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Destination: Italy

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Video: Living My Guidebook, High Above the Amalfi Coast

Sitting down to lunch in Ravello — high above the treacherously beautiful Amalfi Coast — and enjoying the pasta that’s the specialty of this town, it occurs to me that experiences like these are made possible by good information…and that’s what the Rick Steves Italy guidebook is packed with. As I spend about 80 days a year personally in the field, “living my guidebook,” I often wonder how many people are actually still doing this work. It’s clear to me: The only way to research and write a good guidebook is to live it. And it’s tasty work.

This is Day 27 of my “100 Days in Europe” series. As I travel with Rick Steves’ Europe Tours, research my guidebooks, and make new TV shows, I’m reporting on my experiences in Italy, Portugal, France, Ireland, England, Scotland, Germany, Switzerland, and more. Thanks for joining me here on my blog and via Facebook.

 

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Video: Sorrentines Thank God…and St. Antonino

Popping into a church, you can always discover little treasures. Here are the relics of St. Antonino, patron saint of Sorrento. Ex-votos fill the display cases with tokens of thanks to God…I mean, St. Antonino. My guide, Giovanna, is walking me through the experience, complete with electronic candles.

This is Day 26 of my “100 Days in Europe” series. As I travel with Rick Steves’ Europe Tours, research my guidebooks, and make new TV shows, I’m reporting on my experiences in Italy, Portugal, France, Ireland, England, Scotland, Germany, Switzerland, and more. Thanks for joining me here on my blog and via Facebook.

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Video: A Sorrento Passeggiata with Giovanna

While Naples is gritty, Sorrento is elegant. It’s a vivid contrast. People complain about the high cost of real estate here in Sorrento — but you can understand why. The police shut down this main drag each evening, and everyone is out savoring the magic hour…as I’m doing with my local guide, Giovanna.

This is Day 25 of my “100 Days in Europe” series. As I travel with Rick Steves’ Europe Tours, research my guidebooks, and make new TV shows, I’m reporting on my experiences in Italy, Portugal, France, Ireland, England, Scotland, Germany, Switzerland, and more. Thanks for joining me here on my blog and via Facebook.

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Video: A Sleepy Morning Stroll in Naples

I love simply being out and about on Spaccanapoli (literally “split Naples”), to marvel at the ancient Greek street plan — specifically, the straight street that splits the old town — and all the life that for 25 centuries has populated it.

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This is Day 24 of my “100 Days in Europe” series. As I travel with Rick Steves’ Europe Tours, research my guidebooks, and make new TV shows, I’m reporting on my experiences in Italy, Portugal, France, Ireland, England, Scotland, Germany, Switzerland, and more. Thanks for joining me here on my blog and via Facebook.

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Video: Sanità by Foot Is Bella Chaos

Naples is an urban jungle, and you experience that best in the Sanità neighborhood. A walk like this, with joy filling the streets, is why I go to Naples. Notice, as I approach, the lady on the balcony dropping a plastic basket to tip the roving band. The “bella chaos” of Naples awaits those who get out and explore. Don’t be too hung up on the broken stucco, the graffiti, and the rough edges…it’s the patina of a vibrant urban life.

This is Day 23 of my “100 Days in Europe” series. As I travel with Rick Steves’ Europe Tours, research my guidebooks, and make new TV shows, I’m reporting on my experiences in Italy, Portugal, France, Ireland, England, Scotland, Germany, Switzerland, and more. Thanks for joining me here on my blog and via Facebook.