But I thought we could take the full tour (whirlwind as it may be). All luggage transports virtually, so no limit and no lugging! While this is not a religious tour, you cannot appreciate Italy (and so much of Europe) without tracing it history and culture through it cathedrals and shrines. For those opting out of those, plenty of alternatives will be available. Suffice it to say, we will eat well and sleep luxuriously.
We fly into Milano, (or maybe
Tiffany Earrings Sale Munich to pick up Irishsoul and take the train) that most westernized, European of Italy cities. Home of fashion, shopping (the Galleria Vittorio Emanuelle II is the oldest and most beautiful indoor mall in the world; think marble-inlaid floors and 150ft central dome.) and Italy stock market.
We visit Teatro alla Scala for opera, the Sforza castle, the magnificent gothic il Duomo and, of course, Santa Maria della Grazie to view Leonardo Last Supper.
A short drive north will take us into the Alpen foothills, the Swiss border and Lago di Como (Lake Como).
Tiffany Rings Sale We cruise the lake, enjoy the incredible castles and mansions and relax after the bustle of Milan.
Back to Milan and west for a few days through Genova (Genoa) and on to the Italian Riviera. A quick border hop to Monaco and the casino at Monte Carlo. A tour of the royal residence for those interested, autumn.
We travel back through Milan (hey, we staying on the autostrada) east to visit the ancient roman arena in Verona (nearly 2000 years old and still an active opera venue) and the Basilica of St. Anthony in Padova (Padua). We arrive at the floating islands of Venezia (Venice)
No cars and you can get lost, so while we will have tours for those who want them, feel free to strike out on your own. As long as you follow the canali, you find your way back to Piazza San Marco (St. Mark Square), our homing point while here.
As usual, too much to see: The Lido and islands of Murano and Burano. The Palazzo Ducale (Doge Palace) and the of Sighs St. Mark Chiesa della Salute at the entrance to the Grand Canal. A serenaded nightime gondola trip up the Grand Canal under the Rialto Bridge.
Train to Firenze (Florence), heart of the Renaissance and gateway to Tuscany. Day trips to Pisa (and it campanille) and Siena (home of the Palio horse race) and the walled city of Lucca. http://www.tffanyjewelryscheap.us/ Firenze is Western Civ 101 overload. we take as much time as we want in the city of the Medicis.
Il Duomo with Brunelleschi dome and Giotto campanille. The Accademia for Michelangelo David. The Pitti Palace. The Ponte Vecchio for some gold. Santa Croce for the Cathedral and a leather jacket or purse.
We could spend weeks wandering the piazzas (and will if we so desire.)
South to the City Roma. The Vatican City and St. Peter Basilica and the incredible Vatican museum. The Castel Sant for "Angels and Demons" fans. The Pantheon. The Coliseum. The Arch of Constantine. The Spanish Steps. Trevi Fountain. Circus Maximus. An archeological underground tour of the Imperial Forum and ruins. A stroll down the Via Veneto. And on and on. And on we go, at our leisure.
South to Napoli, the unofficial border between north and south, nestled in Vesuvius menacing glare. A rowboat to the ethereal Blue Grotto. The Archeological Museum. Side trips to Pompeii and Paestum. On to the beautiful cliffside Sorrento and a hydrofoil boat to the isle of Capri. A breathtaking drive along the Amalfi Drive to hidden Positano and it vistas to the bluest blue Med.
Down the toe to Reggio di Calabria and a ferry across to Sicily to land in Messina. A nightime boatride to Isola Stromboli to swim in the shadow of it constant eruptions. Down to Taormina, perhaps the most idyllic town in Italy. High above the Med, a place of palpable beauty and charm. West to Agrigento, home to perhaps the best best-preserved Grecian ruins outside of Athens. A visit to Palermo. And back to Taormina for as long as we can take the perfect weather, wine, food and views.
This is a suggested itinerary of highlights. If I start on food and wine, I will never finish; you never had ice cream unless you had gelato or a crisper white wine than Orvieto. I have never had a bad meal or glass of wine in Italy and I don expect that to change on this trip.
We will have all the time we want and will make many side trips to Assisi, the Terre Portofino, Bologna, Perugio, and hundreds of places we want to see.
Since I'm probably sitting out his party, I thought I'd at least contribute an answer. I do so hope you'll all remember to send me a post card. What did you like best about Italy, my friends? VB, your tales of a carrage ride under sparkling lights brings out the romantic in me, making me wish I were there to capture that moment in my mind. Then again, I'd also like to capture our favorite little bunny hopping through Italy, startling Italians and tourists alike with her command of the English language. I wonder if Italy is ready for the arrival of a group of party goers that includes a sassy penguin, Betty Boop, Pooh, a kitty wearing a lime helmet, Ed's sage common sense, and, well, if I forget someone it's because.
Half expressed thoughts are, of course, the.
And then there was VB's planned date with Sophia, which I hear ended with a big.
But seriously, wouldn't this be a glorious trip to make for real with a group of friends? I'd be busy taking photos out one side of the plane while we're landing while Ed would be on the other side doing the same. Autumn would be hopping up and down the aisle with glee, ignoring all efforts to be seated and fasten her seat belt while VB and mamasu would still be perfecting the itinerary. Lin would be practicing her boopety boop, while Pooh is begging small packets of honey from the flight attendants. Everyone else would have their faces glued to the window (let us hope not literally), eager to land.
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