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The Blue Lagoon: Visiting Iceland’s Natural Spa on a Layover
Overpriced, overcrowded and overrun with tourists. Iceland’s Blue Lagoon is all these things. But it is also tranquil, therapeutic and overwhelmingly beautiful. I visited the Blue Lagoon on my twenty-four hour Reykjavik layover, after spending the morning meandering along the colorful streets of Iceland’s capital. Since I knew I was going to forego sleeping for a few hours upon my arrival, I figured pairing my fast-paced morning with a relaxing evening would be the perfect way to maximize my layover, while minimizing the exhaustion I often feel when deciding to…
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Day Trip to Lake Como from Milan
Lake Como is a Y-shaped body of water that snakes through the craggy mountains of Northern Italy. A well-known retreat for the rich and famous, Como blends movie-star excess with the simplicity of rural Italian life. In Como, it is not uncommon to cross paths with the rich and famous. It is the type of place where boutique shops sell high-end jewelry and opulent villas showcase the best of Italian lakeside living. And yet, its miles of hiking paths, its quaint streets and gardens and its easy accessibility from Milan…
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Night Hike in Monti Sibillini National Park
In local legend, Italy’s Monti Sibillini National Park is a place of both mythical and historical importance. It is where the body of Pontius Pilate, the man who authorized Jesus’ execution, was allegedly disposed of after he was sentenced to death by the Roman Emperor, Tiberius. Some disregard the theory and argue that the body was actually dumped in a Swiss lake but, those who refute this alternative speculation, believe its resting place is in the Lago di Pilato–a small glacial lake nestled in Italy’s stunning national park. Due perhaps…
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Retracing my Family Roots in Campo di Giove
With each trip to Italy, I meet family members I never knew existed. Then, I meet family of those family members and family of the families of my family. In truth, I have never been good at keeping track of how each person is related to me. There are simply far too many people to keep track of and it is at times overwhelming to interact with everyone I am expected to know. After one particularly large family gathering with my mom’s side of the family, Dan turned to me…
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Visiting the Reggia di Caserta in Italy
I assume that most people have heard of Versailles. The monumental 17th century palace is among the most renowned royal residences in the world. It draws upwards of 15 million annual visitors and is a mainstay of Paris itineraries. But even if you’re a well-traveled history buff, chances are that one of Europe’s other royal gems—the Caserta Palace—isn’t on your radar. In fact, had you not stumbled upon this blog post precisely because you were looking for information on the massive estate, I might even assume you’d never heard of…
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Two Day Amalfi Coast and Capri Itinerary
The string of fabled towns that line Italy’s Amalfi Coast offer some of the most incredible coastal scenery in Europe. Connected by a winding ribbon of road, the villages cling to emerald mountains and overlook the sapphire sea. Here, precipitous mountains plunge into the sea, picturesque villages maintain the charm of a bygone era and miles of hiking trails offer travelers the opportunity to explore the area on foot. Simply put, the Amalfi Coast is one of the most beautiful places in Italy. VISITING THE AMALFI AND CAPRI IN…
