You may recognize it as the backdrop for Jesus walking with the cross in Mel Gibson’s 2004 movie, The Passion of the Christ. Matera has been inhabited since the Paleolithic time. In ancient times, cave-dwelling (not to be confused with cavemen) settlers moved into the tofu rock caverns of the steep ravine. During the Neolithic…
For those who don’t know, when I am not traveling: I am a full time middle school counselor! And I love my kiddos! When I went to graduate school in New York City, somehow two of my grad school girlfriends were Greek-American. So, when my friend Christen went back one summer and met a Greek…
Okay, I love Savannah! My motivation to work remotely from Savannah in the winter of 2021 was to escape the frosty New England weather at a time when all of the gyms were closed due to Covid restrictions. As a planned city (by an early settler named Oglethorpe) Savannah is easy to navigate and very…
Amalfi coast with its breathtaking views and cliff-hanging pastel homes is known for its limoncello drinks, jaw dropping views and terraced gardens. While other Italian cities like Rome, Florence and Venice are known for their churches and museums, the Amalfi Coast is known for its ambience and natural landscape and is best done just enjoying…
Known as the “Florence of the South” for its beautiful Baroque buildings. Surrounded by gentle hillsides dotted with enchanting villages, Lecce is a laid-back city with hospitable people, great food and natural and architectural beauty. A university city and capital of the province by the same name in the Apulia (or Puglia in English) region…
What is an Italian Masseria? A “masseria” is an Italian version of a plantation, hacienda, or farm. The name masseria is used mostly in the Puglia region of Italy. These homes are sometimes referred as “massi” or “factoria.” From the 16th to 18th century, masserias were the farmhouses in which workers and “pedrones” (English: master/boss)…
Arizona’s “second city,” makes a great snowbird weekend getaway for adventure and food. It is often overlooked for spa retreats in Scottsdale or the landscape of bucket list destinations such as Flagstaff, Sedona, or the Grand Canyon. Tucson, which is surrounded by desert and mountains, is the best place to see the large Saguaro cactus….
I love spending an afternoon in the vibrant Barrio Logan neighborhood. Known for its food, activism, and artwork. I first discovered the neighborhood because of the beautiful murals depicting indigenous deities, famous Chicanos, and local activists. Known for grassroots activism and good food, this makes for a great afternoon excursion while in San Diego. While…
Puglia, Italy is known for its terraced country gardens, whitewashed villages, fresh farm-to-table restaurants and seaside Adriatic towns. For those who say Italy looks like a boot, this is the “heel” region. Once a part of mankind’s first democracy as part of Magna Grecia (ancient Greece), the region is rich and deep in history. When…
What is the East Coast Greenway? Over 2 months I biked the entire eastern seaboard on the East Coast Greenway (ECG) from the Canadian Border of Maine to Key West Florida. The route connects 15 states, ~450 cities, and ~3,000 miles! The terrain is paved bike paths, back roads, and some unpaved path sections. The…
Since COVID-19, we have been (safely) going on long adventurous roadtrips and hikes. Here are a few books to get you excited about a ROADTRIP: On the Road by Jack Kerouac 2. The Motorcycle Diaries by Ernesto Che Guevara 3. Blue Highways: A Journey into America Three books to read before a long trek or…
“Low country”, refers to a distinctive geographic area, culture, and cuisine that is unique to the South Carolina Coastal region, but sometimes extends to Sea Islands and coastal regions of Georgia and Northern Florida. Known for its shrimp boats, intricate estuaries, sweet tea and sweeping verandas. The region is originally known for rice, indigo and…