Travel
Palladian splendor in Vicenza, Italy
I adore the northern small city of Vicenza, in Italy’s Veneto region. I first came here many years ago, and had not been back in years. When my youngest son had a cross-country race nearby, I jumped on the change to get back and visit this jewelbox of a town. I was not disappointed to…
Read MoreReturning to dorm life – at Durham University
As you can probably imagine, it has been many, many years since I took part in dorm life. In graduate school, I lived in an apartment, but even during my undergraduate years, I only lived in the dorms my freshman year. By second year, I had moved into my sorority, and the final two years…
Read MoreBourbon & old-style charm in Lexington, Kentucky
It doesn’t take long in the state to discover that Kentucky is bourbon country. Last summer I was driving through Kentucky with my family and we stopped off one night at Lexington, Kentucky – first time for me. We had been on a loooong drive, so it was good to park and stretch our legs…
Read MoreEnjoying fall foliage on an Abruzzo getaway
I was in desperate need for a weekend get-away out in the mountains, and so was my son. The weather forecasts were perfect, and we decided to take a short get-away to our favorite mountain hamlet in Abruzzo – Ovindoli. It was exactly what we needed: fresh mountain air, long walks, fall foliage, and fantastic…
Read MoreA whirlwind stop-off at the Jim Beam Distillery, Kentucky
Anyone who has ever been to Kentucky knows – this is Bourbon Country. Kentucky boasts forty distilleries producing 200 brands of bourbon, spread out along the state, and boasting bourbon trail visits for visitors. We definitely need to get back to do this, but on our big driving tour this summer, we had limited time…
Read MoreIn love with atmospheric Spanish moss
Anyone who has traveled in the southern United States will have noticed the beautiful, atmospheric Spanish moss that graces the oak trees there. Whenever I return, it never fails to make me smile. I love it in the daytime. I love it at night, when it adds an air of mystery. And I love it…
Read MoreHaving lunch in Columbus’ North Market
Although I’d been a few times to Columbus, Ohio, I never managed to get to its North Market before last summer. This past summer, we were staying in the Short North area of the city, and the North Market made an easy location to stop by for a quick lunch. It’s a busy location, with…
Read MoreOn The Road Again – American Roadtripping 2022
If you read my blogs regularly, you probably know how much I love road trips. Last summer, my younger son and I enjoyed a great American road trip. This year, my husband, younger son and I were on the road again – meeting up at times with my older son, who now lives in the…
Read MoreSqueezing out those last drops of summer – on the beach in Sperlonga
I love summer. And yet, it’s the season that always seems to race by fastest. So when my younger son asked me if we could go on a beach get-away for our last summer weekend, he didn’t exactly have to twist my arm. I was happy to make a weekend escape to Sperlonga, one of…
Read MoreSpectacular views from the top of England’s Durham Cathedral
Earlier this month, I made my first visit to the northern town of Durham, England to atend the Historical Novel Society’s biannual conference. For each conference, they choose a historical city in the UK – so it was a great chance to explore a new destination I hadn’t yet seen. Durham is a beautiful, medieval…
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