Category Archives: Italy

What I like about Rome

Posted on August 23, 2018 by msraaka

We’ve been to Rome several times and we keep coming back. What makes Rome so special? It’s hard to put into words, but I’ll give it a try. Beautiful Ruins Everyone knows that Rome has plenty of famous ruins such … Continue reading →

Posted in Italy, Lazio, Travel | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments

Lovely Cremona

Posted on September 12, 2017 by msraaka

If are arriving in Italy by way of Milan, you might consider spending a few days in the delightful town of Cremona. I wrote a bit about Cremona awhile back, but that was only after a short day trip there. … Continue reading →

Posted in Italy, Lombardy, Travel | Tagged , | 2 Comments

Travel Tips Part Two–Italy’s Food

Posted on June 25, 2016 by msraaka

Everyone expects to eat well in Italy—after all, it’s where the Slow Food Movement started. Most restaurants and other food venues have been providing “fresh and local” for generations. However, there are a few tips to avoid those who cut … Continue reading →

Posted in Italy, Travel | Tagged , , , , | 8 Comments

Tips for Travelers–Part 1

Posted on June 18, 2016 by msraaka

These tips are for travels in Italy, but they work for most any place you decide to travel. Major Cities Be An Early Bird- St. Peter’s Basilica opens at 7 a.m. most days. I’ve visited around 7:30 a.m. several times … Continue reading →

Posted in Italy, Travel | Tagged , | 3 Comments

Return to Rome

Posted on March 21, 2016 by msraaka

Almost everyone who visits Italy for the first time includes Rome in their itinerary. We give ourselves three or four days to see the most important sights and we leave the city exhausted and overwhelmed by all of the history … Continue reading →

Posted in Lazio, Travel | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Lucca Side Trips

Posted on December 1, 2015 by msraaka

Most towns in Italy are conveniently connected by an efficient rail or bus system, which makes it easy to select a base town for your visit. We chose to stay in Lucca because it has a wide variety of both … Continue reading →

Posted in Travel, Tuscany | Tagged , , , , , | 2 Comments

Lovely Lucca

Posted on October 29, 2015 by msraaka

One of my favorite ways to experience Italy is to choose a town and stay for awhile. There are many advantages to staying in one place for more than a few days. First, you can save money by renting an … Continue reading →

Posted in Travel, Tuscany | Tagged | Leave a comment

Hiking Near the Cinque Terre

Posted on October 3, 2015 by msraaka

On the Ligurian Coast between Genoa and Pisa there are many scenic towns and villages. But the most popular destination seems to be the Cinque Terre—five picturesque hill towns that are all part of the Cinque Terre National Park. These … Continue reading →

Posted in Italy, Liguria, Travel | Tagged , , | 2 Comments

September in the Aosta Valley

Posted on September 25, 2015 by msraaka

For this trip to Italy, we decided to visit Aosta Valley—the smallest of Italy’s twenty regions. This beautiful valley, in the northwest corner of Italy is bordered by the French & Swiss Alps in the north and the scenic Gran … Continue reading →

Posted in Italy, Travel, Valle d'Aosta | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Back to Bella Italia

Posted on September 21, 2015 by msraaka

Aosta Cathedral I’ve taken a bit of a break from writing while enjoying a lovely summer in the Pacific Northwest of America. But finally, we are traveling again and exploring new regions of Italy. Our first stop is the Valle d’Aosta, … Continue reading →

Posted in Italy, Valle d'Aosta | Tagged , , | 6 Comments