Italy

When it comes to the world’s most romantic destinations, Venice is at the top of the list, even on a budget. The tourism industry knows that romance equals money. But as a vagabonding couple with limited…

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

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.…

On our first morning in Italy, waking up to those colorful buildings teetering cliffside literally took our breath away. Cinque Terre definitely lives up to its postcard-worthy image. Vernazza, our home base, is one of five…

It’s been a month since we arrived in Rome and in all honesty, we don’t miss too much about the states. We’ve enjoyed being away from the politics, the consumerism, and the “busyness” of our culture…

Ah, gelato. The quintessential Italian treat. In Rome, there’s no need to wait for a special occasion to eat it. Or skip a meal to earn it. There’s no guilt associated with having it (even every…