Posts Tagged ‘Italy’
History and beaches in Alghero, Sardinia
A few weeks ago, I was anxious for a short get-away with my family. Truthfully, I would have preferred a long get-away, but a weekend was all I could manage. I wanted beautiful beaches and clear water, great architecture and a town ideal for evening walks, and, of course, great food and wine. Alghero, the…
Read MoreA Conversation with author Joyce Carol Oates in Rome
There are many, many reasons I love my adoptive city of Rome. One of them is that it’s a city that has attracted some of the greatest artists, poets and writers in history. All you have to do to see this for yourself is to visit the Cemetery for Artists and Poets or stroll around…
Read MoreLooking for the picture-perfect beach holiday? Try Vieste
A photo doesn’t lie and Vieste, this lovely, perched seaside town located in the Gargano peninsula (the spur of the Italian boot) in the region of Puglia, honestly is this picture-perfect. The area has ancient origins, evidenced by the 3rd century tombs and Ancient Greek vases discovered around the town. The town and the entire…
Read MoreBe inspired! In the Shadow of the Apennines
Melinda Dozier , talented romance writer and wonderful critique partner, tagged me for this Blog Hop!, hosted by Page after Page . Thanks, Melinda!! As Page after Page points out, all of our stories come from somewhere, whether it be a dream, another book, a life event, etc. And as writers, we need to be…
Read MoreI’ve signed up for the Matera Women’s Fiction Festival
Last September, I went to my first-ever writer’s conference and I enjoyed it so much that I’ve signed up for this year’s event. The Ninth Annual International Women’s Fiction Festival will take place in Matera, Italy, 27-30 September 2012. The Fiction Festival is a wonderfully relaxed atmosphere, filled with writing workshops, brainstorming sessions, pitching sessions…
Read MoreReason #5,357 to love Rome – The Rose Garden
Every spring I make a point to visit Rome’s lovely Rose Garden (Roseto Comunale di Roma). The garden’s location is perfect – on the Aventine Hill with stunning views over the Circus Maximus and the Palatine Hill. Yet a short stroll in this oasis of tranquility is an enjoyable respite from the hectic pace of…
Read MoreThe Renaissance Villa d’Este in Tivoli
This small city to the west of Rome, once an important stop on the “Grand Tour” of Europe, is today a bedroom community of Rome, yet it still maintains its distinct character. It makes a wonderful daytrip from Rome, either by car or with frequent trains leaving from Rome’s Tiburtina train station. If you are…
Read MoreThe “dying city” of Civita di Bagnoregio
The beautiful medieval town of Civita di Bagnoregio, about 100 km north of Rome – within the province of Lazio and just along the border with neighboring Umbria- is known as la città che muore (the dying city). Dying is, unfortunately, just what Civita di Bagnoregio is doing. The city, originally founded by the Etruscans,…
Read MoreMy story won the 2012 SnoValley Writes! contest
I was very happy to receive the good news that my short story, Caves, won the 2012 SnoValley Writes! writing contest . This week, the peer writing group located in Snoqualmie Valley, Washington held their annual writing and jazz event and I was invited to attend to read my story to participants. If I weren’t…
Read MoreReason #5,356 to love Rome – The Palatine Hill in springtime
I have lived in Rome for – gulp – thirteen years, yet I still never tire of walking around and exploring my adopted city. Rome is a big, outdoor museum that has something spectacular to offer visitors – and Romans –seemingly around every corner. I live near the Palatine Hill and I walk by it…
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