Almost all reviews of the 4 day Salt Flat tours have two things in common: the scenery is amazing and the nights are freezing cold in the desert. The tour companies built dorms in the desert to house their guests . . . . One room for each tour group, given 4-6 guests per car there are 6 beds in a room. And you continue … Continue reading Uyuni Bolivia Salt Flats

Potosí is a city and the capital of the department of Potosí in Bolivia. It is one of the highest cities in the world by elevation at a nominal 4,090 metres (13,420 ft).  For centuries, it was the location of the Spanish colonial mint. Potosi, the mountain town, is why the Spanish invaded Bolivia. The Spanish were looking for riches, and one night while sleeping … Continue reading Potosi – A Rich Mountain and Day of the Dead

[Show slideshow] We only passed thru La Paz (plans are to return for a Thanksgiving) and moved onto the historical capital of Sucre. In colonial days, the very wealthy, very educated people lived in Sucre instead of La Paz because Sucre is at a lower elevation (9400′) and much sunnier and warmer. It has palm trees! It was wonderful to meander in the parks (no … Continue reading Sucre, Bolivia

For us the best way to offset the high cost of airfare is to put together several trips. Using Santiago as a hub, we are touring Bolivia, Northern Argentina, and northern Chile as a circuit. The Bolivia side of Lake Titicaca, the great salt flats and the wine country will take us a month to move through. Leaving from Santiago again, we will go south … Continue reading The South America Adventure, an overview

We arrived in Italy on March 31 by cruise ship and departed Milan by airplane on May 13. The map in our gallery shows the many sights in our nearly 8 weeks in Italy. We toured Milan on our final days with side trips to some fascinating sites. The Shroud was placed back on public display (the 19th time in its history) in Turin from … Continue reading Our Final days in Italy and beyond

One of our final stops was the Cinque Terre, a rugged portion of coast on the Italian Riviera. Cinque Terre consists of five small villages (“cinque terre” means “five lands” in Italian) which cling to the Ligurian cliffs along Italy’s western coast. The five villages, each having their own personality, are in Cinque Terre National Park and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The “Five … Continue reading Italian Riviera – May 7 – 11, 2015

We met Bernd and Anna on a trip to Costa Rica, and liked them immediately. We “hung out” around the pool, took hikes together in the national park, and at the end of our week was the normal invitation, if you are ever in Northern Italy give us a call. We did. They answered. It was wonderful. South Tyrol can seem a gnarly, impenetrable place … Continue reading South Tyrol, where Austria and Italy collide

We decided to visit the Lake District of Italy. Lake Como is very popular with Americans, and it was culture shock to hear so much English spoken around you when just the opposite has been true for weeks. It is very luxury oriented, with designer shops for browsing. Lake Garda is very popular with Germans. It is more activity oriented. Bike paths, paddle boats, and … Continue reading The Lakes: Como and Garda

Venice, a group of 117 small islands, is different from any other European city. Stunning architecture is everywhere, travel is accomplished on water or via lots of foot bridges, and getting lost is fun (since you are on an island there is only so lost you can get, ultimately you will get to the other side of the island, get on a water bus and … Continue reading Aaaaah Venice

The last-minute-deals section of cruise websites can be addicting. David found a killer rate on a 7 day cruise from Rome to Venice (with a stops in Naples, Sicily, Montenegro and Croatia). Our logic was it repositioned us from central Italy to northern Italy; but it turned out to be a wonderful vacation with a small interlude back into American comfort food. Our port calls … Continue reading NCL Cruise. Rome to Venice – April 18 – 25, 2015

Florence is crazy with traffic and no drive areas, we decided to stay in a lovely B&B south and take the local bus. Florence (Firenze) is magnetic, romantic and busy. Return time and again and you still won’t see it all. Stand on a bridge over the Arno river several times in a day and the light, mood and view changes every time. Surprisingly small, … Continue reading Florence

The city of Assisi is built at the foot of Subasio Mountain. The Roman plan of the city is based on a set of terraces. Assisi represents an example of a medieval city-sanctuary with Umbrian-Roman origins. The most important event in the history of medieval Assisi was undoubtedly the life and work of Francis of Assisi (1182-1226), who initiated the Franciscan Order and who was … Continue reading Assisi

We roam thru the Piazzas; listened to street music; braved the public transit system, and surrendered to the mass of tourists. After touring the major sites described in earlier posts, we visited the Jewish Ghetto, with its still operating synagogue; the narrow cobblestone alleys of Travestere; the Pantheon (which is the best preserved building in Rome, still an active church, and has amazing light with … Continue reading Where the Romans roam – April 9 – 13, 2015

Vatican City is its own country within the city limits of Rome with 900 official residents. The Vatican Museums contain masterpieces of painting, sculpture and other works of art collected by the popes through the centuries. It is the world’s largest private art collection. We took a guided tour through the Museum, the Pope’s quarters, the Sistine Chapel and St Peter’s Basilica. For nearly five … Continue reading The Vatican

This pile of current day rubble, is arguably the most important piece of real estate in Western civilization. Anything that happened in Ancient Rome, it probably happened here. Floor plans of great civic buildings – basilicas – were created. The same floor plan of churches, who also took the name basilica. Basic laws of republic and justice that still carry to today had its birthplace. … Continue reading The Rome Forum

We left Positano by a ferry boat, 70 minutes of the ultimate coastline viewing and a complete navigation of the Amalfi coast. The ferry ultimately landed in Salerno, on the mainland, and a straight shot by train into Rome. Rome’s main termini is like New York’s Grand Central Station, layers of trains, Metro’s, passenger connections and lots and lots of stairs. We immediately got on … Continue reading Rome and its many splendors

David’s 3 hour cooking class started at 3pm at the restaurant “Il Ritrovo” in Montepertuso a beautiful small village located on a clifftop rising one thousand feet above sea-level, that boasts breathtaking views of Mediterranean and majestically overlooking the Amalfi Coast. David took the short 10 minute walk from our B&B and told Karen that he will call her when dinner was nearly complete so … Continue reading Cooking School Review – DELICIOUS!!

We have toured the western coast of Italy including Almalfi Coast; Rome; Naples; Florence; Tuscany (wine country); Siena. We had booked this cruise as a mid trip vacation and transportation, food and lodging to get from Rome to Venice. And of course adding two more countries: Montenegro and Croatia. Stay tuned for some great additional posts of the sites listed above including David goes to … Continue reading Mid Trip Vacation – April 18 – April 25

The writer John Steinbeck was so impressed with Positano, Italy that in an essay published in Harper’s Bizarre in May, 1953, he described it as “a dream place that isn’t quite real when you are there and becomes beckoningly real after you have gone”. It was after this publicity that the formerly quiet village began attracting an ever-increasing number of visitors. Karen visited there 15 … Continue reading In Italy at Easter, it’s like you are family!

First stop in Italy… We got off the ship, and headed to the Amalfi Coast town of Sorrento. From the Port of Rome, it’s a 1 hour train to city of Rome; then inter-city train from Rome to Naples; and finally a local train from Naples to Sorrento, in all a 4 hour commute. We did well rolling our duffle bags and a little (but … Continue reading The Big Blow – 79 AD……

Capri’s rise to fame is from the jet setting movie stars, royalty and ultra rich business families that have houses here. This “paradise of idleness” is surrounded by the bluest of seas; the dramatically beautiful, flower-covered Island of Capri has been enchanting visitors for centuries. Its breathtaking landscapes and beauty stretch from the rocky caves around the island to the edge of the horizon, and … Continue reading The Island of Capri (KAH-pre)

One of the most significant events of Easter in Sorrento are the processions. These performances take place between Thursday and Good Friday, and are certainly among the most In Sorrento, a series of events during Holy Week, that despite the strong religious character, are real symbols of tradition and folklore can charm even non-believers. The procession on Holy Thursday, is the Lady who seeks His … Continue reading Holy Week in Sorrento