Chianti, Anyone? Because we had recently "done" the Florence museums, we decided to spend the Sunday before the wedding taking a tour of Chianti Wine Region in Tuscany. Unfortunately, the tours were sold out. We were flabbergasted (not that the tours were sold out),...

Once again--the list of ten recommendations and observations to know before you go to Florence. , List of Ten   Getting there. While there is a regional airport in Florence, Rome is the primary airport for going to Florence. Taking a train from the Rome Fiumicino...

Cinque Terre The romantic lure of Cinque Terre (Five Lands) on the Italian Riviera had been embedded in our subconscious for many years. Magical photos and over the top gushing from friends convinced us we had to travel there. We were going to Florence for a...

Village Hopping Each of the five villages has its own allure. Most people travel there to conquer the historic walking path that connects all five towns.  Raphael had issues about taking this 10-mile walking trail. The primary issue being he didn’t want to. Also, the...

To Airbnb or Not to Airbnb Choosing to stay at the Hotel La Cabana multiplied our enjoyment of Cinque Terre. There are abundant Airbnbs to choose from in Monterosso, but sometimes you just need a curated experience and the Hotel Cabana, a charming farmhouse converted...

TopTen Recommendations for Cinque Terre Best time to travel in Cinque Terre is the shoulder seasons of fall or spring for better weather, fewer tourists, and better prices. If you don't speak Italian, you probably will never pronounce Cinque Terre correctly. Just give...