Posts Tagged ‘Europe’
Wandering the silent, medieval streets of Toffia
I’ve driven by Toffia many times on my drives from Rome to Rieti, but never made time to visit. On a recent weekend trip to Rieti, my son and I decided to take a little detour from the Via Salaria to visit this picturesque, medieval town. We were in Toffia on a perfect summer day.…
Read MoreA breath of fresh (sea) air in Sperlonga
I’ve already written about our post-lockdown travel. After months of lockdown during what was an absolutely perfect, gorgeous Rome spring, it’s not that surprising to note that the first trip out of Rome my family and I decided to take was to the seaside. We travelled to the beautiful beach town of Sperlonga on the…
Read MoreFeeling like royalty in a nobleman’s hunting palace
I’m often up in the Italian town of Rieti, in northern Lazio. My youngest son is a runner, and joined the competitive track and field team here, although his daily training is (thankfully) in Rome. His involvement with the team means I’ve had plenty of chances to explore this pretty medieval town about 90 minutes…
Read MoreLockdown “travel”
Last week, I wrote about pre-lockdown travel, and the almost mystical imagery it took on (at least in our minds) during our time of Corona lockdown. For those who know Rome, it is a beautiful, lively city always full of people on its streets and picturesque squares. It was tough to experience it during lockdown,…
Read MorePre-lockdown travel
It’s been a tough few months around the world, and I haven’t really felt up to keeping a travel blog going when the farthest one could travel in Rome was 200 meters from home. We’re cautiously optimistic here in Rome, and while we are not back to pre-pandemic rhythms, it’s good to be returning to…
Read MoreMilan’s Renaissance castle – Castello Sforzesco
Smack dab in the middle of Milan is an imposing reminder of its past. As a tourist wandering Milan’s compact historic center, you’d be remiss to not notice its Castello Sforzesco, Milan’s most importnat Reniassance monument. Completely restored at the start of the 20th century, the Sforza Castle was once the headquarters of the noble…
Read MoreGdansk’s stunning Długi Targ and Ulica Długa
A few months ago I made my first visit to the northern Polish city of Gdansk. The city is beautiful, and a walk around the city center allows you to admire the spectacular architecture. Nowhere is the richness more on display than the central streets of Długi Targ and Ulica Długa. Długi Targ begins from…
Read MoreCanalside living in Milan’s Navigli
When I was a student earning my Master’s degree, I lived in Milan, in its picturesque canal district in the city’s south: the Navigli. I loved my time there, I loved the busy nightlife as the bars and restaurants came alive after dark. I loved the silence of early weekend mornings, and even the way…
Read MoreA Milanese landmark since the 4th century – San Ambrogio
I used to live in Milan many years ago. While everyone knows Milan’s famous Duomo, and I never fail to visit when I’m back, I also made a point to get back to my second favorite Milanese church on my last visit. San Ambrogio. San Ambrogio is a must of any trip to Milan. San…
Read MoreMedieval skyscrapers in Bologna
Italy’s Bologna, in medieval times, would have been a city filled with medieval-era “skyscrapers”. It s estimated that up to 180 towers may have existed during the medieval period. The reason for the construction of so many towers is not known. It is assumed that these constructions would have been built for defensive purposes, but…
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