Gigi Griffis

How to Eat Locally—and Well—in Italy

How to Eat Locally—and Well—in Italy

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As North Americans, we have a few myths about Italy. We think of Italian men as Casanovas: handsome, suave, and maybe a little dangerous. We think that every Italian woman is sexy, self-assured, and passionate. We imagine that all Italians are loud, passionate people with hot tempers and strong opinions… And we believe that all Italian food tastes amazing. So when we arrive for that first time in Italy and stumble into a random osteria in Rome or a little café in Florence, we expect the best of the best. We expect to be transported in ecstasy through a taste experience unlike any we’ve had before.

From Desk-Bound to Travel Hound in Europe

From Desk-Bound to Travel Hound in Europe

Entrepreneur profiles
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Five years ago, I was the lead copywriter and content strategist at an advertising agency in Denver, Colorado…coming in as early as 7 a.m. and leaving sometimes as late as 9 p.m.—and rarely ever got a real break. Now, I’m sitting in a sunny top-floor apartment in the Swiss Alps, writing this to you. I can see a waterfall from my window and, only a few steps from my door, I could be on a hiking trail that leads to a Swiss ski town or a 360-degree panorama of the mountains. All because I am a travel writer.

Living in Florence, Earning from Anywhere

Living in Florence, Earning from Anywhere

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Before moving to Italy, Georgette Jupe had what many would consider a glamorous life: She was living in star-studded Los Angeles, working in public relations, and rubbing elbows with the B-list celebrities that her firm represented. She had a good, steady, lucrative job. And who doesn’t want to live in sunny, coveted southern California? To the untrained eye, Georgette had it all. But secretly, she was missing Italy— where she’d spent one beautiful year studying abroad in pretty Florence back in her college days.

Four of Europe’s Most Romantic Train Journeys

Four of Europe’s Most Romantic Train Journeys

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Like so many from the U.S., when I daydream about traveling through Europe, I always imagine myself on a train: speeding quietly through the countryside, over the mountain passes, past charming, ancient towns, or along the shores of a massive glacial lake. Other forms of transportation—with their two-hour pre-flight check-ins, their bumpy, uncomfortable buses, and their too-close-for-comfort seating arrangements—always feel like a hassle.

The Myth and Magic of Solo Female Travel

The Myth and Magic of Solo Female Travel

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Before setting off on a solo adventure as a woman, one of the biggest concerns—for both the solo traveler herself and her family and friends—is often safety. We worry about pickpockets and scam artists. We wonder if it’s safe to walk home alone. We want to see the world, to shop in Paris, to ride a tuk-tuk through the streets of a Asian city, to learn to salsa dance in Mexico…but we also want to be wise.

“We’ve Made Our Lives Longer by Living this Way”

“We’ve Made Our Lives Longer by Living this Way”

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When Melissa Adams stepped out of the airport and into Amsterdam for the first time, it felt like coming home. “The minute my feet hit Damrak—the street leading from Central Station to Dam Square—I said ‘I’m moving here.’ Everything—from the city’s physical beauty to its tolerant vibe and rich history— entranced me.” But while Melissa’s experience of Amsterdam was love at first sight, she also wanted to be practical and make sure her passion had some staying power.

Discover Croatia’s Dalmatian Coast

Discover Croatia’s Dalmatian Coast

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Before I arrived in Croatia, people told me that it was one of the most beautiful places in Europe. “If you love Italy, you’ll love Croatia,” they said. “After all, the Croatian coast is where the Italians go to vacation.” Most of Croatia’s coast is along the historic Dalmatian region—a place that perfectly meshes Italian and Eastern European inspirations in architecture, food, and even language.

Small-Town Italy for Less than $2,000 a Month

Small-Town Italy for Less than $2,000 a Month

Living the Good Life
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It was New Year’s Eve 2012 and the view outside my window was perfect. In the darkness, I could just make out the rolling Italian hills, dotted with brick houses with terracotta rooftops. A lone bell tower rose from a small, ancient church into the sky. And as the bell tolled midnight, the sky lit up with fireworks from three different directions.