Magical Maggiore: Our Stay on the Lake

Magical Maggiore: Our Stay on the Lake

There was definitely something special about Lake Maggiore from the moment we arrived at our villa rental in Lesa until we left four days later. Did it start with the warm welcome we received from our hosts? Was it the natural beauty of the water, islands, and gardens? Was it our special experiences that included world-class music? I think it was a combination of all of those things wrapped up into one magical experience.

A Tale of Four Regions: Piedmont, Lombardy, Veneto, and Emilia-Romagna

A Tale of Four Regions: Piedmont, Lombardy, Veneto, and Emilia-Romagna

It shouldn’t be surprising that art, literature, and music are essential aspects of northern Italy. Surrounded by stunning natural beauty, dramatic history, and deep cultural traditions, it’s easy to understand why writers, artists, and musicians have been enamored of and inspired by various locations in the four regions of Italy we visited on our latest trip — Piedmont, Lombardy, Veneto, and Emilia-Romagna.

Picture Portugal Part Two: Instagram Favorites

Picture Portugal Part Two: Instagram Favorites

When you picture Portugal in your mind, what do you see — trams on steep streets, towering bridges, and historic sites such as Belém? I was excited to see these scenes in person and even happier to experience Portuguese culture expressed in art, architecture, and music as portrayed in the second part of my Portugal Instagram photos.