We were excited to return to Rome for the first time, since the pandemic hit.  Even though we knew that many changes had taken place in the city, some of which that affected us personally, it was still a place where we felt at home.  We booked an apartment for the duration of our stay,…

Before beginning our twenty-minute walk, back to the hotel, we decided to stop for a bit of a refreshment, in the form of the Giardini Ravino’s famous Cactus Cocktail, a delicious mixture of cactus juice, passion fruit, tequila, and tonic water.  In fact, it was so good that we had two each! As we sat,…

  Next up: We finish our stay in Forio, and head to the Eternal City of Rome!   Note: This blog is written in English, and the author takes no responsibility for the quality of any translation that may appear.  If you have enjoyed this post, please, check out our archives for more posts from…

In addition to the plants on display, the Giardini Ravino also acts as a showcase for local artists.  The pieces,  pictured below, were on display, at the time of our visit.   Next up: We sample some cactus cocktails, head to the hotel for a brief rest, and then, it is back into town, for…

As we continued to explore the Giardini Ravino, we stumbled upon one of the garden’s residents.  He did not seem particularly interested in us!   Next up: Art, animals, and more prickly plants!   Note: This blog is written in English, and the author takes no responsibility for the quality of any translation that may…

Day 5 was another beautiful day, with lots of sun shining down on us.  So, after a good breakfast, we decided to head out and visit the Giardini Ravino, which was located on the same street as our hotel, about a twenty-minute walk away. The Giardini Ravino can be found at Via Provinciale Panza.  It…

Back at the hotel, we relaxed on our private terrace, enjoying the thermal water jacuzzi, and letting the sun, and the naturally hot water, relax our tired muscles. Once again, nature put on a spectacular light show, as the sun went down. For dinner, we chose to have room service, and they brought us our…

The Torre Costantina dates from the 16th century.  Today, it is privately owned, and it is regularly rented out as a tourist residence, or Airbnb.   Next up: We end our Day 4 in Forio, with a little more exploring, and some very good food!   Note: This blog is written in English, and the…

The Chiesa di San Gaetano dates from 1655.  It can be found at Via Filippo di Lustro, and was built at the behest of the local sailors and fishermen, as thanks for safely returning from their work each day. A plaque marks the house where Giuseppe Pezzillo was born and lived, until his death.  …

The Casa Giuseppe Milone, housed in what is today known as the Palazzo Milone, functioned as a shelter for displaced persons, as well as elderly people who had no relatives, and needed someone to care for them.  It was founded in 1854 by three priests: Giuseppe Milone, Saverio de Luca, and Marcantonio Sorrentino. The Palazzo…

On our fourth day, after a good breakfast, we headed back into the town of Forio. Perhaps one of the nicest street signs I have ever seen tells us that the section of the road, on which we are walking, is named after Domenico d’Ambra, a lawyer from Forio. We soon came to the Cemetery…

A plaque, outside the Chiesa del Soccorso, remembers a visit by Pope John Paul II, in 2002. At Piazza Municipio, #9, you will find the Monumento ai Caduti, which is a monument dedicated to the citizens of Forio, who lost their lives in the two World Wars.  The names of the fallen, including those who…