Italy
Wandering, Eating, Music, Masks and a Gondola Ride
01
VENICE
Spent our days in Venice wandering the streets and crossing the many bridges. We marveled at the beautiful Basilica and Doge's Palace, attended a Venetian mask maker demonstration where Rick was temporarily transformed as a model, and had 2 nights of amazing meals of local favorites. Rick found the local ambulances interesting - very different from the ones he works on! We had vino in piazza San Marco while enjoying the different live orchestras around the square and loved talking to locals and other travelers. Our Venetian experience wouldn't be complete without a gondola ride which we experienced with our group at night complete with musicians! Magnifico!!
Sarde en Saor, Cicchetti, Grilled Octopus, Baccala Mantecato, Nero di Seppia
Dishes we enjoyed in Venice
Movies and Books that take place in Venice
Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade
The Italian Job
The Venice Sketchbook by Rhys Bowen
Hallowe'en Party by Agatha Christie
Duomos, art, architecture, Leonardo da Vinci, lovely locals and wine windows
02
FLORENCE
On to the heart of Tuscany today: Firenze! This progressive artistic city is full of beautiful gothic duomos and architecture as well as centuries of art and delicious food.
Had lunch at the mercato centrale, took a walking tour of the city and stood in awe of Brunelleschi's dome - an unbelievable feat of engineering from the 1400s. Visited the Academia where we saw Michelangelo's David, the Uffizi gallery and the Leonardo da Vinci museum. Stopped along our way for lunch of wild boar stew and ribollita soup and some wine at a little window built just for that purpose. Talked with lots of lovely locals including 2 sweet older gentleman who we bought a hand carved tray from. Again ended with an evening with our tour friends. Had a group dinner at a family owned restaurant where "papa" seared the local specialty of bistecca (beef steak) and then hand carved it for us all. We ended this spectacular meal with a small glass of "digestivo" - limoncello for Rick and grappa for me, and I found out that Italian grandpas give the BEST hugs. We love Italy!
Dishes we enjoyed in Florence
Bistecca, Ribollita, Wild Boar Stew, Truffle Risotto, Limoncello, and Chianti
Movies and Books that take place in or near Florence
Tea With Mussolini
Under The Tuscan Sun
Europe 101 History and Art for The Traveler by Rick Steves and Gene Openshaw
The Tuscan Child by Rhys Bowen
Reminders of Ancient Rome, a Magical Fountain, and the wonders found within the smallest Country in the World
03
ROME
Busy, bustling Rome! The modern and ancient coexist in this historic city. From the forum and colosseum to the pantheon we loved getting a glimpse into the lives of people who lived over 1,000 years ago and having helpful and informative guides made that experience so much sweeter. Although every site was impressive, the pantheon with its concrete dome built entirely without any modern conveniences was our favorite. Taking a cab ride there with a driver who casually told us stories about his trip to America all while driving as if he was in a Formula One race probably helped cement that impression in our minds.
The country of Vatican City with its museum and the Sistine chapel were all breathtaking, but St Peter's Basilica impressed us with not only its beauty but its sheer size.
Our evening in Rome ended with a visit to the famed Trevi fountain. It's said that if you throw in a coin with your left hand over your right shoulder you will return to Rome someday. We hope that comes true!!
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Dishes we enjoyed in Rome
Cacio e pepe, Carbonara, and Saltimbocca
Movies and Books that take place in Rome
Roman Holiday
Gladiator
The Two Popes
Mistress of Rome by Kate Quinn
4 Seasons in Rome by Anthony Doerr
Hiking, Beach time, fresh Seafood and a Sunset Cruise
04
CINQUE TERRE / MONTEROSSO
The minute we stepped off the train in the village of Monterosso we could hear and smell the sea. What a welcome reprieve after our busy days in Rome! We enjoyed a steep and beautiful hike with picturesque views between Monterosso and Vernazza, spent some time on the beach with a picnic, and had yet another fun group dinner featuring local seafood cooked in an earthenware jug and a taste of the local dessert wine. We learned local lore while visiting all 5 villages by boat and cruised into an Italian sunset. Our final dinner here was the local "fritto misto" (fried seafood) and Rick couldn't pass up his final chance at Italian gelato. Arrivederci Italy!!
