Category Archives: Tuscany

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

Reason Six: Day Hikes in Italy

Posted on November 6, 2014 by msraaka

How do you enjoy all of that gelato and not gain weight? It’s easy—spend some time hiking or walking the scenic trails in Italy. There are several dramatic mountain ranges to choose from—the Alps and Dolomites in the north, the Apennines … Continue reading →

Posted in Abruzzo, Amalfi Coast, Italy, Sardinia, Travel, Tuscany, Umbria | Tagged , | 4 Comments

Language School in Lucca

Posted on June 22, 2014 by msraaka

The long gap between this blog and the last is due to my twelve day immersion into the Italian Language. Going to a language school in Italy is a fun way to meet more locals and get a better introduction … Continue reading →

Posted in Travel, Tuscany | Tagged , , , , , | 4 Comments

A River Walk in Tuscany

Posted on May 31, 2014 by msraaka

Volterra is a short drive to the town of Colle di Val d’Elsa — a beautiful and low-key town in Western Tuscany-the province of Siena. There is an upper part, that is older and more historical, with a castle (and … Continue reading →

Posted in Travel, Tuscany | Tagged , , , | 4 Comments

Volterra—Wind and Stone

Posted on May 29, 2014 by msraaka

My husband has a saying about gelato—the best gelato is the one you have in your hand. I could say something similar about Italian hill towns. The best town is the one you’re in. In order to explore more in … Continue reading →

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

The Gardens of La Foce

Posted on May 26, 2014 by msraaka

We were so glad we had a chance to visit the La Foce Gardens, near Chiancino Terme in Tuscany. A good friend sent me a link to the recent NY Times article by David Larkin, and it sounded too good … Continue reading →

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