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 …
Cooking Pasta: Know the 10 Commandments
Cooking Pasta So for tonight’s dinner, you’re cooking pasta. Brava. You should think ahead because it’s not just about boiling some water and throwing some dried pasta into it. There is so much more to it than that. Here are …
Da Vinci’s Last Supper: Masterpiece in Milan-Our Incredible Visit
The Last Supper was top on our list to visit when we first arrived in Milan back in 2010. What we didn’t realize is that it was closed the only day we could visit. Rookie mistake. What we… and perhaps …
Amazing Portugal | Our Awesome Trip & Tips
Our recent trip to Portugal was amazing! We planned a ten-day trip recently to visit three areas of this country. As the saying goes… best-laid plans of mice and men often go awry… and so… we changed it during our …
Never Wash a Moka Pot With Soap
You aren’t supposed to clean your Moka Pot with Soap? How does it then get clean? It’s a sure bet that every household in Italy has at least one Moka pot. They probably have two or three in different sizes …
How Well Do You Know Italy Quiz
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 …
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 …