In 2003, I decided to join my friends, Leah Licausi and Aaron Duncan, on a trip to Italy for several reasons. As a person of color, I knew of no one in my family who had ever traveled abroad. And I love Italian food, the language, the culture, etc. And I kept thinking about that question people ask about where you wouold like to travel - I decided to stop wishing for it and put the plan in action to make it happen!

After reviewing all of Rick Steves' travel guide books, DVD's and maps, we decided on a trip to Rome, Siena and Venice. I am now a Rick Steves fan. In addition to the books, maps and DVD's, I also have one of his travel bags. My friends talked me into traveling with one bag to carry on the plane so we wouldn't have to check luggage and perhaps lose it. Rick's books were so helpful in planning our trip and while we were on the trip, walking from place to place. I would encourage everyone to check him out.

The only negative thing about the trip occurred just as I got off the plane. …

O.K. sports fans. So my career is traveling the world and telling people's stories. Mostly I write about people who are oppressed, subjugated, the victims of violence, terrorism, hunger and the vilest affliction - poverty. So in short I go places most folks wouldn't dare to go. But once in a while I get to travel to the usual tourist traps but being me, my travels aren't your typical American vacay stories. So I thought I'd share my travel log and today we are being whisked off to Italy.

The Colosseum

No trip to Rome would be complete without a dip into the concrete palace that is the Colosseum. Commissioned by Roman Emperor Vespasian in 70 A.D., this 50,000 seat amphitheater was finished just 10 years later.

Sorry sports fans describing with words is inadequate. You're just going to have to go there. But I did take a picture that I think captures its essence.

I took this picture with my iPhone. I love the scale of the Christian cross dwarfs the secular Colosseum which is much like Rome is today, …

For many people, the best part of travel is getting to know the natives and how they live. (Just look at all the insider travel guides and articles out there.) So it was with this thought that my sister, Valerie, and I accepted a friend’s invitation to stay at her luxurious condominium in Rome.

Ann Moon Malusardi has resided in the Eternal City for most of her life with her husband, Frederico, whom she met when she, a talented dancer, was touring Italy with an African American dance troupe. They live in the trendy Ponte Milvio section of Rome. Ponte (Italian for “bridge”) Milvio has crossed the Tiber River since 109 B.C.

I spent my first morning with Ann by accompanying her to the Mercato Ponte, an extensive outdoor market across from the historic bridge. Overloaded stands displayed vegetables, fruit, flowers, meat, fish, antiques, clothing, shoes, small appliances and more. After making our purchases, it was “time out” before heading home. We went into a bar to buy cappuccinos (morning drink in Italy), and then took them out to a sidewalk table. An Italian “bar” is a cross between a pub, a sidewalk café …