Posts Tagged ‘Europe’
Barbarians (and kids) at the gate
The Aurelian Walls of Ancient Rome are still in remarkably good condition in today’s Rome. It isn’t called the Eternal City for nothing. Built between 270- 275 AD under Emperor Aurelius, the Aurelian Walls eventually reached 19 kilometers of defensive walls guarded by Roman soldiers who were vigilalant in ensuring the Barbarians were not capable…
Read MoreBack for more olive ascolane (& finally sunshine) in Ascoli Piceno
I’ve already written about the quest my son and I fulfilled, journeying to a deserted, rainy, lockdown-mode Ascoli Piceno in search of the local specialty: olive ascolane (stuffed olives). Luckily, a second race took us once again to the Marche, and this time we were able to stop by on a sunny day free from…
Read MoreSweeping port views from Ancona’s San Ciriaco Cathedral
If you’re in the Adriatic port city of Ancona, you can’t miss the San Ciriaco Cathedral, perched at a stunning outpost on the Guasco Hill. It is clearly visible from its position at the edge of town, and sports sweeping views over the bustling port traffic and the Gulf beyond. It’s a hearty hike up…
Read MorePerfect views over invading knights in medieval Òsimo
I’ve been writing about a lot of impressive towns boasting spectacular medieval architecture in Italy’s Marche region. The medieval hilltop town of Òsimo is one such town that merits a visit when you next find yourself in the region. This is an easy one to reach – just a few kilometers from the regional capital…
Read MoreIn search of olive ascolane in the Marche’s Ascoli-Piceno
In normal times, finding Ascoli-Piceno’s culinary specialty in its historic center is no real challenge. But these are not ordinary times. My son loves olive ascolane – olives stuffed with meat and deep fried. This is a common appetizer at restaurants throughout Italy, although, all too often, they are simply the frozen variety. In the…
Read MoreVisiting the Holy House of the Virgin Mary – minus the pilgrims – in the Marche’s Loreto
The beautiful hilltown of Loreto, in Italy’s Marche region, is said to attract about four million pilgrims a year. But when my son and I visited on a rainy January day this year, most of the shops were shuttered, and we had the town and its spectacular basilica almost entirely to ourselves. We were returning…
Read MoreA seagull’s-eye view over Ancona’s port
For runners, Italy’s Marche region is a well-known winter destination for indoor track. I’ve already written about Ancona’s Palindoor track. On a recent trip for a race with my son, we enjoyed the “front row” view of the busy Adriatic Sea Ancona port, pleased to see such steady traffic even in COVID times. Ancona has…
Read MoreReliving carefree days on the slopes – in Italy’s Val Gardena
Last week in a post, I reminisced about tropical climes during a long-ago visit to Bali, Indonesia. But I realize my pre-Corona virus nostalgia also extends to days spent out on the slopes. Here in Italy (and throughout most of Europe), ski slopes have been closed since last year. After almost a year of impossible…
Read MoreGdańsk’s not-to-be-missed Solidarność Museum
There is lots to see in Gdańsk, Poland. This trip looms large in our minds since it is the last international trip we took before the era of Corona lockdowns last year, and so we often found ourselves returning to idyllic life when international travel was the norm. Although the city offers numerous attractions to…
Read MoreThe final resting place of writers, artists and musicians at Prague’s Vyšehrad Cemetery
This famous cemetery was built in 1869, at the edge of the site of the Vyšehrad castle – where legend has it the first settlement was created that would later become Prague. The first Czech kings ruled from this spot, before the more well-known Prague Castle was constructed. Legend has it that Princess Libuše founded…
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