Wine Tasting in Wonderful Tuscany
The weather was perfect for wine tasting in Tuscany in the foothills of Pisa, Italy. On the way there in the motor coach, our tour guide explained the minerals and sea breezes make for some very good wines in this region. This was my opportunity to taste Sangiovese wine since I usually drink California Cab...
Naples-Espresso and Neapolitan Pizza
Salvatore, our tour guide in Naples, drove us to Gambrinus coffee house in central Naples, near the Royal Palace. The Italian style building is a famous meeting place for International officials and Pope Francis made a visit here. It’s full of activity inside and I watched the never ending production of making espressos. The espresso...
Taormina-Cannoli and Arancini Abounds
Oh cannoli in Taormina, Sicily. As we docked in the port I snapped this picture of the setting moon and the Mt Etna volcano. Then I was on the search for cannoli. I happened into a shop selling cannoli with cream and pistachio. Pablo graciously had his picture taken with me as I held the...
Archeology Museum in Palestrina, Italy-A Historical Treasure
Story telling of the Nile River all in mosiacs If you stood still and listened closely while standing on the mosaic tiled floor outlined with colorful fish, you might hear future predictions from the mythological orator in the cave of fates, or Antro delle Sorti. The grotto structure, likely dedicated to the Egyptian Goddess Isis,...
Salumi, sausage and strawberries in Nemi, Italy
Walking arm in arm, two elderly women, with coiffured silver hair and wearing tan winter coats, ambled their way up the steep cobblestone street, periodically stopping to peer inside the little shops. It’s the bustle of a busy Saturday afternoon where young and old are gathered sipping espresso, eating ice cream and talking with one...
A Palace, Dying Pope and Forgotten Painting
In a darkly lit room and barely noticeable above the arched doorway inside an old Italian palace is a painting with a 400 year old story still being told. Just outside of Rome and on the hillside beyond the fortified walls of the village of Zagarolo, is the former Colonna palace where the Pope’s commission...
Sparkling fresh water and women at the source
Filling their bottles with fresh water from the source and talking about their latest adventures, problems and life, these women in Palestrina, Italy are friendly with me as I take their picture wishing I had similar gathering in USA.
Strawberries in Nemi, Italy
Any type of custard I like. In the Medieval village of Nemi, on top a hill with 2,000 residents is the capitol for mini strawberries, sweet and tiny. There are several bakeries that sell the custard tarts with strawberries and each business makes their own custard for the filling. They all are delicious and its...
Zagarolo, Italy’s Hidden Village
Many visitors in Italy go no further than the beautiful inner city of Rome, with its Spanish Steps, Trevi Fountain and, of course, the Vatican. But venture east 26 miles and you’ll find Zagarolo, an ancient village, where life is lived in the style of centuries past. I felt transported back hundreds of years as...
Near Rome-Visit Zagarolo, Italy
An Italian Village Worth a Visit Zagarolo, Italy, an Italian village nestled in a wine region just above Rome, is yet to be discovered by tourists. Leaving the historic city of Rome was difficult, but once I traveled east by train for 30 minutes to the town of Zagarolo, I felt back in old Roman...
