Kate McCulley

Adventurer and Vagabondress

Thanksgiving in Italy

Kate | November 27, 2009

Here’s a confession: I’m not a big fan of Thanksgiving food.
I’ll eat it, of course, and I do like much of it.  (And, before I get any further, my mom made a FABULOUS and DELICIOUS Thanksgiving dinner yesterday!)  I just don’t crave turkey, stuffing and mashed potatoes the way that so many of my fellow [...]

Six Bargain Destinations in Europe (right now!)

Kate | November 13, 2009

More and more, people have been asking me what I think are the best-value destinations for travel right now.  (Keep in mind that best value does not mean cheapest!)
For this entry, I’m going to focus on destinations in Europe:
Iceland. This is the destination on everyone’s list right now.  Iceland is suffering an economic collapse worse [...]

Travel Itineraries: Italy in 10 Days

Kate | October 29, 2009

I have a bit of an unhealthy obsession with maps. Plonk an atlas down in my lap and I won’t move for hours. (Seriously. Ask my family. They’ll gladly confirm.)
I love creating travel itineraries and maps, so I’m going to make this a recurring feature on KateMcCulley.com.
Ten Days in Italy
This is [...]

Cardinal Travel Sins: Afternoon Cappuccino in Italy

Kate | October 26, 2009

Don’t expect to hit up Starbucks in Italy.  You won’t find one!
Coffee is a fabulously Italian ritual — and in a country that varies widely by region, it’s a surprisingly standard practice throughout the peninsula.  Locals stand at the bar and order a caffé.  Caffé is espresso, and it is drunk while standing at the [...]

Paris for Solitude

Kate | October 25, 2009

In Paris, I throw on my sunglasses and walk down the streets, consciously not making eye contact with anyone.
It’s peculiar, but it suits me.  Paris is a city tailored to independent souls whose perfect day consists of reading, writing, walking through a neighborhoods and eating fabulous food — perhaps without speaking more than a few [...]