Archive for January 2018
Exploring the medieval Vatican City: Viterbo, Italy
Last week I wrote about the Terme dei Papi – The Thermal Baths of the Popes – in northern Lazio. In this port, I wanted to highlight the beautiful town of Viterbo, just a few kilometers away from this spa, and well worth a visit before or after you soak in the warm waters. Viterbo, as…
Read MoreAuthor Marguerite Yourcenar on why we read
“Books are a way of learning to feel more acutely.” – Marguerite Yourcenar Sage words from the French author (1903-1987) most famous for her novel Memoirs of Hadrian. Perhaps this author knows best, having so effectively written from the perspective of 1st Century AD Roman Emperor. Books have a way of opening us up to…
Read MoreRelaxing in Viterbo’s Terme dei Papi, Italy
The thermal waters found north of Rome, at the Terme dei Papi (The Thermal Baths of the Popes) were famous well before Papal times. These thermal waters were well known to the Etruscans, well before the birth of Rome. In the 3rd Century B.C., the Roman army, led by Console Quinto Fabio Rulliano, conquered and…
Read MoreA story encapsulated in a poem
My middle schooler has been learning a poem by heart for his French class. He was having a difficult time with the following poem, the excellent Déjeuner du matin by Jacques Prévert . Much of his difficulty in memorizing came from a lack of understanding. He was reading the poem as a type of ‘Ode to café…
Read MoreStunning views from the roof of Milan’s Duomo
I was very happy to get back to Milan recently – a city where I lived almost two decades ago. One of the things I used to do when friends visited me in Milan was to take them to the roof of Milan’s Duomo – the cathedral. From there, there are beautiful views over the…
Read MoreAnother New Year, another Goodreads Reading Challenge
It’s that time of year again for those of us who love reading – time to set our reading goals for 2018. Every year I sign up for the Goodreads Reading Challenge, and 2018 is no exception. I’ve pledged to read 45 novels in the new year. I generally meet my challenge, but if I…
Read MoreRinging in the New Year on the slopes of Abruzzo
I generally don’t travel far during the holidays. While I’m almost always up for travel, the super-busy Christmas holidays is a time I’d rather not deal with hectic airports or packed trains and highways. I tend to stick close to Rome, generally making short trips to nearby towns and cities. It’s also a great time…
Read More2018 – A happy new writing year to all!
A wonderful 2018 to everyone! But special wishes for a productive new writing year to all you writers out there! Usually, this is my time to make writing resolutions for the new year. Until now, I’ve also been pretty good about keeping my resolutions. But 2017 flummoxed me. I did very little (creative) writing, and…
Read MoreOld time splendor at Oslo’s Grand Hotel
Oslo’s Grande Dame of a hotel, the Grand Hotel, was built in Norway’s capital in 1874 – back when Oslo went by the name Kristiania. It is located centrally, on the main shopping street of Karl Johans gate, between the Norwegian Parliament and the Royal Palace. I love old hotels like this, full of charm…
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