Linda Bilodeau"s most recent book, The Wine Seekers takes place in Italy. These blogs are a summary of her research trip though this beautiful country.
How can one travel through Italy and not stop in Rome? We had decided to spend two days in this marvelous city and found we were shortchanged. Never go to Rome unless you have a week to spare, there is just far too much to do and see.
But only having a short time in Italy, fifteen days and many places to cover to do research for The Wine Seekers, we had to make our choices.First and foremost on our agenda was a trip to Vatican City.
Fortunately, our hotel was within walking distance and the weather was gorgeous so we hiked the three miles over there. What a treat!On our way, we ran into an excavation site. As often happens in this city throbbing with history, a construction site unearthed an underground ancient Roman Home.
On display for us were carved out rooms and a detailed explanation of what it might have looked like. The homes current inhabitants were cats! And we saw them in all colors, shapes and sizes lounging in the sun. As always, we found alley ways and little out of the way squares along the way. Rome like most European cities is built such that streets open into squares making walking an adventure into wonderland and driving (we dared not!) a nightmare.
We arrived at St. Peter's square to find it full of people and the lines unmanageably long. We decided to skip the guided tour and did one on our own. We found our way into St. Peter's Basillica after a short stint in one of the smallest lines. We saw the work of Michelangelo, the ceilings, the altars, the statues, all breathtakingly beautiful. We walked through chapels, and in and around altars, taking in information from our ear phoned tour.
If you're Catholic, this is ground zero and we felt fortunate to see the seat of our religious beliefs. But no matter what your religious beliefs are, you can't help but be awestruck by the reverent nature of this spectacular building.
Linda Bilodeauwww.lindabilodeau/.com
The Wine Seekers which takes place in Italy is avaialable at www.amazon.com
Friday, May 22, 2009
Saturday, May 16, 2009
An Italian Summer
It was about this time of year when I first toured Italy doing research for The Wine Seekers. Since opportunities to travel are few, I thought I'd share some of my best Italian experiences with you.
Our trip started in the exciting city of Milano (Milan) where we landed after an overnight flight from Miami. Milano bustles with activity at eight in the morning which is about the time we hit the streets looking for the train station. We had slept little on our flight but after an espresso, (Italian's start their day with a cup each morning, and you can find coffee bars almost every where) and some directions, we boarded a bus to take us over to Milano Centrale, one of the most beautiful train stations in Europe. Built in 1864 and refubished in 1931, it has no lack of exquisite features, and we didn't mind being lost in this fabulous place.
The train station does not feature any specific architectural style but is a blend of many different styles, which I took to be an omen of things to come. I hadn't come all this way to Italy for the expected and instead, wanted a trip that would send me into a different world. A world that I hoped I shared in The Wine Seekers.Italians are never in a hurry and they enjoy lingering over coffee, a pastry, browsing though shops or chatting with a friend. All possible in this lovely station which to me seemed designed to fit their culture and their life style. Getting to the correct train track didn't prove easy as the station is on multi levels.
We rode up and down escalators until dizzy than worried we'd miss our train, and finally stopped to ask a kind woman at a information station for directions. We were grateful to hear her tell us where to go in perfect English.
The Italian train system is not a high speed rail as it is in other European countries and we found it would be a long four hours before we reached Rome. Not concerned with the time, we sat back to enjoy a look at the beautiful countryside while enjoying some breakfast.
Best Linda Bilodeauwww.lindabilodeau.com - Enter An Italian Summer Romance Contest Today. The Wine Seekers is now available at www.lindabilodeau.com
Our trip started in the exciting city of Milano (Milan) where we landed after an overnight flight from Miami. Milano bustles with activity at eight in the morning which is about the time we hit the streets looking for the train station. We had slept little on our flight but after an espresso, (Italian's start their day with a cup each morning, and you can find coffee bars almost every where) and some directions, we boarded a bus to take us over to Milano Centrale, one of the most beautiful train stations in Europe. Built in 1864 and refubished in 1931, it has no lack of exquisite features, and we didn't mind being lost in this fabulous place.
The train station does not feature any specific architectural style but is a blend of many different styles, which I took to be an omen of things to come. I hadn't come all this way to Italy for the expected and instead, wanted a trip that would send me into a different world. A world that I hoped I shared in The Wine Seekers.Italians are never in a hurry and they enjoy lingering over coffee, a pastry, browsing though shops or chatting with a friend. All possible in this lovely station which to me seemed designed to fit their culture and their life style. Getting to the correct train track didn't prove easy as the station is on multi levels.
We rode up and down escalators until dizzy than worried we'd miss our train, and finally stopped to ask a kind woman at a information station for directions. We were grateful to hear her tell us where to go in perfect English.
The Italian train system is not a high speed rail as it is in other European countries and we found it would be a long four hours before we reached Rome. Not concerned with the time, we sat back to enjoy a look at the beautiful countryside while enjoying some breakfast.
Best Linda Bilodeauwww.lindabilodeau.com - Enter An Italian Summer Romance Contest Today. The Wine Seekers is now available at www.lindabilodeau.com
Monday, May 4, 2009
OH Those Wonderful Mothers
Mothers come in all shapes and sizes. Some are tiny, petite ladies who sip tea and love frilly pink scarfs. Others are tall, straightforward and basic blue. You always know where you stand with a basic mom, she isn't complicated, she doesn't keep you guessing.
Some mothers frown and scold, then when you least suspect, they pat your hand and tell you the world is a better place because you are part of it. There are those mothers who seem never to be without a warm plate of chocolate chip cookies and a tender word. They have big hearts and broad shoulders. They cry when you cry and laugh when you laugh.
Mothers are doctors, lawyers, plumbers, and teachers. There are stay at home moms, work from home moms and business owning moms.
Creative mothers can redorate the house and make it look like a magazine ad. Others cook coq au vin for fun or whip up a seven layer cake with no problem at all.
But no matter what your mother is or does she usually is there when you need her and that's the best kind of mother.
Best to you and Happy Mother's Day.
Linda Bilodeau
www.lindabilodeau.com
the Wine Seekers is now available on Amazon.com
Some mothers frown and scold, then when you least suspect, they pat your hand and tell you the world is a better place because you are part of it. There are those mothers who seem never to be without a warm plate of chocolate chip cookies and a tender word. They have big hearts and broad shoulders. They cry when you cry and laugh when you laugh.
Mothers are doctors, lawyers, plumbers, and teachers. There are stay at home moms, work from home moms and business owning moms.
Creative mothers can redorate the house and make it look like a magazine ad. Others cook coq au vin for fun or whip up a seven layer cake with no problem at all.
But no matter what your mother is or does she usually is there when you need her and that's the best kind of mother.
Best to you and Happy Mother's Day.
Linda Bilodeau
www.lindabilodeau.com
the Wine Seekers is now available on Amazon.com
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