Best of San Francisco in 4K, a video with high-resolution footage taken by me (the song is also mine, so please subscribe to my YouTube music channel if you like it!). I couldn’t visit every top attraction in San Francisco, but I hope I captured some of your favorites.

What was included

Including the Golden Gate Bridge was a no-brainer. A visit there led me through the Presidio and also to the Palace of Fine Arts. Other obvious additions are Fisherman’s Wharf, Pier 39, the Cable Cars, Union Square and the Financial District, SF City Hall, Chinatown, Japantown, and the Castro. Capturing an SF Giants game at Oracle Park was also important to me. I didn’t want to just show touristy must-see landmarks; I also wanted to showcase the love and culture that exists among the people who live in the city.

What wasn’t included

There were also some failed attempts, namely when I tried to film Sutro Tower all lit up with laser lights during a temporary art installation only to find it obscured behind a dense layer of fog (Karl gonna Karl). The Ferry Building was also camera shy, as the current retrofit has it behind a shield of construction scaffolding. I also didn’t get a chance to make it up to Twin Peaks, nor did I get great video of Haight-Ashbury or the Painted Ladies. If I missed any of your favorite San Francisco attractions, please let me know in the comments.

It’s not fine art, and I’m not a talented videographer; this was an exercise of love for a city that holds so much beauty and history, even in sometimes troubled times. I hope you like it.

To watch the video in 4K, you may need to select the resolution under the Settings menu (the gear below the video). And if you enjoy this video, please consider “liking” and subscribing on YouTube.

The post The Best of San Francisco in Beautiful 4K Video first appeared on Keane Li.

In 664 BCE, the nearby settlement of Akrai is founded. It’s one of the Corinthians’ first colonies, located near the modern city of Palazzolo Acreide. Located high atop Pinita hill, Akrai’s strategic location offers it great potential for prosperity and growth, and makes it ideal as a defensive point for Syracuse. Some time during the third or second century, a Greek theater will be built overlooking the lands below, further establishing Grecian culture in Sicilian lands.

As all things come to pass, Akrai fell to the Romans after Syracuse’s defeat in 211 BCE, then was completely destroyed by the Arabs in 827. Nature reclaimed the site and the city was left undiscovered for the next 800 years. It wasn’t until Sicilian scholar Tommaso Fazello identified the location in the 16th century did people take notice of the site once again.

One garners an appreciation for the small Sicilian town of Palazzolo Acreide through the lens of its history. Archeological discoveries are therefore a top attraction in this city. The aforementioned Greek Theater of Akrai (Teatro Greco di Akrai) still stands and is used today for modern theater, music, and dance performances.

The Archeological Area of Akrai (Area archeologica di Akrai) also features the remains of Aphrodite’s Temple (Tempio di Afrodite) and the Pinita Necropolis (Necropoli della Pinita), among other vestiges, though you ought to do your research or get a guide before visiting, as there’s little on-site indication of where they are. The archaeological area is a relaxing place to visit on a hot Sicilian day, as the temperature cools significantly in the presence of the caves.

Just as profound are the Holy Men (I Santoni), a series of impressive reliefs carved into the rock face. Both the ancient city of the Akrai and the Holy Men are about a 20-30 minute walk from the city.

The modern city of Palazzolo Acreide has a fair amount of historic offerings as well. Of course, as this is Italy, there are a good number of beautiful churches. A good place to start your adventure is at the Church of St. Sebastian (Chiesa di San Sebastiano). A grand piazza, the Piazza del Popolo, sits here surrounded by numerous bars and restaurants.

The principal churches to visit first, aside from St. Sebastian, are the Church of San Paolo (Chiesa di San Paolo), the Church of St. Michael (Chiesa di San Michele) and the Mother Church (Chiesa Madre).

To expand your knowledge of the ethno-archeology of the region, the Archeological Museum of Palazzo Cappellani (Museo archeologico di Palazzo Cappellani) and the Antonino Uccello House Museum (Casa Museo Antonino Uccello) should provide enough artifacts under two roofs. For a look into Sicilian history, there’s the Museum of Travelers in Sicily (Museo dei Viaggiatori in Sicilia) in Palazzo Vaccaro.

Stepping outside, the city offers a sprawling garden of 30,000 square meters (98,425 square feet) called the City Garden (La villa comunale). A more quiet retreat includes the Monumental Cemetery (Il cimitero monumentale), a veritable garden in itself of white stone.

But you are in Sicily, and when one visits Sicily, one stuffs one’s face. It’s impossible to talk about Palazzolo Acreide without mentioning Antica Pasticceria Corsino, the best pastry shop for cannoli and arancini. The granita con brioche (ice dessert served with brioche — try the pistachio) is also very good. I could seriously eat here every day.

Other pleasant finds are Pasticceria Caprice (pastry shop) and Bar del Corso Infantino (savory foods) located along Corso Vittorio Emanuele. The service at both of these locales is exceedingly friendly. For a big Sicilian dinner, be sure to check out Trattoria del Gallo, a local favorite for local dishes.

Palazzolo Acreide is a great example of a small town that seems much larger given its immense history. It’s a wonderfully peaceful stay for those hoping to explore nearby historic cities like Ragusa, Noto and, of course, Syracuse. And be sure to time your visit, if you can, so that you’re also in town for a sagra (religious festival). You’ll be surprised by how big these small cities can party.

Did you like this post? Please leave a comment below, and follow me on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter! For descriptions, hover over (desktop) or press and hold (mobile) on the the photos.

The post Palazzolo Acreide & the Ancient Greeks in Sicily first appeared on Keane Li.

Many describe Milan as Italy’s most European city; it’s international, focused on business, fast paced and occasionally “snobby.” To compare it to Bologna, the medieval city I had just visited, would be like comparing apples to candied oranges drenched in Cognac; they’re both good, but one is modified greatly by modernity.

(Milan is the orange.)

The Duomo di Milano is a great starting point for understanding the city. An intero ticket gets you access to the cathedral, the Museo del Duomo and the Terrazze del Duomo (the rooftop). Nearby, Palazzo Reale is a fantastic stop for extending the museum experience, particularly if the Leonardo da Vinci exhibit is still there. It was one of the best exhibitions I had seen in my time in Italy. The Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II is no doubt already familiar to you; the shopping arcade of impressive architectural design with loads of shopping within is photographed arguably as much as the Duomo.

Castello Sforzesco and its museums (including the final statue by Michelangelo) could take up a good half a day at least. Add to that the relaxing Parco Sempione, a park that offers a lovely stroll from the castle to the Arco della Pace, and you’ve got a day spent. Near the arch, along Corso Sempione amid its numerous shops and eateries, you’ll find Deseo, a great choice for aperitivo (drinks paired with a buffet of food items), the perfect place to spend your evening.

For deals, check out Via Paolo Sarpi in Milan’s Chinatown. You won’t find anything overpriced here. Other good locales are Signorvino, a wine shop and bistro that faces the Duomo (though still offers glasses of wine starting at 3,50€… really), and Chiringuito in Piazza Risorgimento, an outdoor bar with aperitivo and huge 5€ cocktails. During the day, pick up some panzerotti, a baked or fried stuffed bread, at the city’s most famous spot for it, Luini, by the Duomo. Expect a fast-moving queue for this institution that has been open since 1888.

To mingle with the trendsters, head to nearby neighborhoods like Navigli (popular for nightlife locales along the city’s remaining canals) and Brera (a chic area where you’ll find Giorgio Armani HQ, fancy restaurants and the Pinacoteca di Brera, a really impressive gallery of paintings).

Into shopping (and more food)? Aside from the area near the Duomo, there’s Via Torino and Corso di Porta Ticinese leading from the Duomo to Navigli. Corso Como offers plenty to see, namely bars and cool shops like 10 Corso Como, a restaurant with a design shop located above.

Of course, if you visit this year, you may even catch Expo 2015. It’s like a giant version of Disney’s Epcot (or perhaps Epcot is a mini-version of a world expo); numerous countries feature their achievements and aspirations in their respective pavilions. The theme of this year’s Expo is food and sustainability. Definitely check it out if you have the chance, at least for a day. (Scroll down to the Expo section of the photos for a few videos from the pavilions.)

My stay in Milan was a hot one, and a day trip to the beach was in order. My friend and I hopped in the car and headed to Arenzano in the Liguria region of Italy (just under two hours away) for a frivolous afternoon under the sun. It was a nice escape from the city, however much exciting and entertaining as Milan is.

As I leave Italy after one-and-a-half months of traveling from Palermo to Milan, I can’t help but think of how far I’ve come in terms of exploring the country, learning the language and meeting the locals. There’s definitely some distance between me today and the me sitting in that office seven years prior. As I head into Switzerland, I can’t help but feel a little sad at saying arrivederci… but then what is life but a series of happy hellos and heartfelt goodbyes?

Hover over photos for descriptions…

ARENZANO

EXPO 2015

The post Milan – Elegance, Nightlife & Expo 2015 (Videos) first appeared on Keane Li.

After arriving, I promptly find one of Rome’s many street fountains and replenish myself with the city’s pristine spring water, tossing some on my face, and, at the risk of sounding over-dramatic, it’s as if I am being baptized by the city herself.

Rome is that great city of my dreams, a beautiful place of history and art, sunny days of energetic people leading to cool, romantic nights bathed with that classic Italian lantern glow. It’s my favorite city in the world, I’ve said ad nauseam, and being back here is like that dream remembered.

Three years ago, I stayed in Rome for a month. Every morning I would head out and walk until well into the night. By the end of my stay, many of the locals joked that I knew the city better than them. Returning to Rome after having already seen and tried many of the top attractions and food items, I just wanted to wander and soak in that atmosphere I loved so much. It’s a strange feeling to have so many memories of a place so far from where one would call “home.”

This time I stayed at The Beehive, a “ho(s)tel” located conveniently near Roma Termini, Rome’s central station. This was a huge relief for me after the long train ride, especially since I could relax in their lounge with homemade meals and strong Wi-Fi. And a glass of organic wine in their private garden at the end of a long day is an experience only great poets could best describe.

Walks of Italy – Rome as a Local: Hidden Gems & Ancient Wonders

There were a few things I missed the first time. The Appian Way was still on my list, I hadn’t seen the Roman Aqueducts and the “Keyhole” on Aventino eluded me (I had previously thought it was on Gianicolo and scoured the hill looking for a nonexistent hole to peek through). As if by some travel miracle, I was invited on a Walks of Italy tour that covered all these attractions and more. Our guide was a knowledgeable and funny Brit-turned-Roman named Julia Charity. The tour started in front of Il Vittoriano, that unmissable giant white building otherwise known as the “wedding cake” or the “typewriter,” from where we ventured into the Jewish Ghetto with its Portico di Ottavia, the Temple of Apollo Sosianus and Teatro di Marcello (the prototype for the Roman Coliseum), followed by the aforementioned attractions, concluding with the Firing of the Cannon on Gianicolo, which has occurred midday since 1904.

Scooteroma

A highlight during this visit was riding a scooter for the first time. I toured Rome the classic Roman way with Annie from Scooteroma. Speeding past the Aurelian Walls in a Vespa, then through Monti and Piazza Venezia, is an iconic experience I’ll never forget. The tour also included a trip into Testaccio for a visit to Trapizzino, where they serve their signature bread corners stuffed with delicious Italian stews. Annie calls her Vespa tours a “concierge service on wheels,” meaning guests don’t just get a scooter tour with an experienced guide, they also get food and advice.

BonAppetour

Another fun adventure was a meal I had with BonAppetour, a dining-with-locals service that pairs visitors with Romans for intimate explorations into cuisine. They invited me for lunch on the private boat of the Societa Romana Nuotatori for a meal of pasta and seafood. You can read all about it in my article for BrowsingRome…

As I leave Rome, I’m filled with excitement at the chance of getting to know Florence better, though saddened with the feeling that I’m leaving a good friend — nay, a lover — that I hold so deep within my metaphorical heart. And though the Fontana di Trevi is under construction now, that coin I tossed in years before still seems to be doing its job. All roads lead to Rome, they say, and I have many more roads to explore.

Hover over photos for descriptions… Note the photo of the accordion player. I photographed him three years ago. I mentioned it to him as I tipped him and he just smiled.

The post Revisiting Rome – Hidden History, Vespa Rides & Private Club Dining first appeared on Keane Li.

Taking the Italian rail across the Strait of Messina from Sicily to mainland Italy requires what could be one of the coolest experiences in transportation: riding a train that boards a ferry.

Much like how cars can board boats to be transported across bodies of water, Italy has ships designed that allow the transport of fairly long trains across the strait, after which they are reconnected with the rail system on the other side. This occurs between Messina Marittima and Villa San Giovanni Mare (if you are coming from the Sicilian side, as I was after my visit to Catania).

During the boat ride, passengers are free to disembark (the train), grab coffee and walk about the ship for the 30ish minutes it takes to complete the journey. It’s a lovely way to stretch your legs and get some fresh air accompanied with amazing views.

In other words, it’s nothing short of rad.

The post Going Across the Strait of Messina on a Train in a Boat (Video) first appeared on Keane Li.

What do Gondor-esque castles, Duff Beer and vintage Fiats have in common?

They can all be found in the Republic of San Marino!

Located within Italy along the border shared by the regions of Emilia-Romagna and Marche, the Republic of San Marino is an independent microstate that rises high into the sky. Constituted in part by the Apennine mountain range, its capital city, the City of San Marino, offers breathtaking views and quite the bit of exercise.

A relatively quick and cheap bus ride took us from Rimini to the entry door for the mountain enclave. A leisurely walk up yields old churches, quiet parks, comfortable cafes and the Fortress of Guaita, a fortification that looks as if it came straight out of the Lord of the Rings.

I didn’t skimp on the photos and videos below. If you like what you see, please follow me on Flickr and YouTube, and do plan on making a trip to this amazing place in the future. It’s both fun and beautiful, and it’s one of the most affordable things you can do in Italy.

The post Finding Castles in the Sky and Amazing Views in San Marino first appeared on Keane Li.

Established in 1904, the Hong Kong electric tram is possibly the cheapest (and slowest) form of public transportation on the island. Routes run west to east and back from Kennedy Town to Shau Kei Wan with an additional route running south to Happy Valley. Simply get on the tram and pay when you get off. It’s not incredibly complicated.

Thankfully, I’m no longer a bratty kid and, even more thankfully, Hong Kong wasn’t a steaming hole of humidity during my last visit. Armed with my Olympus E-PL2, I captured the experience of riding the double decker car from its most eastern stop at Shau Kei Wan to Central, the heart of downtown and financial Hong Kong. There’s even a photo below of the street vendors who curse your enemies for a price (third photo from the bottom, left of the middle).

The video above is also the longest YouTube video I’ve ever made! If you like it, please friend me on YouTube.

The post Riding the Historic Double Decker Tram in Hong Kong first appeared on Keane Li.

Legal reasons prohibit me from doing thusly.

When I lived here as a kid, I had the opportunity to be in the CNY Parade. I wasn’t able to capture that opportunity, and since then I’ve only seen the parade once. Thanks to AT&T and their promotion for the HTC One X+ smartphone, and bloggers Suki and Donna, I was able to fulfill my childhood dream.

Throughout the parade, the AT&T team used the HTC One X+ to livestream video of the crowd directly onto an LED screen along their float, creating much commotion. It was a clever idea, as was the inclusion of cute little kids on the float itself.

If you’re planning on attending the annual Chinese New Year Parade in downtown San Francisco, dress warm and prepare for crowds. Walking may be a better plan than taking Muni, which faces redirection and delays for many of the lines. Watching from hilly streets like California Street is a good option because they’re at the center of the parade, offer ample lights and provide a slope so you can see even from the back.

The current route takes the parade down Market Street, turning down Post to pass Union Square, turning then on Powell and onto Sutter, and finally finishing down Kearny after it turns the corner on Columbus, ending near the Transamerica Pyramid.

Photos and video taken from the 2013 Chinese New Year Parade in San Francisco (with a regular camera since I couldn’t score an HTC One X+; boo-hoo, and hence no disclaimer needed for this post).

The post Walking with AT&T in the SF Chinese New Year Parade 2013 first appeared on Keane Li.

When I walk around town, I always have a song playing in my head. It’s like having a personal soundtrack. Here are some of my favorite travel-related songs/compositions. I’d love to hear what yours are in the comments.

The post Five favorite travel-related songs first appeared on Keane Li.

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