The Archiginnasio Palace Nestled in the heart of Bologna, lies the architectural marvel known as the Archiginnasio Palace. This majestic structure, boasting a rich history and captivating beauty, is a must-visit for anyone seeking a glimpse into the city’s academic …
Santa Zita, who was born in the town of Monsagrati in 1218, died in Lucca in 1278. She is a religious figure dearest to the people of Lucca. But why? Let me share her special story. During the week of …
The Bronze Pig | Florence, Italy The Bronze Pig Fountain or Il Porcellino, as the Italians call him, means “the little pig.” He is located to the side of the Mercato Nuovo in Florence, Italy. You’ve probably walked past …
Venice’s carnival was recently voted one of the world’s top five carnivals. It’s no wonder why when I see photos on social media! Venice is a magical city for anyone to visit but… it is particularly spectacular during Carnevale di Venezia! …
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 …
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 …
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 …
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 …
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 …
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 …
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 …
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 …