Thursday, March 12, 2015

Discovering Germany, Solo

Going outside your comfort zone is difficult
 for many of us.

As a solo traveler I have challenges every day I am on the road exploring and experiencing new places.

My Italian blog, Home to Italy rewards me with several months each year in a country that has many secrets to share with this Italian American. 

In April I will return to Germany for the first time in  years.  My short previous visit was part of the college '21 days' to see all of Europe trip.  One quick stop and a great train ride south to Switzerland.

This adventure covers 7 cities considered off the beaten track:
Munster, Koblenz, Wiesbaden, Wurzburg, Regensburg, Augsburg, Heidelberg and Trier.    

If you know Germany and can suggest the oldest cake store in town, what hand made product the town is known for or even a tradition/festival I can experience, please share.

Watch for posts from Germany in April!   A new country, a new experience, a big step outside the comfort zone.  I do not speak German!





   

Thursday, March 5, 2015

Italy: Learn Italian in Sorrento



Mature Solo Travel Readers:                                 there is a special offer 

Sorrento Lingue


SPECIAL OFFERS
26/02/2015
LEARN ITALIAN IN ITALY!
Study Italian in Italy - Special Offer for March 2015
Come and learn Italian in Italy at Sant'Anna In ... >> 





Study Italian in Italy - Special Offer  2015

Come and learn Italian in Italy at Sant'Anna Institute!
Are you looking for a complete and exciting Italian language program?
Choose Sant’Anna Institute (Sorrento, Italy) and get one of the following special offers reserved to you!
OFFER for Former students: students who come to attend a second course will get 20% off + Enrollment fee free of charge!!!! For each friend enrolling with you receive 20% off your course! Bring 5 friends and attend your course for FREE!
OFFER for New students: 10% off on the Italian course rates and Enrollment fee at 60€ instead of 75€.
If you want to stay for 2 weeks, book: 2 weeks Italian BASIC course + 2 weeks family accommodation B&B + enrollment fee at 590€
Deadline for Enrollments: March 20, 2015

  • Our Institute offers a wide range of high-quality Italian language courses for any level: from beginners to Italian teachers courses, all the year round (Italian language courses start every week).
  • Sant’Anna Institute provides:
  • - effective, flexible, modern and communication-oriented teaching method
  • - a friendly atmosphere
  • - qualified and motivated teachers
  • - small groups of students from different countries (a maximum of 12 people per class)
  • - Certificate of attendance
  • - Afternoon Cultural activities
  • - Trips and Excursions to Capri, Pompei and Amalfi coast
  • - Mediterranean cooking courses and tasting
  • - Pizza Making courses and tasting
  • - Ice-cream (Gelato) making courses and tasting
  • - Visit to Limoncello factory and tasting
  • - Tandem programs with local Italians
  • - Accommodation (host families, shared apartments, private apartments, hotels, B&B and more…)
Visit our FB page Lingua Italiana a Sorrento https://www.facebook.com/linguaitaliana.asorrento?fref=ts to discover the Sant’Anna world and get in touch with us!
For information contact us: info@santannainstitute.com
  • |




Sunday, February 22, 2015

Meeting People on the Road: Hats for the Royal Family


Hats fit for Royalty:  Winchester, UK



Six Little Minster St, Winchester
                                                              www.caroldarby.co.uk

Walking the cobbled lanes in Winchester, trying to see everything before I left for Southampton to catch a ship, I found Carol Darby's hat shop.   In the USA you often do not see hat shops any longer.  Yes specialty store in high tourist areas but years ago hats were common for Sunday's and to go to 'town'.  

So I had to smile when I saw Free Spirit, a compact corner store with windows full of HATS!   The owner Carol Darby was inside working on a fabric or felt hat that would become a treasured piece of 'art' for a special occasion.



I hesitated to enter and bother the owner late on a rainy afternoon, but if you don't speak to people on the road, you may as well stay home and read about other countries in a book.    I was warmly welcomed and soon learned that Carol has been creating hats and jewelry for more than 20 years.

No two hats in the shop were alike and Carol told me 'designs the hat to suit the wearer'.   There are many special events in the UK that require a hat.


 
Commissions include engagement, wedding, Ascot perhaps and for members of the Royal family.
 
 
 

Carol had some wonderful stories to tell and I took more of her time than was polite but it was hard to leave.     She shared with me that she didn't bother with face book or email but would check for my post when she visited a friend..................I hope to visit again and perhaps even try on a few of the most popular styles.

Travel is not only visiting museums, photographing monuments but also meeting the locals and learning about life in their town.    Oh and this is the best part of travel.