Casanova, Romeo, and Rodriguez

Almost any tourist destination has them. People who have holiday romances. In some places, they even make a sort of “living” off of the tourists. Those are Romeos. I’m also not sure that Italy has so many Romeos who live off of the tourists as there are so many other ways to make a living … Read more Casanova, Romeo, and Rodriguez

Child-Friendly Restaurant Outings Within Two Hours of Rome

Sundays are family day, and long lunch day. If you have children in the two-five year old range, going out for lunch on a day trip outside Rome requires a few things… a place that is safe enough for them to run around (because the goal is to get them tired out), has some entertainments … Read more Child-Friendly Restaurant Outings Within Two Hours of Rome

Elegant Wine Tasting in Torre in Pietra

This wine tour is now on my “M’s Adventures Tour” of Rome. The wine tasting at Cantina Castello di Torre in Pietra is a “must” (so punny, sorry, not sorry) on the tour. So why another wine tasting? Didn’t I just write about another? Yes, read about it here. The background to all this wine … Read more Elegant Wine Tasting in Torre in Pietra

Tourist Information for Rome

***Updated June 2023*** Rome is a great place to be a tourist. I’m not a tourist, but I get asked a lot of questions… so here is the info, all in one place. Even more info on the official site for Rome. I start with the most “must-do” places and what is nearby. First, COVID … Read more Tourist Information for Rome

Mancora – The Hawaii of Peru?

If you have never been to Hawaii, then maybe. If you have, then no. I think the main attraction of Mancora is the wind. If you are into kite sailing, then this is the place for you. Or if you are into wind. We went in search of sun in winter. It took twelve hours … Read more Mancora – The Hawaii of Peru?

10 Realities of Hotel Living

I have spent more than 300 nights in hotels in the past few years, and this experience has made me appreciate the joys of having a fixed home. Here are some of the experiences that I had while staying in hotels and being “on the road” for months at a time. It’s not all bad, … Read more 10 Realities of Hotel Living

A Slice of Seventh Heaven – La Tagliata Fattoria

Eating at La Tagliata Fattoria (the slice factory) in Positano will make you feel like you are eating at the home of the Gods’ farmstead. Positano is a cute but touristy town on the Amalfi Coast. There is a walk on the coast called the Walk of the Gods. One can see why. (Another place … Read more A Slice of Seventh Heaven – La Tagliata Fattoria

Once Upon A Danish Yule

A Danish Christmas (or yule) is celebrated on December 24 in the evening (like the Peruvians). While there are many different family traditions, the evening will be something like as this… It will be dark as the sun may have set around four in the afternoon. There may be a light layer of slush or … Read more Once Upon A Danish Yule

A Birthday Wish for Colombia

Today, on Colombia’s birthday (205 years old), I went for a walk to see how Colombians celebrate. I knew there was a parade somewhere and I’m pretty sure that I heard the flyover, but mostly, I noticed that almost all the buildings were flying the flag. I went out to a favorite eatery and as … Read more A Birthday Wish for Colombia

Monsoon in Bogota

A few nights ago, I heard a strange sound through my open windows. It was the sound of monsoon rain. Before moving here, I was told that the weather in Bogota is the same every day. Always 60 F (15 C), cloudy with a chance of sun. Now that it’s October, I’m being told another … Read more Monsoon in Bogota

Peruvian Food Tour in Lima

**** March 2015 — this blog posting got translated and re-blogged on a luxury tour site: in Spanish and in Portuguese. Thanks to Intiways for finding my blog and teaching me the correct Spanish translations! **** Peru’s cuisine is the megastar on the international food scene. Lucky for me, I have a friend in Lima … Read more Peruvian Food Tour in Lima

Gift from the Heart – Painted Stairs

Wedding season has ended in Bangladesh and it will soon begin in the U.S. so I’ve been thinking about wedding gifts. One day in Bangladesh, I was invited to a friend’s house and saw these painted stairs. They were painted as a wedding present. This colorful daily reminder reminds them of their friend, and their … Read more Gift from the Heart – Painted Stairs