Milan has dozens of tantalizing museums—nearly all are closed on Monday. Instead, we returned to the Duomo. As impressive as the cathedral is from a distance, the exterior is even more remarkable close-up. The walls are embellished with an endless number of magnificent marble sculptures. Passing through the gigantic bronze entrance doors, the size of the cathedral is the first … Read More
Italy day 2 – Milan
As Kathy, her friend Gabriella and her son Cyril and I walked from the trolley towards the Duomo we each uttered a series of WOWs. Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II is without question the most glamorous shopping area I’ve ever experienced. I wouldn’t even consider buying anything there, but the glamour of the domed ceiling, long arcades, tiled floors, and elegant … Read More
Italy – Day One – Milan
I’m in Italy with my friend Kathy for the next two weeks. The first day after a long flight always feels disorienting, especially when you arrive early morning. It was a long ride from the airport into the city, but I can’t tell you much about what we passed, it all seemed a blur. After dropping off our luggage in … Read More
Cheyenne, Wyoming
So, what do you want to do tomorrow?” Judy asked me. “How about driving up to Cheyenne?” “Cheyenne? Why would you want to go there?” “I haven’t been there in decades. Just curious.” I responded. And with that I did a google search. There were enough interesting places to convince Judy it would be worth exploring, even on a Sunday … Read More
Loveland, Colorado – Sculpture in the Park
I didn’t come to Colorado specifically to see this sculpture show (family and friends first), but the timing wasn’t an accident. When I’d visited here before and we’d walked through the Benson Sculpture Park in Loveland, my friend Judi told me about the show and said I must see it. One hundred and fifty sculptors exhibit their work in … Read More
Southwest USA
My first trip to the southwest in 1979 began in Albuquerque. I’d never spent time in the southwest before, or in any desert environment. Everything seemed as different from New York as it could be. Buildings were low. Instead of steel and glass, most were constructed in adobe or wood. Cacti, not geraniums, adorned yards and front porches. The landscape … Read More
Paris – through an art lens
I’m getting fond of taking buses in Paris now that Google maps directs me where to board them, and then tells me stop-by-stop where I am. My first bus ride today took me to the Tuileries. It’s one of my favorite places in Paris—I am a lover of gardens and people watching. In the park I got to do both. … Read More
Paris – New and Old
Today included some of the oldest and newest Paris sites. It started with the new – the Foundation Louis Vuitton. The building, designed by Frank Gehry, is in the Bois de Boulogne and was completed in 2014. It is an art museum, but I doubt many people go there for the art. It’s the building that’s the star. I was … Read More
Beaune and Chateau de Chamirey, France
I will have to return and spend a few days in Beaune. It is one of the loveliest places we visited, right in the heart of Burgundy. The town is best known for Hotel – Dieu, Des Hospices Civils. The hospital was founded in 1443 by wealthy locals, Nicolas Rolin and his wife Guigone, as a way of helping the … Read More
Disembarkation and on to Paris
Today was disembarkation day, our final morning on the Saone River. I spent as much time as possible outside before heading to the train station. The ride to Paris had a couple of minor glitches—to get to the track required a long flight of steps down and another up. That wouldn’t normally be a problem, but with luggage it wasn’t … Read More