A day in Rome – with lodging a few blocks from the Vatican City All prices are based upon October mid-season, not the winter low season and not the high season of summer! 2 beds in a 6 person dorm at The Colors Hotel & Hostel – 54 euro = $74.52 gorgonzola cheese, 2 types of [...] [...more]
Rome has over 100 hostels and budget accommodations. With so many options it becomes difficult to select the right place to stay. In fact, many hostels in Rome require a minimum stay of at least 2 nights. The typical backpacker approach of, “I’ll stay one night, if I don’t like it, I can find another [...] [...more]
There are a few things that a backpacker likes to have on their person in case an unexpected incident arrives. As these incidents are, by nature, difficult to predict the instruments used to over come them can be at times diverse. Problematically, these items are also not usually allowed on airplanes. Working from the idea [...] [...more]
While staying in Riomaggiore, we did not stay in a typical hotel. In fact, we rented a tiny apartment about 400 square feet, with a bathroom and a kitchen. We rented from a woman named Nuccia and we found her place through Edi, and apartment referral agency. Right, so it was perfect for the three [...] [...more]
When hiking from one city to another in Cinque Terre, it is a good idea to keep one eye on the edge of the cliff. In some places (read: almost never) the 5 euros each hiker pays to walk the trail has earned them a hand rail or barrier between the trail and a long [...] [...more]
Our friend Cup lived in Gaeta, Italy with his family during his childhood between (10-14 years old). Upon deciding to return to Gaeta to see where Cup lived, he explored the possibility of spending time with some family friends. Kiki, a good family friend of Cup’s family, owns amazing apartments on the Mediterranean. We were [...] [...more]
Natalie and I have been in Italy for the last 18 days and, admittedly, life is more hectic than I expected. The lack of easy to find internet access has prevented us from writing more about our experiences. Thus, let us think of this as a summery post. I hope to write a few detailed [...] [...more]
Driving a car with a manual transmission is a right of passage for many American adolescent males. About 16 months ago Natalie and I sold my car (2001 Mitsubishi Eclipse GT). It was my first manual and driving has not been nearly as much fun since. In Europe, driving a manual transmission is the only [...] [...more]
During our second evening in Rome, Justin and I had the privilege to meet up with some of my relatives that live in Rome. These relatives included my cousins Sabrina and Fabricio, now much older than the first time we met. 16 years ago came to visit America, and I remember playing and swimming in [...] [...more]
Greetings from Italy. Natalie and I made it to our hostel (the Colors Hostel) in Rome by navigating two flights, a train, and the Roman metro. Although this may sound complicated, descriptions can be deceiving. I am sure that given enough research, a decent map, and a sprinkle of patience, most English only monolinguists could [...] [...more]
