My new stash of books
On my summer holidays back in New York, I picked up lots of great novels. My autumn and winter reading is secured… Lots of great novels I’ve had in my sights for some time, and I look forward to reading these. While I do buy online sometimes, I much prefer browsing and buying directly in…
Read MoreEnjoying The Met’s panoramic rooftop
When I’m back in New York, I always spend a substantial amount of time at the Metropolitan Museum of Art (The Met). I love art in general, and The Met in particular, and pop in frequently to see new exhibitions, visit old favorites, check out new acquisitions and stop in on the fabulous tours they…
Read MoreMy August 2023 reads
In August, I was on holidays. And holiday reading is always the best reading. Mostly in New York, I was tearing through books I primarily borrowed from my local library. This month’s reads saw me following along on the comeback attempt (decided at a US Open final) of a tennis pro who regretted having to…
Read MoreDreamy views from New York’s Little Island
This summer, I got the chance to go visit the urban (river) park, Little Island, which opened to the public in 2021. It is located on the Hudson River, at Pier 55, between Chelsea and the Meatpacking District. It’s easily visible from New York’s Highline, and is a short detour if you’re walking along the…
Read MoreHitting the Little Free Libraries to drop off my novels
I’m a big fan of Little Free Libraries. Whenever I return for holidays in the US, I always bring along a few copies of my paperbacks to drop them off. This lovely trend didn’t exist when I was growing up … but I’m so glad it’s taken off! I would have been a major consumer,…
Read MoreTuscan beaches
Discovering new beaches is always fun… This summer, we had my son’s national track championships up in Grosseto, Italy, and the heat led us to carving ina little beach time. Some of that we spent on the wide beaches of Marina di Grosseto, just a few kilometers from the medieval hilltown. The other beach was…
Read MoreSame writing, new views
One of the lovely things about writing is that, when you travel, you can take it with you. When I come back to New York most summers, I like to take my writing with me. I’m lucky to have a shared condominium terrace, and I love to get up there for the views and writing…
Read MorePadova’s spectacular San Antonio Basilica
This past winter, my son and I took a few weekend trips to Padova, in Italy’s northern Veneto region. It was also a great opportunity to see the Sant Antonio basilica once again. This spectacular basilica was constructed beginning in 1232, a year following the death of St Anthony. It was completed in 1310. Like…
Read MoreHave library card, will travel
I’m always thrilled to come back to New York, because … obviously. But in addition to enjoying the city, I’m also happy to whip out my handy NY library card and to start borrowing away. I love public libraries, and I love wandering them and disovering all the interesting books I’ve been menaing to read…
Read MoreWatching over Ancona’s port each morning
These past years, I’ve gotten to know the Marche’s region’s capital of Ancona. I came here regularly because the small city hosts an indoor track, and my sprinter son would compete here. Whenever we would stay, I would book my favorite hotel, with its views over the Ancona port. Ports are interesting places, and it’s…
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