I recently took a three-week trip to northern Italy that blew my socks off. I had an opportunity to attend a conference in Trento in the Trentino region, and I used it as inspiration to plan a trip concentrating solely on the far north of Italy. Concentrating on this part of the country gave me the …
Three Weeks in Northern Italy: a Travel Itinerary Read More »
Let me tell you about Emilia-Romagna — an Italian region that is so dear to me. It’s not as famous as Tuscany. There isn’t artwork on every corner like in Florence, nor does it buzz in the way that Rome does, nor is it as picturesque as Venice. But there’s something so warm about Emilia-Romagna. …
I walked into Bologna and felt my heart swell with happiness. This was the city I loved so much — a part of Italy that is breathtakingly beautiful yet rough around the edges, home to some of Italy’s best food but still pretty cheap, cultural and enthralling and incredibly conveniently located — yet still off …
Throughout the world, I’ve found places that I’ve fallen in love with — perfect beaches, isolated islands, wild and interesting cities of all sizes. New places are constantly being added to my list of favorite places in the world. But could I live there? That requires a whole different set of criteria. In an ideal …
Early evening is a magical time in Italy, when everyone comes outside to walk the streets — that evening ritual is called the passeggiata, and it goes on throughout the country. Then darkness falls. Bologna, as fascinating a city as it is during the day, becomes positively magical at night. Here are some of my …
Sometimes, you walk into a place and feel an immediate revelation — this is what I’ve been searching for, and I didn’t know it until now. That’s how I felt about Bologna — la grassa, la dotta, la rossa — my new favorite city in Italy. I’ve been no stranger to falling in love with …
Bologna, Italy: the Sexy, the Delicious, the Untouristed. Read More »
After spending the past few days in Emilia-Romagna, Italy, I’ve completely fallen in love with this absolutely delicious region. For now, here’s an introduction in photos: Bologna, Emilia-Romagna’s largest city, as seen from Piazza Maggiore, the heart of the city center. Bologna is a university city, a northern city, and a lesser touristed Italian city, …