Bergamo: WAY more than just Milan’s 3rd airport
November 02, 2009There’s one memory in particular that I associate with the town of Bergamo. Having arrived in Italy for the first time, friends immediately took me to meet their Bergamaschi (= from Bergamo) cousins. The family matriarch, an old woman…
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5 Reasons to visit the town of Monza
October 12, 2009Only 10 minutes by train from Milan, and on the way to Lake Como, the bustling small town of Monza is a great escape from the big city. I lived in Monza as an exchange student in high school and…
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The Sounds of Italy: Tapparelle
September 16, 2009There are certain sounds I associate with Italy: cicadas, from my summer in Brisighella; church bells, because I miss them every time I leave; the cacophony of a market; and – believe it or not – the sound of tapparelle…
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The Shroud, Unveiled, and 9 Other Reasons to Visit Turin
August 03, 2009Have you ever visited someone living in a famous city so many times that you lost track of the city’s main tourist attractions? One of my closest friends lives in Turin, and my good memories there include getting to know…
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Milan hidden gems: 15 recommendations
April 28, 2009When I lived in Milan, I could always count on my friend Maria to know where the local hotspots were. Maria has now lived in Milan for 15 years, and is always knows the best places to hang out, eat,…
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In Search of Piazza Duomo
March 16, 2009I was based in Vancouver before relocating to Italy for the third time, when a good Italian friend came to visit. I asked her what she wanted to see in Vancouver, and she pointed at the downtown skyscrapers. Where?…
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Sirmione, Lake Garda
November 05, 2008day or so visiting Sirmione, a picturesque town at the end of a peninsula which juts a couple miles into Lake Garda. Soak up the lake and mountain scenery (see photo) or book a spa treatment using local thermal waters piped up from the spring at the…
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Two Days in Milan
October 16, 2008Having lived in Milan (via San Maurilio) about 4 years, I have many ideas on what to do in Milan. If this city were transplanted in North America, I’d say it’s a city so rich with culture and with so…
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Pavia
September 26, 2008The small university town of Pavia is just a 25-minute train ride south of Milan, and is a great daytrip. Check out these suggestions for more great short trips from Milan. The town itself has a castle, some gorgeous churches,…
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