Driving away from Trapani under a cloudless late spring sky, my rental Cinquecento and I began our four hour drive
July 23 2015 / Local Interest
Reflection on the Hill of Hell
Assisi, Umbria
July 7 2015 / Local Interest
Pope Paul III Loved Piegaro, But Hated Perugia
Umbria
Born Alessandro Farnese to a powerful family in Rome, he led a dissolute youth amassing mistresses and children. When his
July 2 2015 / Art & Archaeology
Sculpting Space
Rome, italy
You happen to be in the area with a few minutes to spare… Borromini’s San Carlo alle Quattro Fontane calls!
June 15 2015 / Places
Vows and Views, Assisi
Assisi, Umbria
The beautiful town of Assisi in Umbria is utterly identified with a merchant’s son, Giovanni di Pietro di Bernadone, better
June 12 2015 / Local Interest
Sant’Ubaldo: Gubbio’s Favorite Son
Gubbio, Umbria
Gubbio, one of the best preserved medieval hill towns in Umbria, is just 40 km northeast of Perugia. With its
April 14 2015 / Art & Archaeology
Teodolinda’s Chapel
Great news, another masterpiece is restored! In this case saved, actually. The fresco was detaching in multiple points from the
March 20 2015 / Local Interest
The Singing Friar of Assisi
Assisi, Umbria
You’d probably re-think “re-incarnation” if you ever met Frate Alessandro, Assisi’s “singing friar.” Short (St. Francis was about 5’4”) with
February 25 2015 / Art & Archaeology
Bs and Bees
Saint Peter's basilica, Vatican City State
It’s a… actually, what is it?! Scholars have a hard time deciding how to categorize Gianlorenzo Bernini’s giant, 66ft.-tall bronze
February 3 2015 / Art & Archaeology
Scolacium Ruins in Roccelletta
Roccelletta di Borgia, Calabria
January 29 2015 / Events
Blessing of the Pets
Rome, Lazio
As per tradition, the Festa di Sant’Antonio Abate was celebrated in Rome this year on January the 18th and 19th
January 23 2015 / Places
Massa Marittima, a Tuscan Secret
Massa Marittima, Toscana
Massa Marittima is not on the tourist trail, but it should be. We were captivated when we entered the town
December 17 2014 / Places
Santa Margherita di Belice
Santa Margherita di Belice, Sicily
In 1968, an earthquake in the Belice Valley of western Sicily caused many devastated villages to relocate and start over.
November 20 2014 / Places
Trani: A Saintly Seaside Treasure
Trani, Puglia
Like so many picturesque seaside towns in Puglia, Trani continues to be influenced by its proximity to the rugged Adriatic
November 18 2014 / Places
Mary’s Little House
Loreto, Le Marche
Safely hidden on top of a hill, behind the walls of the vescovo‘s (bishop’s) palace, under the cupola of the
November 11 2014 / Places
il Duomo di Vicenza
Vicenza, Veneto
Sometimes I don’t have to travel at all to find material to write about and photograph. And, this is one
November 6 2014 / Local Interest
Le Tre Sorelle
Abruzzo
From L’Aquila, we drove east towards majestic Gran Sasso, mountain behemoth, passing medieval hill towns – clinging like lichen to
November 4 2014 / Art & Archaeology
The Greek Cross church of San Biagio
Montepulciano, Tuscany
Outside of the city walls of Montepulciano, overlooking the surrounding landscape is the church of San Biagio. Built between 1518
November 3 2014 / Places
Otranto: A History of Sieges, Saints & Survival
Otranto, Puglia
Otranto is a charming seaside town near the very tip of Italy’s heel in southern Puglia. Like Gallipoli and Ostuni,
October 23 2014 / Art & Archaeology
Byzantine Surprise
Ravenna, Emilia-Romagna
Take this image of Emperor Justinian. Don’t know about you, but to me the guy looks like he’s either horribly
October 2 2014 / Places
The Gems of Padova
Padova, Veneto
Only a 30 minute train ride from Venice, Padova is a pleasant day trip and often overlooked in favor of
September 26 2014 / Events
A Day of Memory in Assisi
Assisi, Umbria
At 11:42 a.m. today in Assisi, all the bells will solemnly toll reminding all of the devastating earthquake on September
September 12 2014 / Places
Abbazia di Monte Oliveto Maggiore
Asciano, Tuscany
Nearby Siena and very well hidden among the hills is the Abbey of Monte Oliveto Maggiore, well known for its
