Posts from a Flashpacker

One of the many things I love about Palermo is the constantly changing cultural opportunities available.

In the past, I have seen an incredible Picasso exhibit, gorgeous paintings by Monet and other impressionists, and other world class works of art, showcased in the beautiful palazzos here.

Besides the availability to see such amazing art, I also love that the price is affordable!

Yesterday I spent hours at the The Riso Contemporary Art Museum of Sicily enjoying a Botero exhibit. There were a dozen original works from this Colombian artist on display, and a fascinating movie about his life.

In addition to this traveling Botero exhibit, there were other interesting, quirky, and thought-provoking pieces of art to see as well.

Total cost for this incredible opportunity to see an amazing artist’s work displayed in an 18th-century Palazzo? €12.

Yep. I sure do love it here! 🥰

Palermo under the full moon. 🌕

In order to “get more steps in” I’ve been walking longer and further, heading to the outskirts of the center of Palermo into neighborhoods that are new to me. I’ve been “training” for my first half-marathon in the beginning of October. (More on that soon 😉 - but don’t panic - I haven’t gone all Sporty Spice on ya!)

The other day, I ventured into the Danisinni neighborhood and discovered a horse 🐴 meat butcher shop and a tiny shack selling fresh 🥚 eggs. A guy riding a horse cart through the streets gave me curious looks as he passed me numerous times. I stumbled upon a pretty good-sized community garden where a man was tilling the soil in the hot Sicilian sun.

But I was most excited to discover lots of new-to-me street art because as you know, I’m a huge fan of street art!

Enjoy these pics of the “real” Palermo just outside the city center, where things are a little bit messier (yes, it’s possible! 😂) and a lot more authentic.

“Get thee to a nunnery”…
Or a monastery!

I spent the weekend with friends in the adorable town of Cefalù at a 15th-century convent RIGHT on the beach! With a lovely rooftop terrace overlooking the sea, it was incredible to watch the sun set over the sea and fall asleep to the sound of the waves crashing on the sand.

My private room was only €50 a night, with a spectacular view of the Tyrrhenian Sea.

If you’re looking for affordable accommodations for yourself or your family, and you are not interested in staying in a hostel, take a look at www.monasterystays.com.

You’ll find clean, simple, inexpensive, and comfortable accommodations all across Italy, Austria, Slovenia and more. These properties are usually in stellar locations - the churches definitely grabbed the best spots in a city! 😉

Managed and operated by nuns and monks, the rooms are not fancy but are pristine and unadorned. You’ll have a comfy bed with crisp clean linens, a closet or wardrobe, maybe a desk, and an en suite bathroom. Some places even include breakfast! ☕️

Such a cool experience! 😎

So, would you ever stay in a convent or a monastery?

If you saw my recent post about HomeExchange, I mentioned that I’ve already used or booked over 35 nights’ stays in 2026 alone!!

I’m sharing pix of my upcoming accommodations in the Dolomites in northern Italy, near Cortina d’Ampezzo where the Olympics were just held this winter. It’s beautiful!

My exchange home has 2 bedrooms, 2 baths, a wood-burning fireplace, a wrap-around deck with views of the jagged peaks of Monte Antelao and the dramatic Dolomites range.

HomeExchange is offering bonus points using my code -

https://www.homeexchange.com/?sponsorkey=cindy-9132a

when you sign up before the end of September.

I’m happy to answer any questions!
It’s been a game changer for me.

If you want to travel more and spend less, consider Home Exchange! 🏠

I joined earlier this year and have already booked more than 35 nights’ accommodations. (That works out to less than $7/night! 🤩)

🇫🇷Paris for 6 nights. For free!!

🇳🇱Amsterdam for 6 nights on the canals

🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿Edinburgh, Scotland

🇺🇸Lincoln Park Chicago - check out the view from the apartment! 😮

🇮🇹 I’m staying in the Dolomites here in Italy next month for 4 nights.

🇦🇺I’ve booked 10 nights in expensive Byron Bay in Australia over Christmas.

You’ll find over half a million homes in 155 countries on the site! You can even search by “pet friendly” and bring your furry friend.

Join now to get 500 bonus points from my referral link (cindy-9132a) for listing your home on top of your 800 “welcome” points PLUS 500 bonus points when you pay your membership.

Your 1800 points is enough for at least a week’s stay - and if you do a reciprocal/same time exchange, you don’t even need to spend any points - I did this for my stay in Scotland.

A year membership costs only $235 - that’s the cost of one night’s stay at a basic hotel…how can you lose??

Feel free to AMA- “ask me anything” about this awesome way to travel. I’m a huge fan! 😎

REFERRAL CODE cindy-9132a. Offer ends September 30 so jump on it now.
And both of us are entered into a drawing to get our $235 yearly membership fee waived!

Go for it!

It’s a wrap! 😅

Hundreds and hundreds of International Living members enjoyed our “Move Abroad! Go Overseas Bootcamp” with dozens and dozens of presentations and discussions about moving abroad to:

Panama.
Thailand.
Greece.
Portugal.
Ecuador.
Spain.
Mexico.
France.
Costa Rica
and
of course, Italy!

I had two presentations about the benefits of moving to Italy, and spoke about moving to two countries on my own.

There were talks about finances, taxes, visas, investment properties, relocation services, LGBTQ+ information for various countries, banking internationally, and so much more!

Thanks to all our esteemed members, incredibly informed presenters, helpful vendors, and to all the behind the scenes support staff at International Living for yet another successful event!

See you in the Algarve in Portugal in March!

Did you know…🤔

*I’m a 3rd generation Chicagoan, born and raised.

*I spent 38 years there - in Tommy More, near Midway Airport, across from Wrigley Field, in up-and-coming Andersonville in the 1980s, and in Beverly Hills.

*All my kids were born in Chicago, and we moved to Colorado when they were small.

As much as I adore Colorado, I’m a Chicagoan at heart. Turns out I still have a ChicAhhhgo accent too. 😳

So amazing to get a char-cheddar dog and a scolding at The Weiner’s Circle, stupidly good thin crust pizza to make me swoon from , a visit to the brand new and incredibly amazing Obama Center with my sister, a meander through the Art Institute (still one of my top 3 museums in the entire world - omg, do you remember the Thorn Collection of dollhouses!!)

I even took a detour to Milwaukee for a lunch date with my friend Thue, and a photo op with The Fonz from Happy Days!

I absolutely loved my short stay in the Windy City and will be back next year - and friends, I’m so sorry if we didn’t reconnect; I was only there for a brief moment. I’ll stay longer next time - I promise!! 😍

I drove over 3000 km. That’s more than 1865 miles. All this…just from a month in Colorado! 😳

Denver to Lake Vallecito to Durango; back to Denver to Arvada to Salida; a return trip to Durango, then to Paonia and Conifer. Add in a few other back and forth trips…whew!

Celebrating my “Medicare Birthday” (65!!) with family and friends was an absolute blast!!

Thank you all for making time for me, eating, drinking, hiking, gossiping, and reconnecting.