Tag: travel

Spooning in Florence

An art installation called "I Eat Earth" by Simone D'Auria at the Lungarno Collection’s Gallery Hotel Art in Florence. Photo credit: M. Ciavardini

Discovering Contemporary Art in a City of Masterpieces Taking the scenic route from the Ponte Vecchio back to the Soggiorno Battistero in Florence, the Brawny Sherpa and I become a little lost. Wandering a bit aimlessly, we try to work…

Postmarked Hyannis

The Hyannis, Mass. Post Office is just a short walk on Main Street away from the John F. Kennedy Museum. Photo credit: M. Ciavardini

Post Office Tourism in the Land of Kennedy Remember the days when post offices had unique designs? When they weren’t generically and homogeneously crafted buildings designed, if only aspirationally, for some sort of efficiency? Remember when going to the post…

If You’re Going to Italy, Bring Delia Ephron

Trevi Fountain, Rome

Even if Siracusa Is Not Your Destination, Ephron’s Book Will Delight You I’ve been sucking up just about everything the Ephron sisters put out since I discovered Nora Ephron’s Crazy Salad Plus Nine many, many years ago. It’s no surprise,…

Should You Just Stay Home?

When world events seem so alarming, should you just stay home? Photo credit: M. Ciavardini

What to Do When Feeling Threatened by World Events On days when the news seems to be reporting that the world is crumbling, that our own personal peacefulness could possibly be at risk, when certain acts of violence, random or…

ISO Artists before They Were Known

Book jackets, kiddie books, starving artists, oh my! A visit to the Warhol exhibit at the Morgan Library in New York City. Photo credit: M. Ciavardini

A Visit to the Warhol Exhibit at the Morgan Library Who knew pop artist Andy Warhol used to have to make a living designing book covers? Or that he self-published some books? Seeing an artist’s early works, before he was…

Gawking at Ford’s Theatre

Is gawking at the presidential box at Ford's Theatre creepy? Photo credit: M. Ciavardini

That Creepiness at the Crossroads of Tourism and Assassination Despite living in the District of Columbia for more than a decade, I always dodged visits to Ford’s Theatre, the site of Abraham Lincoln’s assassination by actor John Wilkes Booth. “Too…

Peaceful Places to Visit: St. Patrick’s Cathedral

You Don’t Have to Be Catholic to Go In At a moment when the universe seems especially volatile, what with climate fluctuations, terrorist strikes, and police v. civilian discord, even adventuresome travelers can be tempted to stay indoors for a…

Grand Central Eagle

Grand Central eagle

Toodling around Manhattan’s 42nd Street before a meeting in midtown, I cross to the Pershing Square Café side of the street and head toward Bryant Park. I don’t know what makes me look toward the taxi stand at Grand Central…