Given that I’ve quit my job and am in the process of moving to Europe, “I did it” could apply to a number of items. At the moment, it refers to shaving my head. I’ve always wanted to do it and I figured with at least a couple months of hiding out in [...]
My overall impression of Berlin was that it was very similar to San Francisco: cosmopolitan, very diverse and good food. However, it was quite different in that people obey rules. Every rule. If there isn’t a car in either direction for 500 yards but the crosswalk light doesn’t show the little green [...]
I’ve heard so many great things about Prague and forced my brother and father to add it to our itinerary. The Czech Republic is in the process of becoming part of the European Union but my travel agent (Rose Wylie, Travel 100 Group, 847.256.2108 x163) wisely advised us to make sure our rental car [...]
We arrived in Dresden via our lovely navigation guide and came across an old fortress like building surrounded by a half-empty moat. We decided to stop and head inside to look around as it was coming close to sunset and looked interesting inside. The combination of dark clouds and setting sun [...]
I’m a BMW brand loyalist and I love beer so I was excited about visiting the Bavarian capital of Germany in Munich. The weather was a bit gray during our stay but we only pulled out our umbrellas once or twice in the three days we were there. It’s not easily recognizable but [...]
Arbeit Macht FreiThe entrance to Dachau is guarded by a saying, “work shall make you free” The almost park-like setting with tourists wandering all over doesn’t belie the horrific nature this property once served. Although not an Auschwitz, Dachau was an extremely efficient exterminator. Tens of thousands of soviet soldiers, political dissidents [...]
Innsbruck was our stopping point between our mid-day departure in Berlin and our next destination of Brescia in northern Italy on the shores Lago di Garda. Driving through the Alps was incredibly beautiful; the mixture of rugged, steep mountainside and dark green mountain plateaus was breathtaking. Houses and castles were mixed among the [...]
Our next destination was our Italian origins near Lago di Garda. This is the village where Ghidinellis come from, quite literally. I was a little bit apprehensive about this part of the trip because it’s something that my father particularly wanted to do (although he has done it once before with his parents [...]
What can you really say about Florence? It is a center of art, history and culture and stands as one of the most beautiful and famous cities in the world. The fact that it sits squarely in Tuscany means it has amazing food to boot. Oh, and Michelangelo’s statue of David [...]
For the Florence to Rome leg of our tour, we decided to take the scenic route and forego the autobahn in favor of the coastal highway. This gave us a chance to drive through Pisa and see the famous leaning tower (there’s no way to go there and not take a picture like the [...]
Gelato includes egg making it creamier than ice cream. San Crispino Gelateria, near the Trevi Fountain at Via della Panetteria 42, is reputed to be the best
Honestly, I don’t know. After trying the crème (caramel) gelato tonight at the place that the NY Times and other regarded sources deemed the best gelati (don’t [...]
Me? I went back to bed.
At 7:15 this morning I dragged myself out of bed to help my brother and father carry their bags downstairs and pack into a shuttle to Aeroperto Fiumcino. Today was their last day in Europe and now they’re headed back to their respective homes. Me? I [...]
As expected, tonight did not disappoint. Patrick brought me along for a “blind date”; he was meeting some friends of a colleague he had not met before. Four girls in their early 30s and Patrick all speaking Italian, mixed with the occasional word of English. I really need to learn this language. [...]
Yesterday, Patrick and I went to a friend’s house in the suburbs where they have a pool for a little swimming. The house was interesting because it was quite large and very nice. The neighbors next door had a Mercedes and an Audi so it was a wealthy area but was located adjacent [...]
The wonderful deal I found for my ROM-MAD flight on Wednesday for 88€ unfortunately has some pretty wonderful baggage limitations as well. No more than 20kg total in weight. My bags total probably 50kg – the computer gear box alone weighs about 25kg.
Luckily, the Air Europa office is just up the street on [...]
A couple of days of warm but beautiful weather in Rome have passed. I “took the day off” yesterday and lounged around mostly to recover from a long weekend as well as give my left foot a rest. Since Bay to Breakers 2003 it has been an injury that won’t fully heal. [...]
I landed in Madrid Wednesday afternoon and with my three bags in tow, had a very adventurous time navigating the metro. My arms were so sore yesterday morning from the carrying of some 60kg/125lbs of luggage up and down various flights of stairs and in and out of trains. In San Francisco, the [...]
The Internet redeemed itself today. I posted yesterday on an expat website in Madrid looking for someone to go to with to the bullfights tonight at Las Ventas. A girl named Lena replied this afternoon and after a short IM conversation we set a time to meet and grab some food. I [...]