Sicily is a beautiful clash of cultures. Perhaps unfairly memorialized by the infamous mafia activity in the 20th century, Sicily should bring to mind a rich, diverse culture influenced by many different empires.
Five Cats, Two Dogs, and a Donkey: A Sicilian Fairy Tale
What a fantasy to house sit in Sicily for a month. We couldn’t believe our luck - from the picturesque French Alps to postcard-worthy Sicily? Our month in Sicily did turn out to be a fairy tale, with all the twists and turns that those tales often provide.
From North to South: Traversing Italy
There was no mistaking the fact that we crossed the border from Switzerland to Italy. As we made our way to Florence, chalet-style houses immediately morphed into old Tuscan villas. We were racing through an Italian landscape painting, with each twist and turn offering glimpses into the lives of those who lived between the brush... Continue Reading →
Pompeii with Two Eyes
Pompeii is another one of those places you feel like you’ve always known about. Frozen in time, it’s an awe-inspiring window into the distant past that can make a few thousand years feel like a few minutes. Although our house sit obligation in Sicily was fast approaching, we planned a short stopover to see Pompeii... Continue Reading →
All Roads to Rome
It was only a matter of time before we ended up in Rome. All roads do lead there, after all.
Florence: Heart of a Renaissance
Ah, Florence! How to even describe you. The blooming heart of the Renaissance. Home to some of the greatest artworks of all time. Central base of the Medici political dynasty. Not to mention the dreamy vistas, mouthwatering gelato, and romantic Arno river. We’d finally made it to Bella Italia!
A Holiday (or Two) in the French Alps
Leaving the frigid city blocks of Oslo, it was time to head south and gain some altitude. We took a short plane journey over to Paris for the next leg of our trip. Unfortunately, we wouldn’t be spending anytime in my favorite city, as not long after our plane landed, we were on a high... Continue Reading →
Four days in Oslo
We had originally planned on spending a month in Norway. We wanted to explore the countryside, spend Christmas in the same area my mother’s ancestors are from, and get a real feel for the culture and traditions. However, we were offered a house sit in the French Alps for most of December into January, and... Continue Reading →
Iceland: Land of Fire and Ice
Iceland looks like it is part of a different planet. Depending on where you are on the island, you can see wildly different terrains. There are extensive lava fields, conical volcanoes, black sand beaches, towering basalt columns, endless flatlands, and creeping glaciers. These are just several examples within a few hours of Reykjavik, and the... Continue Reading →
Iceland: A Tale of Two Visits
I first went to Iceland in October of 2017. With WOW Air, Iceland’s budget airline, it’s amazingly affordable to get to Iceland, even it’s just for a long weekend. More and more tourists are flocking to Iceland, so many that tourism is one of Iceland’s top exports (alongside aluminum, in fact). Given how popular it... Continue Reading →