For 48 hours of stunning mosaics, picturesque streets and piazzas, sea breezes, and great food, head to Ravenna. This lovely Northern Italian city is home to sparkling, intricate Byzantine mosaics from the 5th and 6th centuries, and is easy and safe to manage on foot. Not only that, Ravenna is great for kids! While the […]
2 DAYS IN RAVENNA – An Easy to Follow Guide Read More »
You’ve likely seen a photo of Lama Monachile and wondered, where is that gorgeous beach? It’s in Polignano a Mare in Puglia, and the town is worth a stop for the day. I first visited in 2004, and the town has grown so much in the last couple of decades, but in a way that’s
ONE DAY IN POLIGNANO A MARE – A Realistic Itinerary Read More »
Updated February 2, 2025 Intro – been walking Italian streets since 2003 as a solo traveler, guide, and now a mamma of three. I’ve walked from north to south: If you’re here – great! You know how important shoes are for a vacation. I’ll walk you through: Why listen to me? Besides my years of
THE BEST SHOES FOR ITALY IN 2025 – Advice From 20+ Years of Guiding & Traveling in Italy Read More »
Updated on July 18, 2025 Are you heading to the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Matera’s Sassi and the Rupestrian Churches? Are you trying to decide whether or not to stay in a cave hotel in Matera? Before you book, read through these 9 things to know based on my travels to Matera along with
6 BEST MATERA CAVE HOTELS + 9 Things to Know Before You Book! Read More »
Did you just book your rental car and now want to do a little prep work before you hit the road in Puglia? Or, are you wondering how the driving in Puglia compares to other Italian regions you’ve driven in, like Tuscany or Sicily? I first drove into Puglia in 2004 and I’ve happily returned
DRIVING IN PUGLIA – Helpful Info & Tips for Your Trip Read More »
Updated on January 15, 2024 Are you thinking of visiting the Grotte di Castellana but aren’t sure if you should take time away from your other Puglia activities and destinations? Go for it! A visit to the Grotte di Castellana complements time spent in Puglia’s whitewashed towns, relaxing at its sandy beaches with turquoise waters,
GROTTE DI CASTELLANA (Castellana Caves) – How to Visit Them (+ Tips) Read More »
I’ve been visiting Puglia since the early 2000’s, first as a cycling guide, and now with my family. Tourism has grown so much, but there are still some ‘hidden gems,’ and Locorotondo is one of them. The town is often passed over for other Valle d’Itria favorites like Polignano a Mare, Alberobello, and Ostuni… But,
A QUICK GUIDE TO LOCOROTONDO – My Favorite Small Town in Puglia! Read More »
Ostuni, Italy is definitely more popular than when I first visited in the early 2000’s but I still enjoy a stroll through Puglia’s Città Bianca (White City) and I recommend at least a quick stop if you’re in the area. Ostuni gets its nickname from its whitewashed walls. Back in the mid-17th century, the town
OSTUNI – One-Day Itinerary for Puglia’s ‘White City’ (+ Map & Tips) Read More »
Updated on January 17, 2024 Have you spent time in Milan elbowing your way through the crowds and now you want to visit a quieter Italian city? Are you curious to see the somewhat unknown Bergamo, named Italy’s 2023 Capital of Culture? Maybe you want to see what all the fuss is about, but you’ve
HOW TO SPEND ONE DAY IN BERGAMO, ITALY Read More »
Are you planning on renting a car at the Bergamo Orio al Serio Airport (BGY)? Bergamo’s Orio al Serio International Airport is one of Italy’s (and Europe’s) busiest airports for low-cost carriers like EasyJet and Ryanair, as well as ITA Airways (formerly Alitalia). You may end up flying into Orio al Serio airport if you’re
BERGAMO AIRPORT CAR RENTAL – Guide & Tips for Orio al Serio Airport Read More »
