Snapshots from Italy, Framed

Above and below: Beloved Florence, Italy, as framed from the inside of the Duomo, during a climb to the very top of the cupola. Above: The river Arno framed by the Ponte Vecchio’s architecture. Below: Beautiful Verona. Finding inspiration inside the Palazzo Vecchio, Florence For the coming months, while crafting new content, Prayers and Piazzas will…

Italy Gratitude List: History

To say I am grateful for the layers of history found across Italy would be quite an understatement. More accurately, I am overwhelmed with the history Italy offers in any given area. From ancient history to the Renaissance, the history that you can see and touch in Italy is at the top of my Italy…

Lake Como or Amalfi Coast?

A short question I was recently asked by one of my closest friends, “which do you suggest for us: Lake Como or the Amalfi Coast?” Although seemingly straightforward, for me, a proper answer requires some weighing of options and preferences. The differences in the regions are too varied to just pick without a bit of…

Italy Gratitude List: Pretty Little Details

Wrapping up my Italy Gratitude List series, I wanted to give a nod to some smaller things that are quintessentially Italian. Things that make me stop in my tracks to capture it in a photo… photos which most certainly, but very unintentionally, embarrass my traveling buddies (“Oh no, Mom’s taking a picture of her salad…

Italy Gratitude List: History

To say I am grateful for the layers of history found across Italy would be quite an understatement. More accurately, I am overwhelmed with the history Italy offers in any given area. From ancient history to the Renaissance, the history that you can see and touch in Italy is at the top of my Italy…

Italy Gratitude List: Daily Life

With November being National Gratitude Month I’d like to share a few aspects of Italy and the Italian culture for which I am most grateful, because they inspire awe, are unique or are just simply charming. First up: daily life. Above: tiramisù to go from a bar in Arezzo; Below: delivery via motorino through the streets…

Street Art Then and Now

  Modern street art in Florence   Street (really floors) as art from ancient Rome in the Forum. More Snapshots from Italy found here.

Snapshots from Italy: Weathered

In my own country I might balk at mouldering structures with peeling paint and other blemishes, but in Italy they are proud and beautiful, standing for all to see as a testament of resilience. Today’s Weekly Photo Challenge is weathered, and I found quite a collection of favorites in honor of this theme. Below, the view…

Say Your Prayers

“Lord, make me an instrument of your peace.” -St. Francis of Assisi Pulling this one from the archives to send blessings to all who need comfort and peace, both near and far. —  This post first appeared on Prayers and Piazzas.

Inviting…

Above: Just the little bar in the piazza up the street from our hotel in Bellagio: simple but well-supplied. I love how decorative the glass candy jars are! Above: Venchi is a high-end gelato and chocolate shop with locations across Italy and throughout the world. The window displays are both eye-catching and artistic, and we…