Dec 17, 2011

Book Review: (Not-for-Parents) ROME

Lonely Planet's New Series for Kids Rocks

By Lisa T. Bergren 

I adore graphics-rich guide books for adults. Lots of pictures, lots of quick, intriguing info in bite-sized pieces. And I’m an adult.

I also love books about foreign places for kids. As a traveling mom, I’m constantly on the lookout for ways to get my children thinking about where we’re going—before, during and after we’re there. They get so much more out of our travels when I’m successful on this front. Continue reading

Nov 11, 2011

Tivoli’s Fountains

Context Tour, Part 2: Villa d' Este

By Lisa T. Bergren

After our visit to Hadrian’s Villa (Villa Adriana), we moved up the hill to the Renaissance estate inspired by the crumbling remains, Villa d’ Este. Here, Cardinal Ippolito d’ Este built one of the finest 16^th century villas and gardens ever created, on the site of a Roman villa and beside a Benedictine monastery. It was—and still is—so awe-inspiring, that many European gardens were modeled after it. Continue reading

Nov 7, 2011

Gelato Crawl

The Best (?) Gelaterie in Rome

By Lisa T. Bergren

Looking for the best gelato in Rome? Ask anyone who’s been to the city and they’ll talk about the historical sites, the wondrous sculpture, the amazing art, the delicious wine and pasta. And then they’ll mention gelato. “The gelato…you gotta have the gelato.” And then they’ll tell you which gelaterie you need to go to…and believe me, they’ll all have different suggestions. Continue reading

Nov 6, 2011

The Best Gelato in Rome!

Download our map of the best gelaterie...

Download our GELATO MAP with names and locations of the best gelato in Rome! Many of them taste-tested by Emma and Lisa Bergren on their recent trip to the Eternal City…

Download Here

Nov 5, 2011

Grand Canal, Venice

Moment of Peace Video

A gentle ride down the Grand Canal in Venice, Italy on the vaparetto…Enjoy! Continue reading

Nov 1, 2011

Hadrian’s Villa

Part 1: Context Tour

By Lisa T. Bergren 

We loved our semi-private Context tour and the day’s escape to Tivoli. We met up with our archeologist docent, Francesca, and two other couples at a train station in Rome, then set off in a hired car for Villa Adriana (Hadrian’s Villa). Continue reading

Oct 27, 2011

Rome from the Ground Up

Photo Essay

By Lisa T. Bergren

Ever since I caught a ground-up perspective on a NYC subway, I’ve been intrigued with shooting from this angle. On our October trip to Rome, I took the normal pictures of all the famous sites, but then went low for another. See what you think! Continue reading

Oct 21, 2011

Home Cooking in Rome

The Best Meal in Italy

By Lisa T. Bergren  

When I first heard about the Home Food organization in Italy, I was when-the-moon-hits-your-eye-like-a-big-pizza-pie excited. I love nothing more than a great meal, good conversation and authentic, fabulous Italian food. So when my friend Jess at WhyGo Italy wrote about Cesarinas and their goal to bring real Italian food to every willing mouth, I was all-in, no questions asked. Continue reading

Jan 11, 2011

San Galgano, Tuscany

Original "Sword in the Stone"?

By Lisa T. Bergren

Could the legend of King Arthur and the sword in the stone, Excalibur, have actually begun in Italy? Regardless of what you decide, if you go to Tuscany and anywhere near Siena, you must visit this fascinating place—San Galgano. Continue reading

Aug 12, 2010

How to Grocery Shop in Italy

Embrace the Experience!

By Lisa T. Bergren

My cousin and her husband are renting a private villa in Tuscany this Fall with three other couples and I’m drooling with envy. Sure, the villa and views will be sumptuous. But I’d kill to sink my teeth into the hand-crafted mozzarella or perfect, Roma tomatoes or spicy, local sausage or tart, dry Pecorino cheese…We love cooking in Italy! For us, it’s a part of the experience. And so is the grocery shopping. Continue reading