Search results for: Golden Day Ten (Page 13)

Florence is full of thousands of lucky Americans like Meagan Brown: college students who spend semesters in this beautiful city. I met Meagan through her My Adventures In The Land of Tomatoes blog, a wonderful account of her 2009 Fall, where she studied the city’s history, interned for The Florentine, and fell in love with Florence. Now back at the University of Denver, with memories still fresh, Meagan graciously shares with me her vision of a Golden Day in this beautiful place. She began by writing about what she sees as “the heart of Florence”: the Arno River. Since she lived near there, she’d watch amazing TuscanRead More →

I was a fan of Judy Witts-Francini long before we met face to face. I got to know her through her fantastic Divina Cucina web-site, the best guide to the food of Florence out there. Judy’s a native California gal, who moved to Florence over 25 years ago, and now is a central part of the town’s culinary scene. I finally spent time with her in person last year, just before her wonderful first cookbook was published: Secrets of My Tuscan Kitchen.   Just like her Divina Cucina Logo (an angel holding a wooden spoon), when I’m with Judy–whether it’s in the Central Market of San Lorenzo or just walking through the streets, IRead More →

In honor of BLACK FRIDAY, let’s go shopping in Florence with my friend-of-exquisite-taste, Rosanne Cofoid. Rosanne is one of those Italian-American women who has a flair for style–in that simple, elegant, eye-catching way. We met on a group trip to Abruzzo years ago, and I immediately got a girl crush,  just from her ensemble. Rosanne has poured her passion for Italy into creating a tour company, La Dolce Via Travel, that customzies tours to Italy–meticulously creating itineraries where hotels, restaurants, and sights are chosen, so you feel as if a fairy godmother designed the whole vacation to fulfill your dream-of-a-vacation. Since Rosanne’s such an expert, I asked her to clue us inRead More →

After devouring Dianne Hales’ book, “La Bella Lingua, My Love Affair With Italian, The World’s Most Enchanting Language,” I finally got a chance to meet the lovely author last week when we were on a panel together at the San Francisco Italian American Museum, talking about what makes Italy especially attractive to females. Dianne’s book (released last May), is an enticing, entertaining, and passionate story about her adventures studying Italian. Naturally, she’s traveled to Italy often, and when I asked her to describe to me one of her Golden Days, she said… I would begin my golden day watching the sun climb over Florence and its hillsRead More →

Many years ago I was at a cocktail party on the terrace of the Belgain Embassy in Rome–an invitation you should never refuse, because the view from up there of the forum is amazing. That’s where I met food writer Carol Coviello-Malzone, who lives part time in the Eternal City, in an apartment that overlooks the Campo dei Fiori. Carol’s passion is Roman cooking–she knows the absolute best eating places in town, and has written a guide to Rome’s restaurants, “Flavors of Rome. ” When I’m lucky enough to be in Rome when she’s there, I just hand over the eating decisions to Carol, andRead More →

You leave the sounds of church bells and car honks behind and head to The Queen of the Roads, from 312 BC. Okay, it’s not always peaceful. You may have heard there’s no cars allowed here on Sunday, but listen up: not true. There are all kind of specially licensed vehicles that can get through here, so Sunday is not the Appian Way bike ride day. Come on a weekday, after 3, when the afternoon light is hazy and golden and it’s all quiet and dreamy… Just you and the few others who took a cab from the historic center (12 euro), straight to the Tomb of CeciliaRead More →

As soon as I arrive in Rome, I head to The Pantheon. I stand inside under its Dome–the Dome of All Domes–and look up to that opening that frames the ever-changing Roman sky: the Eye of Heaven! This is the perfect place to begin an Italian adventure. This is where you feel the pull of Italy’s soul.  Where you get the thrill of being in an architectural wonder, built over 2000 years ago to honor all the goddesses and gods. In the seventh century it was consecrated as a church, dedicated to Santa Maria and the Martyrs. In the 16th century Renaissance it was so revered the superstar artistRead More →

The magic of Venice expands beyond its borders, to the Veneto — a region rich with beauties and deliciousness. I admit it wasn’t easy to pull myself away from Venice and explore its surroundings. But since my first visit to Padua, over 20 years ago, I’ve been enchanted by all I’ve discovered — from breathtaking masterpieces of art and architecture to transformational spa experiences, and elegant towns that aren’t overcrowded with tourists. To add to its appeal, extraordinary tastes, beloved worldwide, originated in the Veneto — including tiramisu and prosecco. Come with me and wonderful women in June, for Extra Golden Days in the Veneto: ForRead More →

EXTRA GOLDEN DAYS ON THE ISLAND OF ISCHIA JUNE 2-7, 2024 led by Author Susan Van Allen Susan exceeded my expectations! Would love to tour with her (and the ladies) again! -Tina, Colorado Join Susan Van Allen, author of 100 Places in Italy Every Woman Should Go, for an inspiring extra Golden Days in the Veneto. Full Itinerary Today you will take the overnight flight to Milan, full of joyful anticipation Benvenuta! You’ll be met by our driver at the Milan airport and transported to the enchanting town of Stresa, on the shore of Lake Maggiore, a spot that’s been beloved by travelers since the daysRead More →

December 13 — Feast of Saint Lucy Celebrate the Saint of Light and Sight, Italian Style Today is Saint Lucy’s Feast Day, where Hope comes to dark winter days The festa also brings me back to Siracusa, Sicily, and the island of Ortygia, where she is honored, along with other amazing females… Ortygia’s Duomo is built around the remains of a Greek Temple that honored the Goddess Athena, patron of Wisdom, Craftsmanship and Heroic Endeavors, who became Minerva to the Romans. Sprung from the head of Zeus, Athena was a real career goddess who did such great things as guide Odysseus home, think up theRead More →