Category Archives: Travel

 Monday October 12, 2015 Tokyo, Japan Sunny and tiny signs of Autumn are appearing   Last full day in Italy and I do not want to leave!  I now understand why many foreigners end up staying here and buy a villa.  On our last day, the girls went to Siena via a museum stop atContinue reading “Siena”

 Sunday October 11, 2015 Tokyo, Japan Drizzling   The day after our wonderful but long trip to Florence, we had a cooking class with Elizabeth and Paula from Amore Sapore.  Elizabeth actually was the original owner of the place we are staying at and now manages the property in addition to providing catering and cookingContinue reading “Cooking Class by Elizabeth and Paola”

 Sunday October 11, 2015 Tokyo, Japan Drizzling   Pino who became one of our favorite people in the world told us he lived in Cortona and is worth a visit.  So the day after a full day in Florence, we decided to take the 30 minute or so drive to Cortona.  We liked it soContinue reading “Cortona”

 Saturday October 10, 2015 On the Shinkansen between Atami and Odawara Cloudy   One city that has always been on my bucket list is Florence.   So today – September 30, we were doing a one day trip to Florence which is not enough but at least I was able to get a taste.  First challengeContinue reading “Florence!”

 Saturday October 3, 2015 FCO Airport, Italy Sunny and Warm   Today we got up early to do a full day tour with a local legend Pino.  Pino was born in Libya (Tripoli) and moved to the area when Qaddafi took over the country.  His father bought property in Cortona and he still lives inContinue reading “Spending the Day with Pino”

 Friday October 2, 2015 Niccone Valley, Italy Stormy   Today  (Tuesday September 29) was an easy day where we drove to one of the famous Antinori wineries.  It was an adventure getting there as we first went to the wrong place and had to get directions to get to the right place.  Once we gotContinue reading “Antinori Wines”

 Thursday October 1, 2015 Niccone Valley, Italy Cold and Raining Today, we are going truffle hunting and then attend a cooking class focused on truffles.  I’ve never truffle (for that matter any mushroom) hunted before.  We went hunting near a Medieval town called Cistina (Cistern) because it had an intricate cistern system which made themContinue reading “Truffle Hunting with Nero the SuperDog”

Monday September 28, 2015 Niccone Valley, Italy Cold and Windy   Before Jane and I were going to meet Nicky at the airport to drive to Niccone Valley where we will spend the next week,  I decided to take a walk to Piazza Popolo and visit the Santa Maria Cathedral that was highly recommended byContinue reading “Basilica De Santa Maria before the Road Trip”

  On another fabulous Roman Day,  at 715AM,  I picked up Jane and we headed to Piazza Popolo to meet up wit a tour group that was going to take us to Pompei and the infamous volcano of continental Europe Mt. Vesuvius.  It was a long way to Pompei – approximately 3.5 hours with aContinue reading “Pompei and Vesuvius”

 Thursday September 25, 2015 Rome, Italy Another Glorious Day I had a pleasant dream last night.  So happy and pleasant that when I woke up, I wanted to tell my sister about it.  As I was waking up, something inside me told me she is gone, but I told myself she can’t be gone soContinue reading “Spirituality – re-Discovering Catholicism”