About the time we headed to Germany, our attentions were often diverted to news of a storm brewing in the Gulf. It’s no longer news that Hurricane Helene became a monster and even though the eye of the storm was far west of us and landfall far north, she delivered a punch to Sarasota, specifically, Read more

We have now had one full day in Munich and managed a JK-guided walking tour of the Old City, including timely arrival at the glockenspiel in Marienplatz. On arrival Monday evening, we headed for the Hofbrau Haus where we enjoyed German pretzels, roast chicken, pork knuckle, and sausages. And don’t forget, beer!! Yesterday after the Read more

Travel day on our own. The NY Perillo group has departed for home. We are currently passing through Austria. The train ride to Munich is 6 hours from Bologna- I’m not sure that there was full disclosure of this fact. I do remember rejecting the overnight trip in favor of being able to see the Read more

I’ve fallen a little behind on my blogging, mainly because we have been on the move. We had a travel day on Friday, from Rome to Figline which is south of Florence in Tuscany. This trip was marked by a few issues of poor planning ( my opinion). We are travelling by bus which left Read more

In a previous post, I mentioned that BW is not a “go to” brand for me. In all fairness, it hasn’t been terrible. We are on the 1st floor which would be the second in the U.S.- here the ground floor is zero. The stairs are very usable so no need for me to go Read more

September 17, 2024 Vatican City, Sistine Chapel, Roman Forum and Colosseum This day was packed with sightseeing and crowds and rain, ticket confusion at the Vatican and, well, trying to keep track of my husband. Imagine this. Shoulder to shoulder crowds in the Vatican Museum inching our way forward for a precious few minutes in Read more

We left coastal Italy behind and are travelling back north to Rome where we will be 4 nights at the Best Western!! This chain is not on my go to list in the U.S., but I’m keeping an open mind. My travel agent (aka husband) assured me it’s a luxury brand in Europe. Are you Read more

We have had a whirlwind couple of days here on Italy’s western coast. Our hotel in Castellammare di Stabia was pretty nice – our room looked out on the Mediterranean Sea and Mt Vesuvius. The food at the hotel was good with a welcome dinner night one and then 2 nights on our own which Read more

Here are some things. The Istanbul Airport is like a shopping mall. Pictures below. But I didn’t buy anything. On a schedule, you know. Let’s not spread this too widely, but I have now showered in airport lounges in Amsterdam, Amman, Paris and Istanbul. This one was the nicest. The Rome airport is not like Read more

Terminal 5 at O’Hare is eerily calm today; the security process was civilized and efficient. The agent at Turkish airlines was friendly and helpful (our Mileage Plus #s were not showing up she told us and she fixed it). Nice. Clearly a day to pack the chips on our shoulders in the checked bags. Don’t Read more