Italy
Leaving Germany and Austria behind, we entered a whole new world… Italy! Wow… I can’t even begin to express how I feel about Italy. It is like no other place I’ve ever been. Crazy, wild, untamed… yet steeped in history and tradition that is rock-solid.
Venice
Venice was my first taste of Italy. There is a fierce sense of pride and loyalty within those city walls. It is in Italy that I truly felt an immense sense of gratitude for our fearless guides, Lisa and Stefanie. With all of the chaos and confusion, they led us through the craziness with grace and determination. They got us on and off the vaporetti taxi boat with skill, led us through the twisted maze of Venice right to our hotel situated in the middle of that wild and fun city. We were minutes from San Marcos Square (Piazza San Marco) yet our hotel was quiet and peaceful.
What can I say about Venice? Beauty, pride, a deep, rich history. The tour of the mask maker’s shop, the Italian dinner with wine flowing, grappa and limoncello, the night-time gondola ride whilst being serenaded by our Italian band… being rowed through the canals at night, in the peaceful calm of the dark sky, with twinkling lights reflecting in the dark water… one of the BEST moments of my whole tour. If we had gone on our own, not only would we have missed half the things we did because we didn’t even know they existed, but we would have gone at the wrong time… suffering with the heat and crowds. Timing is everything!
Florence
Italy included stops in Venice, Florence, Rome, and Cinque Terra. If Venice is frilly, Florence is stoic. With water surrounding Venice, there was little need for fortification. Florence, however, was built strong with thick walls and high windows for protection. The Cattedrale di Santa Maria del Fiore, with it’s stark white walls and black trim scream Italian architecture to me. To escape the heat of the day, my daughter and I wandered these enchanting streets at night, under the cool dark sky, immersed in the music flowing from cafes and getting totally lost in the history and wonder of Florence. It is these very same streets that the Medici family reigned in the early 15th century. Seeing the dome of San Lorenzo Basilica that was completed in 1604 was like being whisked back into history, to the days when Michelangelo walked these very streets. It is experiences like this that you can only attain through travel.
Rome
And Rome. Ah, Rome, so much drama and tragedy. You love the romantic, the graphic, the theatrical grand gestures. The Roman Colosseum, Trevi Fountain, St. Peter’s Basilica, the Vatican, the Sistine Chapel, the Pantheon, Campo de Fiori, Piazza Navona, the Roman Forum… I could go on and on. You could spend years here and not see it all. All I can say is bring comfortable walking shoes and a hearty appetite!!
Cinque Terre
Leaving the cities behind, it was glorious to spend time in the Italian beach town, Cinque Terre. Peaceful, beautiful, lush… and it’s the beach. Laid back, a bright orange Italian Spritz drink in hand, seafood, cool waves lapping at the shore, and warm sand between your toes… is there any better way to relax and unwind from your busy schedule? Well, yes. If you add gelato! And we did, as often as we could. We also hiked, explored the colorful lined streets full of local shops, and even kayaked to the next town. It was blissful. Truly relaxing and a chance to catch our breath.
