it does allow you to arrive right in the city center, so you don't have to worry about traffic or parking. I would recommend it to anyone traveling to Trento.

Trento is a very lively city; I recommend visiting the church and the squares in addition to the castle. I actually visited the castle with a discounted ticket, but you can visit it completely free of charge on the first Sunday of the month, thanks to an initiative by the Ministry of Culture.

For many years, the castle served as the fortified residence of prince-bishops, but today it is a museum housing a wealth of artistic and architectural treasures. It is a place I enjoy visiting—partly because, when exploring a museum or a grand castle like this, it is impossible to see everything in a single day. That is why I believe it is often worth returning; you always discover new frescoes or fascinating nooks and crannies.

In fact, I noticed that the outdoor areas have been spruced up—likely the result of some minor restoration work over time—and they look lovely; strolling through these gardens is truly relaxing, and it is something I would recommend to everyone.

The interior is truly magnificent, featuring the palace's most important section adorned with frescoes by artists such as Dosso Dossi, Girolamo Romanino, and Marcello Fogolino. You can also visit the castle's various towers—and, above all, the frescoed halls—though it is worth noting that this castle was unfortunately the site of massacres during World War I, when patriots were executed here.

Below, I’ve included all the useful information you might need to plan a visit to this place. Thank you for taking the time to read this post—see you next time!

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