Italy

10 Things to Know Before Visiting Florence: A Travel Guide

Estimated reading time: 11 minutes 10 Things to Know Before Visiting Florence Based on our personal experience, here are ten essential things to know before visiting Florence. But before we get to the list, a bit of background about this amazing city. Florence, the jewel of Tuscany and in…


the dining room at Ristorante Vecia Cavàna

Ristorante Vecia Cavàna

Rating Estimated reading time: 5 minutes Our second meal in Venice was at Ristorante Vecia Cavàna, a renovated an old boathouse near Campo Santi Apostol and the Ca'd'Oro featuring fish and seafood as well gluten-free cuisine. As mentioned above, gluten is not a concern for me in Italy, so…


Osteria le Logge Tasting Experience

Rating Estimated reading time: 8 minutes You may have guessed by now that my wife Danielle and I love to eat! But we prefer quality and originality over quantity. In our eyes, small dishes, expertly prepared yield big rewards. There's nothing more special to us than a wonderfully refined…


Exploring Il Duomo di Siena – the Siena Cathedral 

Estimated reading time: 16 minutes Table of contents A Gothic and Romanesque Architectural Masterpiece Construction of the Duomo di Siena Key stages of construction of the Duomo di Siena Black and White Marble Walls and Columns of the Duomo Exquisitely Inlaid Marble Floors - the Pride…


The hilltop medieval city of Siena in the heart of Tuscany

Seven Days in Siena, Italy – The Heart and Soul of Tuscany

Estimated reading time: 40 minutes Table of contents Siena is the Heart and Soul of Tuscany A Brief History of Siena Day 1 - Arrival in Siena Exploring Siena Navigating the Maze of Ancient Streets Our First Dinner In Siena Day 2 – Discovering Siena Piazza del Campo: Via Banchi Di Sopra…


A well stocked salumeria in Bologna la grassa

Bologna – a Foodie Paradise

Leaving Venice behind, we ventured south on the Autostrade towards Bologna, our third waypoint on our foodie road trip. A few drops of rain punctuated our journey south through Emelia-Romagna. Our route took us through the rich farmland and green spaces of the Po Valley.  Bologna is known…


10 Things I Wish I Knew Before Traveling to Italy

Estimated reading time: 7 minutes Travel is a wonderful way to discover the world. Each destination presents the opportunity to learn about its people, its history, its traditions and its customs. But discovery isn't always a good thing. Some things are better known in advance! Here are 10…


Venetian street names have their own personality

Venetian street names and categories

Understanding the meaning of common street names in Venice Reading a map of Venice, you may wonder what all the different Venetian street names are all about. In the English language, things are relatively simple: "street, avenue, boulevard, lane, etc". But in Venice, the street naming…


Venise

Venice, City of Love

An Ageless Destination for Young and Old Ah, Venice Italy, the City of Love (or at least one of several that claim this designation). One of most iconic and picturesque cities in Italy and a fitting start to our 21-day Italian road trip. The mere mention of the name conjures up vision of…


Brescia, Hidden Gem in the Heart of Lombardy

The first stop on our road trip in Italy was Brescia, a hidden gem that deserves much more attention. Look for this lovely city in northern Italy, about halfway between Milan and Venice. It was a logical first stop on our Road trip in Italy. It is not known as a popular vacation spot. Travelers to…


Scenic Tuscany landscape at sunrise, Val d'Orcia, Italy

Our Foodie Road Trip in Italy

Estimated reading time: 30 minutes A Long Overdue Dream Come True For over a decade, we’ve been dreaming of a road trip in Italy. That Mediterranean country was at the very top of our bucket list. And for good reason. There’s so much to love about Italy. The history, the culture,…