How to Spend a Weekend in Charlottesville, Virginia

How to Spend a Weekend in Charlottesville, Virginia

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Charlottesville may be a college town, but it is much more than a destination for the University of Virginia. There are several US presidential estates in the area, most famously Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello Estate, but not only. Charlottesville is nestled in some of the greenest areas of Virginia, offering many opportunities for hiking and outdoor exploration. And the reason I keep coming back again and again? All of the delicious food and wine all nestled into a small, beautiful area….

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Hidden Gem: The Tile Museum in Palermo, Sicily

Hidden Gem: The Tile Museum in Palermo, Sicily

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“I’m sorry, we’re not doing any tours today.” As a visitor intent on seeing a particular sight, this can be one of the most disconcerting messages you hear in your travels. But of course it is one that comes up every now and again, and is simply part of the whole travel experience, which does not always work out perfectly. Visiting the Palermo Tile Museum was a complete fluke. My friend Isabel and I left it until the last day…

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Fun Facts: Things to Know about Belize Before You Visit

Fun Facts: Things to Know about Belize Before You Visit

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Usually I’m a planner. I learn about a new city or an event happening in a country I’ve never been, and add it to my Bucket List for a future visit. In the case of Belize, I had overlooked it during my Solo Trip to Mexico in 2009 since it was a bit outside of my backpacker budget to do a quick trip there and back from the Yucatan. And I hadn’t really thought about it much since then until…

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What It’s Like to Attend an NFL Game in London

What It’s Like to Attend an NFL Game in London

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The American National Football League (NFL) has been playing games in London for nearly a decade. As a huge football fan, I have been tracking which teams and dates have been selected since moving to Italy in the fall of 2013, and was very excited a year ago when the New York Giants – my home team – was selected to play one of the games this season. The NFL games in London are not like international competitions or exhibitions,…

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How to Make the Most of Visiting an Italian Truffle Festival

How to Make the Most of Visiting an Italian Truffle Festival

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After my first year living in Italy, I realized that I had already been to 3 different truffle festivals in 3 different regions: Alba, Acqualagna, and Norcia. Okay, so I really enjoy truffles and was very fortunate to have the opportunity to visit so many festivals dedicated to them. But I was also surprised to realize how many weeks (or at least weekends) these festivals last, and how many seasons boast truffle festivals, giving you several opportunities to plan a…

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3 Places Worth Visiting within a 2-hour drive of Oktoberfest in Munich

3 Places Worth Visiting within a 2-hour drive of Oktoberfest in Munich

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Oktoberfest in Munich is a blast and has so many surprises in store, but after a few days of drinking beer and carousing, you’re probably ready for a change of scenery. Munich’s downtown area is great to explore, but that can easily be done in a morning or two before heading to the Oktoberfest tents. If you’re looking to get out into Bavaria, see some lovely landscapes, or hunt down particular tourist attractions, there are a number of great options…

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13 Things I Didn’t Know about Oktoberfest (until I went)

13 Things I Didn’t Know about Oktoberfest (until I went)

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But Lana, you say, it’s only September. Why write about Oktoberfest now? Well, actually that brings me right into my list of what I *didn’t* know about Oktoberfest until I went: Oktoberfest is so named because it *ends* in October. It starts in mid-September.More precisely, Oktoberfest runs for 16 days ending on the first Sunday in October, so some years there are very few days in the month of October that are part of the festivities. Some years – like…

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Best Bites: Where to Eat in Rome

Best Bites: Where to Eat in Rome

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Rome is a feast for the senses. The iconic sights, the sounds of the city, and the feel of the cobblestone under your feet as you stroll. And yes, of course, all of that delicious food. You might sense a great restaurant first by the enticing aroma wafting toward you as you happen past. Or perhaps spying that gelateria with a line snaking out the door on a weekday afternoon. Although I did a fair bit of planning before all…

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10 Things to Know About Kangaroos Before You Visit Australia

10 Things to Know About Kangaroos Before You Visit Australia

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I’m an educated person. I took biology in both high school and college, lots of it. So how is it that when I moved to Australia 5 years ago, I was so woefully ignorant about that beloved creature and national symbol, the kangaroo? If you’re planning to visit Australia – or even if you just like kangaroos or enjoy some fun trivia – there are all sorts of things you’ll want to know about kangaroos (and probably have never heard…

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An Encounter in Rome: Tales from the Road

An Encounter in Rome: Tales from the Road

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“OK, I’ll go around the block, and if I don’t find somewhere else, I’ll come back here.” This might sound like part of a conversation, but this was just me negotiating with myself, with the convincing voice in my head making a mental deal to only look just a little bit further to find a place to eat lunch. On this brisk day last fall, I was walking around by the Pantheon in Rome, Italy. It’s a pretty popular part…

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