Ms. Husak’s memoir of travels to Italy with her husband will appeal to those who love travel in general and Italy in particular. Their journeys are both personal and universal. From their first shared trip to Italy in 1993, which marked the first of their empty nest years, their annual passeggiata reflects the shift in their lives through the next decade. On their spring pilgrimages to major tourist centers, Rome, Florence, Venice, Milan, Naples, they develop appreciation for Italy’s art, music and architecture. Wandering together along out of the way paths in tiny hill towns and seacoast villages, they explore breathtaking scenery. By traveling light and learning the vagaries of Italian life, they have become Italian in spirit. The book provides many practical hints on how to travel like the locals, reminding us that even novice travelers can learn valuable lessons from immersion in another way of life, and that one’s companion can be an essential part of the pleasure of a journey.
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Editorial Reviews
About the Author
Ms. Husak lives in Houston and travels frequently to Italy with her husband.
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4 of 4 people found the following review helpful
The very name of this book makes one want to pack their bags and fly off to romantic Italy.
This book, Ms. Husak's travel memoir, will appeal to those of us who are retired; single and longing for a little adventure; or taking that dream, family vacation. It takes the reader to major tourist centers, and out of the way, tiny Italian villages. It takes the guesswork out of travel and teaches valuable lessons that will make the journey easier and more relaxing.
Whether you want to stay in a quiet village or take in all the historic sights and art of Rome, Florence, Venice, Milan, or Naples you will not want to leave home before reading Ms. Husak's book.
Some chapters which are included are:
*Culture Shock
*On Our Own
*The Italian Riviera
*Hill Towns
*and much, much more
Even if you don't have the means to actually travel to Italy, you will want to use this as an exciting armchair travelogue.
This book is well written and is sure to please the world travel reader.
This book, Ms. Husak's travel memoir, will appeal to those of us who are retired; single and longing for a little adventure; or taking that dream, family vacation. It takes the reader to major tourist centers, and out of the way, tiny Italian villages. It takes the guesswork out of travel and teaches valuable lessons that will make the journey easier and more relaxing.
Whether you want to stay in a quiet village or take in all the historic sights and art of Rome, Florence, Venice, Milan, or Naples you will not want to leave home before reading Ms. Husak's book.
Some chapters which are included are:
*Culture Shock
*On Our Own
*The Italian Riviera
*Hill Towns
*and much, much more
Even if you don't have the means to actually travel to Italy, you will want to use this as an exciting armchair travelogue.
This book is well written and is sure to please the world travel reader.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
Passeggiata by G.G. Husak is a memoir about the author and her husband's travels through Italy, to which they return every year. The book covers their visits to Florence, the Italian Riviera, Siena, Assisi, Orvieto, Naples, and more; from big cities to small hill towns, they've done it, and you can read about it.
Husak's love for the Bel Paese and all it offers really shines through her tales--and especially in the fact that she and her husband continue to choose Italy instead of other destinations. "Italy has been a theme that enriches our shared experiences by being integrated into our lives after we get home," Husak writes.
The book can be a bit slow-moving in parts as Husak seems to want to fit in all the details--and perhaps justifiably so, as the details in Italy are certainly not to be missed. Still, the editing could have been stronger as some parts seemed repetitive or simply went on for a bit too long without enriching the overall story.
For this reason, I recommend reading this book a chapter at a time, taking in each destination by itself and giving yourself time to reflect on their journeys; imagine yourself sharing a caffè with G.G. and her husband in Florence or walking for miles around a huge wall in Siena that blocks off the old city from the train station.
This book would be especially good for novice travelers to Italy, even for those who have yet to make their first visit. Many of Husak's stories involve the types of mishaps, confusions, and glitches that often accompany Italian travel tales; newbie travelers will find it particularly encouraging to know that even when things look dire, they'll eventually work out--and that strikes, changes in schedules, etc. are just normal Italian travel experiences that everyone battles.
I give this three espresso cups out of five, mostly because I would have liked it to have been edited better; I enjoyed reading about Husak's experiences, but aside from the fact that the narrative could have been much tighter, there are also quite a few Italian mistakes (gender, incorrect place names, words sometimes confused with similar Spanish words). This is a pet peeve of mine and could potentially make this book confusing for those newbie travelers I mentioned.
Still, true Italophiles will find a lot to like in this passeggiata through Italy; indeed, it could even be used as a supplemental guidebook as it covers so many wonderful Italian locations.
~Michelle Fabio
[...]
Husak's love for the Bel Paese and all it offers really shines through her tales--and especially in the fact that she and her husband continue to choose Italy instead of other destinations. "Italy has been a theme that enriches our shared experiences by being integrated into our lives after we get home," Husak writes.
The book can be a bit slow-moving in parts as Husak seems to want to fit in all the details--and perhaps justifiably so, as the details in Italy are certainly not to be missed. Still, the editing could have been stronger as some parts seemed repetitive or simply went on for a bit too long without enriching the overall story.
For this reason, I recommend reading this book a chapter at a time, taking in each destination by itself and giving yourself time to reflect on their journeys; imagine yourself sharing a caffè with G.G. and her husband in Florence or walking for miles around a huge wall in Siena that blocks off the old city from the train station.
This book would be especially good for novice travelers to Italy, even for those who have yet to make their first visit. Many of Husak's stories involve the types of mishaps, confusions, and glitches that often accompany Italian travel tales; newbie travelers will find it particularly encouraging to know that even when things look dire, they'll eventually work out--and that strikes, changes in schedules, etc. are just normal Italian travel experiences that everyone battles.
I give this three espresso cups out of five, mostly because I would have liked it to have been edited better; I enjoyed reading about Husak's experiences, but aside from the fact that the narrative could have been much tighter, there are also quite a few Italian mistakes (gender, incorrect place names, words sometimes confused with similar Spanish words). This is a pet peeve of mine and could potentially make this book confusing for those newbie travelers I mentioned.
Still, true Italophiles will find a lot to like in this passeggiata through Italy; indeed, it could even be used as a supplemental guidebook as it covers so many wonderful Italian locations.
~Michelle Fabio
[...]
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
The author's description of her and her husband's adventures in Italy brought back wonderful memories of a trip I took to Tuscany several years ago. Her enjoyment of Rome was contagious; I was ready to start planning a trip! Passeggiata is a unique travel book and a fun reading experience.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
Suited to the first time visitor or virtual traveller
Although I enjoyed this memoir about this couples travels in Italy, I did not really find it excited me. Read more
Published 5 months ago by LindyLouMac
Useful Italian Travel Writing
"Passeggiata" in Italian means a kind of walk, a stroll arm-in-arm. That is exactly what G. G. Husak does for the reader; takes them on a stroll through various parts of Italy. Read more
Published 5 months ago by Sandra Kirkland
Pitcturesque view of Italy
Let me say, my first regret of this book was it sat on my coffee table for far too long. Once I opened the book I became engrossed in G.G. Husak's adventures in traveling. Read more
Published 18 months ago by Stephanie Manley
Italy: Just Relax!
Go to Italy after you have read this book. Although I have been to Italy many times, I have never read anything that would make me so relaxed about visiting my favorite places. Read more
Published 20 months ago by Margaret Hansen
A charming stroll through Italy, something to be savored, not rushed
Glen Husak and her husband Al return to Italy each year for a get-away, and have done so for 15 years. Read more
Published on August 25, 2009 by Holly
A Leisurely Walk Through Italy
One way to learn a language unfamiliar to us is to become immersed in it so that the learning of the language is in the context of its use. Read more
Published on July 26, 2009 by Paula Buermele
A delightful read....
What makes this book so wonderful is how the author makes you feel as if you are actually on the journey with her. Its nice to see visual images brought to life with words. Read more
Published on June 16, 2009 by MotherLodeBeth
A first person account of the joys of Italy
A passeggita is a long stroll, and some have turned it into ritual. "Passeggiata: Strolling Through Italy" is a combination travel guide and memoir from G. G. Read more
Published on April 12, 2009 by Midwest Book Review
An easy to read travelogue
The book is a travelogue, in which the author pens her and her husband's journey through several locations visited in Italy. Read more
Published on April 4, 2009 by Manuela Pop
When in Rome, do as the Romans do...
"When in Rome, do as the Romans do" is the mantra followed by Glen Husak and her husband, Al, as they embark on an annual Passeggiata, an Italian journey that continues less for... Read more
Published on February 11, 2009 by Kate
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Cinque Terre, Monte Sant'Angelo, United States, Santa Maria, Piazzale Michelangelo, New York, World War, Grand Canal, Adriatic Sea, Saint Peter, Pope John, Ponte Vecchio, Sistine Chapel, Vatican Museum, Piazza Signorini, San Marcos, Michelangelo's David, Arno River, Holy Land, Rialto Bridge, New Testament, Piazza Navona, Vatican City, God the Father, Spanish Steps Browse Sample Pages:
Front Cover | First Pages | Back Cover | Surprise Me!
small piazza Key Phrases - Capitalized Phrases (CAPs): (learn more)
Cinque Terre, Monte Sant'Angelo, United States, Santa Maria, Piazzale Michelangelo, New York, World War, Grand Canal, Adriatic Sea, Saint Peter, Pope John, Ponte Vecchio, Sistine Chapel, Vatican Museum, Piazza Signorini, San Marcos, Michelangelo's David, Arno River, Holy Land, Rialto Bridge, New Testament, Piazza Navona, Vatican City, God the Father, Spanish Steps Browse Sample Pages:
Front Cover | First Pages | Back Cover | Surprise Me!
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