I hold in my memory certain summer days in Italy so oppressive and hot, I feared I might never know the relief of cooler weather again. But now, it’s February, and for much of the world, the luxury of a long, drowsy, sunshine-filled day feels very far away. Even further that dreamy day has you…
Category: Snapshots from Italy
Paestum: Ancient Greece in Southern Italy
While there are plenty of sites throughout Italy to time travel to Ancient Rome, in Southern Italy you can also experience magnificent ruins once touched by the hands of ancient Greeks. One such spot is Paestum, an easy day trip from Naples, Sorrrento/Amalfi or Salerno. Paestum is home to three incredible Greek temples dating back…
Snapshots from Certaldo: Tiny Tuscan Hometown of a Literary Giant
It’s a Tuesday morning. Seven young ladies, friends, gather. Hatching a plan. Needing to escape their current circumstances. Presently, they are joined by a few young men. The plan unfolds. They’ll escape together to one of their family’s second homes — thankfully they have this option — safely away from the threats of the city….
A Wander Through Venice
It is with a bit of a sheepish and heavy heart that I offer sincere apologies to all of those whom I have possibly influenced not to visit Venice. (Younger Son, I’m especially looking at you.) Last summer, after four visits to Italy which deliberately did not include Venice (my first trip there left me…
Seaside
What a luxury to take a break from steamy sightseeing to enjoy one of the many beach clubs dotting the Italian shoreline. This one is in Puglia, where many Italians head for ferie in agosto — August holidays. The soft, clear waters of the Adriatic Sea kiss the craggy shoreline, and at this beach club, many…
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…
Prayers & Piazzas 