After departing Milan, Kristy surprised us with a 40 minute stop in the Lake District at Lake Garda. It's the largest lake in Italy and was beautiful! A great treat for all of us. We picked up some strawberry gelato before getting back on the bus towards Verona. [Best gelato the entire trip!]
We arrived in Verona around 12:30 and immediately got to see the Roman Arena (built in the 1st Century AD) which is also (like the Colosseum) missing its outer wall, but is smaller in scale and made of pink and white marble. Verona is a very cute little town!
Then onto Juliet's balcony and the House of Juliet where we wrote our names and date on a piece of paper and stuck it on the [Lover's] Wall. After that Jeff and I returned to Piazza Bra and chose from 42 different pizzas while watching the people around the Arena. My pizza was artichoke, mushroom and ham. Yum! We then strolled the Piazza before hopping on the bus and heading off to Venice.
We arrived at our hotel in Venice around 5:30 and had some time to freshen up in our broom closet of a room before we headed into Venice.
Had dinner at a nice hotel (Hotel Continental) in Venice and then took a boat down the Grand Canal. SO AMAZING! Felt like a ride at Disneyland. We docked at St. Mark's Square and got to see the Doge's Palace, St. Mark's Basilica and St. Mark's Square completely lit up at night. Kristy arranged for us to sit at a cafe on the square and listen to a band and take in the sights. It was a beautiful evening and we had a great time. Oh and we also got a glass of prosecco and a rose for all of the ladies!
M
Wednesday, October 8, 2008
Day Eight - September 25, 2008 - Pisa, Portofino, and Milan, Italy
Early wake-up call this morning along with a crappy breakfast and a swollen eye. [The mosquitoes here are hideous creatures!] We made the 1.5 hour drive to Pisa for a really quick half-hour stop. The leaning tower of Pisa was actually a little smaller than I thought, but also leaning more too! Nice little pit stop to say we saw it and paid 30 cents to use the restroom.
Onto the Italian Riviera in Portofino. We had to take a ferry over from Santa Margherita, but it was a beautiful day so we stood on the top deck [and enjoyed the views]. Portofino is small but gorgeous with its different color buildings against the bright blue sky and green water.
Enjoyed some seafood risotto while Jeff had Lasagne Pesto. We stayed for about 2 hours until we took the ferry back and began our trip to Milan.
We arrived in Milan around 5:30pm and went directly into the city center to the Piazza del Duomo. The Duomo in Milan is very Gothic and reminds me of the famous one in Spain. It has the most marble sculptures in the world. The stained glass was so vibrant and brilliant...beautiful.
We traveled through the Galleria to the Piazza della Scala to see the Opera House and City Hall.
We then dined in a trattoria in the Galleria. Had the best minestrone soup ever! The beans and veggies were gigantic! Also tried Milanese Risotto, which is basically a cheesy rice. Tasty! Good house vino rosso too!
Quick stop for perfume and clothes in Zara and then went to the hotel around 9pm. Beautiful hotel and the nicest room we've ever stayed in. Accept for the mosquitoes and lack of air conditioning!
Can't wait for Venice!
M <3
Onto the Italian Riviera in Portofino. We had to take a ferry over from Santa Margherita, but it was a beautiful day so we stood on the top deck [and enjoyed the views]. Portofino is small but gorgeous with its different color buildings against the bright blue sky and green water.
Enjoyed some seafood risotto while Jeff had Lasagne Pesto. We stayed for about 2 hours until we took the ferry back and began our trip to Milan.
We arrived in Milan around 5:30pm and went directly into the city center to the Piazza del Duomo. The Duomo in Milan is very Gothic and reminds me of the famous one in Spain. It has the most marble sculptures in the world. The stained glass was so vibrant and brilliant...beautiful.
We traveled through the Galleria to the Piazza della Scala to see the Opera House and City Hall.
We then dined in a trattoria in the Galleria. Had the best minestrone soup ever! The beans and veggies were gigantic! Also tried Milanese Risotto, which is basically a cheesy rice. Tasty! Good house vino rosso too!
Quick stop for perfume and clothes in Zara and then went to the hotel around 9pm. Beautiful hotel and the nicest room we've ever stayed in. Accept for the mosquitoes and lack of air conditioning!
Can't wait for Venice!
M <3
Day Seven - September 24, 2008 - Florence, Italy
We started our day in this beautiful city with a walking tour at the amazing Duomo. What a colorful and beautiful cathedral. Third largest in the world. It's like nothing I've ever seen. Then onto the Piazza della Signoria to see where David once stood, the "Rape of the Sabine Woman," and Persius cutting off Medusas' head. We breezed by the Uffizi Galleries and then took some photos by the Ponte Vecchio. Our meeting place was Santa Croce where we saw our [lame] "leather demonstration."
We then had a quick lunch with asparagus risotto, spinach and ricotta ravioli and spaghetti Florentine. We ate in Piazza della Signoria and then met with the group to to the Accademia to see David. What a sight! David is 13 feet tall (without his platform) and is amazing. The tour guide also showed us some of Michelangelo's unfinished works which gave great insight into how he carved David and other works of art. So amazing! Anyways, David was so beautiful and so precise.
Afterwards we went leather shopping (yay for my new red purse!) and then to the Church in Santa Croce. Santa Croce Church is where Michelangelo, Dante, Marconi, and many others are buried.
We then met the group and did a wine, olive oil, balsamic, and tapanade tasting. Fun! Love the truffles in the olive oil - amazing taste!
That night we were off into the Tuscan Hills for a group dinner excursion. Amazing! The restaurant was a Tuscan villa hid among the trees. Our first course was an anti-pasta buffet with some strawberry wine. Then a ricotta stuffed ravioli, some creamy bow-tie pasta, and some type of meat penne. We then got served potatoes (fries-style) and salad with our GIGANTIC Florentine steak. Red wine and champagne accompanied our fantastic meal. Everyone had an amazing time and enjoyed themselves immensely.
Onto Milano!
M
We then had a quick lunch with asparagus risotto, spinach and ricotta ravioli and spaghetti Florentine. We ate in Piazza della Signoria and then met with the group to to the Accademia to see David. What a sight! David is 13 feet tall (without his platform) and is amazing. The tour guide also showed us some of Michelangelo's unfinished works which gave great insight into how he carved David and other works of art. So amazing! Anyways, David was so beautiful and so precise.
Afterwards we went leather shopping (yay for my new red purse!) and then to the Church in Santa Croce. Santa Croce Church is where Michelangelo, Dante, Marconi, and many others are buried.
We then met the group and did a wine, olive oil, balsamic, and tapanade tasting. Fun! Love the truffles in the olive oil - amazing taste!
That night we were off into the Tuscan Hills for a group dinner excursion. Amazing! The restaurant was a Tuscan villa hid among the trees. Our first course was an anti-pasta buffet with some strawberry wine. Then a ricotta stuffed ravioli, some creamy bow-tie pasta, and some type of meat penne. We then got served potatoes (fries-style) and salad with our GIGANTIC Florentine steak. Red wine and champagne accompanied our fantastic meal. Everyone had an amazing time and enjoyed themselves immensely.
Onto Milano!
M
Day Six - September 23, 2008 - Pompeii & Florence, Italy
Early wake up call this morning for Pompeii. Even though it poured rain last night, it was a clear and beautiful morning. Pompeii was a lot more touristy than I thought it would be. We had a local guide who was able to give us lots of details and paint a vivid picture of Roman life from around 64BC - 79AD. It's overwhelming and surreal standing and walking on the same cobblestones that these people did. They had stores, homes, shops, laundry services, brothels, public baths, and even a sewer and some plumbing! They were so advanced, it's just insane. Sadly most of the artifacts and petrified people [I was hoping to see] are only on display in the museum in Napoli, so we were only able to see a few vases, two people, and only pieces of the city. You could spend hours there and never see it all. It's over 4 square miles long. Amazing and I would love to go back.
We then piled on the bus for a beautiful (and sleepy) 5.5 hour ride into the Tuscan region and Florence.
At sunset we drove above the city to Piazzle Michelangelo for a sunset view of Florence. Beautiful!! Then another dinner of pizza with some spectacular Chianti wine before we headed to a local bar (Obio) for their strawberry daiquiris. Capped off the night with a view of Piazza della Signoria. [Florence is such a beautiful city!]
M <3
We then piled on the bus for a beautiful (and sleepy) 5.5 hour ride into the Tuscan region and Florence.
At sunset we drove above the city to Piazzle Michelangelo for a sunset view of Florence. Beautiful!! Then another dinner of pizza with some spectacular Chianti wine before we headed to a local bar (Obio) for their strawberry daiquiris. Capped off the night with a view of Piazza della Signoria. [Florence is such a beautiful city!]
M <3
Day Five - September 22, 2008 - Sorrento & Capri, Italy
This morning we had an hour of free time in Piazza Tasso. We purchased some gifts and a piece of inlaid wood before we caught the ferry over to the Isle of Capri. What a beautiful place! Different color boats line the shore with a bunch of multi-colored houses. We then took the funicular up to Capri Town. A bit crowded but a nice place for the 7 of us not taking the excursion to go to. We enjoyed anti-pasta and caprese salad for lunch and then walked around Capri Town a bit. Then we headed down to the shore and had drinks by the water.
We left late afternoon and headed back to Sorrento for dinner at Pizza a Metro. They claim to have invented pizza! The pizzas came out and were at least four feet long! We had a variety; one with tomatoes, another with tomatoes and sausage, and another with broccoli, mushrooms and green tomatoes. Amber, Jeff and I shared 2 bottles of wine and ate WAAAY too much pizza! [During dinner a thunder and lightening storm came out of nowhere and we ran laughing and giggling back to the bus as we all got drenched.]
After dinner [and back at the hotel] we had "Crema di Lemone" aka Cream Limoncello - tasty! My faves in Sorrento (besides the awesome view from our hotel) were the olive oil and limoncello. Tomorrow - Pompeii!
M<3
We left late afternoon and headed back to Sorrento for dinner at Pizza a Metro. They claim to have invented pizza! The pizzas came out and were at least four feet long! We had a variety; one with tomatoes, another with tomatoes and sausage, and another with broccoli, mushrooms and green tomatoes. Amber, Jeff and I shared 2 bottles of wine and ate WAAAY too much pizza! [During dinner a thunder and lightening storm came out of nowhere and we ran laughing and giggling back to the bus as we all got drenched.]
After dinner [and back at the hotel] we had "Crema di Lemone" aka Cream Limoncello - tasty! My faves in Sorrento (besides the awesome view from our hotel) were the olive oil and limoncello. Tomorrow - Pompeii!
M<3
Day Four - September 21, 2008 - Sorrento & Positano, Italy
Three and a half [hour] beautiful (and winding) drive down to spectacular Sorrento. This is the most beautiful place I have ever set foot in my life. Breathtaking views, quaint cafes, tiny stores filled with the most brilliant gems...I could live here!
We spent two hours in Piazza Tasso eating (the best!) Salame Pizza, shopping, and had our first samples of Limoncello. Also saw some ruins from the 5th century BC below the city.
We then checked into our fabulous hotel where I'm pretty sure we were lucky and got THE best room - 4th floor with a full view of Pompeii, Mt. Vesuvius, and the Bay of Naples. I could sit on our balcony for an entire day and never get tired of it. It's so amazing it makes me want to cry.
We were then fortunate enough to take a sunset and evening excursion down into Positano. The hilltop views of the Bay were unbelievable. Positano itself is hard to get to, but a city with lots of charm and beauty. Had dinner with some people from our group. Positano is known for its seafood, so of course, we tried it! Jeff had clam fettuccini and we also had seafood risotto - so yummy! Also bruschetta and I tried a local fave - spaghetti made with olive oil "chilis" and cheese. "Aigio" or something like that. The olive oil here is the best I've ever had. It's so flavorful I don't know how I'll ever eat American [olive oil] again!
Tomorrow we're off to the Isle of Capri.
Arrivederci!
M
We spent two hours in Piazza Tasso eating (the best!) Salame Pizza, shopping, and had our first samples of Limoncello. Also saw some ruins from the 5th century BC below the city.
We then checked into our fabulous hotel where I'm pretty sure we were lucky and got THE best room - 4th floor with a full view of Pompeii, Mt. Vesuvius, and the Bay of Naples. I could sit on our balcony for an entire day and never get tired of it. It's so amazing it makes me want to cry.
We were then fortunate enough to take a sunset and evening excursion down into Positano. The hilltop views of the Bay were unbelievable. Positano itself is hard to get to, but a city with lots of charm and beauty. Had dinner with some people from our group. Positano is known for its seafood, so of course, we tried it! Jeff had clam fettuccini and we also had seafood risotto - so yummy! Also bruschetta and I tried a local fave - spaghetti made with olive oil "chilis" and cheese. "Aigio" or something like that. The olive oil here is the best I've ever had. It's so flavorful I don't know how I'll ever eat American [olive oil] again!
Tomorrow we're off to the Isle of Capri.
Arrivederci!
M
Day Three - September 20, 2008 - Rome, Italy
Very packed day! On the tour bus at 7am and headed over to the Vatican. Started in the Vatican Museum with halls of painted ceilings, telling many stories of Italy and religion. Then onto the Sistine Chapel, which was the craziest thing I've ever seen. Floor to ceiling paintings by Michelangelo telling stories of Jesus, Moses and judgment day. It's way too much to take in!
St. Peter's Basilica was last and it was huge! Saw a Michelangelo statue "Pieta" as well as the crypt of many popes (including the late John Paul II). The basilica was spectacular with many huge domes, magnificent statues and even a measurement of how smaller churches in the world compare. Our local guide, Daniella, was very informative and a pleasure!
Onto yet another pizza lunch in the Colosseum neighborhood before another quick tour of the Colosseum. Jeff and I then took the metro [scary!] to the Piazza di Spagna to have a look at the Spanish steps and grab some chocolate gelato. One theme that stands out today (and for our next stop) is CROWDED! I've never seen so many people in my whole life!
Onto the Trevi Fountain, just as amazing as I thought, though it's hard to enjoy anything with so many people around. Threw a United States quarter into the fountain for luck.
Dinner in Piazza Navona at a ristorante called "4 Fiumi" for their famous "tartufo" dessert. Basically rich chocolate ice cream with dark chocolate chunks on top. Very tasty! Veal again though much better tonight. [Bought a painting in the Piazza and then headed back to the hotel with Carl and Carly.]
Very exhausted as I've been up since 2am. Onto Sorrento tomorrow! [Rome is insane and I'm excited to head for the coast!]
M <3
St. Peter's Basilica was last and it was huge! Saw a Michelangelo statue "Pieta" as well as the crypt of many popes (including the late John Paul II). The basilica was spectacular with many huge domes, magnificent statues and even a measurement of how smaller churches in the world compare. Our local guide, Daniella, was very informative and a pleasure!
Onto yet another pizza lunch in the Colosseum neighborhood before another quick tour of the Colosseum. Jeff and I then took the metro [scary!] to the Piazza di Spagna to have a look at the Spanish steps and grab some chocolate gelato. One theme that stands out today (and for our next stop) is CROWDED! I've never seen so many people in my whole life!
Onto the Trevi Fountain, just as amazing as I thought, though it's hard to enjoy anything with so many people around. Threw a United States quarter into the fountain for luck.
Dinner in Piazza Navona at a ristorante called "4 Fiumi" for their famous "tartufo" dessert. Basically rich chocolate ice cream with dark chocolate chunks on top. Very tasty! Veal again though much better tonight. [Bought a painting in the Piazza and then headed back to the hotel with Carl and Carly.]
Very exhausted as I've been up since 2am. Onto Sorrento tomorrow! [Rome is insane and I'm excited to head for the coast!]
M <3
Day Two - September 19, 2008 - Rome, Italy
A very wet and rainy day here in Roma. We were able to escape rain when we went to the Colosseum this morning. Amazing! There's really only so much one can process about a city and building so old. Oddly enough it seemed a little smaller than I thought, but just as spectacular as I had imagined. We have a stop there tomorrow, so hopefully I can get some shots with blue sky!
After the Colosseum we did the archeological walk, starting with the palaces atop Palatine Hill and down into the Forum. It started pouring rain then [at the Forum] and although the sites were awesome, it was quite hard to enjoy in the rain and be soaking wet.
Lunch was [a] "Panina Capri." Bread with proscuitto, mozzarella, tomato and lettuce. We then got a little lost, but finally found the Pantheon. It's very well preserved inside - I believe the best preserved interior in [Ancient] Rome. Crypts and an open dome are what makes it amazing.
[We sat in the Pantheon square and enjoyed a hot café latte while the rain poured down. Then waited in a really long taxi line in the rain with my newly purchased rainbow-colored umbrella.]
Still pouring rain we headed back to the hotel to meet our tour group. 27 people from all over the world. We'll see how it goes!
We headed back into ancient Rome and had dinner just inside the Aurellian Walls. Had dinner at "Segafredo Zanetti." Pasta, veal, potatoes, and the best tiramisu I've ever had! Then a night time highlight tour of the city.
Early day tomorrow. We depart at 7am for the Vatican. Long but exciting day tomorrow!
M <3
After the Colosseum we did the archeological walk, starting with the palaces atop Palatine Hill and down into the Forum. It started pouring rain then [at the Forum] and although the sites were awesome, it was quite hard to enjoy in the rain and be soaking wet.
Lunch was [a] "Panina Capri." Bread with proscuitto, mozzarella, tomato and lettuce. We then got a little lost, but finally found the Pantheon. It's very well preserved inside - I believe the best preserved interior in [Ancient] Rome. Crypts and an open dome are what makes it amazing.
[We sat in the Pantheon square and enjoyed a hot café latte while the rain poured down. Then waited in a really long taxi line in the rain with my newly purchased rainbow-colored umbrella.]
Still pouring rain we headed back to the hotel to meet our tour group. 27 people from all over the world. We'll see how it goes!
We headed back into ancient Rome and had dinner just inside the Aurellian Walls. Had dinner at "Segafredo Zanetti." Pasta, veal, potatoes, and the best tiramisu I've ever had! Then a night time highlight tour of the city.
Early day tomorrow. We depart at 7am for the Vatican. Long but exciting day tomorrow!
M <3
Day One - September 18, 2008 - Rome, Italy
Long over night flight from DC to Rome. Slept a little, but not much. It was 4.5 hours from L.A. to DC and 8 hours from DC to Rome. Took us at least an hour and fifteen minutes to get our luggage - slowest baggage claim EVER. Then the bumpiest most nauseating hour-long shuttle ride of my life. We arrived at our hotel around 11:45am. Our first meal was here at Rouge et Noir Hotel. Pizza margherita (olive oil, tomato sauce & cheese) with salad and fruit.
Our room was finally ready by the time we finished lunch at 1pm. The room - is a room - seems clean enough - accept for the yucky shower curtain - but otherwise big by European standards.
After a nap until 3pm, we showered and made phone calls home. By 5pm we headed back into the city [via the free hotel shuttle that drops you at Termini Station. From there we took a cab into the Campo de Fiori].
We strolled around the Campo de Fiori and then settled into some outdoor seats at a local cafe so we could enjoy dinner in a Roman atmosphere.
"Samby's" was the name of the ristorante and my meal was fabulous. Started with a 1/2 liter of red wine and an order of caprese. My entree was "Rigatoni all'Amatricana" which the waitress recommended. It was rigatoni with tomato, bacon, and pecorino cheese. Great recommendation! Jeff's pasta was "Rigatoni all'Carbonera" which was made with bacon, egg and cheese.
We strolled around a bit before grabbing a cab and heading back for some much needed sleep.
Tomorrow is a big day - Ancient Rome - here we come! Hope the weather holds out.
Ciao Bella!
~M
Our room was finally ready by the time we finished lunch at 1pm. The room - is a room - seems clean enough - accept for the yucky shower curtain - but otherwise big by European standards.
After a nap until 3pm, we showered and made phone calls home. By 5pm we headed back into the city [via the free hotel shuttle that drops you at Termini Station. From there we took a cab into the Campo de Fiori].
We strolled around the Campo de Fiori and then settled into some outdoor seats at a local cafe so we could enjoy dinner in a Roman atmosphere.
"Samby's" was the name of the ristorante and my meal was fabulous. Started with a 1/2 liter of red wine and an order of caprese. My entree was "Rigatoni all'Amatricana" which the waitress recommended. It was rigatoni with tomato, bacon, and pecorino cheese. Great recommendation! Jeff's pasta was "Rigatoni all'Carbonera" which was made with bacon, egg and cheese.
We strolled around a bit before grabbing a cab and heading back for some much needed sleep.
Tomorrow is a big day - Ancient Rome - here we come! Hope the weather holds out.
Ciao Bella!
~M
Italy
I've been so sick with the stomach flu that I haven't even felt like blogging about my trip! I journaled every day and I want to post them on here. I'm going to try and work on that today.
In a nutshell we had the time of our lives. What an amazing experience! 13 cities in 12 days and a complete look at so many different regions and cultures in Italy. We made new friends and enjoyed lots of wine and food and the best part is that we made memories that will last us a lifetime. Italy is a gem and although crowded, is a place to see in your lifetime. I don't regret a dime we spent and I wouldn't have changed a thing!
Will be back to blog later! :-) Ciao!
~M
In a nutshell we had the time of our lives. What an amazing experience! 13 cities in 12 days and a complete look at so many different regions and cultures in Italy. We made new friends and enjoyed lots of wine and food and the best part is that we made memories that will last us a lifetime. Italy is a gem and although crowded, is a place to see in your lifetime. I don't regret a dime we spent and I wouldn't have changed a thing!
Will be back to blog later! :-) Ciao!
~M
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