Category Archives: Travel

Hiking the Val Gardena

Posted on September 17, 2017 by msraaka

Most Americans who travel to Italy don’t think about hiking here, but they should. Italy has more than 30 National Parks and even more regional parks — all with miles of hiking trails. Each time we visit this amazing country, … Continue reading →

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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

Back to Blogging

Posted on September 11, 2017 by msraaka

I’ve been on a bit of a break this past year, but there are more stories to tell. During my break from blogging, I pursued another passion—sketching with pen and ink and watercolors. I found some online courses through Sketchbook … Continue reading →

Posted in Travel | 12 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 →

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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 →

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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 →

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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 →

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