Italy quiz! So… you think you know Italy pretty well? Want to make it fun and take a quiz? We thought we would introduce some quizzes every once in a while to provide information while making it fun. Sometimes we …
Airbnb vs Vrbo: What Really is the Difference?
Getting ready to travel but do you book with Airbnb vs Vrbo? Or should you consider a hotel site as your host? This happens to be one of the top questions we are asked time and time again. So it’s …
Easy Day Trips From 5 Major Cities in Italy
We often get asked about easy day trips from Lucca and other major cities throughout Italy. When Shari, a faithful, long-time subscriber of this blog suggested this for a post, we thought we’d do it. I will always recommend that …
The Historical Regatta, Venice
The Historical Regatta is the main event in the annual “Voga alla Veneta” rowing calendar. This unique sport (which only takes place in Venice once a year- has been practiced in the Venetian lagoon for thousands of years. Most noteworthy… …
Coins in Fountains: What Happens to Them?
Throwing coins in fountains… it’s a time-honored ritual when finding yourself in front of a fountain. Countless people, including myself, have tossed coins into fountains to make a wish and possibly to bring us some good luck too. In fact, …
Jet Lag: How to Avoid and Conquer
Is the term “jet lag” real? You bet it is! Of course, it depends on which way you are traveling. It’s easier for Europeans to travel to the USA than the other way around. Reason being? The 6-9 hour time …
Rent an Apartment in Italy: Important Facts
You would think that moving to Italy and renting an apartment would be easy peasy, right? The Process First, you need to find the apartment which is a process all on its own. Then, once you find your “home sweet …
Italian Bathrooms | What You Need to Know
How are Italian bathrooms different than the ones you will find in the States? There are several differences, and in today’s post, we will explore a good deal of the differences and even discuss a bit of protocol. General Information …
La Befana: Italian Tradition in January
In Italian Christmas folklore, La Befana (pronounced [beˈfana]) is represented by an old woman riding a broomstick through the air. She delivers various sweets and candy to good children on Epiphany Eve. But if you were bad – watch out… you …
8 Ways to Save Money For Travel
Save Money For Travel Why is it so difficult to save money for travel? Travel enriches our lives. It’s the one thing you can buy that makes you richer. That’s one of my favorite sayings… and it’s true. Most people …
Ilene’s New York Cheesecake
The key to this New York cheesecake is the water bath. If you don’t have a sizeable lasagna-type pan, you can purchase an inexpensive metal one from the grocery store. This is a family favorite and featured in our book, …
Ducale Palace and Park, Parma
Ducale Palace and Park One of Many Parks in Parma, Italy Finding Ducale Park was a bonus when we stayed in Parma. Plenty of old trees provided shady paths to wander and stroll under. When we visited, the weather was …