Broken Promises

It's been nearly five months since I last blogged...not quite weekly but then, no one reads this blog any way. Or at least if they do, no one comments...

The latest on travel to Italy...living in Italy and what's happening in Italy...

The euro is rising again...air fares are still down at least until the middle of March. I just checked September and found a fare at $886 RT per person...a Hotwire special...

We hope to travel in September and so tickets must be secured no later than July 15th. It seems that the best fares are available about 60 days prior to travel. Other arrangements can wait and many can be made after arrival. Most out of the way hotels have rooms on a few days notice after the first of September but it is best to make reservations well in advance for the major tourist attractions. For example, in 2006 we called (in July) for reservations (in October) to view The Last Supper painting in Milan and although there were times available, they were sparse. (As I recall only 15 persons are allowed in at a time, humidity and other preservation issues).

The weather in Italy is great right through November and with the exception of possible flooding in Venice after the end of September, most of central and southern Italy (especially Rome) has moderate temps all winter long, although not guaranteed.

Check out the southern Adriatic coast, Puglia, it is definitely a new in place to vacation. Some say it is the new Tuscany? Great food and wine and more affordable than the areas north of Naples. The architectural influence in the south is much different from the central and north...far less Baroque, Renaissance and Romanesque and more of the influence of ancient Greece and N. Africa.

Fish is the food of the south and pasta, of course...as opposed to Tuscany where beef and meats in general are king. Lots of grilled foods in Tuscany and Umbria...with great hams (prosciutto, parma ham) and bacon(pancetta)and sausages.

Stay tuned for more later...