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 …
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 …
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 …
Exciting Festival Verdi in October | Parma, Italy
Teatro Regio and Festival Verdi So you are in Parma, Italy – home of Parmesan Reggiano and Prosciutto but guess what else? Home of one of the greats… Giuseppe Verdi! Teatro Regio di Parma The Teatro Regio di Parma was …
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 …
The Dolomites in Italy | Our Exciting Experience
Our outdoor adventure to The Dolomites – a place in northern Italy like no other. The beauty and diversity of the landscape of the Italian Dolomites alone will enchant you – in every season. Packed with stunning views, small quaint villages, plenty …
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 …