Italy
Venice | Italy
What is there left to say about Venice? Perhaps that I never particularly wanted to go there, since I’m not a water person, and I pictured myself having to jump down in to a boat whenever I wanted to go anyplace. Now this is akin to withdrawing your projections about another person and finding Read More…
Rome II | Rome, Italy
“Rome wasn’t built in a day” must be the best understatement of all time. Neither can Rome be described in a day or even in a few thousand words. At the same time, I’m convinced you must discover Rome for yourself. We had had three days in Rome with Elderhostel, and after bidding goodbye Read More…
When in Rome | Rome, Italy
We arrived in Rome on a gorgeous sunny October day, driving down from Tuscany with the Elderhostel group, regaled on the way by remarks by Borden Painter, a retired President of Trinity College, Hartford, (which manages all Elderhostel trips in Italy). Borden gave us a several bits of background on Read More…
Elderhostel | Tuscany, Italy
For years, I’ve been getting Elderhostel catalogs. They were huge and on thick newsprint stock – and detailed to an almost unfathomable depth, while also beckoning me by the wide range of travel destinations and study options contained therein. Elderhostel was started 30 years ago by Marty Knowlton Read More…
Lake Como | Lake Como, Italy
A few days on the shores of Lake Como last summer were but a hint of the delight this place can bring. Mention of any of the Italian Lakes conjures up all sorts of romantic thoughts to most of us, whether from literature, travel photos, or our imagination. There are pros and cons to these little treasure Read More…
Verona | Verona, Italy
Three hundred and forty years ago, John Evelyn saw Verona and said: “here of all places I have seen in Italy would I fix a residence.” I heartily agree. We drove in to the ancient heart of prosperous and vibrant Verona on September 19, and checked in to the venerable Due Torre, an elegant five Read More…
Mantua | Mantua, Italy
Mantua is not very well known, nor on the usual tourist routes in Northern Italy. In fact, I can’t even find it inmost guidebooks. That is a pity. It is a wealthy and undeniably beautiful. It offers several wonderful sights worth a day or two, for those who, like me, like to get off the beaten path. Last Read More…
Tuscan Rental | Tuscany, Italy
When you rent a villa in Tuscany, it’s easy to get into a certain daily rhythm: first a late wake-up in a simple Tuscan farm house (or villa, if that was your choice);breakfast of some incredibly tasty peaches or melon or pears or grapes (like the ones you remember from childhood, before fruit was Read More…
Assisi | Florence, Italy
The only side trip we took on our recent visit to Florence was a two day sojourn to Assisi. There seems to be a fortuitous rekindling of interest in St. Francis these days. Or is it just my imagination? know there are two new biographies of the great saint just published. (Stop in at Merritt Books.) Read More…
Florence’s Frescoes | Florence, Italy
Listen up, folks. I just got back from a week of viewing sacred art in Florence. What did I find in the Times travel Section, but “What’s Doing In Florence?” Are they following me around? Furthermore, the first hotel they recommend is the one where we stayed. Now, I’m not kidding, this has Read More…