Paris. The City of Lights. The city of romance … the city where everyone spews French faster than the TGV can get to Versailles and where the locals, well … may or may not like your American-ass accent. Eight years ago I boarded my first intercontinental flight and headed thousands of miles from everyone I...Read More
It’s no secret Italy abounds with natural beauty, stunning people and ageless architecture. And the food ain’t bad, either. But what goes on behind the scenes? Where do the stereotypes end and the real Italy begin? Frequent visitors to the bel paese have witnessed death-defying collisions on Italian roadways, know you can’t find a decent,...Read More
It is no secret I’m somewhat, oh, what would you say? Addicted to weddings. Seriously. I. Love. Them. I do. (get it?) I love the pre-planning, the planning, the execution … even the stress. I’ve worked in the industry, I’ve written about the industry and I’ve even played along – just for fun. So it...Read More
The possible Travel Tip Tuesday themes to evolve from my latest stateside adventure are too many to list today … lost luggage, stolen contents, airline strikes, airline accountability … ahhh, but don’t worry. We’ll get to those. Today’s tip covers the most intrinsic rule of all seemingly common sense rules of travel. And yes. There...Read More
One of the most beautiful towns in Calabria sits perched on a mountain overlooking the Tyrrhenian Sea. Surrounded by lush hills and creamy white sand, Scalea is one of the most touristy areas of our great region, but remember “touristy” is relative and this almost undiscovered gem won’t stay hidden long. I plan to delve...Read More
It appears traveling well is the theme of the week here at MBV, but that certainly wasn’t the intent. However, when something as fun as the TOP 100 DESTINATIONS OF 2008 lands in your inbox, what’s a travelin’ gal to do, but share that info with her closest pals. So, here’s a quick recap! Of...Read More
Loyal blog readers might remember my recent girls’ getaway to nearby Sicily. Michelle and I ventured out, armed only with the clothes on our back (and all the clothes we could cram into our cases) and her mini corno, you know, to ward off the malocchio! And, it worked! One of the most picturesque sites we...Read More
otherwise known as “The Godfather Village.” That’s right, folks. Believe it or not, everything you see in the movies IS NOT REAL. Hollywood would try to trick and confuse us? Sad, I know. But, the small Sicilian village of Corleone, the quaint, close-knit town we all longed to visit when we watched The Godfather, is...Read More
Madonna della Lettera isn’t the only interesting thing to see in the port city of Messina, but she makes her presence known throughout the town, as evidenced in one of the more charming city attractions. The Bell Tower of the Cathedral contains the most complex mechanical clock in the world, and it shows off it’s...Read More
Like most – if not all – Italian towns and villages, the port city of Messina, the entranceway to Sicilian civilization, is blessed with a patron saint. For Messina, Madonna della Lettera, is that saint. Standing boldly and shining like a beacon (in all of her gold-toned glory) Madonna of the Letter is the first...Read More
