April 2023 – M's Adventures

Trying to See The Gardens of Villa d’Este

April 30, 2023May 6, 2023M's Adventures

Well, we tried. But, the line was too long for my liking. Instead, we enjoyed the boardwalk along the panoramic view over the plains, and we caught a glimpse of the edge of the Villa d’Este gardens. That will be enough for me. I will enjoy the online photos.

We also enjoyed the fountains that were in the public bathroom park.

In the center of the photo is the edge of Villa d’Este.

We also enjoyed getting out of Tivoli. There are too many tourists and this is just spring. Wait till the summer!

In looking for parking, we had a nice drive (the driver shudders) through the center of Tivoli. Cute. Just like so many other Italian towns.

There is actually a hotel in the middle of the Villa d’Este gardens. I wonder how nice that would be to stay in?

Two Priests and A Van

April 23, 2023April 23, 2023M's Adventures

In the US, it’s often easy to hire “two guys and a truck” to help move furniture across the city. In Rome, it’s really hard to move furniture across the city. I keep hoping there will be a “two priests and van” sign somewhere.

Anyway, if you have a vehicle, instead of moving furniture, you should go out for a road trip instead. Even just within an hour of Rome.

Outside Rome, there are so many small cute hilltop villages to explore and they are not famous. Or crowded. Like San Gregorio da Sassola. I bet you would have that town all to yourself.

Along the way, you can stop at an agroturismo (working farm) for lunch. Enjoy lunch. Pet some animals.

You might even come across a farm stand somewhere selling fresh produce.

Lisbon Is Too Hilly For Me

April 16, 2023April 11, 2023M's Adventures

Rome is a city built on seven hills, but Lisbon is a hill with many hills. It seems like the only level place is by the harbor. Lisbon is a gorgeous city but better suited to billy goats than a flat landlubber like me. People told me that it is like San Francisco. No. It is not. San Francisco’s downtown has long bits of flat. Lisbon has none.

Lisbon is becoming the hottest expat city to live in but I think even in that regard it may be getting too pricey. And it is too hilly.

The national airline of Portugal has sold all the slots near the airport to other carriers so when flying on TAP, one spends a long time on the bus.

But, I did have some good food in Lisbon, and the doctors are unnecessarily handsome (don’t ask, it was an adventure!).

Scenic Rome – Things I Will Miss

April 9, 2023April 9, 2023M's Adventures

For those who have been with me here on my adventures for the past 12 years, you know that I move cities every few years. My time in Rome is soon over, so I am beginning to reflect on the things I will miss about Rome.

For example, the other day, I was sitting out at a cheese shop and down the street was a couple sitting outside their underwear store, drinking some wine and people watching. This scene is a classic Roman scene that may soon fade away as the mega international chain stores wipe out these small family-run businesses. I hope not.

Lithuanian Food – The Surprise

April 2, 2023April 2, 2023M's Adventures

While I went on a food tour in Riga, in Vilnius, I was lucky enough to have a local show me the food. We even had some of the classics like beet soup, stuffed cabbage, and crepes. But, I also tried a surprise.

The surprise was deep fried rye bread smothered in garlic, bacon, and cheese. Like Baltic nachos. They were equally delicious.

When I visited, there was a street fair so I was able to see many of the other foods of the area from smoked fish to sausage.

Another surprise was a popular confectionary shaped like a mushroom. Mushrooms are a popular staple in Baltic food but these sweets were a sad knockoff.

But, the beet soup was yummy and such an arresting color!