Our review of Go Ahead Tour's Puglia and Southern Italy itinerary This was our second trip in less than a year with Go Ahead Tours and we thoroughly enjoyed each trip (last year's was to Croatia and Slovenia). The vast majority of the travel we have done over the years has been independent - we've planned it all, arranged our own transportation and figured out … [Read more...]
Matera – European Capital of Culture for 2019
Matera was the best surprise of our trip to Puglia and Southern Italy with Go Ahead Tours. How had two such amazingly well-informed (and stunningly attractive) travelers as ourselves never heard of this place? We still don’t know the answer to that but want you to know about it because it’s interesting on several levels (in retrospect you will see that that is a pun). Matera’s … [Read more...]
Why travel to Puglia and Southern Italy?
To us the question was “why not”? We have each been to Italy quite a few times but as Puglia gained traction as a destination for travelers our curiosity grew and we began to plot a trip to the region. When Go Ahead Tours offered to host us on their Puglia and Southern Italy tour we accepted with unseemly alacrity. So why did we want to go there? The beautiful coastline … [Read more...]
Places We’ve Loved: Genoa
When Blonde and Brunette planned our trip to the Cinque Terre and the Italian Riviera we scheduled a stopover in Genoa. We expected Genoa to be exactly that - a stopover, not a destination. As is our habit we bumbled into town in a small car strewn about with our possessions hoping we would be able to find the Hotel Bristol Palace where we had reservations. As we were arriving … [Read more...]
Getting the boot in Sicily
[slideshow]On our first bold automotive foray into Sicily B&B drove from Catania to Taormina. We didn't drive straight there; that's for amateurs and we are experienced travelers. Instead, we left the car rental lot, executed a complex multi-lane U-turn and launched ourselves onto a highway leading in the exact opposite direction of Taormina. As is our custom, it took a … [Read more...]
The role of the “Poopa” in protectioning babies in Ortigia
[slideshow]On B&B's trip to Sicily each day brought danger, humor, drama and stupidity - and that was just us. The day we somehow bumbled our way to Siracusa we went to the historic island of Ortigia and added a new cast member to our daily drama. The sky was looking as angry Hedwig when he first saw his inch. So, bringing to life our motto, "what could possibly go wrong" … [Read more...]
If you plan to use the restrooms in Tuscany, first learn to milk a goat’s teat
[slideshow]On Blonde and Brunette's first foray to Tuscany we anticipated rolling hills, taste bud titillating food, ancient walled cities, abundant fine wines and way too many cathedrals and churches. However, B&B did not anticipate the many challenges that would be presented in successfully maneuvering bathrooms. Two women who giggle constantly, drink a lot of water and … [Read more...]
Weekly Photo Challenge: Wrong
A Blonde, A Brunette and Burano
[slideshow]After 10 days in beautiful Croatia having our usual gigglefest, we took a ferry from Rovinj to Venice. Blonde had been to Venice for a day in the 1800's and Brunette had never been so we were really looking forward to it. (Blonde is passionately anti-pigeon and wanted to try to kick them in St. Mark's Square. However, and don't tell the Catholic Church or Tea Party … [Read more...]
Fabio? Butter would have been better.
On the first day of a trip to Sicily Blonde and Brunette were favoring the Sheraton Catania with their SPG points and presence. B&B had gotten a jet lagged late start to the day so had modest sightseeing goals. So modest that they consisted solely of having a tour of Catania via a convertible driven by a local guide. When learning that the tour guide's name was Fabio, the … [Read more...]