If you’re planning a trip to see Italy’s small towns, read Frances Mayes book, See You in the Piazza, first. It’s a detailed diary of an 18-month trip through the back roads of Italy.

Two car rental surprises in one week: A wake-up call at a Florida Hertz counter, and an unexpected and difficult-to-pay Portugal parking ticket 19 months after the date.

Renting a car in Italy can be a dream or a nightmare. Use our tips to make hiring a car in Italy as easy and inexpensive as possible. Have fun, save money, enjoy the food and wine!

Every time you exchange currencies, you pay fees. Use our tips to minimize those fees and save. Also the right credit cards can save you 2.5% on all foreign purchases.

I had eleven days in Venice, with just one priority – photography. The weather was ideal, and January was the perfect time to avoid crowds. Here are tips for your next Venice trip…

Venice is a photographer’s paradise. A solo trip to this enchanted city just to take pictures should be a dream come true. But, can I meet my expectations and get the shots?

We had planned to go to Cinque Terre. We stayed in Portovenere where the boats leave for the famous five towns. But we didn’t go. What happened?

Monticchiello is an Italian medieval hilltop town, population 200, few tourists, and at least two good restaurants. But we learned its deeper stories after we left.