Posts by PapJ59

I like it when there's life around...

And I don’t know that lady! So there...

For the little story, I was on the embankment up high, aiming for the alignment of the Trulli plus the bike... and this lady showed up, then left again in just a few seconds—I only had 2 seconds to press the shutter! Happy travels and all the best, Jean

Hey!! You're totally right, Naples is a bit dangerous at the moment, but it depends on where you visit. For example, a friend recommended I check out Palm Concierge. Their team gave me some great tips and even found me a free villa with a sea view in Posillipo—it was amazing!! My final advice: hang out by the sea, like Posillipo and Vomero.

???? Seriously?

Replying to a post from 2005??? Are you trying to sell something?!

Thanks Michel,

I’m joining the chorus of praise for this super colorful trip report!

There’s nothing to fault—everything’s great. BRAVO, man...

I love this country too, the Italian restaurants, Italy, and I hope to visit Jerusalem for a week someday (but you already know that).

You missed Carlos Santana, and I missed Taylor Swift (hello, no but *hello*...) in May 2013 at a concert in Nashville! She was only well-known in the US at the time and was supposed to perform there the following week. The headliners that day were still great, though.

Keep up the great work. Jean from the Nooord.

Thanks for the reply. I’ll check out your blog. Otherwise, I’m traveling by train.

Take a good look at each page, and have a great trip!

Let me know if you need anything.

Check the sunset times because the sun sets much earlier in the South AND in October...

Jean

Hi, why insist on sunny days at all costs? Summer in Italy is scorching—I was on the verge of heatstroke the last time I was there. And isn’t there a kind of poetry in rainy days?

Though...

Rainy day in Arezzo (*Life Is Beautiful* by R. Benigni):

Hey there,

If you're talking about the one on via La Spezia in Rome, it actually ONLY delivers... BUT, across the street at No. 84, you’ll find a TIGRE convenience store open from 8:00 AM to 8:30 PM (and 8:30 AM to 1:30 PM on Sundays).

Two ways to find it: 1) Just search on Google "supermarket via*** Roma" and check the results based on your neighborhood!

2) On Google Maps, zoom in as much as possible at your location to see ALL the nearby shops...

Another option (in Italy or France) if you have a car: place a DRIVE order in advance at a supermarket near your destination and pick it up on your first day...

Cheers from the north, Jean

Hey there,

Really interesting and unusual this latest trip to some off-the-beaten-path spots!

The weirdest part was the flat-screen TV in the "Dallas" lounge, right?? I even looked for the microwave in the kitchen... but nope, nada.

See you soon for the next part. Jean.

Hi, Here are two small maps showing the two areas in Albelgheria and Il Capo where there’s quite a bit to see. For the rest, it’s pretty spread out—you’ll need to comb through the streets to find things. But the historic center isn’t very big, and I love poking around everywhere... plus I had plenty of time 🙂. Happy exploring!





We went in mid-May 2017, spending 3 full days in Palermo plus a bus trip to Monreale (gorgeous), and I can confirm this city is so charming with its "contrasts." Our apartment was 50m from the Capo market (so lively!), 30m from a prayer room behind the metal shutter of a garage, and 20m from a shop where you walk in freely, open the fridge to grab a beer, and leave the money in front of an indifferent guy... Memories!

Apartment and Capo market at the end, trompe-l'œil facade, contrast with the Oratorio.

Wow, Franck!

That "final" paragraph is pure gold... the last-minute rescue by the US Troupe, it just needs the soundtrack. Epic!

Now, seeing water in Death Valley is super rare, and get this—I saw it TOO:

On a smaller scale, at the end of our first trip in 2009, on August 23rd, we hit a storm rolling into LV from Kingman. We returned the RV on 08/24 and rented an SUV to head toward DV and Furnace Creek for the night. On 08/25: we visited Badwater, where there was a shallow little pond with critters. I dug up 2 photos and a video (MVI) from my archives, but I don’t remember how to post them! Memories, memories (Johnny...). See you later!

WOWWWW wow!

I vote for option 3 and the last one... pure Art!

You never cease to amaze us.

Go back to Vegas and make the slot machines cry, and buy a "US millionaire".

Well done, man.

Hi,

A bit more detail wouldn't hurt...

The "United States" is basically like EUROPE: 50 states/50 countries!

See you later!

Hi everyone,

I’m planning a trip entirely by train or public transport across Italy in October (hoping the weather stays nice!).

I’d love to see some touristy spots, but I also want to get off the beaten path a bit—hopefully, I can find some help here? I don’t plan to linger too long in the cities.

Starting in the north, I’d like to visit Lake Como or Lake Orta, stop by the Cinque Terre for some hiking, spend a few days in Naples and Rome, then head down to Sicily.

What do you think?

Thanks for your help! 🙂

Hey there,

This is like throwing a message in a bottle without the cork—it’s sinking fast!

Thanks to those who already replied, because on 6/28, you just breezed right by...

On October 15th, the sun rises and sets at: - 7:30 AM / 6:30 PM in Florence/Tuscany (that’s in the north), 7:00 AM / 6:15 PM in Bari/Puglia (that’s in the south), 7:15 AM / 6:30 PM in Palermo/Sicily... Really! - Check the weather conditions for these three regions (just examples...).

As mentioned earlier, stick to ONE region—you’ll find what you’re looking for, and it’ll already be quite the feat without a car. For reference, we haven’t “done” these regions, but we’ve each “visited” them with different criteria AND over 3 sets of 2 weeks, traveling by car... (check out my blogs in my signature).

Now it’s up to you to clarify your plan AND put in the work...

Good evening, I’m heading to Tuscany in August and staying for 3 weeks. Does anyone have any tips to share? Thanks in advance. Olivier

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Hey there, I'm heading to Tuscany in August for 3 weeks. Does anyone have any tips to share? Thanks in advance. Olivier

Grab the Michelin "Green Guide" and do a little studying...

Tell us what YOU’ve already planned—it’s the least you could do!

See you around

A message that makes no sense and an argument that’s way off base... maybe it’s the heatwave, or maybe it’s age.

There, you see? I can be just as bossy as you on certain topics!

Farewell

I don’t know if everyone’s swamped or away on vacation right now, but there’s really not much happening on VF lately 🤔

Not away, just swamped at work.😅 The fact there are so few new discussions and participants on the forum isn’t very motivating.

Puglia after Sardinia feels a bit bland. What do you think?

Hey,

It’s awful of you to harp on that last line of yours!

Tastes differ… you must’ve skimmed Muriel’s amazing trip report and didn’t check out my 2023 blog… Okay, the scenery isn’t Tuscany, but I explain why! And out of 7 two-week trips to Italy and Sicily, it’s in Puglia that we’ve visited the most exceptional villages—more than anywhere else. See you around!