We passed this castle and vineyard as we hiked out of Bolzano in 2004 to explore the surrounding area. It was springtime and the new foliage in the vineyard was bright green but not full enough to hide the vines. The setting for this scene with the backdrop of the foothills was lovely.

I visited the Val d'Aosta in the fall of 2000 on our second trip to Italy. The region lies northwest of Torino, the area which is home to some of my ancestors. In fact, on this trip I was able to meet my grandmother's cousin and his family who were still living in the town of our family's origins. The mountains in Val d'Aosta and Gran Paradiso National Park are spectacular. We hiked in the park and enjoyed the Alpine beauty immensely. The week after we left, the area experienced major flooding which wiped out one of the villages in the valley.

I was drawn by the shadows, composition and colors of this scene in Milan. I set up my tripod waiting for the right person to walk into the scene, but alas it never happened.

An early morning hike in Gran Paradiso National Park led us along the Val di Cogne. The sun was rising over the peaks and a blue sky heralded a beautiful day in the mountains. This river valley and the park lie in the Val d'Aosta region of northern Italy. A week after this photograph was taken, this valley experienced a devastating flood which destroyed small villages in the valley.

The Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II in Milan is one of the world's oldest shopping malls. The architecture of this four story arcade with its covered glass domes is grand indeed.

Our visit to the Dolomites in the late fall of 2005 included hiking across the Alpi di Suissi, the largest alpine meadow in Europe. Hiking under the majesty of the jagged peaks of the Dolomites was exhilarating. Unfortunately, I got a cold and sore throat that hampered the rest of my trip. Even so, it was grand and I would love to return.

Clouds drift over the mountain peaks in Val di Cogne near Gran Paradiso National Park.

Soft light and light autumn fog clothe this small family vineyard in the Piemonte region of Italy. When visiting the home where my grandmother's grandmother lived in Castellamonte, we came across this vineyard behind the houses.

Cows grazing in Alpi di Suissi under the majestic Dolomites is a common sight. One of the more memorable sounds of my travels is that of cow bells echoing in the Alps... so soothing and peaceful.

Another image from our visit to the Dolomites in the late fall of 2005, which included hiking across the Alpi di Suissi. Hiking under the majesty of Sasso Lungo and the jagged peaks of the Dolomites was a memorable experience.

While photographing in Milan's main piazza near the Duomo, I noticed the Duomo reflecting in the glass of these doors.