FOODIE IN FLIP FLOPS

We have always wanted to visit the Dolmites in the Italian Alps, but for some reason kept putting it on the back burner. I'm glad we finally went because it was one of the most beautiful places we have ever been!! The region is divided into three valleys, all beautiful. You could spend a month here and not come close to seeing everything. I recommend picking a valley that most interests you and then explore from there. If you have more time, switch accommodations into another valley, otherwise you will be overwhelmed trying to see everything and end up spending too much time in the car. The roads are mostly two lane which wind through mountain passes, nothing fast moving about it. With that said, the views while driving will knock your socks off and give you a kink in your neck.   In northern Italy, there are three languages spoken, German, Italian, and Ladin. It is a unique microcosm in that you have both the influences of the Italians and Germans, making it a ni...

There are several cities with ancient arenas that seem to be overlooked because of the popularity of the colosseum in Rome. Verona is a prime example of one of these cities.  The amphitheater was built in 30AD in what is known today as the Piazza Bra. It is easy to pay an entrance fee and explore, however, the highlight is to catch a play or an opera. Verona is the setting for William Shakespeares' Romeo and Juliet, which is why it is nicknamed "The City of Love".  You can visit Juliette's balcony at the Cappelletti house in the old city. Touching Juliette's right breast is supposed to bring luck. Bogi was an absolute gentleman and refrained! Thousands of notes to Juliette line the portico which leads to the courtyard. If you prefer you can write a love letter to the Juliet Club where a team of volunteers, known as secretaries, select a few of the most beautiful letters written that year. The winners are chosen on Valenti...

Civita di Bagnoregio was a stop on our way from Amalfi coast to the Umbria region. It is located about 55 miles northeast of Rome. It sits on a volcanic tuff island rising up from the valley and was founded by the Etruscans 2500 years ago.  We paid our small entrance fee of 5€ and started our dramatic entrance up to the plateau.  The pedestrian path led to this town gate.  Once inside we were surprised at the number of cafes and restaurant that were available. Also, there are several apartments you can rent.  The town had one main avenue with intriguing off shoots that showcased its'  pristine appearance and blooming flowers.  The views of the valley were gorgeous.  There were so many terraces perched on the cliff sides with birds eye views.  I loved how the owners really spruced up their town with beautiful stones paths, wisteria and archways.  We...

It had been 11 years since we visited the Amalfi coast and we loved it so much we named our dog Amalfi. We were super excited to come back and stay on the eastern side and complete the whole coast.  This was our hotel, Villa San Michele in Ravello. As you can see, it sits on a side of a mountain and a lot steps were involved to get to and from the main road to your room. Pack lightly, this is common!! The hotel is situated below Ravello and has sweeping views of the Tyrrhenian Sea. The property was very relaxing with the sound of waves crashing on the rocks. We were in awe of the panoramic views from the property, however disappointed in the rooms. They were small and outdated.  We had direct access to the water. It looked so clean and clear, however still too chilly for a dip.  Our car even had a great view!! The hotel offered free parking which was a huge bonus since parking on the Amalfi coast is a rare commodity and ve...

This is Matera. A maze of unpainted stone, caves, and churches perched at the edge of a deep canyon. My first impression was that we had been transported out of Italy and into some ancient middle eastern city. That feeling is brought on by so much raw stonework with chisel marks still visible where they had been hand carved out of the nearby quarry. The uniformity of so much blank rock also has its own beauty which is best taken in from the far side of the gorge looking back towards Matera. From the distance the rock seems to blend into one jumbled puzzle with only the gaping openings of the caves looking back at you like vacant pockets in a bee hive. All of this is dominated by a single prominent church tower. This imagery has not been lost on filmmakers, who have used Matera as a stand-in for Jerusalem. Recent movies have been the remade Ben-Hur and The Passion of the Christ. Matera itself has leapt on board with this portrayal and frequent re-enactments of the cruci...