Man on the River - London to Istanbul 2012

Here we go!

Man on the River — Fri, 04 May 2012 12:31:35 +0000

The journey kicks back with the help of Anna and Leon, our filmmakers! We leave from Venice heading toward Hungary. We stop by in Tarvisio to get a car lift by Alessandra, Anna’s sister. The wonderful peaks of the Alps are still snowy, especially the Mangart. At dawn, we take a break at Fusine’s lakes, [...]

Fair Winds to a friend

Man on the River — Thu, 26 Apr 2012 13:53:14 +0000

Köln, a former Roman Colony. It once was a wonderful city, but 77 minutes of wretched bombing destroyed it almost totally in a woeful day of the last century. Cologne boasted the best roman aqueduct north of the Rhenus (the Italian river Reno near Bologna). The Romans were masters in moving water: Probably more skilled [...]

A long, fast winter

Man on the River — Sat, 17 Mar 2012 09:58:48 +0000

It’s been a long winter, but it passed quite fast to me. As always, still over the water, or close to it. I’m currently writing from a train that’s running over the water too: It’s the bridge connecting Venice to Europe. Connecting Europe to Venice, more precisely. Last time I wrote, I was in Budapest. [...]

Things to do in winter – Esztergom to Budapest

Man on the River — Fri, 21 Oct 2011 18:02:51 +0000

I’m now writing from Venice: My base camp, nest, better still my port. What am I doing here? Many things. First of all, my mum has undergone a very serious operation for a bad illness, so it was important to come back. She has always supported me in thousand ways, so she’s important. Moreover, I’ve [...]

On the right track – Wien to Esztergom

Man on the River — Tue, 04 Oct 2011 18:29:16 +0000

Dear close and far away friends, I’m writing from Esztergom, Hungary. It was called Strigonium by ancient Romans: I can’t tell if any of them is still here, but I often get the impression to hear somebody who’s talking in Italian and say to myself: “Where are all of these Italian guys in Hungary?” But [...]

World Tour of Austria – Grein to Wien

Man on the River — Thu, 22 Sep 2011 22:01:09 +0000

If you only knew, my beloved seafarers, where I’m writing from… A dream, so many sea books and a model Viking boat. I’m in the secret lounge of the imperial steam-tug “Frederic Mistral”, currently moored in Wien! Clodia is quietly sleeping next to it. I can hear the Danube water since I’m about three quarters [...]

A healthy taste of madness – Passau to Grein

Man on the River — Sun, 11 Sep 2011 22:15:50 +0000

In Passau, is time for new guests to joins us. Marco comes with his girlfriend Naike, in a chilly morning over a steamy river. Marco is a big man, Naike a tiny girl: They make for a nice couple. Passau is beautiful: Three rivers, three waters, rocks, tourism and life. The Inn is the biggest [...]

Wrath of the Gods – Regensburg to Passau

Man on the River — Fri, 02 Sep 2011 10:39:06 +0000

Slowly but surely, we proceed: According to my calculations, far from being accurate, we should be a handful of km away from the 2.000 milestone. In 70 km we’ll celebrate! Regensburg is too beautiful to be described by words. Don’t miss it if you can, I’ll never be able to tell you its true essence. [...]

Coconut Danube – Nürnberg to Regensburg

Man on the River — Fri, 26 Aug 2011 11:30:16 +0000

A few days ago I wrote: “I’m in Nürnberg. Nice city.” Same usual mayhem of every city, for those who come from the healthy and simple life on the river. Poverty and richness, comfort and uneasiness walk together. Happily, sometimes. I expected worse: I heard many people speaking ill about Nürnberg. It’s got a strong [...]

The legend of Castaway Gondoliers – Bamberg to Nürnberg

Man on the River — Mon, 15 Aug 2011 17:10:22 +0000

If you believe this is Venice, then think again. That’s Bamberg, where my old friend Wolfgang left me in very good hands: I thank him once again for it. Bernhard arranged a fantastic welcome for us, and Jürgen Hoh offered me a bed in his nice house, very close to the Sailing Club. In the [...]