Visiting Brussels… wow… it’s been almost a year since Gary and I were there for a little winter excursion. When we returned from this trip and I had a moment to write a post, it didn’t seem like the proper …
Piedmont Guide Including Two Special Must See Destinations
Where exactly is Piedmont in Italy? Piedmont is at the foot of the Swiss Alps – where Italy meets France and Switzerland. Ancient volcanic activity has left its mark on the landscape, with over two million hectares of vineyards covering …
Rental Ban Changes the Florence Historic Center
Florence has announced a rental ban on new short-term rentals such as Airbnb’s in the Renaissance historic center. Were you aware? This crackdown is an attempt to make more homes available for locals. Rental Ban in Florence As one of …
Exclusive Guest: Introducing Life in Lucca with Andrea
Life in Lucca with Andrea Today’s exclusive guest is Andrea from Life in Lucca with Andrea. Not only is she a lovely person, but we thought her story interesting and thought you might think so too. It’s a little funny …
Guide to the Italian Restaurant Menu: How to Read and Understand
Ahhh, the Italian restaurant menu – first of all – it can be very confusing. Typically, a traditional Italian meal generally has three courses—antipasti, primi, and secondi with the option for dolce, or dessert – of course! Antipasti The word …
Aosta Valley Travel Guide: Don’t Miss These Two Places
Aosta is the capital of the Valle d’Aosta region, in northwestern Italy. It is also the gateway to the Via Francigena in Italy. The Romans founded the town in 25 BC at a crucial point where the main roads heading …
A Tragic Story About Thrombosis – Are You Aware?
I had no idea what thrombosis was until I met Ken. Now that I think of it, I’m not sure how I first connected with him but… that’s insignificant now. Today, Gary and I consider Ken and his daughters, Victoria, …
Forte dei Marmi in Tuscany: Lavish, Glamorous, and Enticing
Forte dei Marmi is a seaside town in Italy known for its beaches and high-end shopping. Recently, I had the opportunity with two different adventures to discover the shopping component, as well as, the lovely beach. The town has a …
Proper Etiquette When Visiting Italy: Turn Into a Fabulous Tourist
What do I mean when I say proper etiquette? What in the world am I talking about? Every country loves its tourists. They depend on your visit and your hard-earned cash spent in their country. It’s worldwide. But, you know …
Bacio: The Italian Kiss, Sounds of a Romantic Language
In Italian, the word bacio means “kiss.” This is a very common word that is used in many different contexts – all the way from platonic to romantic. Italian is known as one of the most romantic languages in the …
Travel Authorization Program- Who Will Require ETIAS? Begins in 2024
So What is ETIAS? ETIAS stands for European Travel Information and Authorization System. It’s an electronic system that will keep track of visitors from countries who need a visa to enter the Schengen Zone. It is similar to the Department of Homeland …
The Island of Elba: Our First Adventure to Tuscany’s Treasure
I wasn’t sure what to expect when disembarking the ferry on Isola d’Elba in June. What I am sure about is Napoleon would never recognize it today. Definitely more congested than when the emperor was exiled to the island in …