Europe

In Italy, if Rome is history and Florence is art and Milan is fashion, then Naples is people. Initially settled by Greeks in 2000 BC, Naples is one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the…

Since 79 AD, Mount Vesuvius has erupted over 30 times. In the context of 2,000 years, that number doesn’t seem like a lot. Perhaps that’s why 600,000 people continue to live in the shadow of Mount…

Under a Tuscan rain cloud. That’s how we spent most of our time during our stay in Tuscany. But a rainy day in Italy’s wine country is still better than a sunny day in most places.…

The Tuscan city’s unique aesthetic offers a gorgeous backdrop to exploring and even inspired Crayola’s iconic crayon. During the Renaissance, Siena produced an iron oxide earth pigment that when heated, turned a distinctive reddish brown color.…

Crowded. Touristy. Hot. Smelly. That’s what we initially heard about traveling to Venice. Yes, mobs can often choke the quaint canals in summer. But early February is an ideal time to visit. Less people means shorter…

As the birthplace of the Renaissance, Florence is the cultural mecca of art, architecture, history, science, food, shopping and more. Despite an abundance of English-speaking college coeds and large groups of camera-toting Japanese tourists, it’s still…

Nestled at the foot of the majestic Apuan Alps, Lucca is a tiny medieval town in northern Tuscany with big personality. Despite its modest size, Lucca has it all. Expansive piazzas. Majestic towers. And stunning churches.…

As a kid, I was fascinated with the Leaning Tower of Pisa. Why does it lean? Why was it built that way? Is it ever going to topple over? So on our way from Cinque Terre to Tuscany, I of course,…

Once an old fashioned fishing village, Santa Margherita Ligure is now a captivating seaside destination. Just one hour north by train from Cinque Terre, this town is a delightful place to spend a day or weekend.…