April 13 We have a routine we follow when we bring our clients to Venice. Since driving right up to the front door of the hotel is obviously out of the question, those who arrive by car to this watery city have only a few choices to get to their hotel. They can walk (pity […]
What is a Super Tuscan Wine?
April 13 We recently discovered a new wine cellar in the heart of Montepulciano where our clients were able to purchase bottles of Super Tuscan wine to take home to North America. This is an ultra-special treat, and not for the casual wine drinker. One has to truly love and respect wine to invest in […]
Prettiest Farm in Tuscany?
April 12 It’s always a treat to show our guests a certain postcard displayed in the stores of Pienza or Montepulciano or any of the other small towns located in or around the Val d’Orca, Tuscany. There’s this picture-perfect little farm which sits on the top of a hill, complete with a tiny chapel which […]
Nearly getting arrested at St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome
April 12 Travelers know that major tourist sites have a lack of available toilets, especially for women, who seem to always have to stand in a very, very long line in order to use the scarce facilities. So it was at St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome recently, when my guest had to go and the […]
The Roman Forum
April 2 (From Wikipedia with photos by European Focus) The Roman Forum (Latin: Forum Romanum, Italian: Foro Romano) is a rectangular forum (plaza) surrounded by the ruins of several important ancient government buildings at the center of the city of Rome. Citizens of the ancient city referred to this space, originally a marketplace, as the […]
Rome The Eternal City
April 1 Our current guests Rick and Linda Skauge from Calgary enjoy their first full day of seeing the sights and experiencing Rome at their own pace during their European Focus tour. Follow along as we travel from Rome to Umbria and on to Tuscany and finally, Venice.
There’s no traffic in Rome these days
March 31 With fuel prices at an astounding $9 per gallon for unleaded, slightly less for diesel, the Romans are leaving their cars parked and taking public transportation. What used to be a white knuckle drive into the heart of Rome from the airport is now a breeze, with very few vehicles on the road […]
Ready to Roll in 2012
March 26 Our Volkswagen van is ready for adventures. Coming up, Jim’s long drive to Rome to pick up two clients for their 9-day tour in Rome, Umbria, Tuscany and Venice. After that, a trip with clients starting in Berlin and ending in Vienna.