PGA Verano Travel Round Table

10/17/2024

A bit of catch up - a few from our photo shoot. My grandson it was his second favorite thing we did. Making perfume was number one and I think rowing was number three.

10/17/2024

The rinse cycle? It is pouring rain with an orange alert for flash flooding today in Genoa. I managed to get to the aquarium, out stay the first round of storms, get to the metro between bands and to my hotel with my shoes and socks still dry. Now that is excellent planning (or good old fashioned luck)!

10/08/2024

The essentials have been purchased from the grocery store and the ice was made while I was out for dinner. Now the only thing left for me to do this evening is to sit back and relax.

It is still out for bets if I actually deserve this life but for now I am just going to love it and enjoy it.

I can't wait for Daniela Arena Nystrom and my grandson to join me in a couple days!

A reminder to everyone not to take anything for granted and just grab what you can when you can!

10/07/2024

The only thing I said "no" to was espresso....

10/06/2024

All that is left is a caffe. This is in our itinerary for those joining me on our Experiencing Italy 2025 adventure.

10/03/2024

OK. Here was the full meal tonight. I could not finish it. Such a waste and a shame. Aperitivo, the best steak tartare I have ever had (and that was a tall building to leap), Milanese risotto with osso bucco ragu and a glass of house wine. Experiencing Italy 2025 welcome includes an aperitivo (which includes a cocktail - can be non-alcoholic and that beautiful finger food) and either a first or a second course.

The restaurant is on the second floor of the Galeria of Milano.

10/02/2024

This morning my walk was late. Two miles in Concourse C. It was also shorter than normal becauseIwas getting dizzy. You know PBI and it is a small Concourse. After the 1st mile I was getting looks. Normally I will walk with my hands up at least part of the time to elevate my heart rate. Imagine how I could elevate the heart rate of security?! Yeah, I think I would rather get to Italy. 🤣

09/29/2024

I am finalizing my plans for my trip (I leave in a couple days) and I checked the google maps for one of the restaurants in Venice I plan to visit. Upon review, I think I have already been to Al Timon. I think it was one of the places we stopped last year when we were on the Cicchetti Row with Row Venice.

Recognized for it's lively and local vibe.

Making sure it will be a stop on the Experiencing Italy 2025 Tour!

09/14/2024

I don't know if this an actual quote from Anthony but it could be. You can not accept everything you read on the internet as authentic, real or true. But since this sums up my feelings of traveling solo and living my best life, it is well worth a share.

Become a spontaneous person if you are not. Step outside your comfort zone. Be more open to others who you disagree with but have a conversation. Learn patience and practice it. Smile just because it is the best thing you can share with a total stranger at every turn.

Things could get ugly but you don't have to be apart of that.

So without further ado....

"Eat at a local restaurant tonight. Get the cream sauce. Have a cold pint at 4 o’clock in a mostly empty bar. Go somewhere you’ve never been. Listen to someone you think may have nothing in common with you.

Order the steak rare. Eat an oyster. Have a negroni. Have two. Be open to a world where you may not understand or agree with the person next to you, but have a drink with them anyways.

Eat slowly. Tip your server. Check in on your friends. Check in on yourself. Enjoy the ride."

Anthony Bourdain

05/20/2024

My most important reservation has been made. (Well, after the plane tickets of course). I have plenty of time to choose my cocktails and food.

Discover the bar Camparino in Galleria, the symbol of the aperitivo in Milan, with its eternal mix of tradition and innovation. Visit our website.

05/18/2024

I want to thank everyone who came today for our meeting. We got some great ideas for travel that came out of everyone's homework. Great job! Thank you for your enthusiasm!

In a very quick summary, Peggy and Charlie are working on putting together a trip that includes the Grand Canyon, a train and Las Vegas.

As a group we are looking at a trip to Italy in October of 2025 that will include some off the beaten path adventures, a couple of the "Italian Must See" spots and food.

Peggy also volunteered to do some research on Florence and Donna is checking out what to do in Venice.

We are also going to try to organize a 3 to 5 day cruise between now and the end of October. Maybe even get a cruise line or a tour operator to come in to talk to us.

We have an email address to share information and ask for help - because not everyone uses FaceBook.

[email protected]

03/29/2024

Traveling to Moscow with a Gentleman and a mule.

03/24/2024

Where I am staying in Venice in October! Right on the Grand Canal. Maybe not my favorite location but I think it will be convenient for advanced exploring.

02/21/2024

I am not a big fan of Rome because it is such a big city with so many people and so much traffic, however after having done the required stuff during my previous visits to the city, here is a suggestion of another place that I missed and if you are going, please don't overlook.

Ok, I get it. A church is not exactly “unexpected” in Rome. However, Santa Maria deli Angeli e dei Martiri is not your average Roman church. Sure it has vaulted ceilings, gorgeous frescoes and adorned domes. But the Basilica of St. Mary of the Angels and of the Martyrs was designed by Michelange...

02/15/2024

I love local celebrations and festivals. It is a super way to enjoy a new place, or in the case of Venice, a favorite place. When I start thinking about where I might go, this is where I start. With a search of festivals.

In Venice, notable festivals include:
Pentecost: a regatta (June 8, 2025)
Feast of Ascension: a parade of boats and mass (June 1, 2025)
Patron saint day: Festa di San Marco - more regattas and races (April 25-26 every year)
Festa della Salute: with a temporary votive bridge is set up across the Grand Canal (Nov 21 every year)

According to AFAR "The 10 Best Places to Visit in April"

"1. Venice, Italy

April is great for: seeing the city celebrating itself

San Marco is more than just the name of Venice’s most famous square and church; it’s the name of the patron saint of the city. San Marco’s feast day, April 25, is also a local public holiday. There will be a boat race between the gondoliers who compete while still punting passengers, and a regatta that runs between the island of Sant’Elena and the Punta della Dogana—for the best views, perch along the Viale Giardini Pubblici.

The festivities don’t end there. On that same April day, Venetians commemorate the tragic love story of Tancredi and the doge’s daughter, as charted in Rossini’s opera. Couples of all sorts exchange bocolo, or a red rosebud—even local children who gift one to their mother."

I am going to build a trip to Venice (and somewhere else) for April 2025 or maybe one of the other festivals if preferred. Who is coming with me? Brittany Mitchell Ariel Karlebach ?

02/09/2024

Next trip to Miami MUST include Julia & Henry's. ...time to start planning I guess.

01/24/2024

just in case you want to join us .....

01/16/2024

Fusterland was inspired by Gaudi. Tourism is what is Cuba's best paying industry. Right now is high season but the tourists are not back since COVID.

01/14/2024

A bit of Havana.

01/13/2024

Pretty easy to tell which line to wait in.

12/24/2023

Becky and I are working on an experience packed off the beaten path trip. This will be a small group, we can only invite 10 to join us. Included will be lots of good food, local wines, boats, donkeys, cable cars, trains and much more. Fancy a small village stay in Tuscany and cooking classes? How about a local festival in Piedmont including Medieval reenactments? Tasting menus with wine pairings? And so many more fun things.

10/28/2023

These folks have so many great virtual tours!

https://www.facebook.com/italytours2022?mibextid=9R9pXO

10/02/2023

Reflecting Murano with miniatures in glass.