I recently got back from my first trip abroad. We spent nearly three weeks exploring Italy, beginning in the city of Venice. Even though Venice is touristy, it still has lots of old-world charm. There are narrow, winding streets that spill out onto piazzas, and canals are at every turn, filled with singing gondoliers. It’s … Continue reading Everything I Needed to Know I Learned in Venice
My last post about Italy has to be about the food. I am like my mother in that I believe love surrounds the table, and meals cooked for family and friends bring people together to create lasting memories. There is a real difference in the way Italians eat compared to most Americans. Do not … Continue reading Gas or no gas?
In every city and village that we visited, we noticed a nightly progression. In Italian, it is called la passegiata. Couples and families get dressed in their finest and walk around the main streets of town and through piazzas. It is a time to see and to be seen and to socialize. I loved this … Continue reading Romeo? Juliet? Wherefore art thou?
It all began with a late train that caused us to miss our connection back to Lucca. We ended up having to pool our remaining cash and take a taxi. Then, because we returned so late, we decided to sleep in a bit and take a later morning train to Florence, not realizing that there were no connections … Continue reading The Best-Laid Schemes O’ Mice an’ Men
All I wanted to do was to lay on the beach and soak up the warm, Mediterranean sun. I shook out my little hotel towel, sat down, and began to breathe in the fresh, ocean air. I was interrupted mid-breath by a lady selling massages. I politely declined. Once again, I took a deep breath, looked out into the ocean … Continue reading Pushing Boundaries in Cinque Terre
Peppy Places 