Search results for 'italy'

Our visit to Florence took us to the breathtaking source of the Italian Renaissance. You saw and felt history in every direction and at all times. We spent 5 days on patrol revisiting our art history textbooks from college only this time we were there in person.

Take the road less traveled through central Italy and explore the smaller, more authentic towns in Tuscany and Umbria.

As we begin in earnest to prepare for the upcoming Christmas Season, where else but in Europe will one experience the enchantment and traditions of the holidays!  Strolling through a Christmas Market is where the romance of the holiday will truly rekindle in you a sense of joy and peace!

Have I got a surprise for you! Who says you have to go overseas to stay in a charming bed and breakfast that also gives you cooking classes? Don't get me wrong, going to Italy, France, Spain, etc. is amazing, but if you don't want to break the bank, go to Cincinnati! Yes, I said Cincinnati, as in Ohio.

FLORENCE - MAJESTIC PLACE OF THE  BIRTH OF THE  ITALIAN RENAISSANCE. HOME TO THE MEDICIS - LORENZO THE MAGNIFICENT and all those other famous men, and even CATHERINE de MEDICI, later to be Queen of France. It is where Machiavelli wrote his tale of political backstabbing and maneuvering  - THE PRINCE.  And where Michelangelo left lasting treasures in the streets, squares and museums of this medieval living Museum.

I was recently listening to an interview with the musician, Bobby McFerrin where he describes improvisation as movement, as catching song. What does it mean to catch a song? It implies that the song, our creation, is already here– and so part of our work as artists is to listen, to observe, and improvise from our experience. At La Romita, we will develop these skills through drawing, writing and watercolor techniques–  and taking daily sketching trips into the small Umbrian hill towns. In the afternoons we return to La Romita for time in the workshop. 

This is a 50 seat French restaurant in the beautiful historic part of the city. Owners Vitaly and Kim Paley have turned this Victorian home into a true award winner.

During our first trip to Italy, we spent 3 days in Florence. Out the window of our home base, Hotel De Lansi, was the main church of Florence, The Basilica of Saint Mary of the Flower. The ideas and architectural techniques used to build its dome played an important role in igniting the Renaissance. 

The huge Boboli Gardens behind the Petti Palace is a beautiful walk giving spectacular views of Florence in all her glory. We walked up the street that leads behind and overlooking the gardens. Every way you looked took your breath and fired your imagination about what had happened in this great Renaissance City. 

Generally, I write about hotels that stand still, however, this time, you get to take your hotel with you! If you can drive a car, you can captain a boat on a canal. After a short demonstration and briefing, you get the keys to your own floating Villa. You don’t ever have to worry about getting seasick, because these boats are so stable, you won’t spill your morning coffee. 

Our first trip to Italy was transformational. Art, history, adventure, and trauma (lost luggage) combined to leave a lasting impression and a strong desire to return.

While in Florence, we stayed at the Hotel De Lansi. It provided a comfortable home base with easy walking to many of the pictures we had seen in our art history books while in college. Carolynn was a walking encyclopedia of insight and information about the Renaissance and it's cast of characters. One of our favorite walks was looking for the weird and unusual doors of Florence. 

Blondee tells us about great places to eat at scenic Lake Como in Italy.

Just like the American Great Lakes, there are several of note in Italy, and we'll visit them.But, let's take a first look at Lake Como, in English and American, but the more romantic - Lago di Como in Italian. Whilst it has been a popular tourist destination for many years, with the advent of George Clooney and his villa full of Hollywood friends, Lago di Como is a paparazzi mecca. 

This is such a beautiful place to visit. You can fall in love with the quiet and the breathtaking views of the deep blue sea. You can bring some exciting books to read while staring at the sea.  There is also an exciting nightlife here if that is what you desire.

Its name will live in history, as it has for almost 2,000 years. But, given the pop culture of our society, it is getting ready to become even more famous as a Royal visitor will one day soon set foot on the soil of Malta.

Capri is an island in the Tyrrhenian Sea off the Sorrentine Peninsula, on the south side of the Gulf of Naples in the Campania region of Italy. This article provides snapshots of four restaurants in the main town also called Capri.

I have had so many “Blondee moments” throughout my food critic years. I thought it would be fun to share some of those tips and moments with you that might help your travels and make you smile too!

I love Hamburg in the summer and even in the winter when it is ice cold!  It is a beautiful city, and I often just take the” hop on hop off bus” which guides you through the hidden hills and magnificent countryside, with breathtaking views overlooking the canals and famous city port. Truly, it should be called a sister city to Stockholm, Amsterdam and Bruges with its lattice of canals running throughout the city –hence its’ name – Venice of Northern Europe!

Okay, I don’t mind admitting that, before visiting the place, the only thing I knew about Slovenia was that it once formed part of the former communist block of Yugoslavia. Not a very positive note to start a visitor review maybe, but do your research and delve deeper into the history of the region and you will be pleasantly surprised by all that a country measuring up at only half the size of neighbouring Switzerland, has to offer.

These are 2 restaurants in Venice that will give many boomers smiles! They are inexpensive, fun and yummy!

Located about one hour by car from Milan's Malpensa Airport, sits one of the most majestic hotel properties I've had the privilege to stay. Villa d'Este sits on Lake Como as the Grande Dame of hotels. With its 16th century history and all the grandeur that evokes, this hotel is a must for your Bucket List. It has been host to royalty, aristocrats and stars of stage and screen. The hotel roster lists notables such as Mark Twain, Elizabeth Taylor, Greta Garbo, Alfred Hitchcok and Clark Gable to Madonna and Ralph Lauren.

NEWYORKANDFOOD - yes, they're inseparable.  As any New Yorker knows, and any visitor too, from the vendors on the Streets, to the five star restaurants, New York has the best food in the world.  Any discussion on New York has to talk about it's foodies! Yes, we invented the word for those distinctive people who seemingly live, breathe and eat their way through life and New York.

I’m no an adrenalin junky, take me anywhere near a bungee jump and I’ll run a mile. But I do enjoy skiing and should you fancy a change from Colorado, and if maybe you’ve ticked off America’s five best resorts like Jackson Hole in Wyoming and Snowbird and Alta in Utah, then Europe has so much to offer.

A couple of years back, I headed for Switzerland, the beautiful, landlocked country boarding France and Italy formed from 26 regions known as cantons. My base for the week was the scenic, yet little-known mountain-top town of Nendaz in the Canton of Valais.

Nendaz lies at the heart of a popular ski region which markets itself as The Four Valleys, and from here you can access 95 lifts, over 100 pistes and two snow parks designed specifically for burgeoning snowboarders.  

What’s even better is that skiing from Nendaz, compared to the de rigueur neighbouring resorts of Verbier and Lausanne, will come in at a fraction of the cost.

Few places in the world are as romantic and private as Bellagio, a resort nestled in the hills of Lake Como.  Often referred to as “Pearl of the Lake,” Bellagio has world class hotels and restaurants that offer the perfect environment to relax and enjoy the stunning panoramic views – especially the Italian Alps.