Ryan Cashman

Carolyn Thomas shares expert pressure canning tips and a beginner-friendly recipe. Carolyn Thomas understands the apprehension.

Whether they choose to wander through the Chianti Hills in Tuscany (Italy's best destination for wine lovers), take in the breathtaking majesty of the northern Alps, or see Rome for the first time, many travelers have included a trip to this Mediterranean country on their bucket lists. With its charm, scenic beauty, and amazing cuisine, the locale ranks among the most-visited European nations for good reason. Yet, as is the case everywhere in the world, some areas in Italy are certainly safer than others.

As someone who grew up 45 minutes from the Bourne Bridge, I can safely say that I know a thing or two about Cape Cod. Every summer from infancy until I had kids and moved away, my parents would take my siblings and me for a summer sojourn down the eastern arm of Massachusetts. We made it a point to try and stay, or visit every town on the Cape. Those summers have stayed with me, and truly prove to me the singular uniqueness of Cape Cod.

As the only landlocked New England state, Vermont doesn't rely on pristine beaches or coastal villages to draw in roughly 13 million tourists every year. Instead, Vermont relies on its landscape, cozy small towns, and exceptional culture to attract a crowd. After all, when people think of Vermont they think rolling hills, green mountains, charming villages, great food, and, of course, the most iconic autumn images.

There are very few cities in the world that can inspire such romantic feelings as the Eternal City. One need only watch "Roman Holiday" to see just how romantic the city can be. (Don't get us wrong, Gregory Peck and Audrey Hepburn are amazing, but everyone knows Rome is the real star of that movie). Rome is the pique of European romance and a great city to

Italy has something of a reputation for its intense driving scene. While it is rather stereotypical to say that virtually all rules of the road are ignored in the country, the driving environments you could experience might lead you to believe that there is some truth to the characterization. Of course, for those who live in Italy, understanding how to drive in cities and towns that were never designed for cars is second hand. However, things are completely different for visitors. It's easy for travelers to fall into tourist traps in Italy. But one place you definitely don't want to be caught unaware is on the road.

When we think of fall foliage, we reminisce about the captivating scenery along New York's Hudson River Valley or the rolling hills of the iconic Blue Ridge Parkway. We don't think of Europe so much, even though the continent is home to some of the oldest preserved woodlands in the world. We're even less inclined to consider Italy as a prime destination for fall foliage. This would, however, be a mistake.

It's happened to everyone. We're hiking in the twilight and suddenly hear a rustle in the woods. We turn, peering into the darkness, and a chill starts to creep up our spine. 'Am I alone?'we wonder. Our rational brain says that there's no such thing as ghosts, but the nervous feeling in our stomach tells us otherwise. While every town in America has its own haunted wood, there are some truly scary trails in our national parks that turn the dial up to 11 when it comes to spookiness.

Italy is one of Europe's top vacation destinations. Whether it's to take in the stunning fall foliage views, or to swim at one of the many amazing beaches along the Amalfi Coast, there are no shortage of reasons to visit this fantastic Mediterranean country. However, during spooky season, there's also another reason to visit Italy.

Maine lobsters are prized for their abundance and fresh flavor. They're so indicative of the state that you cannot visit Maine without encountering the crustaceans in some capacity. Heck, it was on the general license plate until 1999. While the lobster itself is famous, perhaps even more so is the meal it spawned: the lobster roll.