Travel Adventures and Photography
What I like sharing most on this travel blog is authentic travel experiences and it's something I really work hard to bring to you. The thing is, when you or I visit someplace far from home we want to feel what it's like to live there, smell the smells, drink the wines, hear the music and really try to appreciate what is so unique about each place... I know that's how I prefer to travel. Florence, Italy often gets a bad rap Read More
Artistic expression has always inspired me, and the new digital eBook Reflections of Venice, Art and Beauty in the Water by David C Phillips is a recent example. David is a longtime friend and professional photographer, and his new book takes you with him on his quest to capture a unique view of Venice, Italy deep within it's reflections. It seems appropriate to share it here with my friends who enjoy seeing a unique view of Read More
If Venice, Italy is a destination on your bucket list then this is for you. While satellite information has shown that Venice is sinking 1-2mm per year, it is actually the highest-ever numbers in tourism that have become the most pressing issue today. It is a valid concern that overcrowding could (and has) led to deterioration and pollution of historic and fragile sites in Venice such as the Rialto Bridge and Read More
I hereby dub thee, "Rainbow Island". This famously picturesque Venetian island with its canals and brightly colored buildings is one of the most popular destinations for a day-trip from Venice, Italy. Back in the 16th century Burano's popularity grew with a thriving lace-making industry, a tradition which continues today thanks to a few dedicated families and their lace shops. These days though, some visitors come to follow Read More
Overnight storms had been passing through Venice for days, and one early morning I felt it pull me out of bed. From my window the clouded sky was a gorgeous mix of yellow, pink, blue and purple! I dashed outside, the clouds moving so fast that around every corner was different light. At Piazza San Marco I met a handful of friendly photographers capturing images of the anchored gondolas. We could all agree that on mornings Read More
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 ambiance were iconically Tuscan and unforgettable. I'm telling you about it because there's an important travel tip in there... let me 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 city of Florence, Italy and there is no place like it anywhere. 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 apartments that make up Palazzo Belfiore were once the 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. Below Benjamin answers some questions and shares his advice about the most difficult aspects of landscape photography at Cinque Terre and the Read More