On each return visit to London, it’s always the same. I step off the Heathrow Express in Paddington Station. Jet lagged and groggy, I grab a coffee and make my way to the cab stand. I collapse in a heap in the spacious seat of my black cab. My driver gives me a warm greeting […]
While Florence can be heaving with tourists, it’s not necessarily a bad thing. More tourists means more foot traffic– and shops that can actually afford to stay in business. On my first visit to Florence, I was overwhelmed by the tourist tat and underestimated the shopping potential. Fortunately, on this last visit to Florence, I […]
People who complain about Florence being too touristy and crowded have likely never been to the “other” side of Florence– right across the Arno river, the Oltrarno. I used to be one of the people. On my first visit to Florence, my sightseeing was limited to a tiny circumference in the center, where I was […]
I was a little lost in Florence’s Oltrarno quarter. It might have by design, because I was only half-heartedly looking for my destination. As usual, I was hoping something more interesting would distract me first. It didn’t take long for something to capture my attention. I looked to my right and saw an open doorway […]
I had this romanticized idea of the Italian Lake district for years– narrow stone lanes framed by blooming flowers, grand terraces along the water, and of course, the home of George Clooney. With expectations sky high, I wouldn’t have been surprised if the reality was a let-down. But after an all-too-brief visit, I can happily […]
I’d gotten tired of hearing about the purple pasta cooked in red wine– my friend Amy just couldn’t shut up about how good it was. Amy had sampled this dish in Florence years ago and had been longing to go back ever since. While I was fine with adding it to our itinerary, I remained […]
