Roadtripping With Gina
National Parks
America's National Parks, In My Opinion
No, it’s not the Alps. It’s just America. But our national parks are a treasure. The national park system was started by President Theodore Roosevelt, who even then realized that if we didn’t preserve our natural treasures for future generations, our natural tendency towards capitalism would drive us to build on every square inch of habitable land, and these spectacular places would be overrun by land developers and spoiled forever. Happily, there are 63 national parks that are free for everyone around the world to enjoy. I put them here so you could drive them and enjoy them as if you were really there. Because when it comes to beauty like this, there’s no substitute for seeing it up close and personal.
Hiking America's National Parks
I know most people go to Tuscany for the tourism. But if I ever had a chance to go there, I’d be looking to escape the cities and head out to the country. I don’t give two craps about the Renaissance architecture. I want to see the country houses. I’m passionate about Mediterranean architecture. But most Italianate architecture is way to ornate and over the top for me. Not so in Tuscany. Tuscan architecture is the quintessential Mediterranean home…simple but elegant. Some might call it rough. But to me, the countryside is full of houses and towns that were hand hewn from stone, wood…all natural materials. Nothing 3D printed or prefabricated. They were built by people, for people. And the same families have lived in them sometimes for hundreds of years. Sounds like a dream! A table for 20 in the backyard, full of people enjoying good music, fabulous wine, and ridiculously delicious Italian food, is my idea of a good time.
Walk The Neighborhood
Tuscany is a province, not a city, so I’m narrowing it down for you a bit. I’m dropping you off in Florence, at the Duomo. You can tour the building, walk the streets, or venture out to some of the other cities by zooming out on the map and looking for other Tuscan hangouts like Pisa or Siena. This is the perfect place to explore with a Google map, because there are so many amazing places to go on foot.