pink palazzo

Happy Thanksgiving to all my American friends!  

I'm missing my family's scrumptious turkey dinner, but 

I'm very thankful that I got to come back to Italy this 

year—and ride down the Grand Canal on the vaporetto, 

and dream of living in a place like this! 

Home domani (sigh). 

abc wednesday - S is for "superstitious"

This is the back of Ca' Dario, on the Grand Canal, 

immortalized most famously by Monet.  Some say this house 

is cursed, and it's true that its various owners have known 

more than their share of bankruptcy and untimely death—most 

from suicide or murder.  There was a rumor that Woody Allen 

was interested in purchasing this 15th-century palazzo—

until he learned its history.  Maybe he's superstitious.

[See more abc wednesday here.]

Aaah, Venezia!

This is the rio San Barnaba.  We're staying about halfway 

between the second and third bridges.  I took this shot from 

the attic of Ca' Rezzonico, which I plan to visit again 

while we're here (first time was many years ago, when my friend 

and I were the only ones there and it still looked pretty 

much as it had when Robert Browning's son, Pen, owned it).  

Now you're not allowed to take photos or—heaven forfend—touch 

anything.  Whatever—it's still a cool place.

San Lorenzo Market

I didn't stick around to see if she bought the bag 

(but I'll bet she did).  Over the years, my various traveling 

companions have gotten all kinds of leather goodies in 

this colorful market—belts, gloves, bags, jackets.

I've yet to drop a euro here, but maybe this time

 (yeah, probably not, but it's still fun to look).

Boboli Gardens

Since it's November, we'll be lucky if the weather is nice 

enough to enjoy this gorgeous garden.  Here's hoping!

so worth it

463 steps to the top of Bruneleschi's amazing dome, 

but I do it again and again for this view of the rooftops 

of Florence.  Besides, all that climbing means no 

guilt whatsoever over the copious quantities of pasta, 

wine, and gelato that will no doubt be consumed later! 

cacio e pepe

That's what this dish is called, and they make the best 

(imho) here at Da Stefano.  It's basically pasta, cheese, and 

fresh pepper—and what else do you need, really? 

Well, except for gelato (even in November), 

and Rome has some of the best of that too!