A beautiful weekly market day in Jamaica suddenly turned to showers, but the misty scene beckoned to be brought home. I hope you feel the huddling under umbrellas in the warm humid bustle.

Down the back streets of Venice I stopped on a small bridge and saw the most unbelievable array of reflected colors in the canals. The city streets are so narrow, the only time to capture those famous Venice colors is noon with the sun directly above.

On my first trip to France I encountered this sweet little village called St. Cirq La Popie. The building colors were pools of pale pastels.

This hilltown of Cortona has a no vehicle law as do most. People shop and cook fresh daily and walk to get their baked goods and staples. The "comer store" is everywhere you turn with baskets to tempt your palate.

The Americana Hotel in Venice seems to be a favorite for honeymooners. A young couple from northern California who purchased the original spent theirs there. What a nice remembrance.

Morano Italy; an island off Venice has similar kaleidoscope portions of ancient buildings reflected in its canals if caught at the right time of day. It is a smaller quieter city of water.

A church-going country; Sunday is a quiet time with shops closed; people home with family or taking a stroll on the empty brick streets of long ago.

The many walled hill towns of Tuscany and Umbria provide a spectacular sight on the highways approaching them. It reminded me of some magical place in a childrens book.

This scene was a fishing village along the coast of Italy - but could have been just about any seashore you've ever been to.

I spent three days in this refurbished farmhouse in the Tuscan hillside just outside San Giminiano. The charming farmhouse, in addition to the delightful owners and their cat Tomas, made it a memorable experience.

This was a knock-out view overlooking Lake Como in northern Italy.