Rome — Centro Storico

From the moment I arrived, I’ve been immersed in Italian culture with all of its stereotypes — a wild taxi ride led to this beautiful, family-run pensione in Piazza Bologna where I was checked inRead more
Rome — Pantheon & Spagna

The Pantheon has been a place of worship for 2000 years and a Catholic Church since the year 609. Its dome has inspired architects and artists for centuries. It’s such an incredible place. RaffaeleRead more
St Peter’s & Sant’Angelo

At the Vatican, I eagerly waited for Martina to complete her final day of the Via Francigena, an Italian pilgrimage to Rome which she started over a month ago at the Swiss border. She arrived at aboutRead more
Naples

I’ve only stayed in Naples once before although I’ve been through here several times to go to Pompeii, Sorrento, Capri, and the villages where my grandparents came from. It’s another place thatRead more
Naples — San Giuseppe

The highlight of today’s tour of Naples was the Teatro di San Carlo, the famous opera house created by the Bourbon kings of Naples in the 18th century. There were mirrors in all of the boxes aroundRead more
Naples — Bòna Jurnàta

Good morning! While Martina heads out to explore Pompeii and Sorrento, I’m hitting the streets of Naples once more. Sfolgliatella with coffee was just as advertised — buying happiness. Plus theyRead more
Naples — La Chiesa del Gesù Nuovo

This city is amazing. What looks like nothing from the street turns out to be a hidden treasure.
Quartieri Spagnoli — Maradona Shrine

This has become a major attraction in Naples — the shrine created in the streets of the Spanish Quarter to Diego Maradona. It has brought tourists to a part of town they might have missed. And ifRead more
Naples — Gallerie d’Italia

There’s amazing artwork in Naples. Caravaggio lived and worked here for a while having fled Venice when he killed a man in a duel. One masterpiece is usually on display at Le Gallerie but it was onRead more
Naples — Gerolomini & Misericordia

Two more hidden treasures — one with a Caravaggio masterpiece.
Naples — Donnaregina

The last stop on a great day of solo travel was to see another Caravaggio in another beautiful church.
Salerno

Martina likes Salerno, mainly because it’s not Naples. It’s ok. Naples is not for everyone. And if she only liked one, I’m glad it’s this one because this is where my grandmother’s familyRead more
Amalfi

From Salerno to Amalfi is only 30 minutes by ferry. This town has a flag connection. It was once the capital of a powerful empire. Its flag, along with those of the republics of Venice, Genoa, andRead more
Positano — Path of the Gods

To get from Amalfi to Positano, we hiked the Sentieri degli Dei (Path of the Gods). It was a four hour hike high above the Gulf of Salerno and the Amalfi Coast. It was really great.
Positano

Today is the last day on the Amalfi Coast. We took a bus along the Amalfi Drive to Positano.
Trenitalia — The Italian Railway

I’m leaving Salerno, the Amalfi Coast, and the whole Naples region to go closer to Rome where my flight to Paris leaves on Friday. I’m already missing Naples. This morning I said goodbye toRead more
Orvieto

TrenItalia provided a very comfortable ride directly to Orvieto, a picturesque hillside village in Umbria where I plan to just relax for three days. I was met by the host’s father who is a retiredRead more
Orvieto — Duomo

Orvieto was once the home of the Popes during a time of turmoil in Rome, so its cathedral had to be pope-worthy.
Orvieto — Centro Città

I am going old school in Orvieto, operating without an app — getting lost and then finding my way back. I love my map apps but I forgot how much fun it can be just to wander through the maze ofRead more
Orvieto — Pozzo di San Patrizio

A very unique site on the eastern cliff of the city, Pozzo di San Patrizio (Saint Patrick’s Well) was commissioned by Pope Clement VII when he took refuge in Orvieto during the Sack of Rome. He wasRead more
Orvieto — San Giovenale

Most of Orvieto’s historic center is from the Renaissance but there is a section of town that is much older. The church of San Giovenale’s bell tower dominates the cluster of medieval buildingsRead more