Osteria La Zucca, Venezia

Osteria La Zucca, Venezia

I discovered this charming osteria at least 15 years ago and it has become my “go to place” whenever I’m in Venice. At the time my Italian was non-existent and I remember the owner going through virtually every item on the menu with me to explain the dishes. I was so impressed that he would take the time and have the patience to do that!

Check out Matteo’s favorite menu selections!

Trattoria Monti, Roma

I discovered this small, Roman trattoria, run by the Camerucci family, back in 2002 after reading positive reviews online. The food and the service were equally wonderful, and so on another trip over 6 months later, I returned. To my amazement, Enrico and Daniele, the brothers who serve as hosts and waiters welcomed me warmly and remembered me so clearly that I had to wonder whether they’d had any customers since my last visit! Fourteen years and countless visits later, the boys refer to me as their “red headed fratello” (brother), and the chef, Signora Camerucci leaves her station in the kitchen to greet me enthusiastically.

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Trattoria Monti, Roma
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Is This an Episode of “Star Trek” or a Night in Reykjavik, Iceland?

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In June of 2008 I realized another of my travel dreams by capping off a stay in Europe with a visit to a place I’d always longed to see: Iceland. I’d already seen Norway and Sweden, and while both were beautiful and offered many adventures, Iceland sounded more wild and more exotic. And given my fascination for volcanoes and hot springs, Iceland seemed to have the edge over its quieter Scandinavian neighbors to the east.

Continue reading “Is This an Episode of “Star Trek” or a Night in Reykjavik, Iceland?”

Summer Turns to Fall in New England

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Summer turns to fall…September and October 2016

Because I was on sabbatical from my university during Fall semester, I decided to go “home” to New England for a few weeks to enjoy the gradual arrival of autumn. I stayed in a rented property at Fogland Beach in Tiverton, RI and from this beautiful home base, wandered all of New England trying to capture it all in photos.

Take me to the gallery!