V Veneto Region. Venice is the capital of Italy’s Veneto region, with 160 square miles of total area and only 3 feet of elevation. It was built on a cluster of 117 mud islands off the Adriatic Sea. It is famed for its canals, Gothic architecture, and Carnival celebrations.  E Elegant Gondolas. These long, oar-powered … More Views in Venice

A Authenticity. Situated 60 km southeast of Naples, Amalfi is a coastal town of over 5,000 people on the Amalfi Coast. The area offers authenticity through its terrain, history, and culture. However, a unique aspect of Amalfi includes the reasoning behind its layout. In 1343, an earthquake cause a good portion of the city to … More Amazing Amalfi

Mandi Backhaus A volcanic eruption. Air filled with falling ash. A thriving city buried. Lives lost. Years pass. Preservation occurs. The city unearthed. A one-of-a-kind area opened for all to see. Mount Vesuvius is the volcano near the Bay of Naples in Italy. Over the thousands of years this volcano has been around, it has … More Pompeii Perspectives Article

Sorrento is a coastal town located near the bay of Naples in south-western Italy. With a population of under 17,000, it possesses a small town charm but also opportunities to enjoy delicious cuisine, high quality wine and oils, shopping for beautiful clothing and accessories, vibrant night life, and of course, a breathtaking view at every angle. … More Scenes of Sorrento

Naples is the third largest city in Italy after Rome and Milan with a population of around 1 million. Known for its magnificent seaside, famous volcano, an ancient Greek and Roman old town, underground tunnels, and strong culture, Napoli is a city to see while in Italy. I was fortunate enough to visit twice and … More New Sights in Naples

Also known as the Eternal City, Rome is the capitol of Italy and third most visited city in all of Europe. With a population of 2.8 million, Rome attracts millions of visitors each year from all over the world with its impressive monuments and archaeological sites, delicious cuisine, and lively atmosphere. Earlier in June, I visited there and … More A Recap of Rome

“Positano bites deep. It is a dream place that isn’t quite real when you are there and becomes beckoningly real after you have gone,” -John Steinbeck Positano is sea-side city on the Amalfi Coast in Italy with a panoramic of colors. Whether it be the never-ending blue skies, pink, white, or yellow Mediterranean houses, silvery grey … More Priceless Memories in Positano

P Prehistoric Remains. In 79 AD, Mount Vesuvius, the volcano near the Bay of Naples in Italy, erupted. Millions of tons of volcanic ash buried the city of Pompeii, killing nearly 2,000 people. In 1748, explorers rediscovered the area to find the buildings intact, skeletons frozen right where they’d fallen, everyday objects and household goods … More Pompeii Perspectives

Capri is an island located on the south side of the Gulf of Naples in the Campania region of Italy. Recently, I enjoyed the opportunity to visit and immediately fell in love. Here are five facts about this kaleidoscope colored island. C Creation of Nature. Capri was created some 20,000 years ago when glaciers eroded … More A Kaleidoscope of Capri

 “This heart of mine was made to travel this world” Sorrento, Italy. Just the name of it causes me to smile and daydream of my upcoming journey to this beautiful place. Hi, my name is Mandi, and welcome to my blog! Growing up surrounded by cornfields and livestock, I’ve always had an itch to travel … More From the Cornfields of Iowa to the Coast of Italy