Italy

Castello Sforza in Milan was builtin the 14th century to defend thegate to the city.The draw bridge was down,thank goodness.My pigeon friends and I at the Duomo in Milan, smack in themiddle of the city, [...]

A late night display adjustment at Louis Vuitton, to highlighta new line of purses in lemonyellow, this year's hot color.I tried to convince Mike that this silk jacket with leather pants andsandals was just the "look" forhim, especially [...]

The Cinque Terre, Italy's postcard perfect string of villages  built on cliffs, was hit by an epic rainfall in 2011. In only  four hours, 22 inches of rain fell.  Walls of mud  flowed through the streets. Fortitude is hardwired [...]

First glimpse of Pisa!  It's in a cathedral complex,in which the actual leaning tower is only a small part. A lucrative epic architectural failure!Construction of the tower started in 1174.  It wasbuilt on poor soil, and [...]

Anyone over the age of 16 can buy tobacco in Italy.  Smoking rates are higher than the US - about 24% vs. our 20%.Different toys for the little ones!  Thelack of Disney merchandise is noticeable.Marionettes are far more popular.Beautiful [...]

Leather goods abound in Florence, although notall bags that say "Made in Italy" are made byItalian craftsmen.  The Chinese have set up hugemass production factories in Italy.  Caveat emptor.The woman with the laurel wreath (as [...]

A detail of a panel (one of 20?) that make up a huge bronzedoor in the "baptistry" across from the Duomo,where baptisms took place so people could attendchurch (in the Middle Ages, people weren't allowedto [...]

Roman street musicians are always playing tosidewalks full of wine and coffee drinkers.  Inthis case, "Funiculi Funicula"!Dar Poeta Pizzeria, down a little alley in the Trastevere neighborhood, is in a gritty part of town... we were about to [...]

My first glimpse of the Vatican was high up onAventine Hill in Rome.  Looking through thekeyhole reveals a perfect tunnel view of the dome of St. Peters Basilica, the crown jewelof the Vatican.This is the view through [...]

Profusely blossoming wisteria wafted fragrancethrough our walk.  The branches are so strongand invasive, they're probably helping to holdthis arch up.Ancient Roman ruins - including the Senate, theForum, formal gardens, city center, and palacesfor Julius Caesar [...]

Ruins expose the underground network of tunnelsused for both gladiators and a parade of animalsincluding elephants, lions, buffalo and crocodiles.After a series of disasters including the eruptionof Mt. Vesuvius, a huge fire in Rome and [...]