What I'm Reading: A Thousand Days in Tuscany

At times, I wish I could be transported somewhere far away. Somewhere where the simplest observances of daily life become noticeable and interesting again. Typically, this requires visiting a culture different from my own- that's where travel literature comes in to play. With in moments of opening the pages you can be picking grapes in the hills of Tuscany or climbing the Eiffel Tower in Paris.

A Thousand Days in Tuscany by Marlena De Blasi, my latest travel lit find, is one that not only satisfies my desire for travel but also my love of food. In the novel, De Blasi chronicles the seasons of her life with her Italian husband after they move from Venice to San Casciano dei Bagni, a province of Siena, Italy.

Shortly after their move, the couple meets Barlozzo, a rustic, Italian character whose daily visits give the reader a peek into the Italian mindset and way of life. The Duke, as he is referred to, also teaches the De Blasies how food is foraged for and prepared in Tuscany. He helps them build their own brick oven for baking bread, pick grapes and chestnuts and even wild greens and truffles. Things you couldn't even imagine doing in suburban America. 

What struck me most about this novel was the beautiful, vivid descriptions of the rustic food De Blasi prepares. Not only could you easily prepare the dish after reading the paragraph but you could almost hear, smell and taste it.  If you're looking for more direction, she graciously provides formal recipes between most chapters. 

By Guido Barberis

Like all good novels, A Thousand Days in Tuscany is not short on romance. You experience the ups and downs in her relationship with her husband as well as the tender love the Duke has for his long time sweetheart. The novel also provides lessons here and there in the origins of some Italian and English words- such as compagna, or companion from con, with, and pane, bread. A person with whom we break bread. It's amazing how learning something so simple can be fascinating and eye-opening.

If you loved Under the Tuscan Sun, you will love the brilliant cultural and gastronomic descriptions De Blasi pours onto every page of this book. Looking for more to read? Visit her Amazon page here for more travel writing and cookbooks. 

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Travel Lust Fulfilled: Palo Verde Boat Tour, Costa Rica

Seeing animals in the wild, whether it's a bunny in the backyard or a monkey in the jungle, is one of my favorite things. That's why the Palo Verde boat tour on the Tempisque River in Guanacasta, Costa Rica was my favorite part of the trip (see the rest of it here).

All the girls put on their big, floppy sun hats and we climb into the covered (thankfully) boat. Less ten feet from the dock, we come to a stop and our vision is directed to the branches of a large tree. There, lying lazily, is a group of howler monkeys. Our tour guide informs us they wont move for much but be careful not to make them mad- you might end up needing a shower!

Howler monkey mom and baby

We take off again down the muddy-water river and the driver turns the boat toward some large reeds on the bank. We begin to look around for a creature but it isn't until he points out the small, muddy crocodile that we see what we've stopped for. How does this guy see this stuff? Amazing!

Can you find the animal in this picture?

I spy...

There, on the middle of that tree, is a group of wide-nosed bats. He tells us that they will move in formation like a snake to ward off predators. He splashes water at them and we watch them fly away.

Wide-nosed bats

We come to an intersection leading to a wider part of the river and suddenly someone starts pointing and yelling. Flying across the sky are five scarlet macaws dressed in brilliant colors. The guide tells us how rare it is to see them, let alone so many of them. I get goosebumps. 

Scarlet macaws flying across the sky

The tour only gets better from here. We pull next to the bank to find a group of white-faced monkeys who are checking us out just as much as we're checking out them. We watch them jump from branch to branch to sneak a closer look.

And then, one jumps onto the boat! Once he sees we have no bananas, he was done with us and moves on. This tour is just getting better and better!

We take off down the river, our hands holding down our floppy hats, and pull up to a sandy bank. There, basking in the sun, are over 15 iguanas of all different sizes and colors. 

Like the monkeys, they, too, want to know if we have food and like the monkeys we let them down. Next time!

And now for D's favorite part of the trip. We pull up to a bank where the crocodiles are supposed to hang out and the guide stands up and hollers. Just like that, a big croc comes moseying towards the boat. Apparently, they're friends. 

Since we lack any chicken or snacks (kicking myself!), the guide dangles a plastic bag from a stick to see if he will bite. The croc considers it for a while, but wasn't falling for it. That was a shame because he let D hold the stick!

I cannot not get over all of the amazing things we saw in such a short time. If you ever have an opportunity to go on this tour, or one like it, take it! And don't forget the food- animals like to eat! Speaking of food, the tour was topped off with a traditional Costa Rican lunch- homemade and fabulous!

Palo Verde Boat Tours website

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Travel Lust Fulfilled: Costa Rica

I've kept you in the lurch for a while on my Costa Rican vacation. Let me tell you- it was wonderful! At the end of a lot of vacations, you're ready to come home and resume normal life- not this one. I don't think I've worn a watch since I've been back!

We traveled to the Guanacasta region on Pacific coast for a wedding and stayed at the beautiful, all inclusive Villa Cascada. The accommodations were fabulous- great food, awesome pool and they were very helpful in planning excursions. I highly recommend it for your destination wedding or family get-together.

A short walk from the villa was a beautiful, black sand beach with a bar and grill right off the beach.

I loved Costa Rica because it was such a laid back experience and was incredibly beautiful. Everywhere you looked there were beautiful plants and animals- mimosa trees, mango and papaya trees, plants we only have here indoors, birds, butterflies, iguanas! And just wait until I tell you about the river boat tour!

We spent one day wandering around the city of Coco, a short cab ride from the villa. Lined with souvenir shops, bars, eateries, and oddly enough quite a few Italian restaurants, we enjoyed walking up and down the main street and seeing the sights. We also popped into the local grocery store to pick up some coffee and hot sauce to take home- I always think it's interesting to see what they're like in other countries!

After spending the rest of the afternoon playing in the waves and lying on the beach, we stumbled across a beachfront restaurant and had the best meal of the entire trip. A typical Costa Rican meal consists of rice and beans, plantains, a small salad and a meat. We decided to have the fish and fifteen minutes later they bring out a whole, fried red snapper. It was incredible.

As a gift to the guests, we took a sunset cruise on a beautiful sail boat, the Don Bosco. I hear it's for sale- any takers? Sail boats are one of my favorite things. I haven't been on many but they are gorgeous and nothing beats that feeling of cruising through the water with the wind in your sail. And I also love just being by the water- it has an instantly calming effect on me.

If you are looking for a tropical getaway, give Costa Rica a thought.  Rental cars are relatively cheap- it makes it easy to check out the volcanos, waterfalls and hot springs with ease. We only scratched the surface of things to do there!

Coming up soon- our Paolo Verde river boat tour experience!

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Travel Lust: Bruges, Belgium

In the northwest of Belgium lies one of the most charming placed I have ever visited: Bruges. With its series of canals and gorgeous architecture, this city should make it to your next European vacation.

I was able to visit Bruge in high school as part of a school trip touring both France and Belgium. Our host, my French teacher, was a Belgian transplant- a darling and vivacious woman whom I still refer to as simply Madame.

Market Square

Madame was the perfect person to have  around because in Bruges, they speak not only French but also Flemish (Belgian Dutch). She was sure to teach us how to say, "I don't know" in Flemish and to follow up with "Do you speak French?".

A view of the Belfry from the canal

On an afternoon of free time, my mother and I took a baguette to a bridge over the canal to feed the swans. Shortly after we started throwing bread in the water, we had attracted over a dozen gorgeous birds- it was a spectacular sight!

After feeding the swans, we strolled down the cobblestone streets and were drawn into a coffee shop by its display of pastries- La Monnaie, I believe. This was no paper cup to go- they served each cup of coffee on its own silver tray with a small pitcher of cream, a couple of sugar cubes, and a cookie on small china plate. I searched everywhere for a coffee service like this when we got home; I never could find it.

Provinciaal Hof

If you want to beat the hustle and bustle of the big cities but still want history, art and charm- this is your place! Click here to see more photographs from the Bruges tourist site.

Photos from: wikipedia.com, trabel.com, chiskuzneski.com, cut-dry.blogtspot.com

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Travel Lust: Santiago, Chile

There was a No Reservations marathon on last weekend; I couldn't help but be sucked in for a good part of my Sunday. An episode about Santiago, Chile really surprised me- with its skyscrapers it was a lot bigger and more modern than I expected. After that episode, it has made it to my ever-growing to-travel-to list!

Check out that view!

 The Andes Mountains make the Rockies look like ant hills in comparison!

Santa Lucia Hill is a beautiful tourist spot...

As is the National Cathedral...

The city offers beautiful architecture, like Santiago Stock Exchange building.

Have you visited Santiago? What did you love about it?




Photos from: beachcomberpete.com, chile.ca, members.virtualtourist.com/m/6590b/17c6e8/, alovelyworld.com, dailygalaxy.com

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Travel Lust: Outer Banks, North Carolina

Just a quick trip to the Atlantic coast. It's been ages since I've been to the Outer Banks in North Carolina but I always remember it fondly. The sandy dunes make the beaches there picturesque! 

 

 

The Whalehead Club

Cape Hatteras Lighthouse

 

 

I remember the cute Sandpipers all over the beach.

Wright Brothers National Memorial

Hope you enjoyed the trip to the beach!


Pictures from: http://www.generationytravel.com/outer-banks-travel-north-carolina-vacation/, outerbankslife.com, http://www.miltonheiberg.com/postings.htm, gnpc.org, freeimageslive.co.uk, fineartamerica.com

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Travel Lust: Kent, England

It's the day of the royal wedding so, of course, I am thinking about princesses, castles, and tiaras. Enjoy these photographs of the picturesque county of Kent.

Scotney Castle

 Leeds Castle

 The White Cliffs of Dover

Rochester Cathedral, England's second oldest cathedral

Hever Castle, the childhood home of Anne Boleyn

Groombridge Place, recognize it from Pride and Prejudice?

Ingtham Mote

Hope everyone enjoyed watching the fairytale wedding this morning. I know I did!

Images from: citypictures.org, home2.btconnect.com, farminguk.org

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Travel Lust: Las Vegas, Nevada

This week's travel lust is neither picturesque nor exotic. The Disney World for grown-ups- this is every adult's playground: Las Vegas.

I can't help but long for the neon lights and cheesy, themed hotels.

I don't know what's come over me- maybe I just need to let my hair down...

...or spend some time relaxing.

Regardless, I am hell bent on going to Vegas this summer. And I have my eyes set on The Palazzo...

The Palazzo has everything I'm looking for in Vegas accommodations: Strip location, beautiful bedrooms, luxurious bathrooms, and multiple pools with a casino and shopping under one roof.

And of course I'll have to catch a show- whether it's Cirque du Soleil or a Madonna look alike my little heart will be satisfied.

I plan on having a nice meal out but, of course, I will be hitting up a buffet!

I cannot wait to visit Sin City... she's calling my name!

Pictures from: Lasvegas.rpc1.org, my-photo-blog.com, vipnite.com, oyster.com, lastheplace.com, lasvegashotel.com, vegas4visitors.com, bestofvegas.com

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