Travel
Site of the Battle of The Pigs in the Marche’s Offagna
A couple of years ago, my younger son and I had planned on visiting medieval Offagna after having explored nearby rival, Osimò. A flat tire put a monkey wrench in those plans, as did the discovery that, should you get a flat in the Marche region’s rural areas on a Saturday – good luck to…
Read MoreOn this Mardi Gras, celebrating Venice’s Carnival
I’ve just returned from visiting Venice during Carnival season … and since today we’re already celebrating Mardi gras (thanks to a super-early Easter this year), I’d better post about Carnival before the more serious Lenten season begins… It has been years – decades, really – since I visited Venice during the Carnival season, but I’m…
Read MoreVisiting Via Tasso’s Nazi Prison Museum in Rome
Recently, I visited for the first time Rome’s Museo Storico della Liberazione (Liberation Historical Museum). During WWII, the Germans occupied Rome between September 1943 and June 1944. During that time, the SS headquarters on Via Tasso served as a prison, interrogation facilities and the place where prisoners were tortured and killed. During that time, being…
Read MoreMalaga’s Ancient Roman Theatre
It’s always pleasant to travel around and find traces of “my” city of Rome. This happened again on my visit to Malaga, Spain, where I visited the Ancient Roman theatre. The Roman theatre is (dramatically) located below the Alcazaba hill and Moorish fortress. It was originally built during the reign of Emperor Augustus, and was…
Read MoreWine, lace and beauty in the Marche’s Offida
Every winter, my son and I pass through the Italian region of the Marche so he can take part in indoor races in seaside Ancona. These trips give us a great chance to explore all the picturesque towns in that region. One of those picture-perfect towns that’s long been on my list is the hill…
Read MoreCagliari’s Ancient Roman Theatre
I’ve been writing posts about my recent visit to Cagliari, the capital of the Italian island of Sardegna. There were lots of interesting places to visit in this city, including the ruins of an Ancient Roman amphitheater. This can be found between the neighborhoods of Castello and Stampace. We walked out here on a particularly…
Read MoreCagliari’s picturesque Castello district
I’ve been to the Italian island of Sardegna a few times, but only visited its capital city of Cagliari for the first time this past September. Cagliari has very distinct neighborhoods, including Il Castello, about 100 meters above the rest of this sea level coastal city. When I was flying into Cagliari, a clear view…
Read MoreHappy 2024!
Nooo idea at all where 2023 went. It flew by so fast. But wishing you all a wonderful 2024! Happy New Year! I am an unabashed New Years’ Resolution person. And while, as a writer, I always set a writing goals for the coming year, and, of course, always aim to eat well and exercise…
Read MoreEuropean destinations to visit for the Christmas light season
It’s that time of year again … short days made brighter by stunning Christmas lights. Since Christmas celebrations in Europe continue through to 6 January, you’re still in time to enjoy those cheery holiday lights. Here’s a roundup of some European cities and towns to consider visiting to enjoy those holiday lights – and much…
Read MoreLoved my stay at Malaga’s Grand Hotel Miramar
Enjoyed such a wonderful stay in Malaga’s Grand Hotel Miramar, in Spain’s Andalucia region. I am a huge admirer of historic hotels, and the Grand Hotel Miraramar had it in spades. Construction began on this hotel by architect Fernando Guerrero Strachan in 1921, and it was inaugurated as Hotel Principe de Asturias in 1926, with…
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