This is Isola San Giorgio, one of the lesser-known islands of Venice, Italy. Claude Monet frequently painted San Giorgio Maggiore, the Palladian church and monastery pictured here at the heart of San Giorgio. From this vantage point and time of day, it was easy to see what he saw.

This is Ravello, on the Amalfi Coast of Italy. This was taken years ago. I didn't have much time in Ravello. It was a quick two-day stopover after a weeklong visit to Naples...