What to do in Volterra, Tuscany
March 01, 2010There’s off the beaten track and then there’s way off the beaten track. Volterra, Tuscany has both. Spend half a day in this tiny medieval Tuscan hilltown (pop: 12,000) without the tourist crowds of say, nearby San Gimignano. Here are…
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Vatican free Sundays: stay far, far away
February 15, 2010Most of the time, my clients take my advice. And one of my standing pieces of advice is to never visit the Vatican on free Sundays. But on one recent occasion, I was designing an itinerary for a…
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Italian language learning tip: notice Italian signs
February 05, 2010Learning a new language is a bit like detective work at first. You can memorize the grammar rules and a list of vocabulary and practice your accent, but those things are only useful when implemented in communication. Once you’ve arrived…
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What to see in Orvieto, Umbria
February 01, 2010If you’re wondering what to see in Orvieto, I will challenge you: just try to drive by it. You won’t be able to. My first visit to Orvieto happened when I was driving through Umbria on my way to somewhere…
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Amateur Traveler Podcast: The Life of an Adventure Travel Tour Guide
January 31, 2010The most fun I've ever had while also getting paid was probably when I led week-long cycling tours in Italy, but it was also the most work of any job I've ever had. I've since noticed that lots of people…
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Five Italian words with unsatisfying English equivalents
January 28, 2010If I’m speaking English with someone who I know speaks or understands Italian, I tend to inject the words below into conversation rather than use the English approximation. The Italian version is just better! Have a look at the…
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What to do in Italy on Sundays
January 21, 2010When we create custom itineraries at Italy Beyond the Obvious, we always include the day of the week – not just the date – during the planning process. The main reason for this is that Sundays (and sometimes Mondays) require a…
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Off the Beaten Track in Tuscany: the Abbey of San Galgano
January 18, 2010The atmospheric Abbey of San Galgano is about half an hour from Siena and a little over an hour from Florence, but if you’re looking for a Tuscan stop with very few foreign tourists, this is it. Take a photo of…
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Where to run, bike, or roller blade in Milan
January 11, 2010Business travelers ask me all the time where they can run in Milan. I’m not a runner (though I wish I were – it’s so convenient for travel!) but I do pack my rollerblades in my suitcase sometimes. …
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Write a blog post for Italy Beyond the Obvious
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