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Europe 2026
  • Kate Pritchett
  • Kate Pritchett

Europe 2026

Mostly Italy, with a chamber music festival in Assisi plus sight-seeing. Brief sojourns in London before and Austria/Switzerland at the end. Read more
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  • Trip start
    June 23, 2026
    Kate PritchettEurope 2026Traveler
    I'm glad it's only rain today! OK weather has been wild this week.
    I'm glad it's only rain today! OK weather has been wild this week.Whew! Now let's hope I can get it on and off all of the buses and trains...

    Departure!

    June 23 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 75 °F

    I managed to upgrade to first class on my flight to Charlotte, which is a nice little luxury. Sadly, the cost of getting into economy plus on my flight to London would’ve been ten times the upgrade cost. I’ll enjoy the room while I can and save that money for pasta. I’m grateful to Neal for helping me get everything together today and for being so gracious about me taking off on this trip without him. 💜Read more

  • Kate PritchettEurope 2026Traveler
    Charlotte is so green!
    Charlotte is so green!

    Spoke too soon…

    June 23 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 88 °F

    So about that “only rain.” It turned into a very windy thunderstorm, so we sat on the plane at the gate for a couple of hours before we finally took off. I hauled ass across the Charlotte airport and was gratified to walk up just as they announced my group. Whew! BUT THEN, once everyone was on board, they realized the security check on the plane (which came from Greece) had been incomplete. Every passenger on this full flight had to get off to allow them to do a new security check. As I’m typing we’re (hopefully) preparing to take off about 80 minutes late. Fortunately I have almost a day in London before getting back on a plane, so this doesn’t jam me up.

    Every trip has some inconveniences. So far, it could definitely be worse!    Read more

  • Kate PritchettEurope 2026Traveler
    1A very nice pale ale at Dan and Sam's local pub, the Dodo
    1A very nice pale ale at Dan and Sam's local pub, the DodoThe pub where I stayed. Tiny room with no AC but comfy bed, quiet, and safe

    London, briefly

    June 24 in England ⋅ ☀️ 93 °F

    I flew into London this morning. Border control was a piece of cake but I had to wait a while for a train. Apparently the trains here don’t run on time when it’s as hot as it was today. I believe it got up to 95, and it is NOT a dry heat. The walk to my hotel from the train station almost did me in, but I made it, and I’m glad the room at least has a fan.

    I had drinks and dinner with local friends Dan and Sam, which was lovely. (Neal and I went to UNT with Dan, who’s lived in this neighborhood for years now.) I neglected to get a pic of the food but it was a nice array of Indian/Nepalese food. Somehow very satisfying in spite of the weather!

    Very early flight to Italy in the morning so off to bed.    Read more

  • Kate PritchettEurope 2026Traveler
    1A Bologna sandwich, as Neal pointed out when I sent him the pic
    1A Bologna sandwich, as Neal pointed out when I sent him the pic1Espresso con panna, my new favorite, although this was excessive panna, no?Train station, the only building I sawBologna is surrounded by fields of crops. No wonder it's a food Mecca!

    In Bologna

    June 25 in Italy ⋅ ☀️ 93 °F

    My flight to Italy went as smoothly as it could have. I had been worried about border control coming in to the EU after reading some articles about how the new biometric system is creating hours-long lines in airports. As with so many of my worries, this was for naught, as the entire process took 15 minutes.

    (Side note: it is impossible for me to say, write, or think any word that rhymes with “My Sharona” without singing it to the tune of the song by The Knack. Doo doo dee doo dee, in Bologna. You’re welcome.)

    The good news is this gave me time to eat lunch in Bologna, although a food hall across the street from the train station is no doubt basic, as the kids say. Still pretty good! I’m lugging a big bag and didn’t want to haul it further afield in this heat. Now continuing on to my destination for the day…    Read more

  • Kate PritchettEurope 2026Traveler
    2Spectacular views to the west as I wheezed my way to my hotel
    2Spectacular views to the west as I wheezed my way to my hotelThat's the Adriatic, looking to the eastBasilica Del San MarinoJasmine. I wish I could include the scent here. Divine.This wouldn't ever get old.Statua della LibertàPellegrino and prosecco. Hydrating like it's my job right now.Chitarrina (named for the guitar-looking tool used to cut it) alla carbonaraTiramisuSunsetLooking down over the rest of the country. There's a cable car up to the old town.This place is a little freaky. A vampire/werewolf museum and down the street a museum of torture. !!More sunset1Small motorcade w/ SM001 and this car, both with flags. The 2 captains regent who run the country?This was obviously where the officials were headed.Part of one of the defensive towersThis town reminds me a bit of Assisi.

    San Marino day 1

    June 25 in San Marino ⋅ ☀️ 86 °F

    From Bologna I took a train to Rimini and then a bus to San Marino. Google told me that it was a nine minute walk to my hotel. I’ve walked across Spain, so I thought this would be fine, even with the big bag that at this point feels like a sack of every bad decision I’ve ever made. Anyway. Ha ha ha. This place is VERTICAL. Google thought it would be hilarious to have me walk up stairs with this bag.

    My personal trainer Kristi would be so happy with the weight lifting and cardio I did today. That said, I should’ve taken a cab. BUT I lived and eventually made it to my hotel, which is a few rooms above a small restaurant. There’s an AC unit in my room, glory be.

    After a shower, a little rest, and some sink laundry, I walked around a bit and found some dinner. This is a really interesting place. I’m taking a digital tour tomorrow so more about that later.    Read more

  • Kate PritchettEurope 2026Traveler
    This town has a weird streak. Love the sculptures.
    This town has a weird streak. Love the sculptures.Cava dei Balestrei, originally a quarry. Crossbows are significant for the defensive role here.For the annual crossbow competition here, known as the Palio dei BalestreiThe Palazzo Pubblico, govmt building, sadly temporarily closed. I caught the changing of the guard.Next few are from the State Museum. This is San Marino himself, obvi.Justice. I love this portrayal.There were several similar images of "Maddalena." ??St. Anne holding Mary and Jesus. Haven't seen anything like this before, either.1I can't tell you how often I stopped to gawk (and take pics)!"Mother and Son"Looking east to the AdriaticGuiata, the first towerCesta, the second towerI don't know what weapon those openings accommodated.Montale, tower the thirdThe Basilica. I tried twice to go in, but closed and then a wedding! This was at 5:30pm.Looking northeastDetail from the Palazzo Pubblica4Last sunset here

    San Marino, Day 2

    June 26 in San Marino ⋅ ☀️ 81 °F

    This was a great day! I basically alternated between walking around/sightseeing, practicing, and eating beautiful food. No one wants to hear the practicing, and I’ll save the food for a separate post, so this post is all sights.

    I knew it would be a lot of steps (and hills!) today, so I skipped my early morning walk. Neither Italy nor San Marino arise early, so finding breakfast can be tricky. After I did that I started the self-guided tour I had scheduled.

    San Marino was founded in AD 301 and is the oldest constitutional republic in the world. At only 24 square miles, it’s the fifth smallest country. The capital city of San Marino (which is where I am) is on top of Monte Titano. The three towers overlooking the city and the surroundings are very dramatic and were definitely highlights of the tour.

    I came back to the hotel at various points to rest, charge batteries (literal and figurative), and practice for the upcoming festival. Very happy to have my practice mute!

    I’m off to Ravenna tomorrow, which is about 48 miles away on the Adriatic coast.    Read more

  • Kate PritchettEurope 2026Traveler
    The door game in San Marino and Ravenna not equal to Florence but still some good ones.
    The door game in San Marino and Ravenna not equal to Florence but still some good ones.The emblem of San Marino, with three towers and "liberty."Once last tower view1How can people surrounded by such beauty come up with this garishness?2A first for me at the train station in Rimini. It cost me €1 to use! Yay me for doing squats.Not remarkable but it sure hit the spot, as Dad would say.

    Travel day of meh

    June 27 in San Marino ⋅ ☀️ 73 °F

    I woke up early and went for a walk around San Marino before breakfast and my trip down the mountain to the bus stop. A painless bus ride later, I was at the train station in Rimini. I was just about to get myself over to the platform when I discovered that my train had been cancelled. No big deal, it turns out - I just got on a train an hour later.

    I arrived in Ravenna midafternoon and got to my lodging, which turned out to be an air b@b kind of tiny room in what was once part of a larger apartment. Very comfortable, although the very petite host had all of the mirrors at a level with my torso!

    I had chosen Ravenna thinking I’d be able to go to the beach, but it seems that many, many Italians also have this idea. I took a city bus to the beach with some difficulty (every city has a different pay system, and I’m not sure I actually paid. Oops). Once there I walked to the water but the place was crawling with people (not v. picturesque), and finding a free beach would’ve taken some time.

    I was hot, and even though it was *only* 6:00 at this point, I was starving. I knew from experience that finding a restaurant open for dinner so early would be difficult. Eventually I found a pizzeria where I had some communication issues with the non-English speaking proprietors, but eventually devoured most of a veggie pizza.

    Since the bus was tricky and I was tired, I decided to splurge on a taxi back to my room. I used the Italian taxi app and thought I was golden. The driver calls me to establish where I am (which was in the app…). He spoke very little English and I speak virtually no Italian, so this took a while. I was envisioning myself stranded forever but we got it figured out and I arrived back safely. I have been spoiled in the more touristy locations with the English speakers!

    All this is to say not every day can be perfect, even on vacation in Italy, but I emerged intact and accomplished my goals of seeing new stuff off the beaten path!    Read more

  • Kate PritchettEurope 2026Traveler
    The main actor is in brown on the left. Maybe San Francesco?
    The main actor is in brown on the left. Maybe San Francesco?Basilica di San FrancescoMore bells. Dante's remains were hidden here during WWII.Dante's tombInside the tombStreet art commemorating the 700th anniversary of Dante's death, with a nod to mosaicsSquacquerone cheese with carmelized figs. Like cottage cheese but creamier, with just a little funk.Jesus as warriorTour guide said Andrew's portrayal with crazy white hair meant to show wisdom. So there.Inside the baptistery of Neon.2The guide says this cylindrical style of tower represents the perfection of paradise. Uh huh.Inside the Mausoleo di Galla Placidia, a 5th century empressThat border looks so modern!1Alabaster windows. I learned today that I didn't know what alabaster actually looks like.Basilica of San Vitale1Nice buttressAll kinds of power dynamics portrayed here, according to the guide.The Baroque additions are jarring!Basilica di Sant' Apollinare Nuovo (nuovo!!)Long lines of saints along each sideThese magi look to be out of Rodgers & Hammerstein!1I was most excited about the water!

    Ravenna - history and art

    June 28 in Italy ⋅ ☀️ 86 °F

    A much better day than the previous day, as I knew it would be. It started with a less than promising walk - not a pretty part of the city and very hot - but things improved from there. I had a shower and then walked to a coffee shop open on Sunday. It’s on the Piazza di San Francesco (that guy is all over!) and when I arrived there I found an outdoor orchestral performance in progress. A small but good orchestra (strings, woodwinds, percussion) was playing while a couple of men and a group of children acted. I have no idea what it was about. Music sounded a bit like Copland but I don’t know what it was, either.

    Dante’s tomb was between my room and the piazza, so I stopped there. V. interesting info about how his remains moved around about - they were missing at one point and were hidden during WWII. Very odd to see families happily posing in front of the tomb!

    I practiced a bit, had a little nap and a nice lunch, and then went on a 🎶three hour tour of the various historical sites with mosaics. These date back to the Byzantine empire of the 5th and 6th centuries. It was hot and more walking than I had anticipated but very interesting.

    A light dinner, some laundry, and some practicing before bed - a very early train to Assisi in the morning!    Read more

  • Kate PritchettEurope 2026Traveler
    Random castello on the way to Assisi
    Random castello on the way to AssisiThe fields of sunflowers make me so happy.1Yum!

    Back to Assisi

    June 29 in Italy ⋅ ☀️ 73 °F

    European train travel really is the best. Very smooth (and air conditioned!) trip to Assisi for the chamber music festival in which I’ll be playing the next couple of weeks. There will be a fair amount of repeat views and photos from the last two years, but it’s beautiful!Read more

  • Kate PritchettEurope 2026Traveler
    Looking back down about a third of the stairway to Rocca Maggiore
    Looking back down about a third of the stairway to Rocca MaggioreRocca Maggiore from the other sideCemetery of AssisiCypresses with moonBasilica di San Francesco 7:00Morning light at a favorite arch

    Morning walk

    July 3 in Italy ⋅ ☀️ 70 °F

    I’ve been to Assisi enough times that I have favorite walking routes. Lots of cardio (the stairs!) and beautiful views.

  • Kate PritchettEurope 2026Traveler
    On the way to San Damiano
    On the way to San DamianoIt's a steep one! The church is at the bottom of this slope.St. FrancisNo photos allowed in the church, but this is the cloisters. Very peaceful.1Frascarelli, an Umbrian pasta. It's the little nuggets. Served with asparagus, truffle, and bacon.2Gnocchi with ragu. So tender! The best part of this meal was the sautéed spinach, though.

    More Assisi

    July 3 in Italy ⋅ ⛅ 86 °F

    I walked with my friend Larry Reed down (and down!) to a little church called San Damiano, a 12th century church important in the lives of St. Francis and Santa Chiara. There’s a monastery there, as is often the case here, and it is very peaceful. Beautiful views on the way down and back up.Read more

  • Kate PritchettEurope 2026Traveler
    Church bells from San Rufino from my hotel room, 9:30 Sunday morning
    Church bells from San Rufino from my hotel room, 9:30 Sunday morningThis was soooo good! Bicoli alla contadinaKing DavidSan RufinoMelchisedekThere's a side chapel, Baroque in contrast to the main nave. This is the ceiling.Random residence2Random stickers on a door. Love the accordion player.

    More of Assisi

    July 5 in Italy ⋅ ☀️ 90 °F

    I’m still finding things to see/do/eat that I hadn’t done in previous years here in Assisi. A previously unexplored church and restaurant ended up on the (unplanned) agenda yesterday.

    The church is the Cattedrale di San Rufino. San Rufino is big here - the first bishop of Assisi, martyred, and the patron saint of Assisi. The cathedral is large but relatively simple. There are really compelling sculptures of Christian figures and other artwork all around on the walls of the nave. I didn’t take a pic, but some of the floor is glass panels through which you can see the previous floor beneath. I think every church here is built on top of several other churches/temples.Read more

  • Kate PritchettEurope 2026Traveler
    Porta dei Cappuccini
    Porta dei Cappuccini1

    Day off - hike

    July 8 in Italy ⋅ ☀️ 77 °F

    We had a day off of rehearsing and performing so the musicians scattered to various places. I spent a couple of morning hours hiking up the mountain past Assisi. I didn’t go all the way to the hermitage tucked away towards the top but it was a nice if difficult hike! Very steep and rocky. Lovely shade in the trees, and when there was a break in those trees, a beautiful view down to the valley.Read more

  • Kate PritchettEurope 2026Traveler
    Angel with a book and a key to heaven
    Angel with a book and a key to heavenSpello is so picturesque! Lots of twisty little streets and alleys like this.1With a moped, of course2That's Assisi on the side of the mountain in the distanceCeiling detail in church. I love the face.2This church was a little weird. Floating heads are cherubs??1There was a big (and weird) display made of cork on the way out. I like the little squirrel(?) band.I'm obsessed with the sautéed spinach on every menu.5With my colleague Emily and my lifelong friend Wendy at a nice dinner.3Sunset behind the Basilica in Assisi

    Day off - trip to Spello

    July 8 in Italy ⋅ ☁️ 91 °F

    After my hike and a little practice, my dear friend Wendy, who is spending a few days with me here, went with a friend/musician colleague to a nearby town. It’s very pretty but not as crowded as Assisi. We visited several churches, including one known for its remarkably preserved frescoes from 1501. No photos allowed, unfortunately. We also did a little shopping and had a beverage before heading back to Assisi for dinner. An excellent day off!Read more

  • Kate PritchettEurope 2026Traveler
    6Live and imperfect but it was a joy to get to perform this piece here with these beautiful musicians
    6Live and imperfect but it was a joy to get to perform this piece here with these beautiful musicians3Also lovely to have my lifelong friend Wendy in the front row!Pappardelle with ragu1Prosciutto e melone and a broccoli flan with purple potato puree and bacon3Ravioloni with Gorgonzola and sage. To. Die. For.1Cheese-filled mezzalune with tomatoes, sun-dried tomatoes, basil, and olives1Sunset view from dinnerWalking back from dinner

    Another great day in Assisi

    July 9 in Italy ⋅ 🌙 82 °F

    A busy but good day! Amongst other rehearsals and concerts was a performance of Mozart’s horn quintet, a piece I’d never gotten to perform before. So fun!

    Wendy and I enjoyed what will likely end up being the best dinner of my time in Assisi. I’d been to this terrace restaurant on previous visits but had struck out getting a table until now. Worth the wait!Read more

  • Kate PritchettEurope 2026Traveler
    With Anita and Michael, the other two hornists at the festivals. Such lovely humans!
    With Anita and Michael, the other two hornists at the festivals. Such lovely humans!1Drum corps, Italian style?? That poor saxophone player wasn't having it.1A reminder to to be grateful about the music I got to play!This was SO good. On a Sunday after mass. Lots of families at the restaurant.More cheese, please! 😋1475 fresco at 11th century church where we play. Note the eyeballs in the chalice.Fresco with grotesques near piazza. We all call this the naughty monkeys fresco.

    One last Assisi post

    July 11 in Italy ⋅ ☀️ 91 °F

    The festival in Assisi wrapped up with lots of concerts, including the Brahms horn trio, one of my very favorites. I feel very lucky to get to spend this time in such a special place with dear colleagues playing great music.Read more

  • Kate PritchettEurope 2026Traveler
    Testing for science! Good as usual.
    Testing for science! Good as usual.2First on the agenda: spritzes1"Maccheroni" with vegetables and Gorgonzola and a risotto made with wine and cheese. Delicious!The Verona Arena is older than the Coliseum in Rome. They stage open-air operas here in the summer.All kinds of sets and props were stashed nearby.Gate in the city wall near Piazza Bra. Lots of bicycles here!CastelvecchioView over the Adige from Ponte di CastelvecchioOn the Ponte Vittoria1Porta Borsari

    Verona

    July 14 in Italy ⋅ ☁️ 93 °F

    An early departure from Assisi started a day of travel adventures. I discovered that my first train stopped before its intended destination due to track maintenance. There was “replacement bus” service to continue, but that was delayed due to road construction. (Side note: the bus driver was a total badass. They were closing a ramp on our intended route, so he stopped and coolly executed a 3-point turn to go another way. So impressive!) This of course meant I missed my next two trains, but I made it to Verona only an hour later than intended.

    I had a very hot walk to my hotel, then lunch and a nap before my friend Angela arrived. We walked around a bit and had drinks and dinner. A bit more walking about this morning before hopping on a train to the Alps!    Read more

  • Kate PritchettEurope 2026Traveler
    1In front of train station in Bolzano
    1In front of train station in Bolzano1Castel Trostburg overlooking Ponte Gardena/Waidbruck, where we waited for the bus2The view from our little hotel room balcony !!1House-made beetroot tagliolini with Roquefort cheese and cashews. Divine.Chestnut-potato gnocchi with "mountain cheese fonduta" and truffle. Dreamy.Vanilla gelato with hot raspberries. The German menu listing was "Heise Liebe!"1At dinner restaurant. Weird.Walking back through town1Rio Gardena/Grödner Bach, which flows behind our hotel

    To the mountains

    July 15 in Italy ⋅ ☁️ 63 °F

    We took two trains and (after a lengthy wait for one with open seats) a bus to get to Ortisei/Urtijei, our home base for the next few days. This area is called Südtirol or Alto Adige, and hasn’t always been part of Italy. All of the signage is in both Italian and German. We were greeted with a relatively brief but intense rainstorm, which seems to be normal, given how green it is here!

    Our hotel room came with unlimited bus passes so we’ll be able to get around to look around and go hiking with ease. There are also a number of funiculars/cable cars/ski lifts that we can take for views and hiking access.

    We had a fantastic dinner on a terrace overlooking the town and then a nice walk “home” along the river (Rio Gardena/Grödner Bach). It is SO beautiful here.    Read more

  • Kate PritchettEurope 2026Traveler
    1Apple strudel. Yum.Spinach and cheese dumplings1The cranberry jam in the middle with cheese and some bread - oh, my.1We split a pizza for dinner.

    Alpe di Siusi

    July 16 in Italy ⋅ ☀️ 64 °F

    After a satisfying hotel-provided breakfast (including some VERY stout coffee!), Angela and I tried to catch the bus to another little town for exploration and hiking. As we experienced yesterday, however, the bus we planned to take was full and didn’t even stop. We pivoted and walked into Ortisei instead (the hotel is a little way out) and took a cable car from there to the top of a mountain.

    We were unprepared for how stunning the mountain views would be up there. Our 5-mile hike took quite a while because we had to keep stopping to gawk and attempt (unsuccessfully) to capture the beauty with our phone cameras. Clear and cool air fragrant with pine, wildflowers, and sometimes livestock made for a sensory feast.

    Speaking of feasts, we also enjoyed two breaks along the way at the old farmhouses that now function as restaurants. It was a great day.    Read more

  • Kate PritchettEurope 2026Traveler
    A typical hotel on the way up to the cable car. Petunias are big here!
    A typical hotel on the way up to the cable car. Petunias are big here!2The greeter at the restaurant near the top of the cable car.1Many views to follow...Looking down into the valley11I don't remember what these are called. Delicious, anyway.A view from the top11Not a great pic, but it's edelweiss!

    Seceda hike

    July 17 in Italy ⋅ ⛅ 63 °F

    After a leisurely breakfast while we waited out a rain storm, Angela and I successfully caught a bus to the next town, Santa Christina. There we walked uphill to a cable car that took us up, basically on the opposite side of the valley from where we’d hiked the day before. I had thought that there was no way we could top the views from Alpe di Siusi, but fortunately I was wrong! Just spectacular views all day, including north into the Alps.

    It was a really tough hike for me. My Garmin told me that I climbed 220 flights of stairs! It was about 7 miles of straight up (to 8,264 feet!) and straight down. That peak is called Monte Seceda, and is one of the major destinations for hikers. We *could’ve* just taken a cable car from Ortisei, wandered around a bit, and then taken the cable car back down. Our way took more time and much more effort, but the views were worth it.

    Of course there’s much more to see in the Dolomites, and I’d love to come back, but I feel like we hit a couple of great highlights.    Read more

  • Kate PritchettEurope 2026Traveler
    1Bus window shot of the Alps.
    1Bus window shot of the Alps.Lunch was potato cakes with sour cream and other toppings. Cranberry jam and applesauce for me.5:30211We enjoyed a bit of this concert before returning to our hotel.View from our hotel room window17 am from our hotel window. I'm going to miss the bells.

    Innsbruck

    July 18 in Austria ⋅ ⛅ 79 °F

    Although everything worked out as well as it could have, we had a little travel drama going from Italy to Austria. I had booked a taxi to the train station since full buses had been such an issue, so I thought we were golden for the rest of the trip. Ha.

    Once we arrived at the train station, I gradually figured out that no trains were coming through the station. It turns out that track maintenance began *that day,* to be continued into August. As with in Perugia, I found the replacement bus but there was almost no information (at least in English), so we didn’t know where exactly the bus would take us. There also wasn’t room for our big bags, so we upset some people along the way.

    We figured out that we needed to disembark in Fortezza, where we waited another hour for another replacement bus that took us all the way to Innsbruck. Fortunately this bus had huge luggage bays, and there was a lovely train employee at the Fortezza station who helped us get on the correct bus. We ended up arriving in Innsbruck at around the same time our canceled train would’ve, so all good in the end.

    We walked to our hotel, checked in, and then walked around the old part of the city. Although it would’ve been nice to stay longer to explore the beautiful surrounding mountains, we enjoyed the time we had in Innsbruck.    Read more