The more I travel in Italy, the more I’m convinced that Italy’s biggest charm comes from its smallest towns and villages. Rome is a must-see. Its historical importance alone can bring you there. Venice, the sinking city in the lagoon, has attracted explorers since its foundation. Florence was the birthplace of the Renaissance where artists… Read more »

Along the Italian Riviera is Camogli, a tiny town of founded by sailors and fishermen. The port can hold a maximum of thirty ships, yet it’s said there were hundreds in the early 1900s. They simply weren’t at home. Always out in a different port on a different exhibition. The city’s name, in fact, is… Read more »

Let’s dedicate some time to … time.  We all generally follow the same societal standards of time: a decade, year, month, week, day. Seasons, minutes, appointments, dates.  And yet how we relate to those standards of time is radically different across cultures.  “On time” in Germany seems to mean at least five minutes early. On… Read more »

I have a little Italian baby. Of course she’s Italian-American, but the novelty is the Italian part. Having a baby is an adventure, but raising a baby in another culture brings a whole new set of challenges.  Being pregnant in another country means immersing yourself in another culture’s convictions, both philosophical and physical. I regularly… Read more »

The best way to get the most out of your trip to Italy is to prepare a bit in advance. That said, I know we’re all busy people and sometimes our trips sneak up on us before we’ve even had a chance to buy a guidebook. Let me help you. Below are some of my favorite articles, tips… Read more »

Recently Austin Kleon, author of Steal Like An Artist, linked in his newsletter to a piece about living with the seasons by Matt Thomas, writer of the Sunday NYTimes Digest (if you can follow that). It reflects on our typical thinking of time and suggests a better way to measure it: by seasons. He asks: “Should one… Read more »

Snapshots of Gubbio, Umbria: A glimpse of one of the oldest towns in Umbria. Perhaps one of the most characteristic towns in Umbria, Gubbio sits in the 21st-century with a firm hold onto its ancient past. Also known as the “city of fools,” there’s a lot to explore in this Medieval town, but its true beauty is… Read more »

Let’s talk a little bit about the north-south divide. Most countries have it. The food, culture, languages and economies of the north have nothing to do with those of the south in India, Argentina, Mexico, Italy. In some of these countries, both areas are accepted and prized. More often, however, an undercurrent of competition and entitlement… Read more »

I love road trips, but train travel in Italy is usually the best choice for travelers to the country. With extensive networks and generally inexpensive tickets, train travel in Italy is easy and convenient. Understanding all the options and booking tickets online, less so. I realized just how daunting the task can be after trying to explain… Read more »

“Gina, are you boring?” my Italian cousin asked me, her eyes worried and sincere. After regularly repeating this question the next two weeks I lived with her I finally came to terms with the slip up. My sweet, odd Italian relative who I connected with via email was worried about my boredom, not inquiring about my personality. Anyone who has studied a… Read more »