travel – Signora Sheila

My Abruzzo Town: Scerni

Quiet hillside village with red-tiled roofs, a stone church tower, and green fields overlooking distant rolling countryside beneath a blue sky.

Scerni is a quiet, peaceful town of 3,000 people nestled along the crest of a gentle hill. It sits in the hilly countryside of the Chieti province. Located 276 meters above sea level, Scerni boasts an inviting, fairly mild climate. Summers are hot and dry, with average highs between 83-87°F (28-30°C), and overnight lows aroundContinueContinue reading “My Abruzzo Town: Scerni”

Travel With Just a Carry-on

A vintage travel flat lay features a leather satchel, patterned scarf, sunglasses, compact camera, and open notebook, evoking a stylish, nostalgic getaway.

The peak travel season is pretty much over. But now is one of the best times to visit Italy. The weather is at its best. Travel fares and hotel rates drop. The hordes of tourists have departed. Menus feature seasonal specialties. You can enjoy foods like fresh mushrooms, truffles, chestnuts, pumpkins, and wild game. YouContinueContinue reading “Travel With Just a Carry-on”

Donald Duck Day in Italy [Video]

Black-and-white surreal scene of a tiny person beneath a huge tilted desk lamp, casting light across a brick wall and bare floor.

Happy Donald Duck Day! Celebrated annually on June 9, this holiday commemorates Donald’s official film debut. America’s favorite, but quick-tempered, duck first appeared in the 1934 film The Wise Little Hen. Donald Duck, whose full name is Donald Fauntleroy Duck, has achieved nearly worldwide fame. In most countries, he’s known by his name: Donald plus theContinueContinue reading “Donald Duck Day in Italy [Video]”

Collodi: Pinocchio Park & The Butterfly House [Video]

Cartoon Pinocchio in a yellow hat and red shorts holds a red apple beside a stone wall, casting a large shadow; playful, curious mood.

The enchanting story of Pinocchio, written in 1881 by Carlo Lorenzini, is a beloved children’s classic. Not only in Italy, but all over the world! Since February 23rd is Pinocchio Day, I thought it would be a good time to introduce you to one of Italy’s lesser-known theme parks: The Pinocchio Theme Park! However, someContinueContinue reading “Collodi: Pinocchio Park & The Butterfly House [Video]”

Italy is for Nature Lovers

Misty mountain valley framed by dark forested hills, with distant peaks fading into a pale sky, creating a quiet, atmospheric mood.

Although Italy is a small country with a relatively small population, it boasts 70% of the world’s artistic and cultural heritage sites. In fact, Italy tops the UNESCO World Heritage List with 50 sites. China follows with 47 sites, and then Spain with 44. Italy is also one of the richest countries in Europe inContinueContinue reading “Italy is for Nature Lovers”

Italy’s Wild Abruzzo

Mist-shrouded mountain peaks in Abruzzo rise behind dark silhouetted shrubs and tall grasses, creating a tranquil, moody wilderness landscape.

We live in Abruzzo, a little-known region that was once a single region with Molise. Abruzzo is located east of Lazio and Rome. It is bordered by Molise to the south, the Adriatic Sea to the east, and the Marche region to the north. This mountainous region contains two of the highest peaks in theContinueContinue reading “Italy’s Wild Abruzzo”