paula reynolds

Arrivederci to another Natale…and buongiorno to what might be the sweetest month of the year. February, of course – that month that is overwrought with red hearts, flowers, sentimental cards, and perhaps the star of the show: chocolate! Italy produces …

Cars, motorcycles, and busses whiz at breakneck speed on the modern roadway that encircles this ancient town. Commerce is healthy here, just as it seems to always have been. Eyes divert, though, to a sea of emerald grass, a solid …

Briny, tart, and surprisingly complex, the tiny Mediterranean caper has played a key role on dinner plates for several thousand years. Can you imagine Pasta Puttanesca or Caponata or Chicken Piccata – and don’t forget tartar sauce -without the pungent, …

It’s hard to find a place not to like in Tuscany, an Italian region rich in food, wine, culture, and picture-perfect landscapes. A region reminiscent of a mosaic, her small borgos and villages coalesce as elements of a stunning big …

There is no lack of fantastic statuary in Italy. Even in the smallest hamlets, you’re sure to find at least a statue or two honoring a local hero or momentous occasion. While most of Italy’s statues are duly admired by …

Many passionate love stories start out nice enough, but somewhere along the way jealousy, cultural clashes, or rejection enter the stage…and romance turns to tragedy. Romeo and Juliet, Samson and Delilah, Tony and (I just met a girl named) Maria, …

  “Italy isn’t Italy without donkeys.” – Princess Nicoletta Caracciola  Italy’s glories are numerous, and often they’re immortalized in kitschy miniatures easily packed and carted home by tourists. Models of the Coliseum, the David, Pisa’s tower, a gondola, a donkey…wait, what? …

Lake Como might well be one of the most spectacular areas of natural and manmade beauty in all of Italy, if not in all the world. Popular villages and towns such as Bellagio, Lecco, Menaggio, and Laglio attract the rich …

All it takes is nine balls, a flat surface, and two or more people to play. It’s second only to soccer in popularity in Italy…and around the world. Anyone of any age can play it.  We’re talking about bocce, that lawn bowling …

Far from the cacophony of day trippers, busy cafés, and shops selling everything-lemon lies an almost forgotten piece of Amalfi’s rich and fascinating history. A steady climb from sea level along Via San Lorenzo leads past Amalfi’s stunning Duomo, colorful …