Posts Tagged ‘Europe’
Exploring the medieval Vatican City: Viterbo, Italy
Last week I wrote about the Terme dei Papi – The Thermal Baths of the Popes – in northern Lazio. In this port, I wanted to highlight the beautiful town of Viterbo, just a few kilometers away from this spa, and well worth a visit before or after you soak in the warm waters. Viterbo, as…
Read MoreRelaxing in Viterbo’s Terme dei Papi, Italy
The thermal waters found north of Rome, at the Terme dei Papi (The Thermal Baths of the Popes) were famous well before Papal times. These thermal waters were well known to the Etruscans, well before the birth of Rome. In the 3rd Century B.C., the Roman army, led by Console Quinto Fabio Rulliano, conquered and…
Read MoreStunning views from the roof of Milan’s Duomo
I was very happy to get back to Milan recently – a city where I lived almost two decades ago. One of the things I used to do when friends visited me in Milan was to take them to the roof of Milan’s Duomo – the cathedral. From there, there are beautiful views over the…
Read MoreRinging in the New Year on the slopes of Abruzzo
I generally don’t travel far during the holidays. While I’m almost always up for travel, the super-busy Christmas holidays is a time I’d rather not deal with hectic airports or packed trains and highways. I tend to stick close to Rome, generally making short trips to nearby towns and cities. It’s also a great time…
Read MoreOld time splendor at Oslo’s Grand Hotel
Oslo’s Grande Dame of a hotel, the Grand Hotel, was built in Norway’s capital in 1874 – back when Oslo went by the name Kristiania. It is located centrally, on the main shopping street of Karl Johans gate, between the Norwegian Parliament and the Royal Palace. I love old hotels like this, full of charm…
Read MoreNikolaiviertel in Berlin
I had a nice little wander in this picturesque neighborhood when I was in Berlin. I suppose liking this vibe of this historic neighborhood is a bit akin to claiming one of the most stunning castles you’ve seen is the one in Orlando, Florida. For alas, Berlin’s Nikolaiviertel is a bit Disneyesque… This small area…
Read MoreRevisiting my old neighborhood of Navigli, in Milan
It’s always fun to go back and visit old haunts – and a recent trip to Milan was no exception. I did my Master’s degree at Bocconi University, in Milan, Italy. That was a long, long time ago and I – oddly – hadn’t been back in years. On this first visit back, I chose…
Read MoreIt’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas … in Milan
Was great to be back in the Lombard capital of Milan, a city where I used to live, after a (gulp!) almost two decade hiatus. No idea why it took me so long to return to a city I enjoyed so much, but it was fun to be back for a short weekend, and to…
Read MoreExploring Valletta, Malta in the lead up to its Notte bianca
Back in October, I was on the Mediterranean island of Malta for work. I was staying outside of the capital city of Valletta, Malta, and I was eager to get back to that city I hadn’t visited in some years. The only time I had free were the hours before my return flight to Rome…
Read MoreReason #5386 to love Rome: Elena’s Mausoleum at Villa de Sanctis
If it’s an early Sunday morning in November, I’m bound to be scouring the outskirts of Rome searching for some park I’ve never heard about before so my youngest son can participate in a cross-country race. This has been our habit over the last six years, and I must say I have discovered an amazing…
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