Posts by Kimberly Sullivan
Bruges by bike
My younger son and I enjoyed a long weekend in Brussels earlier this month, and while there we had a great time visiting the medieval city of Bruges. A Belgian colleague had told me about a bike trail leading from Gent/Gand to Bruges – a 45-kilometer bike towpath trail along a canal. With the benefit…
Read MoreHappy National Library Week!
“The only thing that you absolutely have to know is the location of the library.” -Albert Einstein If that isn’t a fitting tribute to libraries, I don’t know what is. This week, we celebrate National Library Week, when it’s important not only to know where your local library is, but to show up and demonstrate…
Read MoreEnjoying the ‘Sardine Festival’ in Guethary, France
I’ve already written about Guéthary, the Pays basque coastal town where my family and I vacationed last year. One of the last evenings staying in Guéthary, we stumbled onto a sardine festival being held on a panoramic point along the sea, so we decided to join in. We had a great time sitting on picnic…
Read MoreWhen I really don’t like a book…
I’m a big fan of books. Paper books, that is. I do far too much reading on computers at work, and when I return home or travel, I want to read real books, turn crisp pages, watch the number of pages accumulate as I work my way through a novel. Sadly for me, I don’t…
Read MoreTurin’s art deco galleries
When you’re in Piedmont’s capital of Turin, you must be sure to visit the city’s wonderful shopping galleries. They are ideal for the less-than-perfect weather in northern Italy, and maintain their original art deco charm. The first gallery constructed in Turin was at the request of the Marquis Natta d’Alfano, and constructed by the architect…
Read MoreLonger days, happier campers (and writers)
Last weekend in Italy we set our clocks forward, and oh!, what a difference an hour makes. I’m sure it says something about my simple-mindedness, but my mood improves markedly with the lengthening of the days. For those of us who love to write, perhaps it seems counter-intuitive, but I find these longer days to…
Read MoreMilan’s Duomo
I’ve already written about the spectacular views from the roof of Milan’s Duomo, and why you really want to make time to climb up to the top. However, the cathedral itself is definitely worth a visit during your time in the Lombard capital. The Duomo is the most famous monument of the city, and its…
Read MoreAuthors as Martians, according to Martin Amis
“I think all writers are Martians. They come and say, You haven’t been seeing this place right.” —Martin Amis An interesting take on writers by talented British novelist Martin Amis. I like this imagery of a novelist as a Martian – giving his or her unique take on (perhaps oft visited) subject matter, with the…
Read MoreReason #5388 to love Rome: Sant’Agnese church
I recently returned to visit the beautiful early Christian church of Sant’Agnese, a church I hadn’t been back to in years. Since the Roman metro line has been extended, it’s even easier to get here via the B metro line, where it has its own stop: Sant’Agnese. This 7th century church, designed like a basilica,…
Read MoreA hilarious take on the literary classics from Thug Notes
Way back when I was in high school, Cliff Notes were the preferred reviews both for kids like me who loved to read and wanted to learn more and those who hoped to avoid reading the full novel by instead skimming the short summary and the accompanying literary themes. Today there’s a hilarious new take…
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