Buon Natale from Rome!

Rome, Italy Dario and I are spending the winter holidays with his family in Rome.  Things are a bit crazy as he is helping with repairs to the house and we are rearranging some of the furniture, including some things we left here when we moved to Ireland.  Still, there is plenty of room for …

Friendship on the Inca Trail

Cuzco, Peru Today's post comes to us from Katy of www.starryeyedtravels.com.  It's a sweet little story that encapsulates one of the oft-overlooked and underrated fringe benefits of travel: new friends.     I always knew that the hiking Inca Trail to Machu Picchu was going to be a pretty amazing experience, but what I didn't …

WoW vs. RL: Un’Goro Crater

Ngorongoro Conservation Area, Tanzania / Un’Goro Crater, Kalimdor I love travel in its many, many forms.  When I am not out traipsing about the earth in search of new and funny adventures, I will often turn to other forms of travel: books, movies, following other travel bloggers, and playing my favorite MMORPG, World of Warcraft.  …

US vs. Italy vs. Ireland

From the archives – and freshly updated! – comes a little piece comparing the 3 countries in which I've lived.  Seemed fitting in light of the fact that we are soon leaving Ireland to head back to Italy for a while.  WARNING: the word "awesome" is used to excess.   I have been meaning to …

electric blue!

Race to the Blue Grotto!

Capri, Italy Living in Naples gives one all sorts of opportunities for adventure, eating, and uber-tourist activities.  A travel outfit affiliated with my employer had a day trip heading to Capri, so I joined in.  Since I lived within walking distance of the airport, I *could* have just taken the Alibus down to the port …

Dragon of Shandon 2011

Cork, Ireland Just a quick reminder to anyone who is lucky enough to be in Ireland this Halloween — the Dragon of Shandon is coming on Monday! A very toothy smile from the 2010 parade.   Here's the scoop on this year's parade: Join Cork Community Art Link in the historic heart of Shandon, Monday October …

Panoramic shot of El Teide on Tenerife

Featured photo: El Teide

Tenerife, Spain As you may know, I love volcanoes and warm weather nearly as much as I love camels.  So when Linda of Islandmomma offered to be my guide around Tenerife, I jumped at the chance!  It was a fine chance to test out the camera I'd won from the Cork Cycling Festival's photo competition.  …