Posts Tagged ‘Italy’
Medieval 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…
Read MoreResearching 1920s and 1930s Italy
One of my writing projects is a novel I’d like to work on this year – a triple timeline story set in Rome, Italy and centered around sports. One of the timelines I plan on having in my story is 1920s and 30s Italy, the Fascist era leading up to WWII. I’m reading interesting books…
Read MoreIn the steps of the Ancient Romans – enjoying the hot springs of Bagno Vignoni, Tuscany
Earlier this month, I enjoyed a fabulous weekend escape in Tuscany – in the small town of Bagno Vignoni. This town was known to the thermal-bath-loving Ancient Romans … and it continues as a spa location up until today. We stayed at the Le Terme Hotel, right at the edge of the town’s central piazza/thermal…
Read MoreThe Eternal City is ready for its holiday close-up
Rome is not the most spectacular city when it comes to Christmas decorations. BUT it does enjoy some amazing Christmas weather. I love walking around Rome over the holiday period and enjoying the Christmas decorations. Weather forecasts in Rome are looking pretty good for these next few weeks, so I’m looking forward to enjoying the…
Read MoreGorgeous cover reveal for Laura Morelli’s latest: The Last Masterpiece
My friend Laura Morelli has a new historical novel coming in 2023 called THE LAST MASTERPIECE. Look at this gorgeous cover! And yes, I admit I do judge books that way … especially if they plan on covering the breathtaking beauty of Florence and its spectacular art. If you do not yet know Laura’s work,…
Read MoreChristmas cheer in Montepulciano and Pienza, Tuscany
Earlier this month, I was in Tuscany for a weekend with my family, and we enjoyed seeing the cheery Christmas decorations. They were especially pretty in the towns of Montepulciano and Pienza – two gorgeous Tuscan hilltowns. Montepulciano is a steep medieval hilltown (bring good walking shoes), known for its long wine tradition. Montepulciano…
Read MorePreparing my next publication – a short story collection
I’ve been super busy as 2022 comes to a close. After my first three novels, I decided to break with routine and to publish a short story collection. I have loved writing short stories – and some of the stories in this collection have won prizes or been included in anthologies and magazines. Others were…
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