BENVENUTI!
Welcome to the blogging lair of the The Palladian Traveler (TPT) and his lens-loving, graphic software-manipulating alter ego, Tom Palladio Images (TPI).
This is an eclectic site devoted to the pursuit of happiness — actually, la dolce vita — from within the borders of Italy and, occasionally, beyond.
So, why did I pick TPT and TPI as my pseudonyms?
Well, I traded in my hometown St. Louis Cardinals‘ baseball cap in the United States for a Borsalino and a wine glass, and now hang my capello, camera AND palate in Vicenza — City of Palladio — in the Veneto region of Northeastern Italy. Plus, my actual name is Tom.
It all makes perfectly good sense, right?
After countless years as a “company” print and broadcast journalist, with well-worn passports that have gotten me in and out of 42 countries and counting, I’m now finally on my own — totally unrestricted — to follow the prevailing wind of the moment to wherever it may take me.
With my trusty camera gear and notebook, I strive to do my very best — dangling participles and double negatives aside — as I keep my eyes, ears and mind wide open along the ancient and endless streets, roads and paths that I travel.
I fell in love with Italy years ago; actually, I married into the Bel Paese.
I’m inspired by the beauty I find in all things that are very, very old; and, reliving history, or at least meandering around time-tested pavement laid down centuries ago and just looking up and marveling at what occupies the space still today, really gets my “Vespa” running. And, I try and uncork that excitement and energy in each and every article and photo that I jettison into the blogosphere.
TPT provides a tad of historical perspective, a dash of humor and tidbits of info that you wouldn’t normally know existed unless you carefully looked between each and every bit of cobble along the way.
The subject matter runs the gamut and is written from the fresh perspective of an expat trying to absorb and understand all the nuances of his adopted culture: food, wine, travel, customs, traditions, expressions, impressions, style, trends, etc.
My quest, as TPT–TPI, is to always be at the ready to capture new and interesting topics for my visual essays, all postmarked from my creative hideaway in Vicenza.
I believe I’m a fair writer-reporter with a decent eye behind the lens and a clever twist with the pen, but I’ll leave it up to those that read and, hopefully, follow this blog to serve as my critiques.
I look forward to receiving your feedback as I’m sure you are of mine.
Now that you know who I am and why I’m here in the blogosphere, maybe you’ll accept my open invitation and join me as I meander along the proverbial cobblestone to somewhere.
Ciao for now.
©Palladian Traveler | ©Tom Palladio Images
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Nice ti meet you, Tom!! 😉
Teresa – Il piacere e mio! 🙂
😀
It has been so nice to see you come alive as of lately. At least that has been what it feels like, Tom. Your excitement and energy are showing in your blog. I am loving your wit and your “good eye” for what is interesting and fun. Do you really ride a Vespa? My honey and I were searching through some consignment shops and there was a motorcycle shop across the street. We went over and looked at a couple of Vespas but I wouldn’t have the nerve to drive them in Naples’ winter-time traffic. But I can sure see myself on one! 🙂
Pat — Thanks for the superlative comment. I’m definitely upright, maybe due to all the coffee I consume throughout the day. No, I don’t ride a Vespa, that was just a turn of a phrase vice “get my motor running.” I would like to hop on one, though; maybe I’ll borrow my brother-in-law’s sometime this spring. He rides the classic-looking Vespa. If you decide to go two-wheels-and-a-motor, be sure and wear a helmet on your noggin’. Ciao for now.