The Alps by Automobile

In January of 2019, Rebecca and I decided to embark on the ultimate road trip and explore the Alps by automobile.  We began our crazy adventure in northern Italy, but before it was all over we had traveled through the snowy passes of Switzerland, Liechtenstein, and Austria. This post serves as a photographic diary of our scenic journey along the way.

We entrusted this little French 5-speeder, a Citroën, to carry us safely through the Alps. (more…)


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The Lake Como Region of Italy

As Rebecca and I drove across the Swiss border into the Lake Como region of Italy, the clouds darkened  and it began to rain. Lake Como, in the Lombardy region of northern Italy, is a posh resort area known for its splendid scenery, set against the backdrop of the Alps. Lake Como has been a popular retreat for the extremely wealthy since Roman times. The actor, George Clooney, fell so in love with the area that he purchased a multi-million dollar mansion in the lakeside community of Laglio. Unfortunately for us, we encountered a dreary, wet and windy afternoon when we entered into Lake Como and our visit there was a very brief one. Along with scattered showers, the heavy clouds brought in a dense fog that limited our visibility and made any picture-taking a real challenge.

A fleeting glimpse of Lake Como from the highway. (more…)


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Two Days in Venice – Italy’s Famous City of Canals

In the Veneto Region of Italy, partially submerged in the murky waters of the Adriatic sea, rests one of the most romantic and renowned places in all of Europe – Venice. The heart of this Venetian lagoon has no roads above water and, outside of its raised walking paths, its winding canals can be traversed only by boat.  The area of Venice is actually a group of intriguing islands, where art and history are said to come alive. Combined with old trades and the beauty of the sea, this priceless treasure is a must-see World Heritage (UNESCO) site.

The hotel Villa Barbarich in Venice

It wasn’t just any old occasion that brought us to Venice, it was the final leg of our fabulous honeymoon. Considering that, I did a lot of research before choosing the hotel for our Venetian getaway. Just 15 minutes from Venice, the Villa Barbarich was an amazing resort . The hotel, featuring all sorts of great amenities, is actually a renovated 16th century villa. For anybody who appreciates history with elegance, this place is certain to please!

The quickest way to get around Venice is always by watercraft.

If you’ve never had the privilege of visiting this lovely floating city, keep on scrolling down. Big John will take you on a tour through my vivid collection of photos. This ride is a whole lot cheaper than one of the pricey gondolas; although, if given the option, I seriously recommend you see it by boat. (more…)


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When In Rome, Do As The Romans Do

They say that when in Rome, do as the Romans do. Having never been in Rome before, I wasn’t quite sure what it is that they do. It only took me about 5 minutes after arriving in the city to tell you what it is that Romans don’t do. Romans don’t use turn signals, they don’t yield to oncoming traffic, and they definitely don’t get stuck in a “bus/taxi only” lane while driving aimlessly around the same circle for over an hour – that last one is what I do!

Well, after all of that senseless nonsense, I hope Romans “do” a lot of walking. I threw away my international drivers license, triple-parked the Alfa Romeo I rented, and Rebecca and I explored the entire city on foot. Despite it all, we actually had an amazing time and took plenty of pictures along the way. I hope you like our photographic journey through Rome.

I believe this lady needs a tour guide. Too bad she’s stuck with me! (more…)


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Trailing Beauty along the Cinque Terre

Undoubtedly, one of the most important things about traveling to a new place is knowing exactly how to get there. When Rebecca and I hopped on the La Spezia station train heading for Italy‘s famed Cinque Terre, it wasn’t that I didn’t know which train to take. It was really more of a question as to where I needed to get off.  Since men are notorious for never asking directions, my male ego ending up costing us a good two hours and some pretty tired feet. We overshot our stop completely and ended up disembarking a few miles up from our intended target area. With limited time to spare already, our exploration of the Cinque Terre was considerably shorter than we originally planned it to be.

Big John at the La Spezia Central Railway Station

The Cinque Terre, meaning “five lands”, is a rugged stretch of coastline situated along the Italian Riviera. The entire area is comprised of five cities that are close enough that one could walk from one to the other. That is if one didn’t mind taking long walks in one of the most beautiful places on God’s green earth. The coastline, hillsides, and five cities are all part of the Cinque Terre National Park and listed as a Unesco World Heritage Site. Of the five cities of Cinque Terre, Monterosso al Mare was the only city Rebecca and I got to spend any real time in. For that reason alone, this area is definitely on our “Must Return” list. (more…)


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