paula reynolds

If offerings of Italy’s best attributes enjoyed without the hustle-bustle fervor of too many crowds appeal to you, Le Marche may be just what the travel agent ordered. A diverse region encompassing about 3,700 square miles, Le Marche (or Marche) …

It almost seems like a distant memory. Plan a trip? No problem. Is that person smiling or scowling? Pretty obvious to me. Enough toilet paper on the grocery shelves? What kind of crazy question is that? And now – it …

Separated by a mere two miles of sparkling sea at its shortest distance, the island of Sicily sits off the toe of Italy’s “boot,” looking somewhat like a football readied for the punt.  Italian by association, yet distinct and unique …

There are those brands that rise above, morphing into a name that stands for an entire category of products. Kleenex, Chapstick, and Jacuzzi – all stand the test.  Whether it’s an innovative product or merely a great marketing scheme, when …

It’s not even up for debate. Italy is one of the grandest places on earth. Period. What then would we expect during the Christmas season in Italy but the best of ways to celebrate it!   One day? How about …

The bombs’ reverberating thunder blended into hellish harmony with the fighter planes ripping the skies above. Crashes, blasts, and clenched-fist fear were the almost daily accompaniment to the rumblings of her family’s empty stomachs. “I’d clutch Nonna Luisa’s skirts while …

If we were to find a good Cinderella story in the world of spirits (of the liquid sort), grappa might just be the one the slipper fits. Thought of for centuries as the poor man’s drink, the 20th century has …

Gucci. Even if the name doesn’t immediately conjure up images of iconic green and red wide stripe motifs on everything from watches to leggings to luggage, unquestionably the name is instantly recognized by most anyone tuned into high end fashion.  …

Even the most diehard self-professing Scrooges out there probably succumb to at least a few of the joyful traditions of the Christmas season. Whether it’s scrumptious baked goods or carols sung loudly or the odd family tradition that no one …

As soon as I boarded my flight home, I was scheming and plotting on how to return, how to get myself back to this enchanting land that had captured my heart. That first experience in Italy left an indelible mark …