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Hotel Iturregi, Getaria, Spain
Situated on an edenic hilltop in Getaria with commanding views of the entire Basque coastline, Hotel Iturregi was our little paradise for seven days earlier this summer. Surrounded by verdant hills covered in txakoli vineyards, this eight-room country estate offered luxury and exclusivity, but in a relaxed and easy atmosphere with an incredibly helpful and friendly staff (that spoke a multitude of languages). Upon first arriving, we couldn’t get over the views…the hills, the sea, the sky. We had never…
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Civita di Bagnoregio, Italy
There really is no other place quite like Civita di Bagnoregio. Accessible solely by a quarter-mile long footbridge, this remote little commune is perched atop an island of volcanic tufa, amid the windswept canyons of the Tiber River valley. Founded by the Etruscans in the 5th century BCE, Civita thrived for hundreds of years before it began to literally crumble in the 16th century. The sliver of earth that once connected Civita to neighboring village Bagnoregio eventually eroded away, isolating…
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Foro Romano, Rome, Italy
The Foro Romano was the hub and heart of ancient Rome. Home to the city’s most important legal, political, and triumphal monuments, the forum also served as an area for public gatherings and celebrations. Following the collapse of the Roman Empire, the forum fell victim to neglect, looting, and mother nature. In 1800, excavations began to uncover the ancient ruins, which were at the time buried beneath 30 feet of soot! Miraculously – 28 centuries later – arches, columns, and…
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Val d’Orcia, Tuscany, Italy
I had my Tuscan photo-op fantasy fulfilled while driving through the Val d’Orcia. Verdant hills, quintessential cypress rows, perfectly manicured vineyards, historic ridgetop villages—these are the vistas that abound in the Val d’Orcia. Throw in a perfectly sunny day in autumn, and you’ll be propelled into a photo-taking frenzy like I was. Although I must say, while I was fortunate enough to snap some striking shots, there is no replacement for experiencing this slice of Italian countryside other than being…
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Arezzo, Tuscany, Italy
It started off as an overcast October morning in eastern Tuscany’s Val di Chiana. Charles and I had spent the prior day, in the rain, exploring San Gimignano and Siena, both beautiful historic cities—but both overrun by tawdry tourist shops and overpriced restaurants serving mediocre food. We were seeking a more authentic Tuscan experience, and it was suggested that we visit Arezzo. A city known to art lovers, Arezzo is home to Piero della Francesca’s most celebrated fresco cycle, Legend…
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Hotel Le Canberra, Cannes, France
Charles and I stayed at the Hotel Le Canberra in Cannes for several nights not too long ago, and I must say, it was the perfect little gem of a hotel. It was the end of September, which is the best time to travel to the Riviera—rates go down because it’s past the peak tourist season; the weather is ideal (warm days and cool nights); and the streets and beaches are free of all the hubbub that inundates the region…
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The Luberon, Provence, France
Experience the magic of Provence as I relive my driving tour of the Luberon. This fertile basin is located in central Provence, bordered to the north by the Monts de Vaucluse and to the south by the Luberon Massif. What lies in between is a land lush with lavender fields, ancient olive groves, and well-kempt vineyards. The region is also home to some of France’s most picturesque villages-perchés – Medieval towns built on rocky crags with commanding views that stretch…
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Parc de Montjuïc, Barcelona, Spain (Part 2)
If you’re continuing your Montjuïc expedition from the Jardí Botànic, keep reading this paragraph. If you decided to split up your Montjuïc adventure over two days, skip to the next paragraph. When you exit the Jardí Botànic, head back to Avinguda de l’Estadi and continue walking west to Plaça de Sant Jordi, where you’ll bear right onto Avinguda dels Montanyans. This will lead you to El Poble Espanyol, or the Spanish Village. For day two, you’ll begin your journey at…
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Parc de Montjuïc, Barcelona, Spain (Part 1)
Parc de Montjuïc spans an ancient hill overlooking the southern edge of the port of Barcelona. It is the city’s largest public space and is filled with more than a day’s worth of sites to see and explore. Yet, like Barcelona’s very own Xanadu, it also provides a scenic and serene escape from the hustle and bustle of urban life. Your visit to Montjuïc should start with an adventure on the Telefèric del Port – an aerial tramway that dangles…
