SUMMER IS HERE!!! Faith: Moving Mountains, Pg. 10 DeSantis Comes Through, Pg. 30
MUSIC: Focusing on the One, An Interview with Cliff Morris of Rooney Entertainment, Pg. 48
Style: Time...Peace, Pg. 24 Let’s Get Weird!: A Restaurant Review, Pg. 38 Essential Books on Cooking, Pg. 42
Travel: Backpacking Through Italy, Pg. 64 June 2022
Gentleman’s Purpose Articles
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In order to submit an article for publication in Gentleman’s Purpose eMagazine, please contact our Editor-In-Chief, Justin N. Gaynor, at: justin@generalmediaconsulting.com All authors that contribute to Gentleman’s Purpose eMagazine are funded through “crowd funding”. So when you send your article in, if you include a hyperlink to your PayPal account, we will include a “crowd funding” link with your published article. You will not be considered an employee or an independent contractor of General Media Consulting since all payments for your content will come to you directly from the “crowd” you will be solely responsible for any tax implications for that income. Advertising in Gentleman’s Purpose Advertising in Gentleman’s Purpose eMagazine has some significant advantages over advertising in traditional print magazines, call today to discuss your advertising needs 1-800-484-9825. Current ad rates are: 1/4 Page Ad - $50 Per Edition 1/2 Page Ad - $99 Per Edition Full Page Ad - $299 Per Edition 2-Page Spread - $499 Per Edition
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BOOK NOW 6
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FAITH
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Moving Mountains Written by Justin Gaynor Every week I’d show up during that season. I would look around the room and see tears flowing from people’s faces. It wasn’t church, officially, but maybe it was more like church than church actually is. After all, I’ve heard it said that church is supposed to be more of a hospital for sinners than a museum for saints. This was a Celebrate Recovery meeting. A Christ-centered 12-step program for people that don’t like to beat around the bush regarding who God is and what that means. I wasn’t here because of substance abuse, but as a means to help me deal with ‘normal’ life issues. My mom had died, my dog had died, my wife had left me, I hadn’t seen or heard from my children in far too long, and much more besides. It was my “country song” season of life. This meeting was open to anyone who was dealing with “hurts, hangups, and habits’ that were preventing them from living their best life. While the majority of attendees were struggling with some form of substance abuse, after the general session (which included a little icebreaker, worship, prayer, and folks sharing their stories) we broke out into small groups based on our common struggles: female alchoholics, male sex addicts, female narcotics abusers, and my group...common life problems. At one point in the Scriptures, Jesus tells his students about the spiritual authority they have. He says to them that not only can they do the things they see Him doing, if they have faith, 10
and do not doubt, they can say to a mountain, “Go, throw yourself into the sea!” and it will be done. Well, Jesus isn’t overly concerned with re-arranging geography at this point. The obvious reference is to how Pharoah’s pursuing army was drown in the sea after the Hebrew people passed through the Red Sea on dry land. More recently, of course, his students had seen him send a horde of demons into a bunch of pigs, who then, crazed and stupified, ran into the sea and drown themselves. In my current context, I was thinking something similar, but with redemptive purposes. These Celebrate Recovery volunteers are, each and every week, commanding this mountain of people to, “Go, and be baptized in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.” To go into that watery grave like those demon-possessed pigs and emerge from the waters a new creation. This is what God is able to do, on this side of the Resurrection of Israel’s Messiah, the Christ. This mountain, this group of filthy, corrupt pigs that like dogs returning to their vomit, keep making the same errors in life again and again and again...for some it’s drugs, others it’s co-dependent relationships, and for others it’s something else. However, whatever our affliction, there is redemption. There is an opportunity to find deliverance, strength, and family in God. This is the mission of the church, to take the Gospel forward and let it do it’s powerful work amongst the nations. Presently, I am working to launch a new, weekly, Celebrate Recovery gathering at St. Luke’s Anglican Church in Port Orange, FL and I hope you will pray for this endeavor in the coming weeks and months. Let’s tell that next mountain to be thrown into the sea. 11
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Relationships
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The Comforter Written by Justin Gaynor
Gentlemen, you are created in the image of God. Being a child of God means taking that very seriously. So much so that you commit to doing the things that we see God do. One aspect of who God is has been described as, “The Comforter”. This is quite important in your role as a man. A role that needs to be embraced. The world is filled with broken, hurting people and if you have found yourself healed by the grace of God, then you now have the opportunity to allow “The Comforter”, the Holy Spirit of God, to work in and through you for the benefit of others. Nowhere will this be more real than in your most intimate relationship, that with your female counterpart. Unless by some miracle you have found yourself with your high school sweetheart that has been untouched by any other man, with no daddy issues, or other trauma, then you will need to be used by God. So, what will that look like. Well, every situation is different, but you will need to be able to listen well. You will need to pray fervently and consistently. You will need wisdom and you will need to ask God for it. Know when to hold ‘em and when to fold ‘em, when to speak and when to shut up and listen. You will need to be patient and attentive. Also, for all the effort you put forth, for all the struggle you enter into, you will have to prepare yourself to watch God do something that you will in no way be glorified for, to God be the glory. 18
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Justin Gaynor, REALTOR®, 3510 S. Nova Rd., Ste. 112, Port Orange, FL 32129 - 561-876-9728 (Mobile)
Click the eBook for FREE access to the definitive guide to buying a home in Florida!
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Style
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Time...Peace. Written by Justin Gaynor Modern gentlemen are very...very...busy. The level of anxiety and pressure men are under these days requires excellent time management skills. Personally, I wish we existed in an age where we were all on God’s time and we simply, freely moved from one ordained activity to the next. A place where we are just carried along by the unforced rhythms of His grace. As it is though, we have calendars to organize, meetings to schedule, and appointments to keep. With the modern SMART phone, the classic timepiece has become somewhat a token of nostalgia. As gentlemen, a classic or vintage timepiece can speak volumes about our values and style. We are gentlemen that value quality craftsmanship and wisdom. When we make an appointment, we have given our word that we are, Lord willing, going to make it on time and fully prepared. We believe that punctuality is a dislpay of love and respect for the people we are meeting with and care for one of their most valuable assets. Their time. As we continue to develop our own personal style, the kind of timepieces that we add to our collection may expand to include various types of chronographs, chronometers, digital watches, wrist watches, pocket watches, and various other sorts that offer features and benefits that cause them to be both functional and visually appealing. So, as we continue to strengthen our time management skills, let’s do what we can to look good while we are doing it.
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real vintage that is really affordable...
617 Lake Avenue, Lake Worth Beach, FL 33460 561-460-0977 25
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Business
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DeSantis Comes Through Written by Justin Gaynor
School may be out for summer, but things are still hot in the Florida real estate market. However, there is a refreshing, cold glass of water ready for those thirsty essential workers that ensure our way of life here in Florida. Govenor Ron DeSantis recently approved $100 million in funding to help the most essential workers in Florida, including 50 different occupations like teachers, firefighters, and police officers, purchase a home. The Hometown Hero’s Home Program (HHHP) grants interest free loans for down payments and closing costs to qualifying essential workers in Florida. Florida REALTORS have been working tirelessly during the 2022 sessions with government officials to get this program off the ground. Now, these individuals that mean so much to our communties will be able to obtain funds for up to 5%, or max $25,000, of the home’s price with zero interest. This legislation comes at a time when home ownership is quickly slipping out of the hands of many. With rising interest rates, solidly advancing home prices, and out of control inflation...affordability is rapidly becoming a thing of the past. Essential workers are the first group to be taken care of with wise legislation and it is good for everyone in the community. However, there is still much to be done to be able to provide affordable housing for the multitudes of service industry employees that have long been the backbone of Florida’s economy. For now though, we celebrate this victory for our friends and neighbors that are essential to our way of life. 30
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Dining
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Let’s Get Weird! A Restaurant Review by Justin Gaynor
Ever since I got a part time job as a prep cook at Broad Street Burger in NC, I’ve had a fascination with microbrew beer. After arriving back in Florida from my long hiatus, I discovered Persimmon Hollow Brewing’s “Beach Hippie” IPA and have been in love. Now, imagine my delight when I went to a brewery that I had been to years ago (pre-COVID) and discovered that Persimmon Hollow had bought them out! I was in for a treat, too. Normally, I pick up a sixer of “Beach Hippie” at Publix, but now that I found myself face to face with the local source, I wanted to see what else they had on offer. So, I ordered a flight and prepared my palate. I had just finished playing three hours of tennis, so I ordered a hearty meal as well. “The Get Weird” burger is a BBQ glazed beef patty cooked to perfection, with homemade jalepeno and pepperjack cheese spread, and topped with fried onion frizzles. They recommend pairing it with the “Three Wise Guys Porter” (that was one of the selections in the flight I had ordered.) The barman delivered the flight that had the porter previously mentioned, the “Gypsy Hiker NEIPA”, the “Viking Lord Imperial IPA / Double”, and something that added a wonderful tart and sweet finish to my dining experience, the “Strawberry Lime Cider”. Each one had very distinct flavors that were truly enjoyable, and refreshing. Overall, especially considering that I arrived 30 minutes to close, the service was on point. the barman was helpful and the other waitstaff were not standoffish at all, but diligently did their closing sidework while making friendly conversation with me. It really was a great end to my day and I will definitely be back with friends.
Click Here to Visit the Persimmon Hollow Brewery Website 38
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Books
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Recommended A Library For June 2022: Ess Growing up in the South, working in my family’s country diner from the age of twelve, you quickly learn that the ability to cook great tasting food is a sought after life skill. Of course, it wasn’t really in the actual restaurant where I began to perfect my craft. As a latchkey kid in a broken family, I often had to prepare my own meals. Having a few good cookbooks on the shelf was a great starting point. Of course, once you’ve followed a few recipes and start to get the hang of things, you can begin to experiment and discover new flavor combinations, different textures that compliment each other, and so forth. Now, I understand that not everyone comes from a family of culinary entrepreneurs. However, being able to cook a dozen or so really good meals is a skillset that every gentleman should add to his repertoire. Having one or two that are your absolute “pièce de résistance” is paramount. So, to get you started, or perhaps to expand your portfolio, we recommend adding these cookbooks to your library this month...
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Additions To Your sential Books on Cooking
If you’ve been reading GP for any length of time you have been encouraged to own a cast iron skillet. Tiffany La Forge’s, “the modern cast iron cookbook”, will help you utilize your cast iron cookware with greater skill and diversity.
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Recommended A Library For June 2022: Ess
This is the mother of all cookbooks. It was in my mom’s kitchen as a child, and likely yours as well. Learn this book as your foundation in cooking and you will be able to master the culinary arts without question. An absolute classic for your bookshelves.
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Additions To Your sential Books on Cooking
Running a close second to Betty Crocker, in my mind at least, is the “Better Homes & Gardens: New Cook Book”. This cook book has been serving American homes since 1930. It offers more than 1000 recipes and has been updated with lots of modern advancements such as recipes for Cold Brew Coffee and ways to make classic favorites in a healthier way.
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Music
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Focusing on the One Written by Justin Gaynor
The Irish have often been a hard-working, enterprising group for the most part. In late 2021, I purchased a 1995 Hunter sailboat and with it a slip at Seven Seas Marina in Port Orange, FL. Shortly thereafter, as I was meeting the various folks that work around the marina, I met Cliff Morris. Cliff is one of those guys that will talk with anyone. The type of dude that makes it real easy to become a friend. Our first adventure started with a motorcycle adventure since one point of common ground for us was that we both ride Indian Scout motorcycles. It wasn’t too long after that that Cliff invited me to his place to have Easter dinner with him, his girlfriend, and his mom. It was at that meal that I learned about Cliff ’s passion for music and entrepreneurship. As I explained to Cliff about Gentleman’s Purpose eMagazine, he agreed to share a little about his musical journey for this month’s edition, so without further delay, let’s hear about this gentleman’s journey… Justin Gaynor: So, Cliff, tell me a little bit about how you even began to get interested in music… Cliff Morris: So, my dad played corinet when he was younger…it’s a smaller version of a trumpet. Justin Gaynor: Now, I understand that your dad was a Navy man.
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Cliff Morris: A Navy SEAL. My dad always wanted to be a musician. He was okish for being at home. He was a phenomenal mechanic, soldier…we didn’t get along very well and so I went after the thing that he wanted to do, but couldn’t quite do it. I originally wanted to play saxophone. Justin Gaynor: How old were you when that desire to play saxophone came about? Cliff Morris: 5th grade, elementary school. Was when I had my first real instrument. My parents bough me a clarinet. Because when you are that small, the breath support for an alto saxophone, you need a good amount of breath support. You have to work into it. They bought me a clarinet. I hated it. It sounded like crap. Didn’t want anything to do with it. I did it for about two or three months and I said, “I don’t want to do this.” My grandfather gave me a 1940’s, all silver, Selmer’s alto saxophone. It was in the family for a while. Nobody played. It was just in the family. It’s still sitting in my garage right now. I tried it for a month or two and it just ended up not being my vibe. I picked up my dad’s coronet, half-assed played a couple notes, and I’m like, “Oh, this is fun…”. So my mom bought me a used trumpet. When I went to middle school, I went to Campbell Middle School, I started playing trumpet. So for the three years I was there I was playing trumpet. They have jazz band, concert band, marching band…Campbell is a predominantly black school…and their marching band, at the time, if you’re in the Campbell marching band, they are better than some of the high schools. Jerry Pikett was our band director, and before that he was the band director for Bethune Cookman College, and before that, he was the band director at Alabama. The guy has some frickin’ clout. Also, awesomely, an amazing trumpet player. So, you automatically get some extra instruction, extra tips, an extra push from someone who is above your own instrument. Like, when I eventually went to high school, at Seabreeze, the guy was a Sax player. He knows trumpet, he knows trumpet players, but he doesn’t know the real specific dynamics of how to…he can say, “You’re flat. You’re sharp. You’re bright. You’re dark. You’re tones are bright or dark, but he doesn’t know specifically how to help you adjust or change to fit those things. Justin Gaynor: Now playing that type of music. Playing brass and things like that. I know that you previously mentioned that one of your favorite genres is Punk Rock. Have you ever experienced playing beyond just in school band, in big band music, like symphonies? Cliff Morris: Middle School, your sixth grade year, you can be in jazz band, but you’re usually…never is a sixth grader in jazz band. Like, the actual jazz band. I was in the actual jazz band. Justin Gaynor: So you sort of made the varsity team, first year aye…
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Cliff Morris: Yeah, pretty much, by the time I was a freshman in high school, I was first chair. Because of things at home, I focused a lot of time on music. Justin Gaynor: What vibe was it that just connected you to music? I mean, I know your dad was into it. But, what were you listening to at the time? Who was inspiring to be like, “I want to sound like that!” Cliff Morris: It’s not even really that. It is, yes and no. One of my biggest influences is actually my grandmother. She was the leader of a choral group. When she was retired. She was a big band singer back in the day. Virginia Rooney. She never did any crazy recordings or anything like that. If you listen to a lot of her recordings, she had the attitude. She had the confidence. She had the voice. You don’t become the leader of a choral group (80 – 100 members) for being the mediocre person. My grandmother and my grandfather got me into big band. A lot of the stuff from the roaring twenties: Gene Krupa, I really got into the Brian Setzer Orchestra. Justin Gaynor: So, you’re in high school band. What major musicians are influencing your style at this point… Cliff Morris: The Beach Boys, a lot of big band stuff, the Birds. When I was going through my own personal changes, I went to this youth group at United Brethren in Christ, and they had a teenage club, called “The Well”. You know, I’m Catholic, and Catholic Church music is…very…you don’t wake up in the morning and you’re like, “You know what, I wanna hear, a Catholic quire. It’s beautiful for Christmas, beautiful for Easter…I don’t want to clean my house to it, I don’t want to go skateboarding to it, I don’t want to listen to it in my car…but it was “The Well” that changed things for me. I listened to some Punk Rock…Green Day, some old Blink 182, which is pop-Punk, obviously the Ramones, the Clash…but what really drove me into the culture, and it’s still now my favorite band Five Iron Frenzy, which is a Christian Ska band. They are…ridiculous…they’re funny, it’s still Christian based, they still have their message, but they also know how to have fun, and bring it lightheartedly into someone’s mind. So, if you’re not Christian at all, you could still listen to a bunch of their songs and understand that it’s great music, it’s fun, and if you’re in the direction of… you want to have more of Christ in your life, they have it. I mean, they’re THAT band. Then you listen to the crossover bands like Paramore and POD. Justin Gaynor: I’m a fan of POD. POD does some stuff with Matisyahu and Matisyahu has really moved me to look into my faith a lot more, and he’s not even a Christian, he’s a Jewish guy.
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Cliff Morris: Yeah, he’s a Jewish guy. Honestly, when Matisyahu first came out that was like, I honestly was super stoked, because you know how like Adam Sandler wrote the Chanukkah song. Before the Chanukkah song, what other Jewish song do you know that is popular, besides like a wedding song. What songs are out there that are mainstream? There’s tons of Christian songs. Justin Gaynor: I love Matisyahu, listen to his music all the time. Live at Stubb’s… Cliff Morris: So, this is one of the biggest problems that I’ve had with a lot of music. This is my favorite band: Five Iron Frenzy. If you listen to their live albums, it is 100% different from their recorded albums. And they’ve gotten significantly better their last album…has the same energy…I’m sure someone said I’m glad you guys are playing the music like you play it live. Justin Gaynor: I imagine that when you are performing before thousands of people versus being in a little room with a couple people turning dials, it’s a huge difference, mentally speaking… Cliff Morris: The irony is that it is significantly more difficult to get up in front of a group of 10 people, 50 people, 100 people, 200 people, than it is to get in front of 250 thousand. Justin Gaynor: Really, and why is that? Cliff Morris: When you are, and I’ve done all of that, I’ve played in front of 250 thousand, and in front of 5 people…all 5 of those people, and if they are not 100% into it, it hurts your heart. It affects you. If you’re playing in front of 250 thousand people… everyone… it doesn’t matter what you’re doing…they’re having fun regardless. It’s not 5 people looking at you. You’re not focusing on one person. Until you’re like, Dave Grohl, where you are constantly playing stadiums and stuff. All it is, they’re excited, you’re excited…They are past that level, when you look out…all you see is a wave of people. It’s a blur of people. So, no one is focused on you. Once you get past that level, then it’s the…O, now I notice your sign, or the little kid, or the girl that’s been singing my song the whole time. Come on up on stage! I’m gonna make this even more special. It makes your show more special because you’re showing your audience, “I actually care.” It’s showing the entire crowd that you are down to earth, that you are approachable…
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…and that is the most significant thing that I learned from my time interviewing Cliff Morris. We need to follow our passions and get to be the best we can be at our individual callings, but the more and more people that we have the opportunity to bless with our giftings…we have to push through the level of just seeing waves of people wanting something from us…to where we can still take hold of the opportunities to positively influence that one individual in the crowd and make them feel special and loved.
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Gear
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The Briefcase Written by Justin Gaynor
It was always a tell. When your money is on the line, you are always looking for any indication that some significant variable may shift that requires a wise response. It was called the Greenspan Briefcase Indicator. When I was a young man, working for a large financial firm, Alan Greenspan was the chairman of the Federal Reserve Board. Occasionally, this body gathers together to determine important matters regarding the economy. Well, when attempting to predict whether or not their meeting had resulted in the decision to raise or lower interest rates, the eagle eyes of traders, investors, and talking heads would be focused on this one man’s briefcase. Is it thick enough to indicate a half point rate increase? Maybe only a quarter point? It was sheer lunacy, never-the-less, that man’s briefcase was likely the single most observed gentleman’s accessory on the planet. When I had started my internship with the financial firm that I was with, I received a beautiful, sleek briefcase with modern styling as a gift. A wonderful gift. My personal style was always quite contemporary in those days. I was able to tote all my important papers, my Handspring PDA (cutting edge productivity technology at the time, before SMART phones got so smart), my sunglasses, tic-tacs, and other personal effects. Clearly, with this briefcase, I was was moving up in the world. It was a far cry from scrubbing the leftover gravy off of people’s plates at our family diner. As with all gentleman’s accessories, you have an opportunity to express your personal style with a well chosen briefcase. More than that though, you have a tool that will help you remain organized and prepared for every situation. 56
The Samsonite 15696 Focus III Attache is very similar to my first briefcase as a young professional. Sleek and modern styling with combination lock to secure your belongings within. It is a great option for any professional. 57
Perhaps a little more in alignment with my own personal style these days is the Italian made Floto Novella Roller Buckle Briefcase Messenger Bag in Full Grain Calfskin Leather. Tanned in Tuscany, it offers plenty of space, classic style...beautifully luxurious. 58
If your profession requires a lot of travel, or you need to keep significantly more physical documents with you, a rolling briefcase might make sense for you. The one pictured here, from McKlein USA, may be a perfect fit.
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Travel
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Backpacking Through Italy Written by Justin Gaynor “In fair Verona, where lay our scene,” is the opening to Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet. Today, Verona remains a destination for romance and adventure. Getting there from Orlando International Airport here in Florida will cost around $1500 per person this summer. With fuel prices continuing to surge and with the shortage of pilots and other workers, the cost of flights may continue to increase. This will likely be the largest expense for the journey. Once in “fair Verona”accomadations at Gabanel Bike Hostel are currently running around $36 per night and that includes Wifi and breakfast each morning. After exploring Verona for a few days, the next stop would be Venice to the east. Getting around Italy will include renting automobiles, Vespas, and taking train rides. Make sure to orchestrate this in a way that frees up as much money as possible for some of the finer dining, wine tastings, and so forth. Once we arrive in Venice, the ao Venezia Mestre offers dorm rooms for $25 per night and private rooms for $75 per night. The most exciting thing about Venice for me has to be getting everywhere via gondola! What are you looking forward to? 64
After 4 days in Venice, we’re off to our next destination, Florence.
Florence is in central Italy and is part of what is known as the Tuscany region. I have wanted to travel to Florence since I was in college. It is all very exciting, but Florence offers something unique. As gentlemen, we hope to be men that offer tremendous value to individuals and communities...in business, the arts, and so forth. Well, Florence is recognized as really the birthplace of the Renaissance. So, there is much to be learned in our own personal development from this center of human beauty and utlity. We will only be inFlorence for the day, even on Hostleworld.com, the least expensive accomodations are more than $400 per night, and those funds can be used better elsewhere. Our next stop will be Rome. That’s right. Once the center of the known world, Rome offers a level of historical and cultural significance that is difficult to match. New Generation Hostel Rome Center offers dorm rooms for a reasonable $75 per night. We will be staying with them for three days to explore this ancient city before we head home to rejoin our family and friends. Where are you traveling this summer?
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