Category Archives: History

A stop in Chianti…

Posted on January 29, 2012 by Melonie

Just a short 3.5 km from the famous SR222 is the wondrous winery called Tenuta di Riseccoli. We literally just “came upon it” trying to make our way back to Greve and stopped to visit. It was early, we were … Continue reading →

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Staying in a castle….

Posted on January 27, 2012 by Melonie

If you ever find yourself in Rome and do not have time for the 2.5 hr drive to Pompeii you may consider a quick 40 min train ride from the city centre to Ostia Antica, or better yet…stay in a … Continue reading →

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Watch out Naples…

Posted on January 23, 2012 by Melonie

This is a public service announcement…We interrupt the normal broadcast of my blog to report this announcement ….ha… I apologize for my subscribers who look for travel tips and memories in my blog but I do feel like it is … Continue reading →

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“Off the boat from Italy…”

Posted on January 21, 2012 by Melonie

After being married to Italian’s from New York I have often used the phrase “off the boat” to mean…authentic, original, Mamma Mia, etc, After our interest in Italy grew so did my hubby’s interest in his past. His Mother and … Continue reading →

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Gate of Paradise…

Posted on December 14, 2011 by Melonie

Statues sort of freak me out a bit-I must say Italy has helped me appreciate statues more. I know I could stare at the David for an hour and I am amazed at the detail and the strength that glares … Continue reading →

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All that marble….

Posted on November 10, 2011 by Melonie

The rain kept us from the marble mountains this fall but we have been through the Carrara and love the drive. Over 300 quarries that date back to Roman times and mostly famous for the fact that Michelangelo used this … Continue reading →

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Plant me a garden…

Posted on November 9, 2011 by Melonie

One day I told my hubby I wanted a garden, knowing I kill almost whatever is planted this translated to…”You plant a garden”. Well, he happens to be fairly good at planting and keeping things pretty if he has time to … Continue reading →

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Chestnuts roasting on an open fire….

Posted on October 13, 2011 by Melonie

Well it’s chestnut time in Tuscany. Called “castagne” in Italian and used for various foods like pancakes, honey, polenta, pasta, and a famous dessert called “castagnaccio”. A few years ago the kid and I gathered these heroic nuts and learned all … Continue reading →

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da Vinci …da Amazing…

Posted on September 10, 2011 by Melonie

“Museo Leonardiano”-Plazza In the sweet town of Vinci, not far from Prato (home to the Virgin’s Girdle in the Duomo) is the amazing museum of Leonardo da Vinci. His birthplace offers just a small square with a magnificent horse statue, … Continue reading →

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Labor Day in USA…

Posted on September 5, 2011 by Melonie

  Today is Labor Day in the States… Founded by the Labor Union in New York in 1882. Labor Day, the first Monday in September, is a creation of the labor movement and is dedicated to the social and economic … Continue reading →

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