Posts Tagged ‘Europe’
Enjoying the Amalfi Coast – from our car
We were in Salerno, a town in Campania, just below the Amalfi coast during the long May 1st weekend. My younger son had a track race there and we enjoyed exploring the seaside town. Since my son had never been to the Amalfi coast, he asked if we could have a”quick stop off” to see…
Read MorePadova’s stunning Piazza delle erbe & Piazza della frutta
My son’s track meets take me to some pretty spectacular locations. The indoor season in Italy is only in two Italian cities that have full indoor facilities: Ancona and Padova. I hadn’t been to the Venetian city of Padova in quite a few years, so I was thrilled when my son decided to do a…
Read MoreViews from on high – atop Prague’s Old Town Clock Tower
I was back in Prague, Czech Republic earlier this month. I lived here in this fairy tale city many years ago, and enjoy returning when I can. On this visit, quite a few years had gone by since my previous visit. The weather was a bit hit-and-miss during our stay here (par for the course…
Read MoreStopping of at the Marche’s Macerata
We visited Macerata on a beautiful January day, after having mistaken picturesque, nearby Recanati for Macerata. Macerata is a hill town town in the Marche region’s interior. Its population is a little over 40,000. Perched 315 meters from sea level, this town is about 30 km from the Adriatic coast. Mentions of Macerata date back…
Read MoreFlorence’s majestic Piazza della Signoria
Florence’s Piazza della Signoria has been the heart of Florence’s political and urban life for centuries, and any tourist should ensure their walk in the city takes them to this busltling square. Building on the Palazzo Vecchio, Florence’s Town Hall, was completed in 1332. The belltower used to warn Florentines of fires, invaders – or…
Read MoreFlorence’s picturesque Ponte Vecchio
I had a wonderful day visiting Florence when my older son was back home for the Christmas holidays. With the high speed train, it’s only a short journey from Rome, and we lucked out with a January day of bright blue skies and remarkably warm sun. We had a great day walking for miles and…
Read MoreMedieval splendor: Giotto’s masterpiece in Padova’s Scrovegni Chapel
I was in Padova for a few weekends last month, and managed to book tickets to the spectacular Scrovegni Chapel, with its fourteenth century frescoes by Giotto. This is a not-to-be-missed monument when you are next in Padova. In order to protect the delicate frescoes, numbers are limited, so be sure to book those tickets…
Read MoreSteep hills and dead poets in the Marche’s Recanati
My son and I were traveling through Marche and actually stopped off in picturesque Recanati by mistake. Italy is one of those fabulous places when a wrong turn can introduce you to a fabulous hilltown filled with stunning views, art and culture. Every year, we are in Ancona for races, and often tag some time…
Read MoreThe burial ground of genius : Florence’s Santa Croce Basilica
The Basilica of Santa Croce is a must-see destination when you are visiting Florence. Groundbreaking for this church began in 1295, and work was completed in 1385. The church is an artistic gem – with work by Cimabue and Giotto. But the real reason to visit this basilica is its fame as the burial ground…
Read MoreThe fried olives keep calling us back … to Ascoli Piceno
Can you blame us? Every time my younger son and I travel to Ancona, the regional capital of Italy’s Marche region, for his track & field races, we detour from the highway to visit the striking town of Marche’s Ascoli Piceno. While we greatly admire this picturesque town and its stunning architecture (you can see…
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