By Marilyn Jones I sat with my friend, Cacinda, at a sidewalk café enjoying a Margherita pizza. The pizza was good, but my surroundings were divine. Before me stood ancient buildings, including a church and apartment buildings, and a gondolier in a red-and-white striped shirt talked on his cell phone waiting for his next passenger. I am in Venice.
Tag Archives: Italy
Sansepolcro, Italy – Home to Renaissance Art Treasure
On my way to Palazzo Donati in Mercatello sul Metauro, I stop at Sansepolcro. Located in southeastern Tuscany, I am immediately pleased with its Renaissance feel and welcoming locals. Starting at the visitors’ center, I collect a few pamphlets and talk to the friendly staff before walking the short distance to the Civic Museum of Sansepolcro . It is housed in Palazzo
The benefits of a Eurail Pass
I appreciate the convenience of traveling by train throughout Europe on many levels. Generally speaking, it is a very reliable. Almost down to the second the train you’re waiting for arrives. If it’s going to be delayed, this is communicated on a platform sign; most of the time (along with the local language) in English. I also don’t have to
Burano Island is a Venetian Treasure
Burano, with its brightly colored houses and businesses, is part of Venice but much removed from the crowds of St. Mark’s Square and the Rialto Bridge over the Grand Canal. It only takes a short water taxi ride across the Venetian Lagoon to get to this magical island with its gift shops, restaurants and narrow canals. Historians believe the
Relax, Renew and Explore at an Italian Wellness Resort
“We want you to relax,” says the desk clerk as I check into ADLER Thermae Wellness & Spa Resort. Located at Bagno Vignoni in the heart of Tuscany, the resort is known as a place of luxury combined with slowing down, pampering and leisure. Like everyone else in this fast-paced world, I am looking for all three and I believe
Getting to Know Florence, Italy One Meal at a Time
I arrive by taxi at the tour meeting point — Piazza Santo Spirito — early enough to enjoy exploring the neighborhood, do a little shopping, photograph nearby Palazzo Pitti and enjoy a Coca-Cola Light at Caffe Ricchi. At the appropriate time I head for the fountain in the middle of the piazza. Here I meet Gaia Ancilotti, a cheerful young
Renaissance art form resurrected in Urbania, Italy
On a tour provided by Palazzo Donati, I set out to visit a small ceramic showroom and workshop in Urbania, an Italian town of just over 7,000 inhabitants in the Le Marche region. A center for handmade ceramics since the 15th century, today there are workshops where you can see artists at work and buy high quality handmade ceramic pieces.
15th century Hotel Il Salviatino welcomes guests to Florence
From my home in Texas to Florence, Italy is, more or less, a 24-hour journey. When my plane touches down, all I can think about is getting to my hotel for some rest before exploring the city. Sunday morning traffic is light and within a half hour the taxi driver has deposited me at Il Salviatino, a 15th century villa