Wandering the Countryside of Guimarães
Citânia de Briteiros The Citânia de Briteiros archaeological site of the Castro Culture is one of the more excavated sites…
November 2022
Valença Fortaleza – Portugal
November 2022 The Walled Portion of the City of Valença, Portugal Valença dates from Roman times. Inside the fortified walls,…
Northern Portugal – Exploring Abandoned Monasteries
November 2022 This was a day of exploring the Minho Region, the oldest part of the country of Portugal. Originally…
Discovering Northern Portugal
November 2022 There are at least 42 aqueducts in Portugal. Fifteen were built for public water supply and 26 for…
Porto, Portugal – Literature and Wine
November 2022 This is my second trip to Porto and this trip is less about discovering the city and more…
One Reason You Come to Parma – Parmigiano Reggiano
November 17, 2022 The City of Parma is lovely but you come to Parma for Parmigiano Reggiano, Prosciutto di Parma,…
Two More Reasons to Visit Parma – Prosciutto di Parma and Balsimico
November 2022 I have already discussed the tour of Parmigiano Reggiano, but on the same day spent Cooking with Stefania…
The Mura di Lucca and More
November 2022 The walls of Lucca (Mura di Lucca) are a series of stone, brick, and earthwork fortifications that are…
San Michele in Foro and San Martino – Lucca
November 2022 San Michele in Foro is a Roman Catholic basilica built over an ancient Roman forum, dedicated to Archangel…
Walking Around Lucca
November 2022 At one time Lucca had as many as 30,000 people living in its downtown behind the walls, once…
Bagni di Lucca
November, 2022 Bagni di Lucca is a respite and a divine little spot to unwind. The area has been known…
An Introduction to Ravenna
November 2022 In 402 CE the reality of barbarian invasions compelled the Western Roman emperor Honorius to move his court…
The Mosaics of Ravenna, Italy – Part 1
November 2022 Ravenna is a very quiet town at this time of year. There are very few people and almost…
UNESCO Sites and the Mosaics of Ravenna, Italy Part 2
November 2022 Basilica di San Vitale Gustav Klimt visited Ravenna twice in 1903, after which began the period of his…
Dante and Ravenna
November 8, 2022 I am a lover of Dante. I have read Divina Commedia (The Divine Comedy) at a minimum,…
The Art of the Sanctuary of Santa Maria della Vita in Bologna, Italy
November 2, 2022 Il Campianto sul Cristo Morto by Niccolò dell’Arca 1463 Inside the Sanctuary of Santa Maria della Vita…
The Certosa of Bologna
November 2022 The Certosa di Bologna was a Carthusian monastery established in 1334. It expanded and flourished, and became an…
The Esprit Nouveau – Corbusier in Bologna
November 2022 A 30-minute walk from Piazza Maggiore, sitting in an open field, is the Pavillon de l’Esprit Nouveau. Originally…
Bologna – Wandering At A Leisurely Pace
November 6, 2022 I went through Bologna in May of this year at a pace that would defy the speed…
A Day in Cambridge
As a tourist, I must admit I prefer Cambridge over Oxford. Very simply because its entire downtown is pedestrian and…
York in 5 Hours
October 30, 2022 The city of York gives its name to the County of Yorkshire. While the House of York…
Galloping through Glasgow
October 28, 2023 Driving south to Glasgow The Glenfinnan Viaduct is a railway viaduct on the West Highland Line in…