Category Archives: Travel Tips

International Festival in Tennessee Hills!

Posted on May 28, 2013 by Melonie

Everyone thinks of Tennessee as the home of Elvis, Jack Daniels, or Nashville Country Music-but Tennessee has a lot of surprises! Tucked in the valley of the Great Smoky Mountain National Forest in a busy traffic filled town called Pigeon … Continue reading →

Posted in Dollywood, Family, Food, Holidays, Tennessee, Things to do, Travel Tips, Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Getting To Bagni Di Lucca….

Posted on April 27, 2013 by Melonie

Getting to Bagni di Lucca…reposted without pictures from an amazing Blog writer Debra…www.bellabagnidilucca.com. I have added my comments in ( ) ! I know this will be helpful or our guests this summer! Posted on April 27, 2013 The most … Continue reading →

Posted in Bagni Di Lucca, Family, Italy, Lucca, Rules and Regs, Things to do, Travel Tips, Tuscany | Leave a comment

You want me to eat that?

Posted on January 25, 2013 by Melonie

Being married to a Chef I have been introduced to some unusual foods. I am very willing to try just about anything and this makes traveling to another country easy. In Italy we have tried hot ricotta???, uncooked sausage???, dandelions??? … Continue reading →

Posted in Bagni Di Lucca, Family, Food, History, Italy, Lucca, Tennessee, Things to do, Travel Tips, Tuscany | Leave a comment

“How do I love thee? Let me count the ways…”

Posted on January 20, 2013 by Melonie

The title above are the starting lines to what has been named the most popular love poem of all time!! We throw the word love around fairly easily. I love my hubby, I love my kid, I really love hot … Continue reading →

Posted in Bagni Di Lucca, Family, Florence, History, Italy, Things to do, Travel Tips, Tuscany, Uncategorized | Leave a comment

The Cookie Caper…

Posted on December 20, 2012 by Melonie

Just like in Tuscany, Christmas brings lots of festivals, street fares and reasons to have fun here in Tennessee! Every year we drive the curvy 35 minutes drive to the sweet town of Tellico Plains. This one red light, gazebo … Continue reading →

Posted in Family, Food, History, Tennessee, Things to do, Travel Tips | Leave a comment

The Santa Hustle…

Posted on December 16, 2012 by Melonie

This year we found another great reason to get outside and try to walk/run off some of the holiday treats! As much as I would love to call myself a serious runner I am really in it to stay semi … Continue reading →

Posted in Family, Hotels, Tennessee, Things to do, Travel Tips | Leave a comment

And I thought my kid’s soccer was rough?

Posted on November 5, 2012 by Melonie

For the last several years I have been reading about an interesting tradition in Florence called…”Calico Storico”…historic football. I have watched insane Youtube video’s of what looks like grown men playing in a huge sand pit with a ball…oh, and … Continue reading →

Posted in Chianti, Family, Florence, Food, History, Italy, Things to do, Travel Tips, Tuscany, Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Crafty people make me jealous…

Posted on October 8, 2012 by Melonie

Another amazing aspect to the Harvest Festival in San Gimignano and all over Italy is the display of crafty people. I do admit I have an addiction of watching craftsmen. I have never been able to make anything so I … Continue reading →

Posted in Family, History, Italy, Naples, San Gimignana, Things to do, Travel Tips, Tuscany | Leave a comment

War of Love.

Posted on October 1, 2012 by Melonie

In San Gimignanao’s Harvest Festival, one of the favorite events is “The War of Love”. The entire weekend tells a story. The program (you get with the paid admission for the weekend) tells the folklore of the love story between the … Continue reading →

Posted in Chianti, Family, Florence, History, Italy, San Gimignana, Things to do, Travel Tips, Tuscany | Leave a comment

Wooaaahhhh…horse!

Posted on September 28, 2012 by Melonie

Or in my latest experience riding horses in Tuscany, Giddy Up!!! Yes, I was lucky enough to get the slow horse! Followed by my hubby who had the stallion, “Paco”-who really really really liked my horse! ha The kid’s horse, … Continue reading →

Posted in Bagni Di Lucca, Family, Italy, Lucca, Things to do, Travel Tips, Tuscany | Leave a comment