Travel
Enjoying 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 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 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 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 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…
Read MoreArt, architecture and sport in Tuscany’s Grosseto
We had a great weekend at the end of July in the Tuscan town of Grosseto. It was my first time there, but I enjoyed the old town (even because, on a Saturday at around 2 pm, the hottest hour of the day), we had it almost to ourselves… Grosseto is a small city of…
Read MoreSoaking in the atmosphere in Prague’s cafés
Prague, like so many of Central European cities, has a vibrant café culture. If you’re visiting the Czech capital, you definitely need to set aside some time to visit the storied art deco cafés. A café in which I used to spend a lot of time is Prague’s spectacular Obecní dům. Back then, it was…
Read MoreTraces of the past in the Roman countryside
One of the (many) things I love about Italy are the brushes with the past no matter where you go. We came upon the remnants of this Ancient Roman aqueduct in the fields between Tivoli and Castel Madama. Even though you see these all the time, it never fails to put me in a good…
Read MoreWeekend bliss in the mountains of Abruzzo
I always love trips out to the mountains, but this year, I was having a tough time managing a weekend mountain escape. But the first weekend of July, I did manage to hop out for a short visit in Italy’s Apennine mountains, and it was glorious. I often go out to Italy’s Abruzzo region, to…
Read MoreOne night in Tolentino, Marche
It wouldn’t be summer for me without a healthy does of Track Tourism… Yes, it’s true I’m driving my son all over the Italian peninssula for his track races. But it’s Italy, so I’m always discovering new (beautiful) places. The latest discovery for me was the inland town in Italy’s Marche region – Tolentino. Almost…
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