Puligney-Montrachet, Cortina, Bled – During these short, COLD days of winter it is only natural for the mind to wander to the long, WARM days of summer. In reliving some of our favorite summer walks, we hit upon a few of our most beloved, not so much because of geographical location, but because of the […]
Chiavenna, Italy – One of the most extraordinary relationships we have ever had with an Italian local is the one that we share with our pup Poldo. His is an amazing story. He came to us young but already with a few lifetimes of experience behind him. He knew about losing his family, abandonment, life […]
Capri/Chiavenna, Italy – Some of you may have braved the crowds at the entrance to the Blue Grotto on the lovely Isle of Capri and taken in its eerie blue glow. Perhaps it is not a secret magical cavern but it is magical nonetheless. Surprisingly, our little alpine hamlet of Chiavenna derives a fair amount […]
Savogno, Italy – Here in Chiavenna, we are quite lucky that the trailhead to one of the area’s most panoramic hikes is our garden gate. When we are feeling up for something a little bit ambitious, our destination of choice is the mountain village of Savogno. It lies about 1,800 ft. or 1,400 stone steps […]
Chiavenna, Italy – Our garden is about three kilometers from Chiavenna proper. We reside in the leafy ‘burbs, far away from the pleasant bustle of the town center. It is a gem of a town, situated on the Mera River at the base of the Spluga and Malojia mountain passes and it is easy to […]
Chiavenna, Italy – For those of you who have participated on our Assaggio trip, this photo should bring back some memories. It is a shot of the little known Chiavenna Valley and it is one of the few vistas that includes a view of our home here, Next Step’s European Headquarters if you will. If […]
Assisi, Italy — One more thing about vagabonding. You don’t have to turn into a hobo to do it. Sure it’s nice to have a couple of months to explore a destination but only students, some educators and insanely wealthy people can swing this. Bill Gates would probably be a great vagabond but he seems otherwise […]
Olbia, Sardinia — I’m here in repose in our cabin on the ferry bound for Genova and I can’t get the theme music from Looney Toons out of my head. This is not because of some lovely childhood memory. The music was blasting through the entire ship while we boarded and got settled. An odd choice […]
Porto Cervo, Sardinia — Ancient legend tells that way back in 1961, the Aga Kahn was aimlessly wandering the Mediterranean in his yacht and stumbled across the picture perfect bay of Porto Cervo. He liked it, he bought it, he built a luxury resort on it and the coastal culture of Sardinia would never be the […]
Oliena, Sardinia — Here in Oliena, it seems that the femina agabbodora have modernized. Apparently, “a sharp tap on the head with the hammer” just doesn’t cut it anymore. I have always heard that Oliena is Sardina’s true spiritual heart, the village where the Sard’s independent, quarrelsome and reclusive nature is most strongly on display. Yes […]