Category Archives: Art and Culture

OFF THE BEATEN TRACK IN TUSCANY

Pistoia: Gritty & Glorious Pistoia is an ancient and somewhat gritty walled city tucked between Florence and Lucca. It’s just far enough off the beaten track for locals to outnumber tourists, which is just about the right balance. We arrange … Continue reading

Posted in Art and Culture, Blues Festival, Italian Travel | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

Sunday, Sunday

I fly from Vermont to New York City in sleepy, pre-dawn country fog. Moo. Upon landing, I am wide-awake, delighted and ravenous. We start the day at Zucker’s with bagels and smoked fish. A few capers. We see an impromptu … Continue reading

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Montreal: Off the Beaten Track

How do you write about travel when you’re not traveling? We’re sequestered. Our wings are clipped. It’s a fallow period. But here are memories of some favorite places while we wait to continue our travels (we hope) later in 2021. … Continue reading

Posted in Art and Culture, East Coast Travel, Farm-to-Table, Festivals, Food and Wine, International, Jazz Festival, Montreal, Music, Off-the-beaten-track, Travel | Tagged , , | 3 Comments

Sicilian Valentine

How do you write about travel when you’re not traveling? We’re sequestered. Our wings are clipped. Definitely a fallow period. Here are a few memories of our favorite places until we continue our travels (we hope) later in 2021. Let’s … Continue reading

Posted in Art and Culture, Chocolate, Food and Wine, International, Italian Travel, Sicily, Travel | Tagged , | 3 Comments

“P” is for Paris

In this unsettled Time of Covid, I re-post this love letter to La Ville des Lumieres — the City of Light, Love and Art. Peonies Pompidou  Pâtisserie Petits Bibelots Pique–nique Pouting a la moue Ponctualité Protest! Pont des Arts @$#%& … Continue reading

Posted in Art and Culture, Food and Wine, French Travel, International, Paris, Travel | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

My Montecatini

Montecatini Terme is a happy Tuscan mix of art, culture, and legendary spa scene. Belle Époque is the graceful era between 1890 and 1914 when Montecatini developed its elegant spa-style. Art Nouveau bathhouses set in a verdant, landscaped parks offered … Continue reading

Posted in Art and Culture, Food and Wine, International, Italian Travel, Off-the-beaten-track, Opera, Theater, Travel, Tuscany | Tagged , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Florence: Fashion & Friendship

I arrive on a golden Tuscan morning, hire a car and check into centrally located Hotel Malaspina. The B&B’s cheerful staff, robust breakfasts, Wifi, rooftop terrace, cozy rooms and free valet parking (yes, I said free valet parking) make it … Continue reading

Posted in Art and Culture, Food and Wine, International, Italian Travel, Off-the-beaten-track, Travel, Tuscany | Tagged , , | 3 Comments

Art in Bloom: The Sequel

An exuberant spring festival at the Boston Museum of Fine Arts offers guided tours, workshops, and high tea. A little stodgy, a little corny, and very Boston, Art in Bloom inhabits a deeply old fashioned groove with garden clubs and … Continue reading

Posted in Art and Culture, East Coast Travel, Food and Wine | 1 Comment

Boston: Art in Bloom, Part 1

Spring Green As another endless winter slides into dreary mud season, I plan a Boston getaway in search of signs of spring. I begin my odyssey at the Museum of Fine Arts (MFA). First stop: Henri Matisse’s Geraniums.  Neil Welliver … Continue reading

Posted in Art and Culture, East Coast Travel, Food and Wine, Lobster, New England Travel, Theater, Travel | Tagged , , , , | 4 Comments

Born To Run

My pal theater boy somehow scores tickets to Bruce Springsteen on Broadway. Magic, sleight of hand and surprise are just a few of his many gifts. We arrive rumpled and in need of a recharge. It is not quite noon. … Continue reading

Posted in Art and Culture, Documentary Film, East Coast Travel, Food and Wine, New York City, Off-the-beaten-track, Theater, Travel | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments