Author Description

During their first trip to Rome, author Karin Stevens and her husband encounter the charming and vivacious family Lombardioli. The matriarch, Duchessa, becomes a treasured friend and adopts the couple as her "American family." She invites them to visit her at her ancestral home in Vezzo, Italy, near the bustling metropolis of Milan. When the two arrive in the borgata (village) near the shore of Lake Maggiore, Duchessa shows them the spirit of the country. Good food, fine wine, and stunning views await. The group takes day-trips by ski lift, sky tram, ferry, and train, exploring the lake's environs and the Italian Alps. The second half of Ciao! Lago Maggiore, Italy details Duchessa's reciprocal visit to Arizona. The account of her delightful vacation showcases the beauty of the American Southwest and its quaint and historic old towns. Stevens's memoir of her adventures with her adopted Italian family is bursting with warmth, cheer, and humor. Readers captivated by Duchessa's Italy can use the expert advice in this book to plan their own journeys to northern Italy.