Puglia. Ceci and I recently had the opportunity to take a trip to the beautiful region of Puglia, located in the heel of Italy's boot. From Monopolie to Trani, Ostuni to Polignano a Mare, Locorotondo to Gallipoli, and finally Lecce, this region is full of stunning coastline, charming villages, and rich history. We started our journey in Monopolie, a charming town located on the Adriatic coast. The town is famous for its historic center, which is a labyrinth of narrow streets, white-washed buildings, and beautiful churches. We spent our days wandering through the town, admiring the local architecture and sampling the local cuisine. Next, we traveled to Ostuni, a beautiful hilltop town known for its stunning views and vibrant culture. The town is famous for its whitewashed buildings, and we spent our days wandering through the narrow streets, admiring the local architecture, and enjoying the local food and wine. Next, we headed to Polignano a Mare, a beautiful coastal town perched on a cliff overlooking the Adriatic Sea. The town is a popular destination for tourists, and for good reason. Its picturesque beaches, crystal-clear waters, and charming old town make it a must-visit destination. We spent a day lounging on the beach, swimming in the sea, and exploring the local shops and restaurants. From Polignano a Mare, we visited Locorotondo, a beautiful hilltop town located in the heart of Puglia. The town is famous for its circular layout, and we spent our days admiring the local architecture, sampling the local food, and enjoying the stunning views of the surrounding countryside. Finally, we made our way to Lecce, a beautiful baroque city known as the "Florence of the South." The city is famous for its stunning architecture, and we were in awe of the elaborate facades and intricate sculptures that adorn the buildings. We spent our days exploring the local churches, admiring the artwork, and taking in the local culture. In conclusion, our trip to Puglia was truly a magical experience, full of stunning scenery, delicious food, and rich history. Whether you're looking for stunning coastline, quaint villages, or beautiful architecture, this region has something for everyone. Cecilia and I highly recommend a visit, and we can't wait to return and explore more of this beautiful part of Italy.

Matera. My wife Ceci and I recently had the opportunity to take a trip to Matera, a beautiful city located in the region of Basilicata in southern Italy. Matera is known for its stunning sassi, or ancient cave dwellings, and its rich history and culture.We started our journey by exploring the sassi, which are cave dwellings that have been carved into the hillside for thousands of years. These caves were once home to the citizens of Matera, and today, many of them have been restored and converted into hotels, restaurants, and shops. We were amazed by the beauty of these ancient homes, and we enjoyed learning about the history of this unique part of Matera. Next, we visited the Matera Cathedral, a stunning 13th-century church that sits atop a hill overlooking the city. The cathedral is famous for its beautiful frescoes, and we were in awe of the intricate artwork that adorns the walls and ceiling. Later in the day, we visited the local market, where we were able to sample the local cuisine and purchase some souvenirs to take home with us. We especially enjoyed trying the local specialty, pastries filled with sweet ricotta cheese, and we brought some back to our hotel to enjoy later. In the evening, we attended a traditional musical performance in one of the restored sassi, which was a truly magical experience. The music was beautiful, and the cave setting added to the ambiance of the performance. Our trip to Matera was an unforgettable experience. The city is full of stunning architecture, rich history, and vibrant culture, and we would highly recommend a visit to anyone traveling to southern Italy.

Cinque Terra. My wife Ceci and I recently had the chance to visit Cinque Terre, a breathtakingly beautiful region located on the Italian Riviera. This region is made up of five small villages - Riomaggiore, Manarola, Corniglia, Vernazza, and Monterosso al Mare - and it is known for its stunning cliffs, turquoise waters, and picturesque fishing villages. We started our journey and also secured lodging in Monterosso al Mare, the northernmost of the five villages. Once we settled into our wonderfully rustic accommodations, we walked down the 680 steps to get to the village and beach area. Later, we would find the hard way that the trip down was much easier than the trip back up to our villa. But in the mean-time, we were immediately struck by the charm of this village, with its colorful homes perched on the cliff above the sea, and its bustling port, where fishing boats bobbed in the waves. Next, we took a scenic train ride to Manarola, perhaps our favorite of the 5 villages, and we were blown away by the beauty of the coastline. We took a stroll along the cliff-side path and stopped to take in the stunning views of the sea and the neighboring villages. We also visited a local winery, where we were able to sample some of the local wines and learn about the wine-making process in the region. The continued our journey to Corniglia, the smallest of the five villages, which is perched on a cliff hundreds of feet above the sea. We climbed the steep staircase to the village, and we were rewarded with breathtaking views of the surrounding countryside. We also visited the local church, which is home to a beautiful fresco depicting the Last Supper. Our next stop was Vernazza, a charming fishing village with a bustling harbor and narrow, winding streets. We enjoyed exploring the local shops and sampling some of the delicious seafood that is caught fresh in the nearby waters. Finally, we arrived in Monterosso al Mare, the largest and most famous of the five villages. This village is known for its beautiful sandy beach, and we spent a relaxing afternoon lounging on the sand and taking in the breathtaking views of the sea and the surrounding cliffs.

Lake Como. If you're looking for another beautiful destination to visit in Italy, I would recommend the town of Como. Ceci and I had the opportunity to explore this town during our travels, and we were impressed by its beauty and charm. Como is a town located in northern Italy, nestled on the shores of Lake Como. The town is known for its stunning lake views, picturesque villas, and historic landmarks. After I gently encouraged Ceci to give up on finding George Clooney’s Villa, we started our journey by taking a scenic boat ride on the lake, which allowed us to take in the breathtaking scenery of the surrounding mountains and forests. Next, we explored the historic town center, which is home to many beautiful churches and buildings. We visited the Como Cathedral, a stunning Gothic-style church that dates back to the 14th century. The cathedral is known for its beautiful stained-glass windows and intricate sculptures. We also visited the Villa Olmo, a beautiful villa located on the shores of Lake Como. The villa was built in the late 18th century and is known for its stunning gardens and beautiful architecture. Finally, we spent some time exploring the local shops and restaurants, where we were able to sample some of the delicious local cuisine. We enjoyed trying the local fish dishes, which were caught fresh from the lake. Overall, our time in Como was a wonderful experience. The town is full of history and charm, and the natural beauty of the lake and surrounding mountains is truly breathtaking. If you're looking for a beautiful and relaxing destination in Italy, I would highly recommend visiting Como.

During our trip to Lake Como, we had the pleasure of visiting Villa Balbianello, an exquisite villa situated at the tip of a wooded peninsula on the western shore of Lake Como. The villa is famous not only for its stunning beauty but also for being featured in several films, including Star Wars: Episode II Attack of the Clones and James Bond's Casino Royale. The villa is perched on the tip of a peninsula and boasts stunning views of the lake and surrounding mountains. We were also impressed by the villa's immaculate gardens, which were bursting with colorful flowers and perfectly manicured trees. We took a guided tour of the villa and were fascinated by its history and architecture. As we strolled through the impeccably manicured gardens and explored the ornately decorated rooms of the villa, we couldn't help but feel like we had stepped into a scene from a movie ourselves. The breathtaking views of the lake from the villa's terrace and the unique architectural features of the building made it easy to see why it has been such a popular filming location.

If we could only return to one place in the Lake Como Region, we would return to Varenna. From the moment we arrived, we were struck by the beauty and tranquility of this picturesque town. Varenna is a small but charming town that exudes old-world charm. The narrow cobbled streets are lined with colorful houses, and the town square is dominated by a beautiful church. During our stay, we explored the town's winding streets, enjoying the local cuisine, and soaking up the stunning scenery. One of my favorite meals was at a small trattoria, where I savored homemade pasta and a glass of local wine.