Last week Andrew Whittaker of Speak the Culture wrote a post about coping with culture shock. It was interesting because Whittaker didn’t take the stance of an expat or long-term traveler trying to adjust to a new culture but rather that of an average traveler. Although I’m slightly obsessed with culture shock and the stages...Read More
A few days ago I received an email from a guy who is planning his first trip to southern Italy. He’ll be visiting his grandfather’s homeland in Calabria-just about 50 minutes north of me in Catanzaro-and like any would-be international traveler worth his passport, he’s researching the area. He bought my Calabria travel tips ebook-thanks,...Read More
A couple of months ago I was contacted by a producer at KPAM Portland Radio. He wanted to know more about my favorite little region in Italy and asked if I’d be interested in talking to them about Calabria. Me? Talk about Calabria? Now, that’s not fun at all. photo credit: Dave Kleinschmidt Due to...Read More
Congratulations! You’ve saved your pennies and set a date and now you can start planning your trip to Italy. You are bubbling over with excitement and can barely pull yourself from your laptop at night to cook dinner or tend to your children-or answer your boss’s emails, for that matter. You are in my favorite...Read More
I type this post-one day before it’ll be published and you’ll read it-on the one year anniversary of the day my life forever changed. Yes, that sounds dramatic-and those of you know me know I have that flair … but this time, it is true. One year ago today I received that middle-of-the-night phone call...Read More
It should be known I am an avid budget traveler. I advocate counting pennies, budget B&Bs and low-cost airlines and for some reason, I always seem to enjoy a trip more if I feel like it was a good deal. That being said, Italy’s not cheap. Yes, yes, I’ve done a Saving Euros in Italy...Read More
Although most people consider Calabria a warm-weather destination, the lakes, mountains, ruins and medieval villages are actually year-round attractions. In fact, many people travel to Calabria in the winter months to meet their long-lost relatives or to save money on low-season flights and accommodations. While it is true you won’t need to pack your summer...Read More
You’ve booked your flights. You’ve secured transfers. You’ve reserved the best hotels and B&Bs in the country. You’ve even made notes on recommended restaurants, bars and pubs. But have you done it all? The truth of the matter is it is hard, even for frequent travelers, to remember the vast amount of things needing to...Read More
Booking your northern, central or southern Italy travel can be overwhelming. Where do you go? What do you see? Feeling stressed yet? Well, my friends, you are in luck, because here are the first five things you should do when planning a trip to Italy. 1. Ask Yourself the Hard Questions and by this, I...Read More
Whoever chose December-the final month of the year-as the time to celebrate the holidays, buy and wrap presents and cook for family and friends probably didn’t own their own business-and relaunch their website during the week of Italy’s first festa of the holiday season. I’m just saying … the holidays could come at a better...Read More
