I’m sitting outside a cafe in Tarifa, Spain, sipping a tiny coffee, reflecting on the twists and turns of my life. I want to be in motion, so I finish my journal entry and go for a walk along the cobblestone streets of the old town, protected from the wind by the closeness of the whitewashed buildings.

Japan lives up to its hype and is well worth a long visit. I travelled solo for 24 days in October and November 2017, and I enjoyed every moment.

When I lived in Florence, my apartment was in the Oltrarno neighbourhood, south of the Arno River. Although a day trip to Florence can easily keep you in the city’s busy tourist centre in the north, it’s worth the walk across one of the cities historic bridges. I’d recommend at least a half-day to explore the area, although you could easily fill a day at a relaxed pace.