My Mélange

Picture This!

I was recently contacted by a group called Schmap, which is an on-line destination guide.  They cover areas all over the globe.  It is a pretty cool concept, one that I had not heard of before I was contacted.

Well, apparently they scour Flickr for photos to use for their on-line content.  And as luck would have it, they were interested in using five of my photos for their on-line guides for Montreal, Florence, Rome, Naples and Paris.

There was of course a waiting period as the photos go up for a vote...but low and behold, all five made it into the guides!

So, if you'd like to see the photos and check out Schmap's in general, I'll provide you the links.

• In Paris, a Flower Market
• In Rome, Spanish Steps
• In Florence, Rivoire cafe 
• In Positano,  Sirenuse 
• In Montreal,  Auberge Bonaparte. 

And if you want some more photos for your viewing pleasure, you can always go right to my Flickr page and enjoy the slideshow!

Happy Clicking! 

Roman Eats - Then and Now

Our last visit to Rome was the quick cooks tour.  But the way I roll, I do my food homework, so I must admit, we ate at a few great places in such a short time.  Many worthy of a return visit.

It would be very uncharacteristic of me to just visit all the same places that we ate last time, especially since my favorite part of discovering new cultures, and just traveling in general, is to eat my way through a city.

There are a few special places we liked that we will be returning to, but many new places we will add to the list.

My Roman favorites that we will be returning to once more are:

Cul de Sac.  A Roman gem, tucked into a square off the Piazza Navona, called Piazza Pasquino, is a tiny enoteca. A spot outside is prime real estate, but inside you have a selection of wine and delicious food like none other.  This is the spot to come to taste top quality wines by the glass that you couldn't otherwise afford or find back home.  We loved it there and will go back every chance we get!

Caffe Sant'Eustachio.  Steps from the Pantheon, this caffe makes excellent coffee, but they take it very seriously.  Screens afixed to the coffee machines prevent stealing the ancient secret recipe and technique. I am really looking forward to scarfing down an espresso soaked granita topped with fresh whipped cream.  Yum!

Caffè della Pace.  One of my favorite, albiet pricey, Italian caffès is one with a distinct Parisian flare. Also steps from the Piazza Navona-the location is the reason to come here.  And you must sit outside! Tiny tables set atop cobblestones, surrounded by old architecture every imaginable shade of coral. Come here to be part of the Roman nitelife, to be and be seen like the locals and to bask in the glow of the beautiful Santa Maria della Pace in the background.  It's a magical, romantic setting few can replicate. This is la dolce vita.

And a few of the new places we will be exploring:

Ai Marmi.  They call it "the morgue" because of the marble slab tables, but make no mistake- this Pizzeria in Trastevere has excellent Roman Pizza made in a traditional wood-burning oven.  As a bonus, if you're walking around Trastevere, late at night- stop for a midnite snack- they are open late!

Obikà.  Rome's first mozzerella bar. That serves wine.  Two locations- take your pick.  Campo dei Fiori or Piazza di Firenze.  Yep, it's a chain, but if I can get a selection of creamy mozzarella and wine- at a good price- I'll make an exception!

 

da Felice.  A local joint, located in the Testacchio neighborhood, which is built on a mound of old italian ceramics, the service might be gruff, but the place has been serving the same Roman trattoria food for 40 years. And they toss the cacio e pepe tableside.

 

Antico Forno. For the best Pizza Bianco. Grab a slab by-the-pound and walk around the Campo dei Fiori market. Nuff said.

Armando al Pantheon. Smack dab in the Centro Storica (historic center), near the Pantheon, this place has been serving classic Roman dishes at decent prices since 1961.  Looking forward to trying the Abbacchio Scottadito, Ossobucco or the Roman artichokes, if they are still in season.  And if can stomach it, gulp, the serve tripe (pun intented)!

Of course, this isn't my entire list. A girl's gotta keep some secret places up her sleeve.  But this is a pretty darn good selection to start.

Next time we talk about Rome, we will cover Roman Sites- Then and Now.  I'll tell you what we did, what we'll do again and what new sights we'll be seeing this time.

But in the meantime, why don't you tell me about your Roman dining experiences?!  

Have you been anywhere on the list?  What would like to try in Rome?  Have you ever had a favorite place you disovered through travel that you return to again and again?

--

Photo: Trattoria located in San Gimignano, Italy, taken by the author.

Women's Italy Retreat

Lenora Boyle, Transformation Coach and Option Method Trainer is hosting an Italian Retreat for Women. 

I thought you would all be a great audience for her, since most of you who read the blog are women, who love to travel and are passionate about Italy.

When I read about it, I thought it was such a great idea! i just wish I hadn't made plans for Rome already or this would have been a serious contender.  It sounds right up my alley!!  Great food, stunning views, spending quiet time with like minded, creative women.  A dream vacation, really!

I asked Lenora to write a brief description about the retreat, so that I could present it to all of you.  Being that it is her passion, I figured she'd do a much better job than I ever could.  I encourage you to click on all the links that she has provided to get a much better feel for Lenora, and what she does.  

Here is what Lenora had to say:

This is an invitation to live the sweet life, la dolce vita.  Please join me in ITALY, where possibilities abound, for a transformational retreat for women, surrounded by all the flavors of Italy. 

Learn to be happy like Italians who find pleasure in everything around them: music, food, fragrances, scenery, and art.  The air, water, food and people are exceptional.  It is a country full of stunning beauty and pleasures to be savored.

For 8 days and 8 nights, from September 12- 20 of 2009, in Monterosso al Mare on the Italian Riviera in Liguria, I’m combining my passion for Italy with my passion for helping women expand their possibilities to create a life they love. 

During this Italian Retreat discover How To:

• Manifest greater possibilities in your life
• Awaken happiness while gently dissolving limiting beliefs
• Dive into the passions of Italy while tapping into your own passions
• Navigate more easily through life’s transitions and changes (job loss, empty nest, divorce, moving….)

What to Expect on this Retreat:

After a delicious breakfast of local fruit, cheeses and homemade breads, we’ll meet to begin learning the Option Method Dialogue – questions that you will take with you to continue experiencing the happiness gained during this retreat.  You will broaden your belief of what is possible and begin to expand and live La Dolce Vita, the sweet life.  

We’ll continue with techniques and exercises after lunch that will help enhance clarity, creativity and happiness.  Some afternoons will be filled with visits to the beautiful Cinque Terra (five towns), as well as to other picturesque seaside villages that cling to cliffs overlooking the Mediterranean.  Our time outside in the lush splendor of Italy will inspire us to find our inner beauty.

Italy’s gift to the world is to teach us to enjoy beauty and pleasure in every aspect of life—food, family, fashion, art, language, nature and love.  

As women, we are notorious for giving and supporting others, whether we have careers in or out of the home.  Now, let’s do something for ourselves.  Give ourselves the gift of happiness—a chance to travel to Italy with a group of like-minded women for the purpose of finding and living pleasure, joy and love every moment of our lives.

Cost:  $1300 USD/ 1108 Euro for hotel (double occupancy), workshop and breakfast.

(Transportation, lunch and dinner not included)

If you are interested, please email Lenora@ChangeLimitingBeliefs.com, call (641) 472-0414 or visit my Italy Retreat Blog or Change Limiting Beliefs. 

I’d love to have you join us soon because the reservation deadline is April 4th!

***

Sounds dreamy right? If you decide to partake in this wonderful Italian adventure, make sure you tell Lenora that I sent you!

Have you ever been on a retreat? Tell us about it?

My (not so) Love Letter to Rome

Dear Rome,

I remember the last time we met- just like it was yesterday.  I remember that we fought.  You won. We sorta broke-up.

I never wanted to see you again.  You were *so* not my favorite.

You and your stinking non-existent road signs.  I mean seriously, do you actually want people to visit your damned city?

Were you plotting a cruel trick on me, by not advertising a huge underground parking structure like that?   Do you think that is the best way to say "Welcome to Rome" ? 

Send your visitors to drive aimlessly, round and round your ancient city until we were so freakin' exhausted and fed up that we just decided to call it a day and head back from whence we came? 

Ah, maybe that's it.  Drive 'em crazy, get 'em lost and then they will leave with a bad taste in their mouth- never to return again!

Not. very. mature.

Perhaps that debacle is all on video tape, to be played in front of a Papal audience, so that they and the Pope could get a good Sunday laugh at the Americans expense? Eh?

Well, it wasn't funny!

You and your ridiculously overpriced everything.  My God Rome, I am not made out of money!  I could've spent a fortune trying to keep up with you.

You and your history, ancient ruins and museums. The Vatican, the Colosseo, the Trevi Fountain, the Spanish Steps, the Campodiglio-do you really want me to go on? When your nickname is the Eternal City, I should have guessed it was because it would take an eternity to know you completely.  You are so complicated!

It was constant on-the-go with you. You know I don't enjoy marathon museum hopping. It was all such a whirlwind, that I just couldn't keep up and I was losing myself in the process.  We really never had any *us*time.

You were overwhelming me.  I never caught my breath. 

Granted, I didn't spend nearly enough time with you.  Three days is hardly enough time to get to know someone with your depth and 2,000 plus years of stories.  Oh, the stories.

Now, don't get me wrong, I did like quite a few things about you. Your glorious food, your pretty language, your cobblestones, your stunning views, your wine bars, your cafes and your gelato.  Oh My Gawd, your gelato!

I just wasn't quite sure that the good was enough to outweigh the bad. Enough to convince me to give you another chance.

But, thanks to Chris, Delta Airlines, and my friend Miss Expatria, and the fact that I miss my Italy, more than you can imagine, I have decided to do just that.

Lucky You.

But be forewarned. Things will need to be different this go-round, if this is gonna work. Things are gonna need to change. 

I am afraid that in the past I had taken a back seat in our relationship.  I gave you total control. And you took it, willingly.  

This time you'll be following my rules, Rome.

This time, I'm not driving around with you.  Nope, I will be enjoying the public transportation.  Plane, train, metro and bus.  Oh, and feet.  Lots of walking, vespa-dodging and taking-your-life-in-your-hands-street crossing.

I am not staying in the city center with all the other toursts. No, sir.  I am staying in Monti neighborhood, to see the real you.  

Our relationship will not be based on overpriced accomodations, and tourist food that's just not up to par.

Negatory.  

If this is gonna work, you better look like seducing me by taking me to all the best local neighborhood joints. 

And no marathon history tours, anymore. I'm done with those.  I much prefer to wander and get lost in all the nooks and crannies. We can go to a few churches, maybe the Forum.  I'd even agree to a garden or two.  

Rome, I pray that you are reading this. I hope that you will use this chance wisely.  I really do see great things for us in the future.  I can see a beautiful Italian romance, a love-affair to stand the test of time.  I wish with all my heart that I will fall in love with you this time, but you need to prove to me that you are worthy. 

Please, don't disappoint me again.

Eternally hopeful,

Robin

Three Coins in the Trevi Fountain

If you have ever been to Rome and stood in front of the grand and glorious Trevi Fountain, you will see people chucking in coin after coin, over their shoulder.

Legend has is that if you throw coins in the Trevi Fountain, you will one day return to Rome. 

Not one to want to tempt fate, I too grabbed a handful of change and chucked it in.   A bit cliché?  Sure, but you really don't care.  You kiss your coins, infusing them with love and wish with all your might that the universe is listening. 

And you leave, live the rest of your life, never giving it another thought.

Until now.

I guess I am living proof that the magic of the Roman coin toss is the real-deal!

On the spur of the moment (which isn't really in C.'s vocabulary), a without a plan (which isn't always in mine), we found such a fabulous deal to fly to Rome, that we just couldn't resist.

After much too long of a hiatus, we wiil return to Rome for a week at the end of May!

You may remember my last trip to Rome.  The arrival wasn't pretty.  In fact it has taken me 5 long years to get over the trauma, and want to try it again.

This trip will be different.  So, different. No car, for starters.  We are leaving the transport to trained professionals. Plane, train, metro, taxi.  And feet.

And we will be soley in Rome.  Seven full days to just soak up the Roman atmosphere.

Another difference- I am so looking forward to just really doing nothing but *being* in Rome.

Honestly, I'd be perfectly content with not setting foot in one museum.  Instead, I'd choose just wandering the little off the beaten path Roman neighborhoods, looking at all the architecture, taking photos of peeling facades, doors and streetsigns.

No expensive, gourmet dinners either- just real Roman food in little trattorias.

Walking around the Campo di' Fiore, drooling over all the produce at the market.  Throw in a flea market and a caffé pit stop at least one a day and I'll be a happy camper!

Perhaps the best difference of all- I have *met* many Italians since our last trip, many who live or have lived in Rome.  Having them pass along all of their local knowledge and perhaps getting to meet them after haviing Internet relationships with them will make our trip, well, a slice of life in the REAL ROME.

Even if it is only for a week.  I still think we will feel as if we have lived something special.

Of course, we have learned more Italian since last time.  We'll have to start boning up, but we can enjoy speaking (and hopefully understanding) more of the language.

Oh, and I have my MacBook now!  So, I'll be bloggin' right from the road.  So in a way, I'll be taking you all with me!!  Great, I could use some help with my luggage!  

A little take-away here.   I sign up for almost every airfare deal alert imaginable and will continue to do so.  I will no longer complain about how much they clog my inbox.  Because if it wasn't for acting quickly on one of these deal alerts (that's right, I am talking to YOU Travelzoo!) we wouldn't be returning this soon.

And I must thank the Roman Fountain Gods and Godessess who oversee the Trevi Fountain, who work tirelessly at granting the wishes and dreams of tourists 'round the globe who hope to one day return to their magical city.

If you're listening...it worked!!!  From the bottom of my Italian lovin' heart, I say thank you.  Thank You!

Now, can you work on providing good weather and a favorable exchange rate?

If you have been or perhaps lived in Rome, what are your favorite things to do?

Travel Bordering on the Ridiculous!

I got to thinking about some of the funny travel-related things I have seen, heard, read or done over the years.  I have been known to classify myself as anal, especially where travel is concerned!

Though, I think I have come a long way in curing myself of that in the last few years. I think it boils down to, the more you travel, the more you get used to dealing with things that can and do go wrong.

I remember reading a part in Dario Castagno's book, Too Much Tuscan Sun, where he is leading a tour in Siena and announced his plans to take his group of American tourists to an authentic family owned Sienese trattoria for lunch.  To his shock and amazement, the woman in the group puts her foot down and states that she didn't come all this way to not have REAL ITALIAN FOOD and demands that they find an Olive Garden or Pizza Hut??!!

Uh, Hu-lo laaaaaaaaady!

So, I decided to run with this theme of travel bordering on the ridiculous and come up with a sort of Top Ten List- Jeff Foxworthy style, called You Might be an Anal Traveler if...

You Might be an Anal Traveler if...

You print menus off the Internet for every restaurant you have mapped out for your two-week trip and have circled your selections, so you can just show the waiter what you want to order.  

You Might be an Anal Traveler if...

After ponying up the hefty admission price to the Museum, you have a mental breakdown in line because you left your Rick Steves Guidebook back at the hotel and decide that you just can't bring yourself to go in afterall- you simply cannot enjoy anything without his commentary!

You Might be an Anal Traveler if...

Your train ticket, which you are planning to bring back as a souvenir and put in its rightful place in the scrapbook with the 42 others you have collected, blows out of your hand and onto the tracks in the Metro station- and you actually consider jumping into oncoming train traffic to retrieve it?!

You Might be an Anal Traveler if...

Fear of being away from home too long and the excitement of telling those you left behind all the details of your journey, forces you to frantically run back to your hotel once a day to leave hour long play-by-plays on your answering machine for your cats!

You Might be an Anal Traveler if...

You have the airline's phone number on speed dial and you call every hour during the three days leading up to your flight to make sure it hasn't been cancelled.

You Might be an Anal Traveler if...

In an effort to keep your cash and valuables safe, you have developed an unfortunate allergic rash across your belly from the duct tape you were using to secure your money and valuables to your person.  Ouch!

You Might be an Anal Traveler if...

You bring forty rolls of film with you on vacation, just in case you run out, because they certainly don't sell film where you are going.

You Might be an Anal Traveler if...

You cry, whine and mope the whole way through your once-in-a-lifetime gourmet dinner because you are so obsessed with the fact that you forgot to pack the earrings that go with your dress-that you don't even remember what you ate.

You Might be an Anal Traveler if...

You develop an (unwelcomed) intimate relationship with your hotel manager, because you call once a week to confirm your upcoming reservation- a double bed with a blue comforter, bed facing due North and exactly six white towels in the bathroom.

You Might be an Anal Traveler if...

You make twenty copies of your passport and credit cards and place them strategically in your house before you leave in case the real ones are lost or stolen on vacation.  Then you mail a buried treasure style map to six different people- complete with clues, codes and riddles because you never want to make it too easy if you need help!

***

Time now for you to share!  What is the most ridiculous travel related thing you have seen, heard, said or done?

My Inner French Girl

Last week it dawned on me that it has been a little over a year since my last trip to Paris.  

*Sigh*

It is sad.  I miss the city, I miss my friend, I miss the food and the language. 

So, I have to get creative in order to bring back that lovin' French feeling.  To get in touch with my inner French girl, if you will.

Here are some of my favorite ways to keep France alive in my heart:

Pop in my favorite French movie, Amélie, for a tour around Montmartre, like no other.

Practice speaking French.

Throw five French CDs  in the stereo, hit shuffle, close my eyes and allow myself to be transported.

Make some crepes. Anything with Nutella.

Splurge on some expensive French wine.

Drool over a slideshow of my hundreds of Paris pictures, pausing to savour memories.

Delve into a new French Memoir.

Buy a bouquet of all-white roses or tulips for the kitchen table.

Visit one of my  favorite local French cafés or restaurants for an authentic French meal.

Treat myself to some French skin care, Caudalie is my favorite.

Leaf through my many French Décor books and magazines, longing to make the changes in my own home.

Visit The Paris Apartment- she always has the best trade pictures.

Go shopping for stylish chic clothes, with that French flair.

Throw on a black trench and a scarf and go for a walk in the rain.

By a new French cookbook.

Take a trip to my local flea-market and scour it for Frenchie finds. 

Visit gourmet markets, scooping up all the French products I can find.

But,the most exciting thing I am currently doing is planning a new trip, but not to France.  I am going to Montréal and Old Quebec City.  Three weeks and counting.  

It's not France, but hey, it is French.  French-Canadian counts right?!

It is only a six hour drive, the dollar is actually worth something, I'll have no airline stress to deal with and it will be a great way to get in touch with my inner French girl.  And hopefully it will hold me over for yet another year.

Hopefully.

***

So, what do you miss most about France?  What are some of the things you do to keep your Frenchness thriving until you can visit again?

Armchair Travels: Stunning Venice

Photo courtesy of Earth Photography.

Sometimes a picture is worth a thousand words.  Really good pictures, that is.

Mine, well, sometimes I think they are not worth a hundred words.

For those of you who have not visited, Venice is a city like no other.  It is hard to capture that special feeling without actually spending time there. 

I was perusing the internet, as I often do, and found a photographer who has managed to capture the magic of Venice, through his lens.  Whether it be stunning night shots on the canals or a rarely captured shot of the Piazza San Marco, without a soul in sight, these photos will take you on a magical tour of Venice.

This site, called Earth Photography, also has great photos of Rome, Florence and a few others in Italy.  And if you are sucked in, like I was, you can visit other countries like France, Greece  and Morocco.

It's like eye-candy for travelers.

Enjoy!

Love Thursday : The Things We Do For Love

**Note, this was originally posted in August 2007, but I thought it would make a great edition to Love Thursday**

Before I left for my first trip to Paris, solo, I asked Chris if there was anything special he wanted me to bring back for him.  I was expecting a beret, a bottle of wine, cheese, or something chees-y like an Eiffel Tower t-shirt.  But non, he surprised me.  He wanted some pictures. And not just any pictures.

There is a famous picture by Brassai, called ' The Stairs'.  It is a truly lovely black and white photo and one of Chris's favorites.  So, his souvenir was for me to find and recreate this picture.  Uh, ok, no problem.  I didn't know a tiny souvenir would turn into a project.

 ~The things we do for love~

So, I sat at the computer and let my fingers do the walking.  After tons of web surfing...at last I found that the photo was taken in Montmartre.  Hmmm, ok, so I need to look for a large staircase in Montmartre.  Shouldn't be too hard.  Well, since Montmartre is on a hill, called the butte, there are stairs all over.  Back to the computer.  More research, more websites.  Finally, I narrow down my options, go to Google Maps and discover...' The Stairs ' is actually a staircase that runs alongside the funicular that takes you to Sacre Coeur.  The staircase is actually named...Rue Foyatier. Viola!

When in Paris, armed with the address and approximate location, I head to Sacre Coeur in Montmartre.  Mind you, this is several days into my trip and my tootsies have never done so much walking, hurt so bad, or seen so many ugly looking blisters...but off I go to find and climb a staircase.

  ~The things we do for love~

When I arrive at Sacre Coeur, I head to the left and there I see the funicular, which is like a giant tram that takes you from street level, to Sacre Coeur at the top of the hill. 

To the left of this, I see some stairs.  I move closer, and sure enough...the street sign says, Rue Foyatier!

At last...I am so excited!  Until I see how looooong the staircase is.  It seems to disappear in the clouds. And that motorized tram is looking mighty fine to my feet, that are on fire now.  But...I promised.

 ~ The things we do for love~

So I trudge up the stairs, turning back to look down at every landing to take a picture.  Part of the problem is that I don't know the exact angle or how far up or down the stairs the picture was taken from.  So, I just keep snapping, and snapping...from the left, from the right to get the best shot. 

The Brassai picture, has no people in the shot, which presents a problem.  It is really busy when I went.  Just when I have the best shot lined up, people are walking up or down.  It was very frustrating for me.  Needless to say..I took at least 50 shots, some with people, some without.  In total, I spent about 1 hour at ' The Stairs'.

  ~The things we do for love~

When I arrived home, we went through the photos.  Chris loved all the shots and chose the one he liked the best.  We blew it up to an 11 x 17 black and white and we can look at it often.  Though it will never be as good as the original Brassai, especially since the conditions were not the same, it does serve as a wonderful reminder of my first trip to Paris, a sign of accomplishment, and above all it represents..the things we do for love.

Happy Love Thursday everyone!!

Photos:  Around Rue Foyatier, Paris

NYC: Scenes From the Train

I thought I would share photos taken from the train ride on our way down to NYC.  The tracks hug the Hudson River the whole way down.

Bear Mountain bridge

Old box cars

Sailboats at the Peekskill station

A lighthouse near Croton-Harmon

Can you guess which bridge this is?

It's the Tappan Zee bridge, taking many commuters from New York to New Jersey.

And there it goes...

This is a cool drawbridge near Spuyten-Duyvil.  The actual span moves up and down.  You can see Columbia University to the right.

Coming into the Bronx

Near 125th Street station, right before we go underground headed for Grand Central Terminal.

If your tootsies hurt after walking in the city all day, I found this for you.

Join me on Monday to hear and see what we did in the big city.

 

Have a great weekend!!