Ciao tutti. I've been retired in Rome since 2014 after a nearly 40-year sportswriting career: 1979-80 Fournier Newspapers (defunct) Kent, Wash., 1980-90 Las Vegas Review-Journal; 1990-2014 Denver Post. I've been a freelance travel writer since 1984 and when the newspaper business started going the way of the pay phone, I retired early at 57. I'd spent a 16-month sabbatical as a travel writer in Rome from 2001-03 and fell in love with the city. When I returned to Denver, I vowed I'd return forever. I saved my money and retired. I spend my time traveling around Italy, Rome, and the world, mostly with my Roman girlfriend, Marina. She also conveniently serves as the photographer for my freelance stories and travel websites, Dog-Eared Passport (www.johnhendersontravel.com) and TraveLazio (www.travelazio.it). As of this writing I've been to 111 countries with many more on tap for 2024.