Posts Tagged ‘Europe’
Visiting 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…
Read MoreIn need of a little holiday cheer … in Rome
2020 is winding down. and while I’m old enough not to generally wish for the rapid passage of time – this year has broken all the rules. It can’t wrap up fast enough for me. So as 2020 comes to an end, I’m grateful the city didn’t skimp on the Christmas lights this year. I…
Read MoreA weekend in Italy’s center – Rieti
I’ve already written about this medieval town north of Rome, at the upper edges of the Lazio region. I got to know Rieti quite well when my younger son began running for the town’s competitive track and field team. Although his daily practice is (thankfully) in Rome, we get here fairly often for track meets.…
Read MoreThe odd nighttime silence of the Eternal City
It’s déjà vu, all over again…. But so it goes in 2020. Here in Rome, we have a lockdown lite. Perhaps not that ‘lite’, however, to businesses trying to get back on their feet after our long lockdown. Currently in Rome, restaurants and bars must shutter up at 6 pm. Supemarkets, pharmacies and some shops…
Read MoreA needed breath of fresh (mountain) air in Abruzzo
In the familiar tradition of all things related with 2020, autumn sucked… Usually, I make efforts to get out to our mountain escape in Abruzzo, enjoying the autumn foliage, hiking and mountain biking with my family. But 2020 has ruined all our beloved traditions, so it’s no surprise it also hampered my mountain getaways. Nevertheless,…
Read MoreEnjoying a book in the mountains before Lockdown II
It’s starting again. Back in the spring, Italy had its big Corona virus lockdown. Now that cases are ticking up again, there’s been talk of a repeat. We have a little place in the mountains of Abruzzo we often visit in the autumn for hiking and biking escapes. The threat of another lockdown, and the…
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