Kate got bit by the Italy bug when she was a Junior Year Abroad student in Florence, many years ago. She got her Masters Degree in art history in Florence; did dissertation research in Genoa and Rome; and taught for the Syracuse University and New York University study abroad programs in Florence, where she still lives.
Croatia Travel
Rijeka (re-YEH-kah) is the European Capital of Culture for 2020 and this shipbuilding port on Croatia’s expansive Kvarner Bay is more than ready for its close-up! Abandoned industrial buildings have been transformed into art spaces. Trendy new bars and restaurants have popped up alongside the city’s Austro-Hungarian palaces and Venetian townhouses. More than 600 diverse
Croatia Travel
With a name like Olive Tree Escapes, we can’t help but cheer for Istria. For the fifth year in a row, Istria has been declared the world’s top olive oil region. Flos Olei, considered the “bible of olive oil,” lists 77 extra virgin oils from Istria in its 2020 guide. No small feat since only
Italy Travel
Sometimes there’s nothing more comforting than a plate of spaghetti topped with tomato sauce and freshly-grated Parmesan cheese. Spaghetti is America’s most popular pasta shape by far. But with over 350 variations of pasta shapes to choose from, there’s no need to limit yourself to just one or two. Each shape typically compliments a particular
Slovenia Travel
Move over Switzerland! The Soča Valley in Slovenia boasts spectacular Alpine vistas that the Swiss Tourist Board would be proud to claim as their own. But Switzerland is Europe’s priciest country by far. Luckily, savvy travelers can expect to spend 30-40% less in Slovenia’s Julian Alps than their Swiss counterparts. Adventure & Active Travel The
Italy Travel
The idyllic island of Elba floats just six miles from the coast of Tuscany. Although off the radar of most American tourists, poet Dylan Thomas called Elba “the most beautiful island in the Mediterranean.” Legend has it that when the goddess Aphrodite emerged from the Tyrrhenian Sea, she lost her pearl necklace. Seven of these