Florence, Day 6: Some Days Just Seem to Invite Magic
Today was one of those days. My iPhone said it may rain. My iPhone was very, very wrong. The sun shone its glorious face over [...]
Florence, Day 5: What Can One Day Teach You? And Other Reflections on Life and Learning
The sun rose on a warm and glorious day in Tuscany. After sleeping more (much-needed) hours than I can count, I woke up good as [...]
Florence, Day 3: A Day of Sculpture and the Nude in Art
The nude in art: It's a subject of controversy, and I, like many artists, don't understand why. It's such a huge part is our art [...]
Florence, Day 2: Mimicking the Masters
I started the day as I ended it: climbing to the Piazza Michelangelo. High above the city, it's both a workout and a magnificent view. [...]
Checking in from Florence
Arrival in Florence always takes one's breath away. The charm of its Renaissance streets and the majesty of the Duomo, the River Arno and its [...]
Switzerland, Part 5: Swimming Holes and Alpine Thrills
Time always seems to go so quickly when you're traveling. It's heightened living at its best, and fate seems to rush it while I do [...]
Switzerland, Part 4: Alpine Peaks and Mountain Lakes
Driving through the valleys that spread out from Lake Maggiore is, for me, one of life's great thrills. It's just so darn charming and breathtaking, [...]
Switzerland, Part 3: In the Magic Kingdom (Or, did my heart just stop beating, can someone please pinch me?)
Today was about Jack Johnson and the Valle Verzasca. I'm not sure which enchanted me more, but to my husband, who is reading this, the answer [...]
Switzerland, Part 2: Now that is a view: From Switzerland to Italy by train
When doing my research on this area, which I thoroughly enjoy doing, the Centrovalli train line comes up again and again as the highlight of [...]
Switzerland, Part 1: Where Italy meets Switzerland: A magic place you never knew existed
Ticino is the region of Switzerland that is Italian-speaking and -influenced. It's where the Alps spill into Lake Maggiore, which is shared with Italy. The [...]