It turns out that there is no amount of daydreaming or imagining that could have actually prepared me for seeing my name, my book, right there on the freaking NY Times Bestseller List. In its debut week. Not just an honorable mention or sneaking in at number ten.. Number Three. Just…WOW.

It’s been a crazy busy couple of weeks! We are a just days away now from the official release of my book, “You Deserve Good Gelato“, and I can’t tell you how excited I am…it seems like it was just a couple of weeks ago I was writing and rewriting chapters, searching for the perfect word or thought. And at that time “May 2024” might as well have been years in the future.

Our ideas about what is authentic Italian food come from many places. Looking at the Olive Garden menu, I couldn’t help but think that, while maybe not the cause for our misconceptions, they are a perfect encapsulation of them. Here I have pulled 5 (Okay, maybe its six or seven) ways that Olive Garden isn’t actually real Italian cuisine.

I’ve gone on more tours than I could ever count, all throughout Europe, especially in Italy. I’ve gotten to know some amazing people, seen some unique startups thrive firsthand too. That can make it hard sometimes to categorize someone, or some company, as “best”, “most trusted”, etc etc., because at the end of the day these are all individuals doing something they are passionate about–which I can totally relate to and respect.

While preparing to visit Italy, and for that matter anywhere across Europe, a common question many Americans have has to do with money. Or more specifically, currency, and how they can make sure they are prepared–and not caught in the unenviable position of not having a way to pay for anything. Although the adoption of the Euro has made travel across the countries in Europe infinitely easier, there are still several important things Americans should know ahead of time. This blog is broken down into three simple sections: 1) A guide to what currencies (and credit cards) are accepted throughout Italy & Europe, 2) A review of how to best utilize exchange rates and where to make the exchanges, and 3) Several tips, tricks, anecdotes, and nuggets of information covering everything “money” and spending on your trip.

I will help you to understand what you can, and cannot, bring back from Italy (or from most countries, for that matter) so that you can be prepared for the moment you get the US Customs Declaration form. I’ll also highlight some of the Trusted Traveler Programs you can enroll in to expedite the process–and perhaps I’ll finish up with an idea or two on how to best protect your bottle of Italian Wine for your trip back home.

Time to clear up all the confusion and put an end to the misinformation sharing, and answer a simple question: What do I need for entry into Italy in 2024? I will break down what ETIAS is and means for you, the Travel & Entry Requirements, along with everything else you need to know for visiting Italy in 2024 and beyond. I’ll detail all the policy changes, including what’s to come in the future, as well as provide you with links to official government websites and trusted information sources.

There’s a lot of maybes with travel. I mean, in packing a suitcase alone you are trying to predict what you will need or want in seven days, 2,000 miles from home! How crazy is that? So yes, of course, traveling can be quite stressful and often needlessly expensive. But the payoff…oh the payoff is way worth it. With that in mind, below are 20 Travel Essentials For a Stress-Free Trip. These items can help mitigate some of the anxiety & stress, while saving you a few bucks along the way.

One thing is for sure: Traveling with your beloved pet(s) is a whole bunch of stress in itself. Here I’ve compiled a list of items that can help your beloved fur-baby survive the anxiety & fear that comes with traveling…and do so looking pretty darn chic & stylish too, I might add. Just in time for Amazon’s October Prime Days, these recommendations are all “Prime”-eligible & from some of the best–and reliable-brands in the pet care industries.

Figuring out transportation within a foreign country can be *OMG* stressful. There’s so many options and possible methods of transportation that comparing them all can get overwhelming really, really quickly. Trust me,…I’ve been there.