Simply Gelato

June 14, 2021 by megtraveling

Over the years I’ve written many posts about gelato and Italy. Gelato is my favorite treat and one time I found a flavor in Parma called Parmigianino that was light and fluffy. When I get gelato I try two flavors so I can sample something different with one of my favorites. It’s part of the adventure to walk and enjoy the scenery with a refreshing gelato. I wasn’t the only one either – I saw lots of people walking with their gelato cones and cups!

I decided to continue with this theme so here are some of the signs I saw. These pictures make me want to go back to Italy – hopefully soon!

Venice – Silent Sunday

April 11, 2021 by megtraveling

Italy – Wordless Wednesday

January 27, 2021 by megtraveling

Gondola Ride

October 18, 2020 by megtraveling

More about Souvenirs

October 11, 2020 by megtraveling

I’ve been thinking about souvenirs and how to stop bringing so many back from trips. I have decided that the following are even better than souvenirs because they don’t last (at least for me) and therefore won’t require packing!

Chocolate:

Fruit from markets:

And of course gelato!

Decluttering Travel Souvenirs

October 5, 2020 by megtraveling

For me the fun of travel begins with research and the library is a great place to find travel books as well as history books about cities and countries. I also like using apps to listen and practice words and phrases in the language I’m learning. I know I’ve made progress when I can read signs and billboards while on my travels. But then I’ll hear children speaking to their parents and realize that they already know more words than I ever will in their language.

I also like to leave extra room in my suitcase for the souvenirs I want to bring home, although I’m trying to limit my souvenir buying. This is especially true since I have brought back some purchases that I haven’t used and have no place to keep them.

Luckily there are things you can’t take with you (like gelato), so you have to eat them right away!

So now I have more than one drawer stuffed with travel souvenirs like key chains, postcards, ticket stubs and refrigerator magnets. Are they valuable memories or just clutter? I did find a use for some of my key chains by displaying them on an earring holder:

Sometime soon I will look at these souvenirs and decide whether or not to keep them. At least in the future I can focus on enjoying the experience of travel through photos and memories and let them replace the clutter. I will really try to do this!

Reflection from Rome

September 20, 2020 by megtraveling

Lunch Choices

April 3, 2016 by megtraveling

When I was in Genoa I walked in an area with lots of fruit and vegetable shops. It was just about time for lunch and I thought it might be fun to buy an orange or some strawberries that I saw displayed to have as a snack. There were also places where you could walk in and buy something more substantial that could be warmed up. Since I didn’t see anywhere to sit I also considered other options such as buying a gelato and continuing to walk. After a while I realized I wasn’t even hungry so I decided to wait and simply enjoy the day!

Colorful fruit

More choices…

Fruit display

This looks good too

Shop here

This faithful friend waited patiently outside.

Italy

A Lake Maggiore Walk

February 15, 2016 by megtraveling

During my visit to Italy last May I took an afternoon walk one day in Baveno along Lake Maggiore. When I look at these pictures now I can see that it wasn’t a sunny day, but I didn’t notice it at the time. This is probably because the views of the lake and mountains were so compelling the cloudy skies didn’t matter. There weren’t too many people around that day so I could focus on the scenery. I also remember seeing the flowers beginning to bloom on the hydrangeas. Just as I thought it would be nice to have a treat I found a gelato shop. This was an important part of the walk too.

Lake Maggiore

What I saw along the way.

Sit and enjoy the lake

Just beginning to bloom

Serene view

I always find gelato :)

Seen from a distance

It was a charming walk.

Lake Maggiore

The Search for Souvenirs

February 6, 2016 by megtraveling

Part of the fun of travel is bringing back souvenirs that have memories of where and when they were purchased. I have lots of postcards and refrigerator magnets but some of my favorite souvenirs are things I can look at such as art prints and calendars. I also like things I can wear like scarves and bracelets. When I was in Italy I wanted to find some unique souvenirs, but where should I start? Wherever I went there were so many choices it was difficult to decide. As I looked around I saw possibilities like these: