Italy Retreat

"To penetrate into Italy is like a most fascinating act of self-discovery--back, back down the old ways of time.  Strange and wonderful chords awake in us, and vibrate again after many hundreds of years of complete forgetfulness."

The Italy Retreat I taught in September was a transformational workshop with a setting that was beyond beautiful overlooking the Mediterranean on the Italian Riviera.  We enjoyed adventuring to 10 different towns along the coast, interspersed with 15 hours of workshop time.  During the 8 day retreat each woman had time to listen to her deepest desires and learn techniques to take home so that she could continue to create the life she loves and love the life she's living.

 

Living in a beautiful part of the world made it easy to feel happier and more peaceful.  Eating delicious aromatic food, surrounded by beauty and great conversations with others was satisfying on a deep level.  Sitting at meals sharing long hours with no sense of rushing gave us another level of experiencing la dolce vita, the sweet life.  No one was in a hurry.  Part of living the sweet life was that our meals were created from fresh locally grown ingredients.

 

Italy is home to some of the greatest art on the planet with its art museums, sculptures, churches, representing centuries of artistic achievement.  Some of the most wonderful art ever was created in Italy. We didn’t spend our time in museums, but everywhere we looked was pleasing to the eye, like an open air museum.

In Monterosso, where we stayed for 8 nights, orange and white umbrellas lined the beach.  Bright colorful blue, green, red fishing boats bobbed in the sea.  Bottles of olive oil, orange mandarin colored honey, local wine grown on the terraced hillsides, and mortar and pestles made from olive wood were artistically displayed.  More than that, the fragrance from the hillside herbs, lemon trees and vineyards surrounded us.   There was an unusual peace in the area also because the Cinque Terre (five lands) do not allow cars.  That may be one of the reasons the fragrances were so strongl.

 

It was easier there to be open to possibilities and to know that life is beautiful, even though we may have problems.

 

During the workshop, each woman found her clearer voice and purpose.  Many found their anger dissipating, their need to control to feel safe or loved diminishing, her fears and doubts changing to courage and clarity.  Moving beyond our old mindsets made it a powerful experience.

Join me in September 2010 in Italy for another La Dolce Vita Retreat. http://www.ChangeLimitingBeliefs.com

This is a guest blog from one of the amazing women who participated in my Italy Retreat in the Italian Riviera, September 12-20. Sallee writes on her Sparks on the Fringe blog.

Bella Italia!

A psychic friend of mine once told me that my eternal life path is aesthetics – that aesthetics is what I live and breathe for. Perhaps that is why I love Italy so much. Italy is home to some of the greatest art on the planet with its art museums, sculptures, churches, representing centuries of artistic achievement. Think of the Renaissance, Michelangelo, Da Vinci. Some of the most glorious art ever created was created in Italy. But to me it is more than that. On my trip with Lenora and company to the Cinque Terre, we didn’t spend our time in museums or visiting noted architectural masterpieces. We weren’t there for the art, but I couldn’t help but feel that I was immersed in a particular aesthetic experience.

It began when I saw the rows of dark green cypress trees neatly lining the fields of the countryside. Amidst the beautiful lush greens of late summer fields are houses and farmsteads of terracotta and gold. On the train ride out from Milan, everything seems so orderly and coherent, but also fluid and organically nestled into the rolling landscape.

Arriving in Monterosso, the scene is festive. It’s a hot Saturday afternoon and everyone is at the beach. Orange and white striped umbrellas snake along the back of the beach in an undulating curve, and the Mediterranean Ocean pulls back turquoise to a deep marine out to the horizon and upward into the blue dome. The soft earthy peaches and pinks of the houses of Monterosso climb in a seemingly random arrangement up the hillside under vineyards and forests at the top.

Against this backdrop of sublime color and beauty, another aesthetic is moving and breathing – the one of the life of an Italian village. After supervising the salting of the “acciuge” (anchovies) tenderly layered in the chunky glass jars, a local restaurateur, “Ciak”, is out for a walk with his dog before the dinnertime crowds fill his outdoor café for mussels and spaghetti or fish soup or the giant bowls of insalata mista.

Around the corner at Pizzeria Ely the grandchildren of the owner are playing in the street while grandpa oversees his operation making sure the waiters tend to their guests, and the florist next door is wrapping potted plants with a green wire mesh and pink raffia making sure it is absolutely perfect and impeccable before she is ready to let it go out the door. It is life in the details, and pride in the details of every moment that defines this aesthetic for me. No one is hurried, no one is willing to sacrifice their sense of ease and perfection – everyone moves with grace, beauty, and calmness. There is no hint that it is otherwise. I imagine that even the woman, shouting her tirade at someone from a hidden room up above us in one of the houses up the hill, is only angry because something was done in haste and not with perfection and in the spirit of La Dolce Vita.

Sallee Haerr blog http://sparksonthefringe.blogspot.com/

Photo: Photo: preparing flowers, and Ciak, the chef at Ristorante Ciak

My friend, Steve, told me that Padova had the best food market in Italy. I'm not sure that's official, but I know that it was just as great as a museum visit for me! I loved being surrounded by the herbs (photo) and colorful fruits, vegetables, spices and clothing.



I grew up with a chestnut tree in my backyard in West Virginia. Every winter my Italian grandmother, who lived next door, would roast the nuts in a pan on her stove. The mess left from the prickly chestnut covering on the ground got the better of my dad, and sometime after I graduated from college, he cut the tree down. But when I saw all the chestnuts displayed in the market in Padua, they looked so exotic and beautiful. Round and brown protected in their porcupine bed.

Imagine walking in your neighborhood and every other shop is selling Italian brioche, crescents filled with chocolate, cream, local jams and alongside them is the best coffee you could ask for. In addition, well dressed grandmothers walking arm in arm, and an older gentleman riding by on his bicycle followed by another il biciletti ridden by a store owner in her high heeled shoes, tight skirt and Prada purse on her shoulder. Look ahead and another grandmother is walking eating her gelato.
Italians seem to live more slowly but drive faster, even the bus drivers race around the streets, taking the turns like they are in a race. (see my notebook?)
Last Sunday, I finally had a day to take it easy after 2 1/2 weeks of constant exploring and activity in the Italian Riviera and here in the Veneto. There was a 2 day international festival in every piazza in Verona-- Italians and visitors dancing, singing and playing games.

Around every corner were beautiful churches and Italians celebrating with music, dancing in the streets, while children played games with adults--chess, checkers and other traditional/ancient games until late into the evening. Some of the games involved slingshots and small spinning tops. The quality of the sunlight, the sounds, the love--all so much for the heart and eyes to take in.

Piazza Erbe was once a forum during the Roman Empire days in 100AD, but now it is filled with vendors selling food and souvenirs to tourists. However, in preparation for the Tocati Festival all the vendors booths were driven away and in the early morning, I took this photo of an empty Piazza L'erbe.

A beautiful river meanders around the town connecting outlying neighborhoods by old and new bridges. Buildings that are 500 to 2000 years old seem to have personalities of their own. I try to imagine life as it was when they built these incredible works of art. (One of the photos on top is a garden in my neighborhood, voted the best garden in Italy last recently--Gardino Giusti).

Thursday night as I walked the 15 minutes to my apt. from Piazza Erbe, I heard an incredible 20 piece orchestra performing in Piazza dei Signori. Surprises abound in Italy, not just in Verona, but each city.

I sadly leave Italy today after being here for 4 weeks. Now for the adventure of traveling back to the U.S.

Portovenere

Everyone must go to Portovenere! A picture perfect town.

QUOTE: Gravitation cannot be held responsible for people falling in love. –Albert Einstein
Poster with this quote is in my flat in Verona on Via Paradiso (Paradise Street)

Although I've been in Verona for two weeks now studying Italian and visiting the Venoto area, I want to do a few more posts about the Liguria area on the western part of Italy where I taught the "Italy Retreat." (Stay tuned for next year's Italy retreat location.)

I agree with Albert Einstein about falling in love. It's not gravitation but a deep connection with someone or something. I think it's easy to fall in love with Italy. Not only are there beautiful towns everywhere, the food is delicious and varied in different regions. I take photos of the food I eat and of the produce displays, as they are part of the sense of style and art of Italy. I will share more food photos upcoming blogs. The photo of the counter is a display of olives, vegetables, olive oil, lemoncello and more local products. I bought artichoke hearts (carciofi) that melted in my mouth.

Portovenere is the peninsula that juts out as you enter the Golf of Poets. If you continue by boat you arrive at the port town of La Spezia and the smaller but beautiful Lerici. If you hopped a train from Monterosso you would reach La Spezia in about 30 minutes.
I highly recommend taking the one hour ferry ride from Monterosso (the western most Cinque Terre village) to Portovenere. I doubt that you would find a more beautiful other-worldly journey anywhere. I'm so glad we didn't take the train and then the bus to Portovenere. Thanks to my friends, Linda and Tom, and Fred for suggesting ferry rides in Liguria more than train rides (although we took plenty of train trips too.)

Photos: Scene of Portovenere from the ferry. Ciao from Lenora with the castle in background at Portovenere. Every opening in the castle wall revealed breathtaking scenes of fascinating rock formations, ocean, sky and white albatross sailing high in the sky. Photo of Nancy and I at one of the portals left remaining from the ancient castle on the top of the mountain. The medieval village was an impregnable fortress belonging to Genoa. In the rocky background you can see the crags leaning towards the rocky Cinque Terre

Portovenere is comprised of 2 basic streets but they are magical and we all found ourselves just breathing more easily here. It seemed very spiritual peaceful here. The stores are unique, not hokey or too touristy. There is a more lake-like appearance to the Porto Venere. on the top of the rocky crags are the remains of a temple dedicated to Venus and also well preserved remains of a small early Christian Church and a restored Gothic temple built in 1256. I bought a handmade turtle from a very old lady sitting on a stoop outside the church because I collect turtles and I love that she made it from shells.

So many of the doors are even works of art. Here's a photo of one of them in Portovenere.

I started this blog in order to talk about beautiful Italy, and my workshop, but even more so to inspire all of you to do what you love to do. Find your heart's desire and follow it, even with baby steps. "Take the first step in faith", as Martin Luther King said, even though it may not be supported by others right away. It's really a matter of self-respect to do what you love!

PHOTOS of the torquoise waters of San Fruttuoso, a short ferry ride from Portofino on the Italian Riviera and some of us on the ferry.

It's a must to include travel by ferry when you're in Liguria because the view is extraordinary--almost other wordly. You experience a perspective of the region in a more expansive way than taking the train. The striated rock formations are unique and extraordinary. What is really surprising are the conglomeration of homes perched on the edge of nowhere (much further south of the five Cinque Terre villages and San Fruttuoso. The inhabitants must have to hike in as there were no roads to some of those tiny hamlets.

San Fruttuoso is a cove of torquoise water that’s quiet and idyllic. My friend, Jan, first told me to go there as she spent an afternoon swimming there last year. The monastary here is now vacant but was inhabited by monks.

The shore is rocky so wear water shoes or flip flops. My feet are tough but it still hurt being barefoot. The hike connecting San Fruttuoso to Portofino is high and steep but you are rewarded with a birds eye view of a heavenly scene of sky and water.

Wish you were here in Italy with me! Remember to follow your dreams as they are messages from your heart.

More on the Italy Retreat in days to come. I'm in Verona, Italy studying Italian and enjoying another region of Italy-the Veneto. Any suggestions for me to discover here?!
Just leave a comment.

There is something very charming about Monterosso even though it is bombarded with tourists each year from all over the world. Out of the five Cinque Terre towns, it has the best private and public beach areas and more restaurants and hotels. Here we are at Ristorante Carugio in Monterosso.

In my opinion, 4 of the 5 town are worth visiting as they are quaint in their own way.
Except for the entertaining bus driver, Corniglia is the town that could be missed. Not much happening at all there except it is connected to the trails that link all 5 villages. Since the trail was closed due to heavy rain the night before, we rode the bus up from the train station for dinner but the few restaurants that they do have were closed from 4-7:30. Since the last bus down to the train station stopped at 7:45, we opted to go home to eat at Monterosso.

On our final day in Monterosso (Nancy and I spent 10 nights there),several of us walked straight up the very narrow Via Buranco for 30 minutes or more. We were told it was a nice before-dinner stroll! We discovered Buranco Agriturismo where they were making wine from their vineyards. When we rounded the bend as we continued our climb, we were met with another sweet fragrance of pine needles and a breathtaking view above the town and sea, before arriving at the church where the monks were chanting. We couldn't see them, but the singing was beautiful. At first, we thought it was a recording, but it wasn't. So many things in Italy seem unreal to me! In the tunnel linking the historic section of Monterosso with the new area, we would hear beautiful classic or traditional Italian music most days, and we assumed it was being piped in. But each time we're greeted with live musicians on the corner.


Photo of Nancy and I overlooking Monterosso from our hike/stroll. Nancy was my assistant really helping pull together all the details during the week, so I was more free to teach the workshop. Thank you Nancy!


Anchovy Festival:
Saturday, September 19 was the Acciuche Sagra (Anchovy Festival) in Monterosso. I’ve read online that it usually takes place on the 2nd Saturday of September, but this was the third Saturday in September.
I was expecting something bigger, but it was small and... salty. I loved watching the local men make the bread dough and fry it for the salted anchovy, pepper sandwiches with extra garlic tossed in oil. A little white wine from local grapes growing on the hillsides rounded out the festival. I don’t really like anchovies, but I must say that the anchovies prepared with lemon juice and in a variety of ways, at most of the restaurants were actually tasty.

Part of the festival included about 10 artist's booths along the promenade outside the train station above the beach, in the newer area of Monterosso. As I walked by, one man was hanging a small poster from Fellini's film, "La Dolce Vita." I figured I'd go back to buy it since it was the title of my workshop, but the women on my workshop surprised me with it at our last meeting!

Wishing all of you la dolce vita!! More about the Italian Riviera later.

PHOTO of the 6 members of our La Dolce Vita Retreat by the entrance to the Via Dell’ Amore hike from Rio Maggiore to Manarola.
The days are zooming by in Cinque Terre at my La Dolce Vita Italy Retreat.
On Tuesday, September 15, the 7 minute ferry ride to Vernazza was fun and breezy with extraordinary views of mountains and terraced grape vineyards.
One of our goals for this workshop is to do something everyday that’s out of our comfort zone or something we’re afraid of doing.
Several of us have a history of getting seasick, so we took the chance to board the ferry. Of course it was a quick ride but if the weather permits, we’ll be journeying for up to an hour on other ferries in the next few days.
We hung out in 3 towns on Tuesday.

Vernazza flowers for sale in the little town center.
In Vernazza, we enjoyed pesto pizza under colorful umbrellas on the jetty. As far as I understand, the restaurants in Cinque Terre make their pesto fresh each day. I wanted to check out the Ristorante Castello that had a view of the sea, but after climbing 75 steep steps up to it, and seeing the opaque plastic that surrounded the outdoor tables, I didn’t think it was worth the climb if we didn’t have a clear expansive view plus I did have to stop and catch my breath a couple times.
In Manarola, red and white boats were docked on the streets—parked in front of their homes, like we would park our cars. Usually about 6 fishermen and other men and women transport the boats from the high sea walls, several blocks up the street, once they are moved onto wheels. We saw the pullies on the top of the high docks that lift the boats down to the sea and then up again at the end of the day.
I thought Manarola was very sweet as there weren’t so many tourists there as there are in the other Cinque Terre villages. We had a delicious dinner outside at Ristorante Porticiolla. Several of us ate the fresh catch of the day (sea bass), served with deep fried then grilled vegetables (onion, carrot, zucchini, eggplant, red bell pepper). Dessert was nut cake with ground walnuts inside almost like pecan pie with whole walnuts on top.
Beautiful ceramic stores are found in most cities in Italy, but I really enjoyed the small one in Manarola.
It’s Thursday and we’re catching the one hour ferry ride to Portovenere, Port of Venus. Did I mention that we are constantly changing all the plans that I’ve meticulously made because we are dodging rains storms? That means that many of the trails are closed. They’ve arrived early this year and there is rain in many parts of Italy right now.
We loved the easy hike we did on Tuesday, so I’ll fill you in on the Via Dell’ Amore Trail between Rio Maggiore and Manarola in the next post. It was a breathtaking walk high above the sea.

In January 2009, I started this Italy Retreat Blog about my workshop on the Italian Riviera.
Well, I have arrived and this is my second day in paradise, staying at La Colonnina Hotel
in Monterosso. It's a wonderful hotel in the heart of the historical center of town, a 5 minute walk from (the Ligurian Sea) which is a part of the Mediterranean. Turquoise refreshingly clear water at the end of a gorgeous mountainous hike that connects to Vernazza and then the other 3 Cinque Terre towns.

The flight over on Luftansa was very smooth and enjoyable. The airline stewardesses were actually friendly, efficient, and made sure we were all comfortable, and had lots to eat and drink. The pillows were soft, not the hard rectuangular ones airlines usually provide. Even the blankets were soft and cottony, not polyester. My Asian vegetarian meal was deliciously spiced panir, curried vegetables and rice. Kudos to Luftansa Airlines!
Today Nancy and I hopped on the train to Levanto to try to find a SIM card for the Italian phone my friend gave me. No SIM cards in the 5 villages of the Cinque Terre. But with all this beauty surrounding us, who needs cell phones?! Anyway, the Telephone shop closed at 12:30 for siesta and didn’t open again until 4:30, so no phone for the week as we didn't want to wait for four hours.

The Italy Retreat begins tomorrow and there won't be time to go back to Levanto as I have a busy week planned for all the workshop participants (who just arrived this evening after a 24 hour trip from the U.S and South Africa).

Our dinner last night at Pizzeria Ely was divine. Homemade ricotta ravioli with pesto sauce, minestrone soup that was the most flavorable soup I've ever eaten. We completed our meal with panna cotta (translated: cooked cream) dessert with fresh berries. I had to suppress my loud oohs and aahs. Delizioso!

I hope will keep you updated!

PHOTOS: That's me in Monterosso, Colorful fishing boats and signature umbrellas on the Monterosso beach,the arch leading to our Hotel La Colonnina.

Can you imagine the fragrance of a house made of lemons and oranges? This is one of the structures built during the lemon festival in Menton, France. Okay, it's not in Italy but Menton used to be Italy until it became part of France. It's on the Italian/French border.

If you'd like a list of the major festivals (sagras) in Italy, check out the GO ITALY website.



From: Fodor's Review:
Beautiful beaches, rugged cliffs, crystal-clear turquoise waters, and plentiful small hotels and restaurants make Monterosso al Mare, the largest of the Cinque Terre villages (population 1,730), the busiest in midsummer. The village center bustles high on a hillside. Below, connected by stone steps, are the port and seaside promenade, where there are boats for hire. The medieval tower, Aurora, on the hills of the Cappuccini, separates the ancient part of the village from the more modern part. The village is encircled by hills covered with vineyards and olive groves, and by a forest of scrubby bushes and small trees.

Monterosso has the most festivals of the five villages, starting with the Lemon Feast on the Saturday preceding Ascension Sunday, followed by the Flower Festival of Corpus Christi, celebrated yearly on the second Sunday after Pentecost. During the afternoon, the streets and alleyways of the centro storico (historic center) are decorated with thousands of colorful flower petals set in beautiful designs that the evening procession passes over.

Finally, the Salted Anchovy and Olive Oil Festival takes place each year during the second weekend of September. In 2009, the festival is Saturday, September 19.
Thursday, the market (Old town center. Thurs. 8-1) attracts mingled crowds of tourists and villagers from along the coast to shop for everything from pots and pans and underwear to fruits, vegetables, and fish. Often a few stands sell local art and crafts as well as olive oil and wine.

Traditionally anchovies were preserved in salt for practical reasons. Up till today, they are still preserved in the same way, seasoned in olive oil and kept in glass containers ready to be enjoyed with bruschette and a glass of local white wine.

At the end of month, Monterosso has another food event, the Tournament of the Nuts along the streets of the village.

12 more days and i'll be walking the streets of Monterosso. I'll be there for the anchovy festival and perhaps I'll find some other sagri(festivals).

Due Partite (2 games or matches) looks like a beautiful movie about eight Italian women-- mothers and their daughters. I don’t think it has been released in the US yet but when it is released, I think it is a 'must see.' Here is the trailer and partite finale on Youtube. It was originally a play written by Cristina Comencini.

Excerpt from ~ Nathan Southern, All Movie Guide: "In Italy circa 1966, four female friends meet regularly over a game of canasta, to discuss their hopes, fears and concerns. Frustrations also emerge - many tied to the women's histories of extinguishing personal dreams in exchange for the false promises advertised as nuptial bliss. Thus begins helmer Enzo Monteleone's intimate ensembler Due Partite. The setting then shifts to Italy in 1996, when the women's daughters begin meeting for canasta, reflect on their own lives, and ponder a tragedy that befell one of the mothers. The cast features Margherita Buy, Claudia Pandolfi, Isabella Ferrari and several other mainstays of the Italian screen."

Watch for the movie to be released in the US with subtitles.

One of the top 10 art festivals in Europe in being held this week in one of my favorite towns in Italy: Cortona. If you're in Italy, hop on over to Cortona in Tuscany. Yesterday the tour included a visit to the San Francesco church and by shuttle to ‘Le Celle’, the monastery where Saint Francis of Assisi lived in the 13th century, set in a beautiful rock sanctuary. My husband and I happened upon this church when we were there 3 years ago, and its magic is still present in my heart.

Enjoy the festival and all the photos on the Tuscan Sun site: http://www.tuscansunfestival.com/

Let me know if you attend!

This youtube video is so heart expanding to watch while you listen to three young tenors singing O Sole Mio in Italy. Italian opera is both the art of opera in Italy and opera in the Italian language. Opera was born in Italy around the year 1600 and Italian opera has continued to play a dominant role in the history of opera until the present day. If you want to expand your knowledge of Italian opera, I urge you to check out Fred Plotkin's book, Opera 101: A Complete Guide to Learning and Loving Opera.

Click on the center arrow in the video and enjoy!



Enjoy the words: Italian words followed by the English translation:
Che bella cosa na jurnata 'e sole,
n'aria serena doppo na tempesta!
Pe' ll'aria fresca pare già na festa...
Che bella cosa na jurnata 'e sole.

Ma n'atu sole
cchiù bello, oje ne'.
O sole mio
sta 'nfronte a te!
O sole
O sole mio
sta 'nfronte a te!
sta 'nfronte a te!

Quanno fa notte e 'o sole se ne scenne,
me vene quase 'na malincunia;
sotto 'a fenesta toia restarria
quanno fa notte e 'o sole se ne scenne.

Ma n'atu sole
cchiù bello, oje ne'.
O sole mio
sta 'nfronte a te!
O sole
O sole mio
sta 'nfronte a te!
sta 'nfronte a te!

English Translation

What a wonderful thing a sunny day
The serene air after a thunderstorm
The fresh air, and a party is already going on…
What a wonderful thing a sunny day.

But another sun,
that’s brighter still
It’s my own sun
that’s in your face!
The sun, my own sun
It’s in your face!
It’s in your face!

When night comes and the sun has gone down,
I start feeling blue;
I’d stay below your window
When night comes and the sun has gone down.

But another sun,
that’s brighter still
It’s my own sun
that’s in your face!
The sun, my own sun
It’s in your face!
It’s in your face

My husband is a gem dealer and travels a great deal throughout the US and abroad. He has traveled many millions of miles around the world, so he wanted to share his top 10 travel tips, based on his experiences.

1.) Hydrate. Drink lots of water before, during and after the flights even if you don't feel thirsty. Drink more than you think you need. This will reduce jetlag by 3-5% The air on airplanes is drier than the desert.

2.) Exercise. The rigors of long distance travel are demanding physically and mentally so exercise regularly in your life, especially after arriving at your destination. When you do arrive, do some sort of physical exercise, even if it's a long brisk walk. This will speed the recovery from jetlag.

3.) Eat lightly on the plane. Airplane food is some of the worst nutrition to put in your body. If you eat lightly or not at all, especially on long international flights over 7-10 hours, you'll be far better off.
Elimination is a result of eating, and long flights sitting for extended periods of time creates constipation, so load up on the oatmeal for several days before your journey to get the elimination working efficiently.

4.) Get up and walk around on the plane, to exercise your legs. You can go to the back of the plane to do knee bends along with some yoga stretches, arms over head, stretch side to side. When sitting, move your ankles in circular motions and don't cross your legs.

5.) One of the best remedies for long distance travel is simple: Keep your eyes closed. This means sleep, meditate, or even just rest with your eyes closed for hours at a time. You reduce the stress whereas watching movies and reading adds to the strain.

6.) Noise cancelling earphones are around $350 but they help reduce the stress of sound (Amazon has used ones for sale also). For a much less expensive choice, buy spongy earplugs and a bucky eye cover. These eye covers are padded for increased comfort. You'll reduce the stress and feel better when you arrive at your destination.

7.) Drink calming vata tea, which is an herbal tea that is made with Indian herbs and is used for calming, relaxing, and aiding that spaced out feeling you can get when you're jetlagged.

8.) Have an oil massage as soon as you can after reaching your destination. It reduces stress and gets you grounded in your body again.

9.) Begin to live according to the time zone you travel to, which means if you arrive in Italy at 10am, and it's actually 3am in your hometown, you will stay up for the day. Take a walk outside and reset your internal clock as well as your watch.

10.) If you have jet lag, try to get a full night's sleep. Then try to stay up all day. Melatonin liquid is a natural help for sleep and usually works well. If you wake up at 2 or 3 am and can't go back to sleep, take melatonin judiciously to stay asleep.

PHOTO: My husband, Jay, and a statue of Apollo archer in Pompeii, Italy

Do you have other travel tips you'd like to share? Just click 'comments'

TRAVELING: Women should carry a daypack instead of a purse. Leave fancy jewelry at home. Keep your valuables in your money belt and tuck your wallet (containing only a day’s worth of cash) in your front pocket. Keep your camera zipped up in your daypack. In crowded places (buses, subways, street markets), carry your daypack over your chest or firmly under one arm. Ask at your hotel or the tourist office if there’s a neighborhood you should avoid, and mark it on your map.
The bulk of your luggage is clothing. Minimize by bringing less and washing more often. Every few nights you’ll spend 10 minutes doing a little wash. Choose dark clothes that dry quickly and either don’t wrinkle or look good wrinkled. Give everything a wet rehearsal by hand-washing and drying once at home.

Pack Light and Travel Happy

Think in Terms of What You Can Do Without. Bring very little. Whether you’re traveling for three weeks or three months, you pack exactly the same. (Besides, we want to buy at least one item of clothing on our trip, so we need room in our suitcase).

WHAT TO PACK AND HOW TO PACK:
Author Rick Steves is a master at packing lightly. He recommends: Spread out everything you think you might need on the living room floor. Pick up each item and scrutinize it. Ask yourself, “Will I really use this snorkel and these fins enough to justify carrying them around all summer? Will I use them enough to feel good about carrying them over the Swiss Alps?”

You’ll never meet a traveler who, after five trips, brags, “Every year I pack heavier.” The measure of a good traveler is how light she travels. You can’t travel heavy, happy, and cheap. Pick two. Call your airline (or read the fine print on your ticket) for details. If you have to check your bag, mark it inside and out with your name, address, and emergency phone number.

Limit yourself to 20 pounds in a carry-on-size bag. A 9” x 22” x 14” bag fits under most airplane seats. This weight and size is for European travel, which is much less than U.S requirements. When you carry your own luggage it’s less likely to get lost, broken, or stolen. And when you arrive you don’t have to wait around for your bag. After you enjoy that sweet mobility and freedom, you’ll never go any other way. If you must bring another suitcase, keep it small and light even if you check it, as you will be pulling it behind you as you continue to travel.

1.) Socks: 1-2 pairs
Despite the fact that it feels nice and is a natural fibre, cotton is just about the worst sock fabric imaginable. Walking experts overwhelmingly recommend socks made of synthetic yarns (CoolMax, Capilene, PolarTec, and other polyesters are but a few) to keep your feet comfortable and dry. Blends that add wool or alpaca are also acceptable, especially in cooler weather; they don't wear as well, though. The main function of socks is to "wick" (draw) moisture away from the skin.

2.) Trench coat: Looks fashionable, warm enough, rain repellent. Can wear on the plane so it doesn't bulk up your suitcase.

3.) Scarf: necktie, scarf, hairband, bandanna
Accessorizing is a good way to stretch a wardrobe; for women in particular, a well-chosen scarf can dramatically alter the appearance — and thus multiply the utility — of an outfit. Costume jewellery also works well in this manner. In colder weather, a long woolen scarf can add a surprisingly effective layer, as can a warm shawl.

4.) Shoes: Don't break in a new pair of shoes on your trip. For many women, myself included, shoes are a big weight challenge.

Try to find a pair that works with everything you're taking. Thin heels are problematic on cobblestones and when trekking uphill (despite the observation that plenty of Italian women traipse all over in their high heels. Modest wedges and chunky heels are more practical. If you do take a second pair of shoes, be sure to utilize their interior spaces for packing purposes.

The Italy Retreat I'll be teaching in Cinque Terre will involve a lot of walking uphill with some hiking on the trails connecting the 5 Cinque Terre villages. Then I'm staying in Italy for 3 more weeks, so packing lightly is even more of a challenge, as I'll be tired of wearing the same things for 30 days.

TRAVEL CHECK LIST: Carrying your checklist with you during your travels can also be useful when repacking, by helping to ensure that you have not forgotten anything.
The consistent use of such a checklist (keep one in your bag, or the room where you regularly pack) is the single most important step you can take to lighten your packing load.

MISCELLANEOUS:
• Address list. Taking a whole address book is not packing light—bring a list of email and snail mail addresses. Consider typing a sheet of gummed address labels.

• Postcards or small picture book of your hometown and pictures of your family to share with people you meet as a conversational ice breaker.

• Small notepad and pen. A tiny notepad in your back pocket is a great organizer, reminder, and communication aid (for sale in European stationery stores).

• Journal. This will be your most treasured souvenir. Use a hardbound type designed to last a lifetime. Attach a copy of your itinerary.

•A good paperback. There's plenty of empty time on a trip to either be bored or enjoy some good reading.

• Radio, Walkman, MP3 player, or recorder. Partners can bring a Y-jack for two sets of earphones.

• Collapsible umbrella.

• Tiny lock. Use it to lock your backpack zippers shut. There are pickpockets. Some of them are children.

• Spot remover. Bring Shout wipes or a dab of Goop (grease cleaner) or Tide to Go pen for food and drink stains.

• Bug repellant. Especially for France and Italy.

• Gifts. Local kids love T-shirts and hologram cards, and gardeners appreciate flower seeds.

Do you have any tips to help us travel lightly and happily in Italy?

PHOTO: My husband and 2 kids, Grace and David traveling lightly at the Roma airport,

The next to the last village of the 5 villages (Cinque Terre) is Manarola. Although the towns are overrun by tourists , Manarola remains uncorrupted by tourism. There are only a few stores. The restaurant recommended by author Fred Plotkin, in Italy for the Gourmet Traveler is "Ristorante Marina Piccola, Via Discovolo 38. You can eat outdoors to enjoy a good meal, beautiful setting and atmosphere. The pesto is excellent; as are the muscoli ripieni. Grilled fish is very good, and the wine is from the Cinqueterre cooperative."

As I mentioned in an earlier post, the walk from Rio Maggiore to Manarola is an easy 20 minute stroll. For more adventure, we'd walk on some of the other trails in the Cinque Terre.

The walk from Manarola to Corniglia is 3km long and takes about 1 hour. Parts of this trail are again pretty easy, but it is steeper and at times the ground is uneven under foot. The most exhausting part of this section is at the end, once you arrive at Corniglia train station. The station is located at the bottom of the hill, by the ocean, but the town of Corniglia is located on top of the hill....and there are approx 365 stairs to climb up to get up to the village!!

The section between Corniglia and Vernazza is the most scenic part, through varied landscapes - you walk through olive groves and forest, and then along the cliff edge, with spectacular views coming into Vernazza. This section is 4km long and takes about 1.5 hours to complete.

The section between Vernazza and Monterosso is the most difficult. It is 4kms long and has lots of ups and downs and steep stairs. It is little less scenic than the others, but you do get a good view of some of the local vineyards. The fun of hiking the trails is that you know that you can find delicious gelato in the next town or enjoy a glass of wine or expresso to celebrate your accomplishments.

Have you been here. Any advice?

Here we are, 33 posts about Italy that began in January of this year. Although La Dolce Vita (The Sweet Life) Transformational Workshop does not start until September 12, the deadline has arrived and there is only one spot remaining. I thought I'd post the details again so you can join us in paradise. If you look at older posts, you will see beautiful photos of the Cinque Terre towns and more on the Italian Riviera. This trip is not to be missed!

8 Day Women's Retreat-September 12-20, 2009
$1300 Room double occupancy, Workshop, Breakfast
(Transportation, other meals not included)

Registration Deadline: June 30 2009

Monterosso al Mare, Italian Riviera
This transformational workshop will be focused on helping each woman to live "la dolce vita" (the sweet life). We will increase our happiness quotient, create a life we love, come home with less baggage, and help create clarity, possiblilites, and freedom from limiting beliefs. We'll also enjoy the pleasures of eating delicious Italian food and traveling to the breathtaking towns of Cinque Terre on the Italian Riviera. 641-472-0414 in the US.

The Italian Riviera coastline is dotted with charming fishing villages, rocky cliffs, and sandy beaches. The mountain valleys are covered with flowers and herbs that scent the air and provide the tastes that are a part of life in Italy.

This September I'm combining my passion for Italy with my passion for helping women expand their possibilities to create a life they love.

What to Expect on This Retreat:

After a delicious breakfast of local fruit, cheeses and homemade breads, we'll meet to begin learning the Option Method Dialogue - questions that you will take with you to continue experiencing the happiness gained during this retreat. You will broaden your belief of what is possible and begin to expand and live "La Dolce Vita", the sweet life.

We'll continue with techniques and exercises after lunch that will help enhance clarity, creativity and happiness.

Some afternoons will be filled with visits to the beautiful Cinque Terra (five towns), as well as to other picturesque seaside villages that cling to cliffs overlooking the Mediterranean. Our time outside in the lush splendor of Italy will inspire us to find our inner beauty. Italy's gift to the world is to teach us to enjoy beauty and pleasure in every aspect of life-food, family, fashion, art, language, nature and love.

As women, we are notorious for giving and supporting others, whether we have careers in or out of the home. Now, let's do something for ourselves. Give ourselves the gift of happiness - a chance to travel to Italy with a group of like-minded women for the purpose of finding and living pleasure, joy and love every moment of our lives.

During this Italian Retreat, discover how to:

~ Manifest greater possibilities in your life
~ Awaken happiness while gently dissolving limiting beliefs
~ Dive into the passions of Italy while tapping into your own passions
~ Navigate more easily through life's transitions and changes (job loss, empty nest, divorce, moving....)

I hope you can join us to create more of what you want in your life!