Not going to bore you with a long slide show or details about my trip, but just a brief recap of my journey to inspire you to visit Italy.
Rome – could spend weeks there and still not see everything.
- Vatican and Colosseum – Oh my gosh! Only touched the surface of all there is to see, and mind blown.
- Best caffè doppio (that’s a double espresso for us in the US) ever! And in a service station/rest stop along the autostrada.
Pompeii – would love to take the 3 day tour, and still wouldn’t see everything.
- Side note: PBS released “Pompeii: The New Dig” about the latest archeological finding in Pompeii. Worth the watch.
Capri – ready to move there right now. Of course, I’d live in La Villa Mezzanotta. It’s not a real place yet, but I bet it would look a lot like the Villa San Michele. (Wouldn’t that make a good place for a story?)
- Again, terrific caffè at these ENI petrol stations/rest stops. I ordered fresh pasta for my lunch. They cooked right in front of me. Don’t find this in the US.
Assisi – have to admit, I wasn’t looking forward to our stop there, and the day was cold and wet, but then we arrived. Talk about your picture perfect, classical, medieval city! The stone walls, the church on top of a church on top of another church. So glad we had a day there.
Venice – Very crowded, but after the Duomo, we meandered Murano and Burano. Glass, lace, and wonderful people.
- Once again, ENI for our rest stop. I’m thinking something is up. I asked our guide about the six legged, fire-breathing dog. She said it was symbolic of energy, cooperation, etc. A good cover story.
Pisa – What do you know? It really leans. Pictures do it no justice. The fine details are incredible.
Florence – So full of history and love and magic. I’d hoped for time to see where the Brownings lived. I’ll get there time.
- The ENI emblem blazed before me yet again as our bus pulled over for another rest stop. I have to wonder, is the caffè doing something to me? The image on that sign. It’s everywhere.
San Gimignano – beautiful, medieval town on top of the hill. The views of the Tuscan countryside – picture perfect! Also had the BEST gelato! Yes, it really was the best gelato! https://www.gelateriadondoli.com/home-uk.html
By the time I got back to Rome, I was exhausted and ready to come home. Now that I’m fully recovered from my trip, I’m ready to go back.
On our way to the airport, there were, once again, ENI service stations and that sign. The company website provides a nice story about the mascot’s development, but a fictional creature? I think not.
Peace,
L.K. Latham
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