Taormina, Sicily’s Most Beautiful Town
May 10, 2009 | Written by Julian Worker
The most famous building in Taormina is the Greek Theatre, which was featured in the Woody Allen film Mighty Aphrodite. The theatre dates from the 2nd Century AD, when the Romans enlarged and transformed the original Greek amphitheatre, to better accommodate circus games and gladitorial contests. The vista northwards towards Messina along the coast included cable cars descending the hillside to the shore, where... [Read more]
Setting Sails with Barcolana in Italy
March 26, 2009 | Written by Noah Nielsen
I just witnessed the 40th Barcolana festival and sailing regatta, and I wish I could have been around for the previous thirty-nine. Barcolana is the largest such regatta in Southern Europe, drawing around two thousand sailboats to Trieste, Italy every year. The actual boat race takes place annually on the second Sunday in October, but the festival is in full swing for the entire weekend, featuring plenty of sailors, spectators,... [Read more]
Erin Go Braugh and Ciao Bella Meet
March 19, 2009 | Written by Stephanie Fairbanks
Have I mentioned the Italian guy? I probably haven’t mentioned the Italian guy. I’ve actually been trying NOT to mention the Italian guy, even to myself. However, there is an Italian guy.
If you want to add the proverbial (and in this case, quite delicious) icing to the Irish cake, picture this: You’re all alone, feeling the happiest you’ve ever felt in your life and you’re aware of that moment as it is... [Read more]
A Happy St. Paddy’s Day Celebration… It’s All about Location!
March 17, 2009 | Written by Stephanie Fairbanks
With my trip to Ireland just around the corner, St. Patrick’s Day brings with it an added touch of nostalgia for all things Irish. And what better place to plant yourself for the National Holiday of Ireland than on the streets of Dublin? Well, if in addition to the Irish obsession, you’ve also got a hankering for all things Italian, New Orleans might be the next best location for a unique St. Paddy’s Day excursion.
While... [Read more]
Road Trip Travel Enters the Space Age, part 4
November 16, 2008 | Written by Steve Smith & Christine Johnson
I found that nowhere in the world is the wine as fine and varied as in Italy. Towns only 20 kilometers apart produce unique varieties made from the same grapes, appellations they can call all their own. Driving through each will give you the chance to taste this firsthand. My two favorites grew in micro-climates states apart, but the bloodlines these wines share make them family.
We’ve all heard of Tuscany and... [Read more]
A Wedding Abroad
October 26, 2008 | Written by Bianca Jordan
“Destination wedding” has always sounded extravagant to me and I never seriously thought I would have one myself. Yet, here I am, a happily engaged gal, in the midst of planning her wedding in a small Italian mountain town called Roccascalegna. My fiancé Keith and I chose to marry abroad for several reasons: it’s romantic, the setting is beautiful and unique, it’s a wonderful opportunity to integrate ourselves... [Read more]
Road Trip Travel Enters the Space Age, part 3
October 24, 2008 | Written by Steve Smith & Christine Johnson
I returned last week from my driving adventure and the experience of navigating by man-made stars through Tuscany. Let me tell you, this region is in a league all its own during the harvest season. The seasonal local foods and festivals, the wine, and particularly the weather are superb.
If you’re contemplating doing this but have read about how difficult Italian drivers can be, let me tell you this is just bad... [Read more]
Road Trip Travel Enters the Space Age, part 2
October 3, 2008 | Written by Steve Smith & Christine Johnson
Should I be excited that I’m living the freedom of navigating by car through the hill towns of Tuscany and Umbria, or frightened by this summer’s astronomical gas prices and what it can do to my pocketbook?
Months ago, much like a progeny of Zeus, I mused about this upcoming road trip and the relevancy of this type of travel. I asked, “Will gas prices continue to skyrocket as they have this summer?”... [Read more]
The Wow of Lucca
September 25, 2008 | Written by Susan Tornga
I know better, I really do! Although I’ve never quite understood the European practice of validating tickets immediately after purchase, I am aware of the requirement. This time however, I was feeling complacent because, in my last six train rides in Italy, no one had asked for my ticket, validated or not. A glance at my watch that told me my train from Pisa to Lucca was leaving in less than five minutes.
As a... [Read more]
Lemons and More, the Amalfi Coast
September 10, 2008 | Written by Carolyn Bonello
Everything in the Amalfi Coast is lemony. The perfumes, ceramic tiles, cups and saucers, main courses, desserts, refreshing drinks and, of course, the prize winner, Limoncello are just lemony.
Up until now, I am oblivious to the amount of alcohol this pleasantly sweet digestive liquor, made from lemon rind, water and sugar, actually contains. But as I sit in a pretty restaurant over-looking Sorrento’s main piazza,... [Read more]
Road Trip Travel Enters the Space Age
August 4, 2008 | Written by Steve Smith & Christine Johnson
When I was a child my family relocated cross-country to California via the Mother Road, historic Route 66. Even at that tender age, I enjoyed the trip in a station-wagon piled high with our possessions, ‘Grapes of Wrath’ style. It was on that drive that the road-tripper bug infected me.
Years later the country was facing its first gas crisis and the price had reached 75 cents a gallon. With school behind me... [Read more]
Venice to Yourself
June 1, 2008 | Written by Michael Henderson
Jet lag awakened me at 4 a.m., denying further sleep. Things could be worse. After all, I’m in Venice, the most magical, romantic city in the world. Anxiously awaiting a day of Italian sites, culture, vino, and cuisine was like torture. Nearly a restless hour passed in my room near the Accademia Bridge, and with the dawn I decided to get out and wander around town until a café opened. But what this magnificent city was... [Read more]
Finding A Good Gelateria Using The Banana Principle
October 2, 2007 | Written by Jason Fitzpatrick
I learned many great things the summer I studied abroad in Florence Italy. One of the best is a method for finding a good gelateria taught to me by my Italian Language professor. I know what you are thinking, like sex and pizza there really isn’t any such thing as bad gelato. And you’re right, but when given a choice between the “really good” and the “divine” wouldn’t you choose... [Read more]
Bitten by Pizzica
September 16, 2007 | Written by Kimberli Waack
Picture yourself working day in and day out beneath a blazing sun in the red fields of Southern Italy... [Read more]
The Next Rome Five
September 13, 2007 | Written by Devin Galaudet
Day three on an Italy adventure started before dawn and a skewed internal time-clock. It continued along a path including classic art and bus rides around the city center.
Here is my next list of five worthy thoughts when considering traveling through Rome.
1. Visitors can ride anywhere throughout Rome on public transportation for €1. This is one of the better... [Read more]
Writing by the Pantheon
September 12, 2007 | Written by Devin Galaudet
I am proud to say I have visited over twenty countries in Europe. Explored it’s many cultures and rich foods from Iceland to Spain and Ireland to Poland.
I am not bragging, not even a little. Actually, I point... [Read more]
Announcing the New Seven Wonders of the World
July 7, 2007 | Written by Steve Smith & Christine Johnson
A worldwide popular vote has been underway to select the New Seven Wonders of the World, sites to be listed alongside... [Read more]
Vino Primitivo in Puglia
June 13, 2007 | Written by Kimberli Waack
I like wine. Scratch that. I love wine. I love its color, love to swirl it around in the glass, put my nose next to its nose and... [Read more]
A New Star on Italian TV
May 12, 2007 | Written by Kimberli Waack
Think of Italy and one of the first things that comes to mind is rich tradition... [Read more]
By the Rock Towers if the Salentine Coast
March 27, 2007 | Written by Kimberli Waack
Spaced between five and ten kilometers apart, rock towers... [Read more]
Otranto: “a Place of Sun, Wind and Remorse”
March 5, 2007 | Written by Kimberli Waack
Salento’s inhabitants describe their land as the place of sun, wind and remorse. So deeply etched into the land, ruins... [Read more]
Eating in Italy with Kim
February 12, 2007 | Written by Kimberli Waack
It’s difficult to eat poorly in Salento. Everywhere there is a variety of fresh vegetables and fish especially in the winter. When you go out to eat, expect the portions to be large enough for two people. Keep this in mind when ordering and if you speak Italian well enough you might consider ordering a meal for one and splitting it. At many places there are no printed menus simply what the chef has decided to prepare... [Read more]
Vote for the New 7 Wonders
December 26, 2006 | Written by Steve Smith & Christine Johnson
In what could be the largest vote ever, the world will soon choose the New Seven Wonders of the World to stand alongside the Ancient Seven Wonders of the World. In January, the New7Wonders committee, chaired by Dr. Federico Mayor, selected 21 finalists out of the 77 nominated sites. You can have a say in the selection of the final seven by casting your vote. From anywhere in the world, call +423 663 90 02 99 and use the... [Read more]
Terraces of the Cinque Terre
August 12, 2006 | Written by Bradley Fink
... The Keys to Florence
May 28, 2006 | Written by Devin Galaudet
I arrived in Florence a full day ahead of my “schedule” and upon stepping off the train realized that my room reservation... [Read more]
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