Picture a gorgeous hilltop city tucked between the smaller foothills, standing out against the Sicilian landscape. A Goldilocks destination of sorts: close to busier, popular tourist spots on the island like Siracusa and Catania — and yet nice and, dare I say it, even quiet… by Sicilian standards. For those reasons (and more), I visited…
Catania is a captivating Sicilian city right at the foot of Mount Etna, deserving of more attention than it gets. While it’s best known for its gorgeous Baroque architecture and charming historical town, Catania also has stunningly gorgeous views of the spectacular (and spectacularly active) volcano. When living in Italy, I made several trips to Sicily, and…
Varenna, once a humble fishing village, has done quite an about-face. Once merely a humble fishing village, it’s transformed into a captivating destination along the shores of Lake Como, a favorite spot for both the ultra-wealthy (hello, George Clooney) and visitors seeking a peaceful Italian getaway. Surrounded by the breathtaking Alps, Varenna’s villas, colorful lakeside…
Lecco is a lovely gem on Lake Como’s southeastern branch, and even though it’s the largest city in this particular part of the lake, it’s actually less busy than many cities on the lake, overshadowed by the more famous Como or smaller villages like Varenna and Bellagio. Despite this, it’s absolutely worth visiting Lecco if…
Peschiera del Garda may just be the most impressive town on Lake Garda — and that’s saying something, since there’s no shortage of contenders for beautiful towns in this particular part of Italy. The town of Peschiera del Garda was developed on a set of small islands, located at mouth of the River Mincio beginning…
Verona is ironically known for all the wrong things — and forgotten for many of its best merits. Like that whole Shakespeare, Romeo and Juliet thing? Well, the setting is technically right, but that’s about where the similarities end… any of the supposed “houses” that are related to it, are actually not connected at all!…
Great Smoky Mountains National Park is absolutely a must-see destination for any lover of the great outdoors, and the numbers are there to prove it. This is the most visited national park in the country, winning by a landslide, pun only slightly intended. Knowing all this, when I was planning my road trip through the…
From the loud warbling of the call to prayer and the persistent calls of the men who run stalls in the souks constantly striking your ears, Marrakech is a cacophony and a shock to the senses. The sights, smells, and sounds of Marrakech are deeply layered, and not always pleasant: the pungent smell of incenses…
Pisa may be best known for its iconic Leaning Tower of Pisa, but there’s more to the Tuscan city than its famous crooked tower. Home to lovely medieval architecture, the world’s first university botanical garden, great museums, and amazing Tuscan restaurants, Pisa is a perfect Italian city to explore on a weekend trip — especially…
