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August 15 is a big, beautiful, summertime holiday in Italy. The tradition goes way back to the days of the Roman Empire, when it was the Festival Holidays of the Emperor Augustus. Goddess Diana was at the center of the revels, symbolizing the cycle of fertility, and all were grateful for the summer days of sunshine and ripening. Here’s Diana in a Villa D’Este fountain. What looks like breasts actually represent bull’s testicles, as bulls were sacrificed at the Temple of Mother Goddess Diana in Ancient Times. Along came Catholicism, and the holiday switched to center around the Assumption of The Blessed Virgin Mary into heaven,Read More →

My sisters and I had an extraordinary time traveling through Sicily with an AutoEurope Car Rental in springtime— on roads bordered by blooming ginestra and poppies. It’s wonderful to discover the island on a road trip, as there are so many beautiful places that can be complicated to reach by train or bus. And who wants complications on an Italian vacation? Auto Europe Car Rental made the adventure EASY – from their simple online reservation system to a clear contract with no hidden costs. I’ve rented with them for decades and they’ve always come through with the best prices and great customer service. Traveling byRead More →

A ferry ride from Naples, across  the sparkling sea, takes you to the wonderful island of Ischia. Ischia gives travelers a fabulous combination of La Dolce Vita glamour, rich history, and a folksy Neapolitan scene in its villages—along with fantastic southern Italian food—pizza, seafood pastas, and the best bruschetta al pomodoro I’ve ever eaten! You may have seen Ischia’s famous castle in the 1999 movie, “The Talented Mr. Ripley” or its beautiful beaches more recently, in episodes of HBO’s “My Brilliant Friend”. I fell in love with Ischia decades ago, when I arrived in Italy after a long trip from the USA. Like many travelers,Read 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 →

Announcing – My story is a SOLAS Award Winner 2024! I’m stretched out on a lounge chair set on a rock on the island of Capri, staring atone of the world’s most beloved views: The faraglioni. Those white limestone formations, rising from the turquoise sea, have longinspired stories. The ancients believed that one-eyed giant Polyphemus, angered byhis father, God of the Sea Poseidon, threw these rocks down from the heavens.Homer wrote that sirens sang from them, luring sailors to their death. Odysseus,to escape their perils, ordered his men to put wax in their ears and tie him to his ship’s mast, so he could safelyRead More →

Over the past 12 years of hosting Golden Weeks in Italy, I’ve loved having Mothers and Daughters, Aunts and Nieces join in. Along with all the joys and deliciousness of Bell’Italia, when these women come along on Golden Weeks, they experience — Bonding Away from distractions of life back home, surrounded by warm Italian spirit and beauty, Golden Weeks become rich times for deepening family connections. Relaxing It’s so relaxing when details are all taken care of, there’s no stressing over “will it be okay?” and certainly no blaming mother-daughter-aunt-niece for making a travel mistake! Golden Weeks are all about having a fun-loving pro takeRead 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 →

Today, in Catholic tradition, is the Feast of the Annunciation, celebrating the day when the Angel Gabriel swept in and announced: THE DIVINE IS WITHIN YOU! Nine months later came Christmas. It’s no coincidence that both Florence and Venice chose March 25 as the date for their founding. Florence became a Republic in the 12th century, and traditionally celebrated their New Year on March 25, all the way up until the 18th century. This is still a day of grand parades and celebrations in the city. Venetians felt so connected to Mary that they chose the day to officially establish their Republic in 421AD.  TheyRead More →

Once spring is near, I start dreaming about Rome…and artichoke season. Here’s an excerpt from “Hungry for Italy”: “Order carciofi,” (pronounced car-CHO-fee), is what I tell travelers who ask for advice about Rome. Sure, you can run around oohing and aahing over the Forum, Colosseum, and Sistine Chapel, but for the True Roman Experience, you have to stop and taste the artichokes. From late February to early May, overflowing crates of these green and purple-tinged beauties from surrounding farmlands begin to appear in the Eternal City. Signoras in smocks sit in the open air Campo dei Fiori market, peeling Carciofi Romaneschi with their tiny knives, as if they’re made of butter. InRead More →

Happy International Women’s Day! All over Italy on March 8, this holiday is celebrated with mimosa flowers, given by men to the women in their life, or by women to their friends… It’s a global day to celebrate all female achievements–past, present, and future. Courageous women began it in the early 1900s, holding demonstrations for the right to vote and for equal pay and working conditions.  The Union of Italian Women officially declared March 8 Women’s Day in 1945.The scent of mimosas is everywhere, reminding us that spring is near… Girlfriends get together and have fun…and maybe get a little wild…with Mimosa cocktails… AND Mimosa cake… Every State-Owned Museum in Italy offersRead More →