I left Florence in late November of 2019, expecting to return in the summer to spend time in the Vallembrosa forest with Cristina to learn how she makes her natural remedies. Of course, that was not to be, due to the Pandemic. It is now 2022 and I am in Italy for the first time. […]
SPRING 2023 Writing, appreciating art, cuisine and culture in Florence and Tuscany Italy sings softly in my ear, urging me to return, insisting that it’s safe now. My heart literally aches when I look at photos from past adventures. In late September, I plan to re-visit my favourite sites alone and meet with my friends […]
Embraced by the Walls When I decided to spend a month in Lucca, I anticipated periods of loneliness because I hadn’t travelled alone in a decade. Life had gotten somewhat stale and certainly predictable. I yearned to be out of my comfort zone. I wanted to be in a place where I didn’t know anyone so […]
In October, I will be travelling outside of my comfort zone. (not found on any map!) I will be living, by myself, in Lucca for the month. My goal is to speak only Italian AND look for new venues and activities for future Pronto Marcella travellers. I chose Lucca because: 1. I don’t know anyone […]
Our First Three Days It was a long journey from Toronto and Connecticut but we all met in Brussels and continued on together to Florence. Marcie and our driver were there to greet us and whisked us to the countryside, to the tiny village of Poggio Alla Croce. Some of us walked around the property and explored the nearby agriturismo of […]