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A few years ago, as I set off for Italia, I was inspired by Hemingway’s memoir and christened my upcoming Italian Journey as My Moveable Feast – La Dolce Vita Redux.

I’ve traveled to Italy several times since but then, a few weeks away from another trip, I found myself musing over recent events and, well, my muted muse…. and the thematic thread for this trip revealed itself:

♥ Finding My Muse (Again)…Italian Style! ♥

In late 2017 and early 2018, Mother Nature threw my community a curve ball of staggering proportions. Unforeseen forces of nature – fire and flood – a dramatic double whammy, were a humbling and more than casual reminder of how life can be interrupted. A harsh reminder of how everything that we hold precious, near and dear, can be consumed, “washed” away, carried off, destroyed, taken away, wiped out… literally, in minutes…

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Life can and does present us with detours, road blocks and life-changing events totally beyond our control – unplanned, unscheduled, unexpected – rendering us feeling helpless. And when it is up close and personal, we are abruptly confronted with an overwhelming sense of vulnerability and reminded of the fragility of “our world”.

It definitely made me pause to step back and reflect. To take stock. To count my blessings. To be grateful. And not to waste a precious moment.  The most obvious “lesson” wasn’t lost on me either; the symbolism of fire, of phoenix rising from the ashes bringing renewal, and the ability of water to cleanse and purify…

The fire from the fire was simmering and what was percolating was brought to a boil – of immediacy, of  “what the hell am I waiting for?” Carpe diem in bold capital letters but… my muse remained evasive…

Pondering all of this, I made the decision to take this trip. And I realized why this trip needed to be and will be different… I realized that what I needed to find my elusive muse is perspective.

Rather than going in search of my muse, perhaps just create the space for my muse to once again reveal itself… Immerse with passion and allow the place that has always inspired me to work its magic once more…

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Cercare. Gustare. Amare.
con Passione!

Seeking. Savoring. Loving.
with Passion!

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So, in a few days I’ll be on my way… My travels will find me in some familiar places and some new…but all with fresh eyes and an open heart. And all where la dolce vita awaits…

♦ Sneak Preview ♦

Where you’ll find me…

Tuscany. Le Marche. Umbria. Emilia-Romagna. Sicily. Puglia.

“Be Our Guest.”
Tuscany – Le Marche – Umbria

“Always More.”
Florence

“The Fat. The Red. The Learned.”
Bologna

“Capital of Culture.”
Preview for Fall…Palermo

“Seduced by the Salento Again.”
Lecce

♦ Showtime ♦

Setting spring fever on fire!

Although I will be sharing along the way, I will be doing more of just “being”, experiencing – searching, saving, loving – relishing and treasuring every every sip, morsel, moment…

Click on any photo for a virtual tour!

Getting red-dy, literally and figuratively, to take the next step and embrace the adventure. Looking forward to being fueled by “creative juice” Italian style – espresso, fabulous cuisine, good wine, art, and jaw dropping, breathtaking gorgeousness, and,of course, the warm and wonderful Italian people… ahhh…and, maybe I will find that…

“The only real inspiration or muse that I have is just the life that I live.”
– Andy Biersack

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Of course, you are invited – follow along, won’t you, as I share photos and impressions along the way?

Share your thoughts – I love to hear from you! And won’t you share what inspires you?

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