Posted By Mary Freeland on March 9, 2010

Trips to Italy, even vicarious ones, are always a good idea. I have an obsession with all things Tuscan. The food is comforting, the art is awe inspiring, earthenware pottery colorful, and the people are welcoming and friendly. One day I will move there, if not permanently, at least two or three months a year you will find me in a Tuscan villa. For now, I visit through the many books that are available on Tuscan décor, Italian food, and the sites of Italy.

I was browsing through the bookstore looking for a coffee table book with the famous sites of Tuscany and came across a book that looked interesting, “100 Places In Italy Every Woman Should Go” by Susan Van Allen. It is a wealth of information about where to go to truly experience the best Italy has to offer. It isn’t your typical tour book. There are wonderful places that aren’t on the “beaten path,” which I like, because sometimes the road less traveled provides the richest journey. I am going to take you there with me.

It’s interesting that Venus (Goddess of Love, Beauty, Fertility, and Sexual Healing) is as revered as the Virgin Mary in Italy. These two women are everywhere, in paintings, stained glass, and statues. The pagan and Christianity coexisting side by side everywhere you go. I was surprised to learn that churches honoring the Virgin Mary were built right on top of temples built to honor Venus. The picture is an excavation of a temple found below Santa Maria in Trastevere.

I hope you’ll enjoy the trip as much as I do!

Categories: Travel, Uncategorized, history
Tags: Earthenware, history, Italian, Italy, tuscan, tuscan villa, Tuscany