Read more about the article Italy’s Cinque-Terre – Part 1: Riomaggiore & Manarola

Italy’s Cinque-Terre – Part 1: Riomaggiore & Manarola

If you’ve ever read Rick Steves’ travel books, you’ll know he is a big fan of Italy’s Cinque-Terre. Translated as “Five Lands”, the Cinque-Terre region consists of five fishing villages along the Ligurian coast in northwest Italy. Located about halfway between Genoa and Florence, it’s an easy day trip by car or train. Trains also depart from Milan, located 130 miles north of the region.

The problem may be in deciding which of the five villages to visit: Riomaggiore, Manarola, Corniglia, Vernazza and Monterossa al Mare. Connected by 11 kilometers of hiking trails, each of these has its own distinctive personality and vibe. Fortunately we were able to visit all five villages in a 24-hour period. (more…)

Read more about the article An Unexpected Day in Tuscany – Lucca, Italy
Church of San Michele in Foro, Lucca

An Unexpected Day in Tuscany – Lucca, Italy

After our 7-day cruise ended in Venice, we headed to Genoa, Italy. Not really known for tourism, Genoa is a big port city. However, it’s a great base to explore the nearby Cinque Terre and the French Riviera.

On the way to Genoa, we drove through the Tuscany region. We skipped Florence, Tuscany’s capital city, for two reasons. We couldn’t do it justice in the time we had. Also, DH and I had been there before at separate times and had different opinions – I liked it; he did not. When discussing Rome, we had the opposite opinions – DH liked Rome, I did not. So we agreed to skip both Florence and Rome on this trip. (more…)

Read more about the article Katakolo and Ancient Olympia, Greece

Katakolo and Ancient Olympia, Greece

Our last port of call was to Katakolo and Ancient Olympia. I had heard of Olympia, as the birthplace of the Olympics, but honestly didn’t know what to expect. It turned out to be one of my favorite parts of our trip.

Katakolo. sometimes spelled Katakolon, is a port town. It’s cute with lots of restaurants and souvenir shops, but that’s it – no real history here. Where you want to go is Olympia – about 33 kilometres away. (more…)

Read more about the article Mykonos, Greece – Then and Now

Mykonos, Greece – Then and Now

I’ve always loved Greece.

When I went with my parents in 1983, I was a blonde teenager who enjoyed catching the eye of handsome Greek men. I decided that I would move to Athens after high school graduation.

Reality got in the way – things like college, graduate school, a job – and I never returned.

My husband traveled there after college and also wanted to return. When we got engaged, we briefly talked about Greece for our honeymoon destination. Instead, we ultimately decided to go somewhere neither of us had been before and chose Hawaii. Although lovely, I knew I wanted to go back to Greece one day. (more…)