Ciaotraveler

That hard working couple, The Gaines, created their Silo's Bakery in Waco, Tx. (bottom) from the old structure (above top).  I think it turned out clean and smart looking.  Their success is just amazing!

Brush and Pencil Products I'm taking a few minutes to post a review of this art product I recently purchased.  I read about it on the internet and couldn't wait to try it out.  I purchased the Colored Pencil Blender (from $7-$9.95) and the Titanium White product.  Much to my surprise the company also sent along a bottle of Touch Up Texture to mix with the Titanium White and a couple of colored pencils free of charge (who does that these days?).  I use Prismacolor Colored Pencils but will try the new pencils, so my thanks to them.

If you've ever been to Italy and experienced the wonderful cappuccino then you know just how special it is to visitors. It's a ritual that we can really identify with as Americans. Italians love their precious resource so its not unusual to serve it in special cups.  These cups can be light and graceful or chunky and covered with regional designs.

Hope you enjoy some beautiful flowers from around the US and Europe.  I try to include flowers in all of my posts in case you didn't notice! More Flowers: Florals Ireland here Florals UK here The Gardens in Lugano, Sw. here The Best of Ciao's flowers here Lavendar   here Chocolates and flowers here

While in Venice, Italy, take a break to visit the original Harry's Bar.  The staff is warmly hospitable and will make your visit seem very personal.  They'll share the history of their delicious invention, the Bellini cocktail. You'll see photos of the many classic movie stars who've frequented the bar since 1931.     Harry's has a very unassuming entrance just off the main St. Mark's piazza and nearby marina.  It's worth entering this very famous classic bar for an original Bellini and a bit of culinary history... The shelves are stocked just as they were in 1931 according to the staff, same order and volume as Harry desired.   Now that's consistency!   The  wood bar reminds me of being on a very exclusive, old yacht.   T he only thing missing are the Captain's hats. The Bellini Cocktail: This Bellini drink was created 1943 at Harry's Bar in Venice in honor of the pa...

These beautiful baskets featured in Architectural Digest are hand woven and sold to benefit women's educational programs in Africa.  The Rome photo is mine but you can purchase the baskets at indegoafrica.org .  Enjoy looking!

Autumn Splendor... Blessings..  Awesome! Download calendar from Italymag Lovely Lugano Pumpkins and Squash during Autumn You might also like my "Oranges and Orvieto" post here .

Your travel keepsakes mean so much...enjoy this article from Victoria Magazine...

Another great Pinterest idea for those wine cork products.   See my other cork products here .

This is the glorious statue of David in Florence.   It was absolutely worth seeing if you go to Florence.  Recently however, there's been a post on social media showing the USA David in a less than flattering way.  So here is the USA David: I suppose we must show a sense of humor!

Are you in love with extra virgin olive oil as much as I am?  I use it almost daily for salad dressings, cooking, pastas and in my health products.  Having traveled in Italy, I prefer to have authentic Italian extra virgin oils. Over the past 5 years there are substantiated reports that our oil isn't really virgin after all, as much as 70% imported oils have been compromised.   Evidently the richest extra virgin olive oils can be as valuable as illegal drugs. What?  Does this mean we'll have mad chemists breaking bad extra olive oils?  So what's the truth about extra virgin olive oil?  Some of the most delicious olive oils I've used in Italy are from Sorrento and the Tuscany regions.  Sicilian olive oils seem to be the ones they're focusing on regarding fake extra virgin products.  My Tuscan and Southern Italy olive oils and some of the Italian style foods we love it on...yummy! But you be the judge.  Here's some a...

If this bicycle could talk, it would probably tell a very interesting story.   We spotted this chic bike in Cortona.  Thank you for over 150,000 views.  See my Cortona post here .

Florence, the city of art and culture, is a visit-worthy city in Italy.  This trip was part of our four days in Florence and four days in Milan  trip.  We saw the main sites of Florence including the Statue of David at the Accademia in one afternoon.  Yes, we move very fast. Everything you want to visit in Florence is within walking distance from the train station. We included three day trips,  Cortona, Fiesole, and Bergamo,  outside the city in the four days we stayed in Florence.  There's a map at the end of this post. One of the Duomo's fascinating entrances! The magnificent Statue of David at the Accademia Always have reservations in advance for the Accademia (purchase from their website) and you'll be able to enter very quickly.  Its located several blocks from the main Duomo and the walk is all on flat streets.                    Mic...