Stocking up on traditional bread and pork in Genzano, Italy
My youngest son is a sprinter, and I spend lots of time on weekends dragging him around to races in various towns across the region of Lazio. This year, we had lots of races in the pretty area of ‘Castelli romani’, an area in the foothills south of Rome. After my son’s races, we would…
Read MoreBook review: Paris Time Capsule
In Paris Time Capsule, by Ella Carey, New-York photographer Cat Jordan is stunned to learn she has inherited an apartment in Paris from Isabelle de Florian, a woman she’s never heard of. She leaves behind her society boyfriend and travels to France to handle the practicalities. There she learns that Isabelle de Florian and her…
Read MoreHamburg’s Rathaus
On a visit to Hamburg, Germany you certainly can’t miss the ornate Rathaus (Town Hall), the Neo-Renaissance palace constructed 1886-1897. Its tower stands 112 meters high and the building dominates the entire square, a collection of architectural excess, statues, and spires. Among the statues are twenty German Emperors. Today it serves as the seat of…
Read MoreHolidays as creative writing time?
I’m not sure how I feel about this. Sometimes as I leave for holidays I have big plans for what I want to accomplish writing-wise. Other departures, I realize that there is very little point in hoping I’ll accomplish anything beyond normal vacation recharging. This year I have writing goals, but I’m not sure how…
Read MoreHamburg’s Kunsthalle
When you’re in Hamburg, Germany, there is lots to do. One of the visits you probably want to make is to visit the Hamburger Kunsthalle, the Hamburg Art Museum. It first opened to the public back in 1869. You can read about opening days and times, its collection and exhibitions here at its website. Since…
Read MoreBook Review: The Improbability of Love
I didn’t know anything about this novel until I saw it shortlisted for the Bailey’s Prize – always a source of inspiration for my reading – and loved its premise. I wasn’t disappointed at all. This was a fabulous find, and its interesting plot and cast of whimsical characters kept up a quick pace throughout…
Read MoreMedieval skylines & dramatic mountain views in Pacentro, Abruzzo
I was out in Abruzzo’s Majella National Park last weekend picking my older son up from his tennis camp – an idyllic, cooler environment to enjoy a week of tennis. On our drive back, we decided to stop off and explore the medieval town of Pacentro. I must admit, it’s the first time I’d ever…
Read MoreBook Review: Along the Infinite Sea
I’ve already reviewed A Hundred Summers, a book I enjoyed by author Beatriz Williams, in an earlier post. You can see my earlier review here. After having enjoyed Williams’ debut novel, I was happy to (bad pun alert) dive back…
Read MoreMedieval sights, sounds & tastes in Abbadia di San Salvatore, Tuscany
I’ve already written about the pretty medieval town in Tuscany: Abbadia di San Salvatore. You can read my previous post about the town here. My family and I discovered it last year when my youngest son began track & field camp there last year. This summer, he was back again, and this time his stay…
Read MoreThe links between authors and painters
“I learn as much from painters about how to write as from writers.” -Ernest Hemingway An interesting question raised by an author I have to admit (stereotypically? unfairly?) I would never have imagined to have pondered such a question. But I have always loved art for many of the same reasons I’ve always loved literature…
Read More