After being active in London for several days, we took a short flight to Stuttgart, rented a car, and drove for 1 hour to Baden-Baden. We checked into the Aqua Aurelia Hotel for 4 nights. We selected this hotel because it is directly connected to Caracalla Therme. The Caracalla Spa (Caracalla Therme) is a welcoming, … Continue reading Baden Baden →

We arrived in London in the afternoon and settled into the contemporary hotel Middle Eight in the Covent Garden neighborhood for three nights. The hotel lacked any English charm, but the rooms were much bigger than usual in central London. The location was excellent and that was very important to us. It was not our … Continue reading London →

After a long break (3 months), we are on the road again. Even though we told ourselves it was time to stop skiing, we decided to keep going. Since none of our friends ski anymore, we planned to go just the two of us. Then we got a call from our daughter Danielle, suggesting that … Continue reading Skiing in Megeve with a touch of Paris →

We arrived in Turin late afternoon and checked into the central Palazzo Bellezia for three nights. We strolled around the town, and our first encounter was with a pro-Palestinian demonstration. We got upset, and it spoiled our first impression of the city. We went directly to the restaurant for dinner. Stefano Fanti Al Ristorante Il … Continue reading Turin and Langhe →

We arrived at our final destination, Tropea, late afternoon, and checked into Villa Paola, a small luxury complex renovated from an old convent, for five nights. The structure dates to 1543. Legend says St.Francis of Paola asked Tropea's noble families to build a convent and church for his friars in this magical place on his … Continue reading Calabria, Part 2 →

I’m was not aware of anyone who has visited Calabria, so all my knowledge about it came from the internet. After a short flight from Milan, we arrived in Reggio Calabria, the regional capital. As we drove from the airport, the surrounding area appeared quite dilapidated, causing us a bit of apprehension. I was aware … Continue reading Calabria, Part 1 →

We arrived in Paris from Munich quite late, rented a car, and drove to Deauville, where we arrived by midnight. We checked into the l'Hôtel Barrière Le Royal for six nights. Known as the "Prince of Deauville” and a firm favorite with Hollywood stars and polo players alike, this five-star hotel is part of Deauville’s … Continue reading Summer 2025, Part 4, Normandy →

We flew from Zadar to Munich and met our friends Gregory and Anna and drove to our next destination, Rosewood Schloss Fuschl. This fairytale castle hotel graces the banks of Lake Fuschl. Originally built as a hunting lodge in 1461, the hotel has a rich history as a site for royal gatherings and legendary hunts … Continue reading Summer 2025, Part 2, Austrian Lakes →

We planned this get-together with our friends from Russia a year in advance. We chartered the same boat as a few years ago, and before we knew it, the year flew by. Last time we sailed the Dalmatian Coast from Dubrovnik to Split. This time we planned to sail the Istrian Peninsula starting in Pula. … Continue reading Summer 2025, Gourmet Boat Cruise in Croatia →

This will be a month-long trip so I will divide it into segments. We arrived in Paris early in the morning, took a train to the city, and checked into L'Hotel for three nights. The hotel is situated on the left bank of the Seine, across from the Louvre. After a refreshing shower in the … Continue reading Summer 2025, Part 1, Paris →

Our first stop in Umbria was Orvieto. Orvieto, one of the most enchanting cities in the Umbria region, has over three thousand years of history that never ceases to be discovered.  The Cathedral, a symbol of the city, is a jewel of Romanesque-Gothic architecture. Among the main features are the splendid golden mosaics that illuminate the facade, and … Continue reading Umbria with a touch of Lazio, Part 4 →

We drove to Perugia, the capital of Umbria. It is a renowned city of the arts and home to one of the oldest universities. Built as a fortified medieval hilltop village, it is surrounded by a formidable city wall. Perugia features excellent museums, stunning views, and Baci chocolate. Each city has its beating heart, and … Continue reading Tuscany and Umbria, Part 3 →

We left Portovenere in the morning. Our drive was for three hours with few stops. Our first stop was the lovely medieval town of Pietrasanta. What makes Pietrasanta unique is its lively artistic and artisanal tradition. Nicknamed "the little Athens of Versilia," it hosts numerous craftsmen's workshops and laboratories where Serena stone is worked. The center literally teems with sculpture … Continue reading Tuscany Part 2 →

We arrived to Florence late at night and checked into River Hotel and Spa for two nights. We had only one full day in Florence, as we used the city as a starting point for our other destinations. I decided to have a Medici Tour of the city with the help of the excellent guide … Continue reading Tuscany and Liguria, Part 1 →