Tag: M. Ciavardini

There Really Is a House of the Seven Gables

Author Nathaniel Hawthorne's cousin owned a house in Salem, Mass. that once had seven gables.

Surprises at the Salem, Mass. Building that Hawthorne Made Famous It has been a long time since I have read Nathaniel Hawthorne’s House of the Seven Gables, but I am still excited to learn that he based his book on…

Destinations Worth a Second Look

Looking out at the world from Machu Picchu, Peru Photo credit: M. Ciavardini

Deciding on Places to Visit in the Coming Year ’Tis the season for reflection. Here are some destinations worth considering in the coming year—along with some different ways to contemplate them. United States: Where We Should All Be on July…

Bashfully Appreciated Places, 2016

Pisa beyond the Leaning Tower Photo credit: M. Ciavardini

What readers liked to visit over the last year Should it be any surprise that the bashful adventurers visiting these pages have eclectic taste? Their reading habits show their interest—in learning, in history, in practical matters. The most popular posts…

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…

Key West for Christmas

La Mer Bed and Breakfast, a part of the Southernmost Hotel, mixes holiday charm with tropical style. Photo credit: M. Ciavardini

Leave Your Boots and Mittens at Home This Holiday Season Dreaming of a bright Christmas? Consider a trip to Key West to get a warm holiday fix. Love the Florida Keys? You might like these posts: Biscayne, Largo, West Key…

Castles in Westchester: Caramoor

What will the history of the Rosen family teach visitors at Caramoor? Photo credit: M. Ciavardini

Seeking the Rosens in a Villa in Katonah Going on a house tour is a bit of an odd pastime, being as a certain amount of snooping into other people’s personal lives is encouraged, yet go too far, and a…

Westchester Castles: Manhattanville

Castles close by: Reid Castle at Manhattanville College in Purchase, N.Y. Photo credit: M. Ciavardini

Don’t let Reid Castle be wasted on co-eds   Try to find a reason to visit the campus of Manhattanville College in Purchase, N.Y. just to visit what’s called ‘The Castle,’ and it indeed looks like one. Formally called Reid…

New England History for Truth-Seeking Tourists

A statue of the sachem Iyanough, for whom Hyannis, Mass. is named. Iyanough helped arrange the return of 16-year-old John Billington, who got lost in 1621 and was taken custody by indigenous people. Iyanough died in 1621 while still in his 20s. Photo credit: M. Ciavardini

Of Pilgrims, Progress, Power I begin reading Nathaniel Philbrick’s Mayflower with the hope that the ending is going to be a slightly different one. I resist picking up this work for a long time because I know it isn’t going…