ANOTHER New Neighbor - roll out the red carpet!

For those of you who are sick and tired of our Burger King posts, read no further.

While driving along Via Tuscolana to IKEA for some shopping, I had to do a  double take when I saw this massive free standing Burger King that just had a grand opening!

Look to the right, a DRIVE THRU (Well here they call it the KING DRIVE)!

Eat Your Heart Out, McItaly. There's a New Panino in Town

I can only assume that this panino is Burger King's response to the blasphemous "McItaly" panino made with asiago cheese and artichoke spread.

Burger King Italy has just launched it's Tendercrisp Parmigiano-Reggiano Burger. Sesame seed bun, ketchupy secret sauce, fried chicken, Parmigiano Reggiano, Fried Bacon, Tomato, lettuce, more secret sauce, more bread, and of course a parmigiano crown.

SO Italian I can barely stand it! 

Three Reasons to Head Even Farther South

A few weeks ago Danielle hosted fellow American expat in southern Italy, Laura of Ciao Amalfi, who wrote about the top five reasons to head south of Rome.

Naples, Pompeii … the Amalfi Coast. Yea … definitely reasons to visit Campania. But today, I’m going to share with you three reasons to head even farther south and into Basilicata and Calabria. 

 

1. Maratea

Maratea is on the Tyrrhenian Coast, about 200 kilometers south of Naples in the region of Basilicata. It is the most popular beach resort in the region and is well-known for its natural grottoes, the black sand beach, Spiaggia Nera and the Redentore-the Christ the Redeemer statue that towers 72 feet over a rocky crag. It is also called “The City of 44 Churches,” because of the two dozen churches spread throughout the village.

2. Scalea

Scalea is a popular seaside town-and one of my favorite villages in Italy-that is just 30 kilometers further south in the region of Calabria. The old town gets its name, “Scalea,” from the hundreds of stone steps that lead into the historical center.

Once inside, visitors can search for hidden Byzantine mosaics or climb all the way to the top of the hill for panoramic views of the Cedri Rivieria.

3. Tropea

Continuing south on our Tyrrhenian tour of Calabria and Basilicata-170 kilometers south to be exact-we will find Tropea. Tropea is by far the most popular name in Calabrian beach towns. Its Easter-egg colored water, rocky cliffs and iconic Santa Maria dell’Isola church have all proven inspirational for photographers and travelers and the little village is brimming with contagious energy.

Cherrye Moore is a freelance writer and Calabria tour consultant living in southern Italy. She writes about travel for MNUI Travel Insurance and about living and traveling in Calabria on her site, My Bella Vita.

Three Reasons to Head Even Farther South

A few weeks ago Danielle hosted fellow American expat in southern Italy, Laura of Ciao Amalfi, who wrote about the top five reasons to head south of Rome.

Naples, Pompeii … the Amalfi Coast. Yea … definitely reasons to visit Campania. But today, I’m going to share with you three reasons to head even farther south and into Basilicata and Calabria. 

 

1. Maratea

Maratea is on the Tyrrhenian Coast, about 200 kilometers south of Naples in the region of Basilicata. It is the most popular beach resort in the region and is well-known for its natural grottoes, the black sand beach, Spiaggia Nera and the Redentore-the Christ the Redeemer statue that towers 72 feet over a rocky crag. It is also called “The City of 44 Churches,” because of the two dozen churches spread throughout the village.

2. Scalea

Scalea is a popular seaside town-and one of my favorite villages in Italy-that is just 30 kilometers further south in the region of Calabria. The old town gets its name, “Scalea,” from the hundreds of stone steps that lead into the historical center.

Once inside, visitors can search for hidden Byzantine mosaics or climb all the way to the top of the hill for panoramic views of the Cedri Rivieria.

3. Tropea

Continuing south on our Tyrrhenian tour of Calabria and Basilicata-170 kilometers south to be exact-we will find Tropea. Tropea is by far the most popular name in Calabrian beach towns. Its Easter-egg colored water, rocky cliffs and iconic Santa Maria dell’Isola church have all proven inspirational for photographers and travelers and the little village is brimming with contagious energy.

Cherrye Moore is a freelance writer and Calabria tour consultant living in southern Italy. She writes about travel for MNUI Travel Insurance and about living and traveling in Calabria on her site, My Bella Vita.

Italian Obsession with Cleaning, Part II

You may recall our last piece on the Italian obsession with keeping an immaculate home. Today I could not help but snap a few pictures as I caught my neighbor in the act.


Here's how it all went down. It's 7:30 AM on a rainy and dreary morning in Rome. As I wait for my coffee to brew, I stumble over to the window and see that my neighbor, a true creature of habit, has her yellow gloves on and is meticulously cleaning between each fold of the window shutters. She does this EVERY morning at 7:30.

Even while it is raining she cleans those bad boys, despite the fact that the rain will only bring down more dirt and soot onto her windows which she will annihilate tomorrow, I have no doubt.

 Did I mention what time it was??

Ah, and five minutes later, downstairs from Mrs. Clean, two of the cutest little old ladies I have ever seen were learning out their windows to gossip while it continued to drizzle down on this Roman street at 7:40 in the morning. Another day in Rome has begun my friends. Live and let clean...

A visit to charming Montefioralle

Nestled in the heart of the Chianti countryside, high above the nearby town of Greve is the cutest little walled town called Montefioralle. This ancient fortified city is one of the oldest in the area and still retains its initial walls.

The tiny village, mostly free of cars, drips charm at every twist and turn. It's what you picture when you close your eyes and think of Tuscany.

Crumbling, old, mismatched stone walls in hues ranging from beige to gold to brick red; winding cobbled pathways, with curved gateways, which reveal welcoming wooden doorways with pots and pots of colorful flowers spilling out over the entrance; miniature-sized windows framed in shutters and shrouded in intricate lace curtains which dance slightly in the breeze.

Over the years, the village has belonged to the Ricasoli, Benci, Vespucci and Gherardini families. As you wander the area, keep your eye out for a 'V' and a wasp carved into stone above one of the doors depicting the house where Amerigo Vespucci lived. Don't miss a visit to the gothic church of Santo Stefano, which has been restored and houses many pieces of notable artwork.

Though the village has a restaurant, it is the perfect vantage point from which to enjoy a picnic lunch perched on one of its stone walls, while enjoying the surrounding postcard views of lush vineyards and olive groves.
Or, for those wanting a bit more exercise, there are walking paths and hiking trails which pass by villas, farmhouses and old churches. Greve is about a 20 minute walk and further afield, Panzano can be reached by way of back roads.

And if you are into Sagre (festivals paying homage to food), visit in mid-March for The Sagre delle Fritelle, which is a celebration of fried rice balls.

No matter what time of year you visit, don't forget to bring your camera - you won't want to miss capturing the picturesque houses, village or views of Tuscany that you'll find here.

Robin Locker is a France and Italy travel consultant, freelance travel writer and photographer who hopes to one day realize her dream of living La Dolce Vita in her beloved Italy. She writes about travel for MNUI travel insurance and on her own site, My Melange" She is addicted to social media - you can follow her on Twitter @MyMelange.

Underground Rome

Everyone loves Rome; I guess that’s why all roads lead there and bring zillions of tourists each year. However, what many of them don’t realize is that there is so much more to this ancient city than the street-level archaeological sites they visit, such as the Colosseum and the Roman Forum.

The Eternal City is actually an underground labyrinth of antiquities, some revealed and many yet to be uncovered. Intrepid travelers should know that many of them are also accessible and oh, so much fun to visit. In a city that is over 3,000 years old, it would be impossible to list all of the underground treasures, so here are the top 3 of Underground Rome, at least in this wanderlust woman’s opinion:

1. Crypta Balbi – is a small museum with a wealth of offerings into the dark ages of Rome’s history. It is actually a working archaeological site. You enter at street level, leaving modern life behind, and descend into centuries of ancient life, complete with insula (Roman apartment buildings); a lime kiln, ancient bathrooms and more. It is right near the Trevi Fountain. Many artifacts are housed in the street-level museum but you will need a guide to take you through the subterranean archaeological site, so inquire at the ticket window. It is well worth the visit. (By the way, it is a recent discovery by Roman standards, having only been unearthed in 1981 and open to the public twenty years later. It is called the Crypta Balbi because at one time it served as the Theater of Balbus, one of Caesar Augustus’ most important military advisors.)
   
   

2. Church of San Nicola in Carcere – this is an unassuming church on Via del Teatro Marcello. From the outside you see some old columns and crumbling walls and it may appear to be any old church. Ah, there is your first mistake. This church was built on and in the site of the Forum Holitorium, the ancient food and oil market of Rome. The outer columns actually date from the 3rd century B.C. and the ruins in the back church yard are equally as ancient. The columns are the remains of the Temple of Juno and now built into the walls of the modern day church, which is about 400 years old. Below ground are bits of the Temples of June and Spes. There have been reports of a church on this site since the third century although the commemorative plaque on the current church dates from 1128 A.D. You are allowed to enter and go below the altar. This was spooky and quite mysterious for a Catholic school girl who didn’t think anyone but priests could enter below the altar or sacristy. Once down there, peak through the windows which lie between the ancient columns. It is a strange view of how layers of history lie just below the surface of everyday life in Rome.

3. Vatican Necropolis (a/k/a – Scavi) – this is the ancient necropolis under the Vatican and admission is reserved to a select few each day (unless you’re on one of the lucky When in Rome tours). You descend under the most notable church in the world, St. Peter’s Basilica, through 16 centuries of history, viewing ancient paths and tombs, seeing preserved frescoes, until you come upon what is believed to be the grave of St. Peter. If you want a sneak preview before your Roman adventure, the Vatican offers a great virtual and interactive tour on its website.

Solo Traveler Tip – all of these sites except the Vatican Necropolis are open during the evening hours and will give the single tourist something to do in this city with so much to offer.

Lisa Fantino is an award-winning journalist and attorney and the creative force behind Wanderlust Women Travel (and soon Wanderlust Weddings). She also writes travel features for MNUI Travel Insurance and blogs as Lady Litigator.

The New Boy in Town

Yesterday as I was leaving my office, I noticed there is a new "boy next door" to me. Tall, dark, great smile, well dressed. Sadly, this is no Italian Stallion. It is a 6 foot tall hot dog. That's right folks, Mr. Hot Dog has moved into the vacant shop next door, right on Via Cavour a stones throw from the Roman Forum. Will it survive where others have failed? Only time will tell. His menu is strictly hot dogs, of all shapes & sizes.

While I can't imagine passing up good Italian food for a hot dog while sightseeing in Rome, I suppose there are some who feel there is never a bad time for a weaner.

Experiencing the Museum of Life in Rome

It is no secret that Rome is not my favorite city in Italy.  It's not that I don't like spending a little time there or that there aren't tons of things to do, but it's just not the Italy that fills my heart or makes me feel like I am home when I'm there.

But, that said, there are many things that I love to do in Rome.  And most of them don't involve The Vatican or The Forum. In fact, I prefer to be outside, enjoying and experiencing what I like to call the museum of life.

One of my favorite pastimes is the simple and inexpensive act of wandering. Rome has so many great places to just walk and discover.  I love just strolling around the Trastevere and Monti neighborhoods and down the Via Giulia- one of the oldest streets in Rome.  I can spend hours sneaking glimpses of Roman life and peering into the lovely courtyards while imagining what it must be like to live there.

Another way to watch Roman life go by is spending time in a Roman piazza. My favorites? The Piazza Navona, home to the famous Bernini fountain, always has such an energy surrounding it and seems to have something interesting going on all the time.  The other is the Piazza della Rotonda, which also has a lovely fountain, but happens to be the site of the Pantheon, one of the most stunning monuments in the eternal city.  Many piazzas are lined with cafes and trattorias, which make excellent vantage points from which to soak up the local atmosphere.

Spending time shopping at an outdoor food market is also a great way to mingle with the locals.  One of my favorite markets is the Campo dei Fiori, which has a tasty mix of fresh seasonal fruits and vegetables, fish, meats, spices, olive oil, balsamic vinegar and flowers on offer.

Robin Locker is a France and Italy travel consultant, freelance travel writer and photographer who hopes to one day realize her dream of living La Dolce Vita in her beloved Italy. She writes about travel for MNUI travel insurance and on her own site, My Melange. She is addicted to social media - you can follow her on Twitter @MyMelange.

"For Starters"

“How was your food, sir?” said the waiter.

I just stared at him.

Sometimes you're faced with questions that are such a can of worms, that offer so many places to start your answer that you're struck dumb, your mind filled with unfurling possibilities and your mouth flapping in the vain hope that one of them will reach daylight through it.

I wanted to explain to him that the food I'd just had was the best, the very best I'd enjoyed anywhere, ever. I'm no stranger to the gustative magic of Mediterranean food, but this had been a ticker-tape parade of taste, a wild, raucous party going on in my mouth (now moved to my stomach). Here in the hills above Giulianova, surrounded by the rolling green quilt of Italy's Abruzzo region, I'd had the word “food” redefined for me.

But that seemed hackneyed and inadequate. Instead, I felt the urge to explain that I came from England, a country where all too often, food wasn't a social event, a chance to sit down with your neighbours and loved ones or to turn strangers into friends. It was something done hurriedly, in between more important things. You shovelled the calories down and then you left. Sometimes you forgot you were eating at all, your eyes glued to a book or a flickering television. Mealtime was No Big Deal. And looking around at all the tables arranged at this oh-so-very-Italian wedding feast, I could see how desperately broken that relationship with food was in comparison with the one I was enjoying a glimpse of here.

But that seemed too philosophical. He didn't want philosophy: he was merely being polite, on the way to clearing away my plate. And if he did that, I wouldn't have anywhere to put the dollop of carbonara I'd been eyeing for the last couple of minutes, waiting just the right amount of time to be polite before I pounced.

So I said “Delicious. Mm!”, made a faintly ludicrous lip-smacking gesture that instantly singled me out as Foreign, and held my plate down on the table so he couldn't whip it away. With a bemused air and the hint of a cocked eyebrow the waiter moved on, leaving me to gaze down the table at the still-absurd amount of food laid out for us, at the laughing, giggling, chattering guests basking in the afternoon sunshine. In a week I'd be back in England, where food didn't usually make this happen between people.

Well – now I knew better.

And then I thought of the answer I should have given the waiter – the best and only real answer under the circumstances.

“It's a good start.”

Mike Sowden is a freelance travel-writer and blogger. He writes about travel for MNUI travel insurance and for his own site Fevered Mutterings. Catch up with him on Twitter @Mikeachim.

Top 10 Reasons Why Italy is more Adorable than a Woman

I was wondering what can I write about Italy since When In Rome Tours had covered most of it. It was some 10 years ago when I last traveled to Italy, and there would be another 17 days before I step into Italy once again. What is Italy to me? Italy is so irresistible to be loved and once you have been there, you will go back there again, no matter how long, just like me. To me, its many distinctive characteristics to travelers worldwide are at least as adorable as a woman I love. I have these 10 reasons why travelers are falling in love with this country, as much as a woman:

1. She is so Sexy. When you are in Venice, the magnificent view over the Grand Canal, riding a Gondola, and admiring the sunset just make you feel like making love... their many beaches especially Calabria are hot too!
2. She is so Elegant. When you are cycling up onto the mountain in the middle of vineyards in the cultural capital of Tuscany, sipping your glass of Tuscan wine, everything seems to be perfect and deserved to be taken care of.
3. She is so artistic. When you are in Rome visiting art museums and squares with sculptures, you just couldn't learn enough from this historic capital. Italians are also known to be open minded to chat with.
4. She is so fashionable. She has all the top fashion flagship stores in Milan and she has many world top designers in hands. Need we say more?
5. She is so rebellious. To see Italy off-the-beaten-track, travel by bicycle is very often to be seen and it is rebellious way to explore Italy.
6. She is so expensive. While buildings may look old and rundown, one of the world most expensive sport cars, Lamborghini Revention and Ferrari Enzo are also manufactured here.
7. She is so Experienced. Italy has all sorts of travel attractions to make most travelers falling in love with her.
8. She is so Slim. When you are eating out at Italian local cafe, you will notice their recipes are very simple with controlled ingredients. It is why Italians women are mostly slim which is most attractive to men like us.
9. She is so cold and so friendly. She has double faces. While Italians in Northern regions are appeared cold, Southern region Italians are so friendly and welcoming to tourists.
10. Most tempting of all, Italy is so Beautiful! Statues, sculptures, people, architecture, canal, beaches and mountain landscapes in Italy are so beautiful and picturesque. Your camera's shutter will need to work extra hard to capture all beautiful scenes in any travel destinations here.

The list goes on. There are too many irresistible reasons why I love Italy more than a woman. :)

Cecil Lee is an avid traveler who is also a passionate travel blogger and travel photographer living in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. He writes about travel for MNUI travel insurance and on his own travel photo blog, Travel Feeder.

The Most Important Woman in Paris is...Italian!

The Most Important Woman in Paris

This week I’ve been strolling through the leafy streets of Paris as springtime plucks up the courage to say bonjour. I don’t need to explain that France is a country that takes great pride in, well, itself. French art, food, wine and style are all matters of national identity (the government expects its cuisine to get UNESCO World Heritage status, after all.)

Yet today I realised that the most important woman in the ultimate French city is Italian. And I don’t mean Carla Bruni.

She lives in one of the city’s most magnificent buildings, with her own security system, conspiracy plot, teasingly rich history and queues upon queues of adoring fans.  I mean, of course, La Jaconde, the woman from Florence who has smiled at the paparazzi for more than five hundred years. Mona Lisa.

Her creator, Da Vinci, escorted her from Florence to Milan and then on to Rome before exchanging her for 4 000 gold coins in France.

In 1911, Vincenzo Perugia succeeded in whisking her away from the Louvre, with the alleged aim of restoring her to her homeland. Yet the authorities were unconvinced and soon the lady with the smile was back in Paris, while Perugia went to jail.

Today, more than 6 million people visit the Louvre, itself a stunning combination of Renaissance architecture and giant glass pyramids. Yet despite more than 35 000 works of art from around the globe, most visitors know who they’ve come to see.

La Jaconde.

So is she worth it? You’ll have to visit and make up your own mind.

Abigail King is a freelance writer with a passion for art, science and travel. She blogs at Inside the Travel Lab and also writes for Cheap Weekend Breaks and MNUI Travel Insurance.

Top 5 Reasons to Head South to Campania

With so much to see and do in Italy, it’s often hard for visitors to decide just where to go while planning a trip to il bel paese. For many people it comes as a surprise to learn how much there is to see and do in the region of Campania, just a short drive south of Rome. When Danielle invited me to write a guest post for When in Rome Tours, I decided to share with you some of the top reasons to head south to Campania.

1. Naples Historic Center
Walking the streets of the centro storico (historic center) in Naples is an unforgettable experience, full of all the typical Neapolitan sights, sounds and smells. Naples is a vibrant city with a complex and fascinating history. Don’t forget to include a stop at the National Archaeological Museum, one of Italy’s top museums, where you’ll find many of the treasures uncovered at the nearby ruins of the ancient Roman towns destroyed by the eruption of Mt. Vesuvius in 79 AD.

2. Pompeii and Herculaneum
Speaking of Mt. Vesuvius, it looms large over the now peaceful ruins of Pompeii and Herculaneum that were covered by ash and lava during the devastating eruption of the volcano in 79 AD. Time stopped on that day for these two ancient port towns, and the excavated ruins provide a rare opportunity to walk the streets and glimpse a bit of Roman daily life.

3. Amalfi Coast
Many people travel to Campania just to experience the majestic beauty of the Amalfi Coast. With towns tucked into the valleys and situated high on the mountain tops, there are stunning views around every twist and turn of the impressive Amalfi Coast Road.

4. Capri
Despite the fact that Capri is one of Italy’s top tourist destinations, there remains an air of magic to this gorgeous island in the Bay of Naples. Head off the beaten path to explore the small side streets or go hiking to escape the tourist crush, and you’ll undoubtedly find a bit of Capri’s magic yourself!

5. Paestum
If the breathtaking scenery of the Amalfi Coast and Capri aren’t enough to put Campania at the top of your Italy travel list, my final temptation for you takes us down to the ruins of the ancient town of Paestum. You don’t have to go to Greece to see fabulous examples of ancient Greek temples. You just have to travel to southern Italy’s Campania region!


Laura Thayer is an art historian and freelance writer living on the Amalfi Coast in Campania. She writes about travel for MNUI travel insurance and blogs about life on the Amalfi Coast at her own site Ciao Amalfi.

Why isn't there a Nutella museum in Italy?

We have museums for just about everything else (who cares about modern art or Egyptian mummies while traveling through Italy?), so why shouldn't there be a museum dedicated to Nutella, Italy's number one chocolate snack? In it they could put up fabulous works of art like this one:

And of course there should be a room for the most interesting jars, like the 3 kilo jumbo size, and of course this perfectly portable and embraceable little Nutella nip:

30 grams of spreadable chocolate love, small enough to fit in your pocket. Screw American Express, never leave home without Nutella!

Italy Rules Refusing To Pay a Prostitute = RAPE.

 

A high court judge in Italy on Wednesday ruled that by not paying a prostitute, an act of rape is committed. According to an article published by Ansa today, a conviction was upheld for the 50 year old man from Liguria named Diego S. who ran from a hotel without paying the prostitute he had been with. 

Battle of the Meatloaves

American "meatloaf"(courtesy of thisiswhyyourefat)

Italian polpettone

Questions?

Susan Boyle Tears It Up at San Remo Festival

Susan Boyle performed magnificently at the San Remo festival in Italy earlier this week after collapsing in London's Heathrow airport and risking having to cancel the performance.




Bravissima!

Excellent Translation Work

 

On a recent trip to Colombia, the most amusing part of the Salt Cathedral of Bogota' had to be the translations of some of the stations of the cross. 

And the Jesus face is grateful

As a former translator, I get a kick out of these things.

Colombia: Why You Shouldn't Believe Everything You Hear on the News

When In Rome, we do as the Romans do. When on vacation, we don't. Once in a while it's a good thing to get out of Italy and experience some of the other amazing places in the world.


A farmhouse Gazebo overlooking the mountains of Antioquia

If we only paid attention to what we hear on the news, the closest most of would ever get to experiencing Colombia is having a cup of Colombian blend at the local coffee shop. The reality of Colombia is that most of the country is perfectly safe for travel, and the few regions that are not can be easily avoided.

Getting There
While most Romans leave for the summer, my holiday comes during the off season when temperatures in Rome are dismal and summer is in full swing in South America. The best deal I found for Colombia was on Spirit Airlines for about 350 dollars (one way). Their flights for Medellin leave from Ft. Lauderdale and connecting flights can be found all over the U.S. For European and most other origins, Iberia or Air France are good options too. 

Home Base 
Most of this trip was spent in a small town north of Medellin called Don Matias. This town was founded in 1814 and has just about 20,000 inhabitants. Its center is a tiny square with colonial looking balconies, coffee and liquor kiosks galore, and last but not least a massive Catholic Church which dominates the square. 

Don Matias raises more than 220,000 pigs per year, placing it first in all of Colombia. Milk production is also a major industry here, with 186,000 liters of milk produced per day. According to El Mundo, though Don Matias has only 20,000 residents, as many as 10,000 people from this town have up and left over the past decades in search of greener (and surely colder) pastures in Boston, Ma. This is evident almost everywhere you go in this tiny town, where there are nearly as many men sporting Red Sox hats as there are traditional Colombian Sombreros. Even the town mayor spent several years living and working in Chelsea, MA, and the local Discoteque is called (you guessed) BOSTON. 

 Scallions grow so large that they look like leeks. Boston Discoteque in background

Local pastimes include drinking (coffee by day, aguardiente or rum by night), gossip, horseback riding (sometimes combined with drinking and gossiping), and on occasion watching and betting on cock fights.

The town is situated at about 2,000 meters above sea level, which makes for sunny and warm days but cold nights. A 45 minute drive down the harrowing stretch of mountains known by locals as the loma de matasanos (climb that kills even the healthy) takes you to the major city of the Antioquia region: Medellin. 

The Colombian version of hitchhiking

Medellin
Medellin is a sprawling city that stretches across a valley of mountains in the North of Colombia. It is home to 2 million residents plus thousands of others from nearby towns who come to do business on a daily basis. Once a violent and dangerous city, modern Medellin is one of the most beautiful and enjoyable cities in South America. Seasonal festivals that make Medellin especially worth visiting are the Feria de los Flores flower festival which is held each August, and the amazing character and lights displays across the city and its rivers during the month of December. 

Medellin has a consistently warm climate, and is sunny and hot all year round. People looking to get some relief from the heat need look no further than the parque de los pies descalzos (barefoot park). 

Parque de los pies descalzos, Medellin 

Children and adults alike have a blast jumping in and out of the fountains, while others spread out blankets in the shade and observe the fun.

Medellin is a bustling city, and everyone in it is a salesman. From bra straps (you would not believe the variety of colors, fabrics, sizes and shapes that one can find bra straps in this city) to mangoes, lottery tickets, chiclets, and popsicles, it is a sensory overload of product peddling.

Medellin is not a city without it's problems. Petty crime is an every day reality, and many of its residents live in situations of extreme poverty in neighborhoods that resemble shanty towns like this one.

Poor neighborhood in Medellin

Still, for every poor neighborhood there is a neighborhood of middle to upper class residents such as the chic El Poblado with it's massive shopping malls and great restaurants.

Panorama of Medellin

Other attractions in Medellin include the Pueblito Paisa, a small recreation of an old fashioned paisa town, and the Museo de Antioquia, where local artist Fernando Botero houses dozens of his famous paintings and sculptures of "los gorditos", his typical plus size subjects.

EAT as the Colombians Do

Colombian food has not exactly made its mark as one of the leading global cuisines. Still, there are some great dishes to be found here. Colombians normally eat three meals per day, all of them savory. Yes, that means that for breakfast you could be looking at something like this.

A Bandeja Paisa comes with rice, beans, beef, pork (chicharron), fried plantains, fried egg, salad, and avocado. 

A few of my other favorites are the arepa de choclo, made from fresh corn kernels that are hand picked from the cob, liquefied, and then pan fried into a heavenly little cake onto which one spreads butter and cheese (yum)

Empanadas are the perfect snack food (they go well with beer)

Sancocho is a wonderful soup made with chicken or beef and local vegetables

Buñuelos have to be my all time favorite. Little balls of cheese and flour that are rolled into a ball and fried. Most Colombians eat them with natilla, a jello-esque food that I have not yet embraced. I love these with a hot cup of cafe con leche.

A great resource for planning travel to Colombia is PaisaTours.com.  Paisa Tours is not an actual tour operator but has loads of essential info on planning travel to Colombia. I'll be using their guide in my next leg of this journey to the Amazon region for a few last days of peace and quiet before heading back to Rome and launching the new 2010 tour products.

Italy: Why Immigrants Keep Coming

With all the recent headline news about Italy being a racist country and its mistreating immigrant workers, for some reason immigrants will still risk their lives to come here. Italian authorities at the port of Bari have just discovered an
Afghan boy hiding inside a suitcase in the trunk of a car. However bad the situation for immigrants might be in Italy, imagine what their lives must be like back home for them to take such measures to get into Italy.

Berlusconi: Drastic Times Call for Drastic Measures

One of the first things Silvio Berlusconi did as Italian Prime Minister was to pass a law granting the highest government offices (himself included) immunity against prosecution while in office.
Judges overturned this law last October and after Berlusconi was recently attacked by a figurine-wielding madman, apparently he is looking for protection elsewhere.

Berlusconi's latest idea is that Political blogging should be illegal, as it has led to a climate of hatred in Italy. This is not the first attempt at censuring the internet in Italy.

Vatican Museum hikes ticket prices (AGAIN)

Why is it that the Vatican can raise its Vatican museum ticket prices every year, and we have kept our Vatican Tour prices the same for four years now and still people whine?! Unfair. Someone had better get Pope B16 on the phone for me.

Isn't 15 Euro too much to pay just for entry to the museum, without any guided tour or information at all? Not to mention, the artwork inside is not even marked. Well, I guess SOMEONE has to pay for the Pope's fabulous wardrobe:

Spanish Supermarket Finds Surprise in Banana Box

I love shopping at LIDL in Rome. A stock employee at one of the LIDL supermarkets in Spain recently found 80 kg of cocaine stuffed into packets beneath a shipment of bananas. I have one word for those drug smugglers: DOH! Bet your bananas they'll be more careful next time!