It's now my second year here in Italy, and I have to say, I love it! If you found me on any given day in the last 2 years, you would probably hear me say that I want to live here forever. This has partly to do with the fact that my mother's parents came from … Continue reading Day 72: Don’t Blame Italy (or your host country)
Category: Travel Advice
Day 74: Rolling With the Punches to the Sunny Side of the Street
What a beautiful Easter weekend the PashbyMauls have had! We have been so very blessed to have our dear friends, the Nguyens, visiting from Vienna for Easter. You'll remember that these lovely people visited us last year for Easter as well, as they received the "Our European Family Award." Day 75 was inspired by a lovely … Continue reading Day 74: Rolling With the Punches to the Sunny Side of the Street
Day 76: Why Attending the Opera in Italy Should Be On Your “List”
I know what you're going to say to me. "Opera's not really my thing." There are many people who would agree and not call opera their "thing." But if you do happen to come all the way to Italy, the BIRTHPLACE OF OPERA, you will find the following ample reasons to hopefully persuade you to … Continue reading Day 76: Why Attending the Opera in Italy Should Be On Your “List”
Day 77: Gondola vs Traghetto – Venice
Venice seen from the side of the canal is an unforgettable experience. Venice from the Gondola perspective is another altogether. Go to Venice they said. Ride a Gondola they said. Other than Venice itself, the most unforgettable part of your trip may just be how much you paid for your Gondola tour. For any visitor … Continue reading Day 77: Gondola vs Traghetto – Venice
Day 83: Mindful Rome Travel
In keeping with yesterday's blog, I'd like to illustrate my main points for Rome travel. Many of you may have read Drew's Rome in A Day blog and so you know his main strategy, which would be to see the outside of the entire city on a walking tour. Now I'd like to make you … Continue reading Day 83: Mindful Rome Travel
Day 88: Economy Class Travel Hacks
Flying 75,000 miles a year has its advantages. Elite Status, priority boarding, lounge access, domestic upgrades, preferred seating, shiny luggage tags, and more! But even if you are only the occasional flyer, there are several simple things you can do to make your economy class experience feel more like first class... okay not really, but … Continue reading Day 88: Economy Class Travel Hacks
Day 89: Andrew’s Last business trip to Africa, and How I Helped Him Pack
Today I kissed my love goodbye at Venice Marco Polo Airport and sent him on his way to Gabon. While this normally makes me feel blue, it was 5am (we left our house at 4:15am!) and I was too tired to dwell on it. The sunny side of the situation is that he's only going … Continue reading Day 89: Andrew’s Last business trip to Africa, and How I Helped Him Pack
Day 90: European driving experience
When I left the United States in 2008, my Subaru Forester came with me. I think it was a week after my car arrived in Italy that I sideswiped my first guardrail. After that, all bets at keeping the first brand new car I had ever owned pristine were off. It's painfully obvious to many … Continue reading Day 90: European driving experience
Day 93: Essential health and beauty items for travelers
If you've been following our travel adventures, then you know that we are downsizing and also fans of minimalist travel. We are not experts on minimalist travel by any means, but enthusiasts who keep improving our travel vision. Day 99 showed my small city backpack weekend packing job. With that in mind, there are 3 multi-tasking … Continue reading Day 93: Essential health and beauty items for travelers
Day 95: From Aperitivo to Apericena, the budgeter’s dinner replacement
If you're new to Italy, you'll notice people begin drinking an orange substance during the 11am-12:30pm and 4-8pm time frames. Tables line sidewalks and piazzas and it seems as though everyone has the time to stop for a "spritz", slow down and enjoy life. This time is known as aperitivo, or pre-dinner drinks, time. You … Continue reading Day 95: From Aperitivo to Apericena, the budgeter’s dinner replacement
Intentionally International 