![Chiavari with La Famiglia](http://www.zariat.com/home/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/IMG_0830-100x100.jpg)
Chiavari with La Famiglia
A friend from Milan offered to take me along to visit his family in the Italian Riviera village of Chiavari to experience a ‘real’ Italian beach holiday. How could i refuse such a generous offer? We stayed with my…
![Bellagio and the Como Lake, by Motorcycle](http://www.zariat.com/home/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/img_0753-100x100.jpg)
Bellagio and the Como Lake, by Motorcycle
If anyone ever offers to take you on a motorcycle trip from Milan to Bellagio, i assure you, the only reasonable answer is a resounding YES.
![Almost Local in Milan](http://www.zariat.com/home/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/img_0001-100x100.jpg)
Almost Local in Milan
Italians can be incredibly hospitable people. I recently met a group of friends at a festival here, and upon discovering we were all heading to Boom Festival in Portugal soon, they offered to host me with them in Milan until…
![Hot Spring Detour in the Italian Countryside](http://www.zariat.com/home/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/IMG_9696-100x100.jpg)
Hot Spring Detour in the Italian Countryside
Having met some new ‘local’ friends at a recent festival, i was fortunate enough be told about a nearby hot spring (known in Italian as a terme) to visit after the event. It’s hard to know what you’re going to…
![Tuscany: Wine and Castles](http://www.zariat.com/home/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/img_9572-100x100.jpg)
Tuscany: Wine and Castles
It’s just like i always imagined it would be – fine wine, fountains, begonia-filled window boxes overlooking narrow cobblestone streets, and lush green vistas dotted with hand-built castles. Oh, Tuscania, i am enamored. I only wish i could stay longer. Dinner…
![When in Rome (For the First Time)](http://www.zariat.com/home/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/IMG_9553_w-100x100.jpg)
When in Rome (For the First Time)
Italy, i have arrived! Or, as Caesar said, Veni! I just landed in the historic city of Rome for a short stop on my way to the upcoming Sonica festival. My first interactive experience here was an attempted ripoff by…