It’s with mixed feelings that I’m back in Seattle after three and a half weeks in Italy. It’s always good to come back home, of course, but there is a part of me that was left behind, waiting patiently until I come back to claim it. The pace was both busy and leisurely, with a [...]
One of the things that I was excited to do in Sicily was climb Mt. Etna. At approximately 10,922 feet high, this largest active volcano in Europe was visible from the back deck of our villa. Every morning I’d take a look at how beautiful it was, it’s very top visible in the earlier morning [...]
Everywhere you turn in Italy you’ll find grappa, a clear alcoholic beverage sure to knock your socks off. Grappa is made from the grape residue left over from the crush of grapes during the winemaking process, and includes the grape skins, stems, seeds, and everything else. Like many food items in Italy, the beverage originally [...]
It took the better part of 24 hours, but I’m finally settled into my villa in Sicily. The day started with a 3:30 am car service pick up, which started the day’s travel with a flight to Chicago, then connecting to an overnight flight to Rome. The group met up at the Rome airport, thankfully [...]
For most people, a trip to Rome is going to include a trip to Vatican City, and a stop to see the Vatican Museum, Sistine Chapel, and St. Peter’s (Square and Basilica). It may seem like an easy stop on your travels, but it can be daunting. A little research and advance planning can help [...]
I’m not a traveler cut out for a location independent lifestyle. I love having a home to return to. A place to live and enjoy. My home is a wonderful place where I have creature comforts that allow me to live, dream, plan, and have fun. It’s a base of operations for the various parts [...]
Our hectic pace of life takes its toll on our physical and emotional health, so when it’s vacation time, why not consider a trip that’s part of the Slow Cities movement. The movement, started by the Italians in the 1990’s, is a way of protecting traditions and traditional ways of living. You remember those – [...]
The imposing cylindrical Castel Sant’Angelo, situated along the Tiber River in Rome, was built between 123 and 129 AD. It was first known as the Mausoleum of Hadrian, serving as the resting grounds for the ashes of the Roman emperor. Ashes of Hadrian’s family, as well as subsequent emperors, joined him there. The tomb was [...]
The Coliseum in Rome is the largest remaining monument of Imperial Rome, and is the top landmark in a city that’s full of landmarks. Built between AD 72-80, the Coliseum was originally called the Flavian Amphitheater and was the center of the city of Rome. It was the first and the largest (it covers about [...]
Ttoday’s post harkens back to my summer vacation in Italy. Lake Maggiore, with its low key atmosphere, has an extensive network of ferry service around and across the lake. In fact, ferries have landing stages in nearly every town along the lake, making it quite easy to get most places by boat. In addition to [...]
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