The doors of Umbria
I am always fascinated with doorways. Beyond the beauty and workmanship of these doors in Umbria, I stop and wonder: Who resides here? What stories await inside? Continue reading The doors of Umbria
Category: Italy
My week in Umbria, Part 1
Firenze
The Duomo — the main cathedral in Florence — seemed to glow at night. Florence was warm in July. Very warm. But it didn’t matter. It was a relief to escape the tourist frenzy of Venice and arrive in this Tuscan city of amazing architecture and food. Today’s post marvels at the architecture. Atop Duomo with all of Florence below us. My brothers-in-law Jimmy and Peter … Continue reading Firenze
A new world
On a gondola with Lynn (far left), Jim and Jean. Lynn and Jean had never been to Europe before this summer. Britain, France, Italy. A whole new world opened to them, vastly different from East Aurora, a suburb of Buffalo. Lynn at Piazza San Marco. From food to dress to language, everything was unfamiliar. The girls took it all in stride. I caught up with … Continue reading A new world
Magnificent and unexpected
Piazza San Marco. I continue in this post my journey through Italy. Too quick, too hurried, but fascinating all the same. (I dream of the day when I am not beholden to an employer any more and I can travel at will.) The train ferried me from Verona back to Venice on a warm Sunday afternoon. I was curious to see, at last, the city … Continue reading Magnificent and unexpected
Romeo, Romeo, wherefore art thou? At the arena in Verona, of course
The Arena in Verona’s Piazza Bra I’d been up for many, many hours – too many to count, I think, after a day of work at CNN, a trans-Atlantic flight and a train ride from Venice. But when I finally stepped foot in Verona and realized I could watch Romeo and Juliet performed at the Arena di Verona, perhaps the most famous outdoor opera venue, … Continue reading Romeo, Romeo, wherefore art thou? At the arena in Verona, of course
Viva l'Italia
I never wanted Italy to win until today. But it’s my top pick in the World Cup pool this year. So… … at 2:30 this afternoon, I gathered with friends at Fritti, a neighborhood restaurant, to watch Italy versus Paraguay. In the end, my friend Jack said he’d buy me another glass of fine Italian Pinot Grigio if I donned his tricolor shorts. So I … Continue reading Viva l'Italia