Eating Tuscany: A Tuscany Food and Wine Tour

August 18, 2014

“Such a beautiful young lady!” exclaimed Mara as she greeted my wife and I. “Where’s my husband, Terenzio? He’s my translator. My English is not so good.” I looked around the Tuscan kitchen with its brick archways, stone counters, and copper pots and thought, “This is what I came for.” Many of the other culinary programs we researched taught in restaurant kitchens. So much of my life is spent eating rushed meals…

Europe, Travel, Travel Tips

Have You Ever Traveled to Meet Overseas Family? Part 2

June 23, 2014

Whether your family immigrated during colonial times like my wife’s or they immigrated in the 20th century like mine, we are all sons and daughters of people who came from someplace else. Those of us with more recent ties to a first generation immigrant may feel a stronger pull to know that heritage. We grew up in households where the culture of our families’ Old Country was as alive as American culture. …

Europe, Travel, Travel Tips

What to Wear in Europe this Summer

May 2, 2014

A His and Hers Packing List of What to Wear in Europe this Summer I want to start by dispelling one travel myth when it comes to packing for Europe. You do not need to fit two weeks of travel into carry-on luggage. Backpackers are gasping! “But how will you ever lug your baggage from city-to-city or up flights of stairs when there’s no elevator?” We traveled to Italy before I jumped back on the…

Europe, Travel, Wine

A Walk Through Montepulciano in Pictures

January 14, 2014

Our agrtourismo was planted in the midst of a sea of bright, luscious vineyards. Rows and rows of vibrant green vines producing the seductive wines of Montepulciano lined the hills and teased us in the distance. The panorama was so real and appeared so close that I could reach into the sundrenched Tuscan horizon and snap off a juicy Sangiovese berry. This was terrior, and we were lodging in the middle of…

Europe, Travel

Favorite Moments – Rialto Bridge

October 1, 2013

I’ve written about travel moments in the past. Very rarely did they have to do with the actual place that I was in, but more with a culmination circumstances. The Duff Brothers could have been performing in any city. It was the bar, the people, and the music that captured the travel moment. The same with the pop band in Chiang Mai. That band could have been playing in any international city. …

Europe, Travel

The Truth About Venice

September 10, 2013

My wife and I sat in our room at the Westin Europa and Regina trying to plot out dinner plans over a bottle of Prosecco. She manned the TripAdvisor app on our tablet, and I managed a few blogs on my phone and a myriad of tour books. We wanted to find the perfect restaurant for that authentic Venetian meal. The kind of place where we were the only tourists in a…

Europe, Travel, Travel Tips

Are You a No Photo Rule Breaker?

July 15, 2013

The Basilica of San Marco towered above me. I snapped off a few photos of its half exposed, half under-construction exterior. This was our first Italian landmark, and Steve Rick’s advice was spot on to visit in the mid-afternoon when the crowds were smaller. Brand new Samsung NX3000 camera in hand, I was ready to photo document its interior – the Byzantine architecture, the glittering mosaics, the golden altar, the tomb of Saint…

Europe, Travel

A Photomontage of a Gondola Ride through Venice

July 9, 2013

We were tired after almost two days of non-stop walking. It was Venice so much of that time was spent lost looking at paper maps and pillaging enough free Wifi to pinpoint our location on Google Maps. Surprisingly, we managed not to argue in these moments of frustration. We had been warned about Venice and instead laughed as other tourists resolved that street signs do not exist in the maze that is…

Europe, Travel

Another Travel Moment – Mille Miglia 1000 Road Rally

June 18, 2013

I cringe when I read other travel blogs where each day is so jam packed that it seems like every minute is dictated with a timed museum or church visit to ensure all the highlights and main attractions are visited. What if I want to linger over more paintings than just the ones my guide book says are the highlights? I also shutter away from tour groups that herd 50 tourists from…

Europe, Travel

Voyage to Venice

June 7, 2013

The two months leading up to our trip to Italy sucked. It started with a call from Mrs. G. I was two hours out of town picking up my boss’s boss at the airport. We were scheduled to meet with the company’s largest client. Mrs. G. was car number seven in an eight car pile-up on the highway. Thank God she emerged from the accident unscathed. Her Jetta didn’t fare as well…

Europe

Eating Tuscany: A Tuscany Food and Wine Tour

Have You Ever Traveled to Meet Overseas Family? Part 2

What to Wear in Europe this Summer

A Walk Through Montepulciano in Pictures

Favorite Moments – Rialto Bridge

The Truth About Venice

Are You a No Photo Rule Breaker?

A Photomontage of a Gondola Ride through Venice

Another Travel Moment – Mille Miglia 1000 Road Rally

Voyage to Venice

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