Travel Adventures and Photography
I've written before about the wonderful neighborhood that is Oltrarno in Florence, Italy, and I'm convinced that spending time here is the one of the best ways to experience the city. The town square that is named for the church which towers over it, Santo Spirito, is home to a daily market selling fresh food and common household items. But it's their monthly market that is most special, and some say it may be the best antique Read More
From the wild and rustic Chianti region to the manicured cypress trees of Val D'Orcia, there are a great many options when wine tasting on the Tuscan countryside. Over 25,000 wineries in fact. One winery I visited was not the best nor did I particularly care for the wine, but the scenery and ambience were iconically Tuscan and unforgettable. There's an important travel tip in there... let me show you. Recently I met several Read More
Experiencing Capri from upon the sea is nothing if not alluring, something I've now had the chance to learn for myself. In October, my boyfriend and I had the pleasure of a private boat tour from a wild-haired Italian sailor named Gianni who loves being on the water and knows every detail of the island's history. I'm guessing that he would be out there on his boat even if he didn't have customers. From the padded sundeck of Read More
The countryside of Tuscany needs no introduction, with its hilltop towns and medieval villages each having a special charm different from the last. While some suggest that it is best explored with your own car and a relaxed schedule, I opted to join a one-day tour with CiaoFlorence! in an effort to keep stress to a minimum and learn which area(s) I'd like to spend more time in. Departing from Florence, we ventured south to Read More
I have finally experienced the incredible city of Florence, Italy and there is no place like it, anywhere. Thinking of it now gives me chills. I want to learn from other cultures and by staying at Palazzo Belfiore I was able to live and breathe Florence like a local. I wish it could have lasted longer and I'm already thinking of when I will return. Your Home Away From Home: Palazzo Belfiore The seven fully restored Read More
Mysterious and intriguing are the iconic face masks you'll see in Venetian culture. The tradition goes back hundreds of years to when some Venetians wore masks for several months of the year in order to live anonymously. Anything you can dream up for why this could be may be true, but today we can catch the best glimpse of the masks at the the Carnival of Venice each February. The Ca'Macana workshop in Venice is dedicated Read More
Benjamin Mourot is a french photographer who has captured fantastic and unique images along the rugged Italian Riviera. "The Five Lands" or Cinque Terre as it's known around the world, is comprised of five coastal villages in the Liguria region which is on many travelers bucket lists. Here Benjamin shares his advice about the most difficult aspects of landscape photography in Cinque Terre and the nearby fishing village of Read More