Live An Adventure Podcast

Despite incessant praise, Italy continues to surprise and delight. If you get it right, travelling in the bel paese (beautiful country) is one of those rare experiences in life that cannot be overrated. Bella Vita In few places do art and life intermingle so effortlessly. This may be the land of Dante, Michelangelo, da Vinci and Botticelli but it’s also the home of Salvatore Ferragamo, Giorgio Armani and Gualtiero Marchesi. Food, fashion, art and architecture – you’ll quickly learn that the root of Italian pathology is an unswerving dedication to living life well. A surprising number of Italians care deeply about the floral aftertastes of sheep cheese, the correct way to cut marble and the nuances of a Vivaldi concerto. Lurking behind the disinvoltura – the appearance of effortlessness – is a passionate attention to life’s fine print. So slow down, start taking note of life’s details and enjoy your own bella vita. Read more at htt...

In January 2007, I explored Bilbao, my last stop in Spain. The Guggenheim modern art museum was the perfect ending to an amazing three weeks in Spain. The structure, reminiscent of a boat, covered with titanium sheets as if a giant metallic fish with scales, was simply stunning. Frank Gehrig, the architect, is a definitely a genius. The only two straight lines in the building are the elevator and the floor. I tried to find another one and i didn't. Walking into the atrium one feels as if stepping into a galactic church. Before I went in, I walked around the building for a couple of hours just enjoying the sun, the park, the river boardwalk and taking pictures from different angles. Once inside, an incredible exhibit of modern art was awaiting. Installations, paintings, video, sculptures and such. Very conceptual post-modern stuff that in some cases did not make much sense to me, but I was most definitely impressed in the simplicity/creativity of most pieces. For instance: an ...