paula reynolds

The day commenced like any other in the coastal Roman towns that hugged the Bay of Naples. Another hot August morning was underway as townspeople in Pompeii, Herculaneum, and other smaller communities began to gather in public places as they ate, …

There’s a plethora of articles out there on what not to do to avoid self-proclamation of “I’m a tourist!” when visiting Italy. Much of it is worthy advice…unless you prefer sticking out. However, many of these eye-openers for the stranieri …

No one comes to central Puglia in search of grandiose cathedrals, nor expects to find troves of precious art or opulent concert halls. Valle d’Itria, the Puglian region located right about where the heel begins, is instead a timeless land …

La Costiera Amalfitana. To borrow a few lines from a wonderful old song – “Say it loud and there’s music playing; say it soft and it’s almost like praying” – is befitting. Just the sound of the words hints at …

Marriage to the right person can really pay off. Companionship, a built-in cheerleader, a shoulder to cry on, someone to remind you where you left your glasses – all perks of saying “I do.” Marriage can pay off in other …

Whenever disaster strikes at home or abroad, the Red Cross springs into action. It’s a story many of us learn as school children: Clara Barton, nicknamed the Angel of the Battlefield because of her selfless medical service to Civil War soldiers, established the American …

The stunning Amalfi coastline might be one of Italy’s most recognized landscapes. A spectacularly clear sea laps at the shore of one picturesque town after the other, each a tumble of pastel buildings and majolica tiled church domes arranged like …

There’s an enduring love affair with Italian food amongst most Americans, Italian heritage or not. Recent rankings from food industry giants Technomic and US Foods back up the claim: Americans favor Italian, Mexican, and Chinese food – in that order …

Narni – Is this Umbrian town the real inspiration for The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe?  Long before we’d ever heard about Harry what’s-his-name, lovers of fantasy adventure have been whisked away to magical lands through C.S. Lewis’ The Lion, the …

Ensconced on a rocky base at the foothills of the Apennines, a strikingly peculiar castle rises over the Emilia-Romagna countryside. You won’t find the usual architectural suspects adorning this eclectic castle, but instead an array of gilded onion domes, spindly …