A Day In Cortona
Of all the charming medieval villages in Tuscany, Cortona is one of my favorites.  Perhaps it holds a special place in my heart because I "knew it when" (before Frances Mayes made it popular with her book, Under The Tuscan Sun). Maybe, it is because of the wonderful friends there who, every year, welcome me like a long lost relative.  Either way, Cortona will forever be a stop on my Italy itinerary, as it should be on yours as well.

Three Days In Rome
I have a friend who recently told me she did Rome in one day.  "It was a whirlwind trip and I was exhausted," she said.  Can Rome be done in one day?  Not exactly. According to my friend, she captured some memorable photos of a few of the city's highlights, but that was all. To capture more than a few photos, and to experience a little more of the unique offerings of Rome, you must spend a minimum of three days (and that's with a good itinerary and strong feet). Here are my suggestions on

First Friday Foto Therapy
Laghoina, BrazilTaken by: James Knight, travelerOn the first Friday of every month, I will share a photo from my travels, or yours.  If you'd like a chance to see one of your fabulous vacation photos published on this site, send it (in .jpg format) along with a brief description to: julie@myfarandaway.com.Cure your travel bug with a dose of Foto Therapy!

Portals To Italy
   

Visit Rome Online By Google
It seems somewhat sacrilegious to think of visiting Rome without touring the colosseum and ancient forums.  Now it's possible to tour the city as it looked in 320 AD without ever leaving home.  Google Earth has created a 3D view of the city that allows you to fly down to see famous buildings and monuments.  Click on the monument and get a complete description of what it was and what it was used for.  This incredible tool is a great precursor to visiting Rome, or a wonderful advantage for those who may not have the opportunity to get there.For a free download of Google Earth, go to