Assisi, Italy: A place to find your inspiration.
I came to Assisi as a solo traveler after several weeks of intense work in Rome, to celebrate my birthday. It was a fitting way to celebrate a day for me, as part of my identity relates to Saint Francis, who was born in Assisi and founded the Franciscan religious order here in 1208. Many years ago, before I gave up my home to travel, I was a foster mom…
Take a Chance on Bologna
A typical vacation in Italy is usually dominated by stops in Rome and Florence, and possibly Venice and the Amalfi Coast. But Rick Steves offered some wise advice that inspired me to write this for you: if you only visit a country’s major (and popular) cities, you’ll miss a glimpse of what the culture of that country is truly like. If I can convince you to amend your Italy travel…
It Even Snows in Florence
Today, on the first day of spring, Florence got its snow. Tuscany is not a region of Italy where snow falls very often, so the flurry of white flakes has brought a bit of uncertainty and a lot of joy to all of us. Without much means for cleaning up after the snow, roads and sidewalks were slippery, and subsequently, schools and some public offices were closed. Walking through the…
My first backdoor experience at the Colosseum
I must admit, as far as travel experiences go, visiting the Colosseum never ranked highly on my list of favorites. Until recently, that is. The mass confusion entering the Colosseum and the stress of dealing with their stringent yet non-communicative ticket office, followed by feeling pretty much like one of a million sheep, and not much to do once inside other than take selfies or watch other people take…
How I pick my guides: Enjoying cocktails and sunset with The Roman Guy
Big cities can be quite a puzzle to get to know, and Rome is no exception. Even tougher still, Rome’s huge tourism economy makes it tricky to discover how to deviate from the beaten path. I’ve been to Rome about ten times, and I still don’t feel like I could confidently recommend a restaurant for dinner, for example. When my extended family called me in Bologna a few months ago…
Bologna: the city of nighttime.
As the host of the oldest university in the western world, Bologna has been a second home for young people from across Europe for centuries. And with the saturation of young people comes the inevitable nightlife of those who don’t have morning meetings and people depending on them to make breakfast. I’m one of those students that made my pilgrimage to Bologna, only to be charmed by the nighttime energy of…
Italian Liberation Day in Bologna
April 25 is known in Italy as the Anniversario della Liberazione d’Italia, or the Anniversario della Resistenza. It was during these last weeks of April, 71 years ago, that one by one the cities of Northern Italy successfully renounced 20 years of fascist dictatorship, and five years of war.
A dream job doesn’t always have to be perfect: What I’ve learned as a guide in Rome.
Working as an on-site program coordinator in Italy for CISabroad, I have a steep learning curve, but I’m loving the work, especially learning and sharing my newly acquired travel tips about Rome.
Saint Faustino’s Day: Celebrating Singledom the Italian Way
After spending most of the last five years of my life in Bologna, Italy, the day after Valentine’s Day will never be the same. With the same pioneering, rule-breaking spirit that the Italians have brought to art, fashion, engineering, architecture, and crime, they’ve also brought to Valentine’s Day by creating their own holiday celebrating singles everywhere (everywhere meaning: the more the merrier) called Saint Faustino’s Day. Happening annually on February 15th, the holiday would more appropriately be described as “clandestine lovers day.” Since today is Saint Faustino’s Day, and you might not find yourself anywhere near Italy, here’s a little story to get you inspired for next year’s party planning.
Illustrious Instants: The Undeniable Beauty of Venice
There are two types of people in the world: those that love Venice, and those that really don’t. But despite all of its flaws, the architecture, ambiance, and sheer novelty of Venice are undeniable.
Illustrious Instants: An Afternoon Stroll in Bologna
This photo is perhaps the most “illustrious” of my “instants” so far. The photo isn’t meant to demonstrate fabulous composition, color, movement, etc. The photo taking is normal, but the subjects are wonderful. I took this photo because this relationship – daughter and mother taking a simple afternoon stroll -represents Italy for me in a special way. The unconditional love and family ties that still run deep in this…
My first Italian wedding in Lecce: It was no perfect fairytale, but there was a happy ending
It was 11pm and I was standing alone outside the Lecce train station with two luggages, two bags, no ride, no money, and Lecce’s Wikitravel entry loaded on my iphone, warning me about Lecce’s rip-off taxis. Well, thank heavens. I had phone service. I had just endured three days and two nights of continuous travel to get to Lecce, Italy (in the region of Puglia) from San Diego, CA, for…