Category Archives: Uncategorized

For years northern Europeans have vacationed in the glorious hill towns of Tuscany like Montopulciano, Arezzo, and San Gemi- gnano. Americans learned about this Italian secret when Francis Mayes rebuilt a Renaissance house in Cortona and wrote, “Under the Tuscan … Continue reading →

My comments on Angelina Jolie’s mastectomy decision published in the NY Times May, 2013. www.nytimes.com/2013/…/angelina-jolies-decision-more-perspectives.html Angelina Jolie’s Decision: More Perspectives Published: May 15, 2013 To the Editor: Connect With Us on Twitter For Op-Ed, follow @nytopinion and to hear from … Continue reading →

Driving in Spain is not a problem until we enter a town. Then I long for my bicycle since the car navigates tiny bike lanes between stone houses and hotels.  Driving in the open countryside is easier and landscapes there … Continue reading →

North of Madrid and Pau 5.13.11 Our adventures continue with Mark’s sister Florence and her husband Allen. Out of Madrid we drive en route to Segovia, a designated UNESCO World Heritage site. This hill town resembles a Tuscan village with … Continue reading →

Madrid, Capitale Extraordinaire Madrid is a grand bustling city where a café or restaurant seems to appear every other block. Each eatery is filled with customers regardless of the hour. This capitol city is designed for grazers like me. Madrid … Continue reading →

Onto Lisbon  … Spring 2011 We arrive at the Mallorca airport to wait for a postponed flight to Madrid and  Lisbon. Iberia Airlines is short on explanation and long on delays. This pattern continues in Madrid where our 2 PM … Continue reading →

Salvador – Last Days in Brazil  Nov.20-24 True confessions – the only reason we came to Salvador is because our travel agent has a pousada (inn) here. Is this like going to the pharmacy your doctor owns? Salvador has a … Continue reading →

Manaus – Gateway to the Amazon    Nov.15 – 19 Manaus is a crowded, noisy, port city with a population of 2 million. The narrow sidewalks need a major public works project and the streets are clogged with cars and buses. … Continue reading →

The Pantanal    Nov. 11- 15 This enormous area is an open grassland or savannah, slightly larger than France, and is known as the best place in all the Americas to spot exotic wildlife. Upon arrival in the Pantanal, we … Continue reading →