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Archive for the ‘Italy’ Category
Siena – a lovely medieval city rooted in tradition
A visit to Tuscany is not complete without exploring the lovely medieval city of Siena. Located only 1.5 hour drive from Florence, it makes for any easy day trip, but I recommend a more leisurely drive through the Chianti region stopping at vineyards and small towns along the way. The city was built upon three […]
Castellina in Chianti in Tuscany
From Florence you can reach Siena by car in 1.25 hours on the freeway. Or you can do what we did and leisurely drive through the Tuscan countryside, stopping to explore the small villages and to taste wine at the many vineyards scattered throughout the Chianti hills. The Chianti region is well known for producing […]
Piazza del Campo & the Palio – Siena, Italy
Photo of the week: Panorama view of the Piazza del Campo and the Palazzo Comunale in the center of Siena, Italy. Twice a year (July 2 and August 16) the horse race, Palio di Siena, is held around the edges of the piazza. Historical records indicate the famous horse race has been taking place in […]
The Duomo and the Moon
Photo of the week: The Duomo and the moon – Milan, Italy To see more photos of Milan CLICK HERE.
Best of 2012 – By the seat of my skirt
Some of the best memories of my life were made in 2011 … but 2012 turned out to be an incredible year as well! When I departed for my next big adventure, “Golden sands & European Trysts”, I had no idea the many great experiences that awaited me or where in the world I would I […]
When in Venice …
ride in a gondola! Sure, it may be one of the most cliché, touristy things to do in entire world, but there really is something magical in gliding past ancient palaces and marveling at magnificent Venetian engineering and architecture. A gondola ride through the narrow canals of the floating city has long been romanticized, and […]
Embracing fear on a Euro Motorbike Tour
The red bike leaned sharply as we ascended the winding mountain road. I clung to Thomas, my arms wrapped tightly around his waist. We were near the border of Austria and Italy, approaching yet another mountain pass. So far I had enjoyed myself, despite my initial hesitations to ride on the back of my boyfriend’s […]
The nymph of Lake Carezza (Rainbow Lake)
Photo of the week: Lake Carezza is in the Dolomites mountain range in South Tyrol, Italy. The surface of the lake gleams with colors of the rainbow for reasons that can only be explained by local legend. According to legend … in Lake Carezza there once lived a beautiful water nymph, who often sat and sang […]
“The Five Lands” hike Cinque Terre, Italy
Cinque Terre is a rugged portion of coast on the Italian Riviera, west of the larger town La Spezia. “The Five Lands” is composed of five villages: Monterosso al Mare, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola, and Riomaggiore. A popular walking trail called Sentiero Azzurro runs along the coastline connecting “The Five Lands”. The path offers incredible views of […]
Manarola, Cinque Terre Italy
Photo of the week: Sunset on Manarola village, one of the “Five Lands” in Cinque Terre, Italy. To see more photos of Cinque Terre, Italy CLICK HERE.
Things to do in Varenna and around Lake Como Italy
Over the past few months I have made three trips to Lake Como, spending most of my time in the small town of Varenna where my good friend Sarah has been residing on an extended career break at Agriturismo Castello Di Vezio. Beautiful Lake Como is only a three hour drive from where I lived outside […]
Olympus Camera waterproof testing in Lake Como
THE BAD: Mary dropped her camera into Lake Como THE GOOD: Luca saved the day and retrieves Mary’s camera from the lake. AND it still works as it is waterproof! THE FUNNY: The way it all came about … Mary tossed her camera onto her purse that was resting on a stone bench built into […]