After two years of bringing local experiences to travelers visiting Asia, With Locals is expanding into parts of Italy, Germany, Spain and The Netherlands. They reached out and invited us to join one of their experiences in either Rome or Milan. I was intrigued by the concept and asked my great friend, Canadian expat in...Read More
Five new saints were canonized on Sunday, April 26 in Saint Peter’s Square … and I was there. No, I didn’t go specifically for the Canonization-in fact, I didn’t understand the magnitude of the event until I was ushered onto the steps of the colossal piazza and saw the sea of people that spread before...Read More
Bernardo Tolomei was born in Siena, Italy in 1272, as “Giovanni,” but later used the name Bernardo out of veneration for Saint Bernardo of Clairvaux, an 11th century French Cistercian abbot. He was knighted in 1291 and was a member of the Confraternity of the Disciplinati di Santa Maria della Notte that was dedicated to...Read More
Perhaps the world’s first-known advocate for the working woman, Arcangelo Tadini, who was Canonized on April 26, 2009 by Pope Benedict XVI, established a religious order called the Worker Sisters of the Holy House of Nazareth that sought to implement the church’s teachings regarding workers’ rights and to lead working women into Christian faith...Read More
Welcome to the 2nd edition of “The Life of a Saint.” This week we’re honoring, Saint Nuno Álvares Pereira, the Portuguese saint who-although his followers had to travel more than 2,000 kilometers-had the loudest, if not the largest, cheering section at the Canonization. This group was fascinating. They cheered and chanted and sang songs whose...Read More
During Rome Week I mentioned that my husband and I had the opportunity to attend Mass in Saint Peter’s Square. Although the day was gray and windy, we were thrilled to encounter none other than Vatican City’s own Pope Benedict XVI, who was both leading the Mass and Canonizing five new saints. I’ve always been...Read More
Although Rome Week is technically finita, I do have a few straggling notes hanging around in my notebook itching to hit the big screen. Or, well, the computer screen. You see, as a B&B owner I gravitate towards other B&Bs and nine times out of 10, prefer them to big hotels. I love the personal...Read More
One of the best things about Rome, as in many Italian cities, is the undeniably delicious food you get to eat when you’re there. Know what’s even more fun? Bringing that dish home with you. Of all of the typically Romano dishes, Cacio e Pepe, is one of the best-and likely the easiest-to make at...Read More
Nope. That isn’t a typo. Believe it or not, I was only in Rome three nights-in fact, my feet were on ancient Roman ground less than 72 full hours yet I somehow managed to take 316 pictures. I kid you not. Continuing with Rome Week, I present to you a pictorial tour of the Eternal...Read More
It is hump day here at My Bella Vita and we are smack in the middle of Rome Week, and with all of the sightseeing and wallet-watching we’ve had going on the last couple of days … I bet you are getting hungry. I know I am. Many people think a good vacation boils down...Read More
