Volterra: My Top Italian Hill Town
1:00 01/01/1970
I often say the Volterra is my favorite Italian hill town. Returning this year for my research chores, I was wondering if that was overstating things. But as soon as I settled into the town, my...
https://www.europedowntownapartments.com/en/travel/feed-volterra-my-top-italian-hill-town

Tacky Tuscan Tourist Trap?
1:00 01/01/1970
When filming our TV shows, we often note how we make things look better than they are. The truth is, there are a lot of tacky tourist traps throughout Europe. San Gimignano comes off as a pretty...
https://www.europedowntownapartments.com/en/travel/feed-tacky-tuscan-tourist-trap-

Pointy Skylines and Glittering Frescoes in Tuscany
1:00 01/01/1970
When it comes to hill towns in Tuscany, San Gimignano is the region’s glamour girl, getting all of the attention from passing tour buses. A quick stroll through its core, in the shadows of its 14...
https://www.europedowntownapartments.com/en/travel/feed-pointy-skylines-and-glittering-frescoes-in-tuscany

Enjoying Steak Dinner at Osteria dell’ Aquacheta
1:00 01/01/1970
High-intensity travel makes me hungry — especially in Italy. The one meal I’ve been looking forward to more than any other is a big steak dinner at Osteria dell’ Aquacheta in Montepulciano....
https://www.europedowntownapartments.com/en/travel/feed-enjoying-steak-dinner-at-osteria-dell-aquacheta

Booking It in Italy
1:00 01/01/1970
I’m 45 days into my 100-days-of-Europe blog series. I hope you’re enjoying traveling with me. I’ve picked up some new tips along the way while updating my guidebooks. Most people consider this...
https://www.europedowntownapartments.com/en/travel/feed-booking-it-in-italy

In Italy, Wine is a Religion — and I’m a Convert
1:00 01/01/1970
Benjamin Franklin once wrote, “Wine is constant proof that God loves us and loves to see us happy.” There is no better place in the world to confirm what Ben said than in Tuscany. Today I’m...
https://www.europedowntownapartments.com/en/travel/feed-in-italy-wine-is-a-religion-and-i-m-a-convert

Fabulous Flag Flourishes
1:00 01/01/1970
Visiting agriturismos and countryside B&Bs listed in my Italy guidebook, I was impressed by how much fun the hosts were. Here, Franco of Frances’ Lodge (a B&B just outside of Siena) jumped at an...
https://www.europedowntownapartments.com/en/travel/feed-fabulous-flag-flourishes

Italy’s Rural B&Bs: Cow Country with Panache
1:00 01/01/1970
I spent the better part of yesterday popping in on the wonderful agriturismos we recommend in my Italy guidebook. An agriturismo is a rural B&B run by small farmers who are trying to survive in a...
https://www.europedowntownapartments.com/en/travel/feed-italy-s-rural-b-amp-bs-cow-country-with-panache

Gelato that Hits the Sweet Spot
1:00 01/01/1970
I don’t generally get all excited about individual gelato shops, but BuonGusto in Pienza is an exception. Run by Chef Nicola, here is an example of a high-quality gelateria. Tourist-trap places...
https://www.europedowntownapartments.com/en/travel/feed-gelato-that-hits-the-sweet-spot

Out of the Country but Not Out of Touch
1:00 01/01/1970
By Rick Steves for The Seattle Times All I was trying to do was share a little happiness from my trip on my Facebook page. So when someone responded with, “Seems out of place with what’s...
https://www.europedowntownapartments.com/en/travel/feed-out-of-the-country-but-not-out-of-touch