The internet here stinks and keeps cutting out.  What I wanted to say is that we have had a wonderful time and the memories will last a lifetime.  Tomorrow we take the train via Naples back to Rome.  We are staying at Lori's apartment again and will spend the night.  We leave for VIRGINIA the next day.  I will sign off as the picture taking and blogging has sadly come to an end.  I am looking forward to making a photo album.

Ciao and Buono Notte.

AMALFI COAST- RAVELLO

Our last day in the coast.  We went to Amalfi and Ravello.  The picture with Mike and the Statue is that of the man that invented the first compass.  The lemons of course are everywhere here and the Ravello square.  While we enjoyed our stay as we enter the final hours of our trip we are now getting quite anxious to be back home with our children.  We miss them terribly.  I must say this has been an experience of a lifetime for me and I am so grateful to Michael for making it happen.  So much of this trip, especially the food reminded me 

AMALFI COAST- POSITANO

ROMA

We had three fantastic, long days in Rome and we feel like we just scratched the surface.  We did 2 days of six hour tours .  I have enclosed some of the highlights with the Victory Arch of Constantine, the Coliseum, the Roman Forum(My favorite) the Pantheon(with Barbara our tour guide)and much more.  Our last night in Rome Lori took us out to a great place on a roof top over looking the city.  The night was spectacular.  She has been an incredible host!! Off to Positano via the train

OK yes, again I was exhausted so I am a day late.  Vatican city was amazing.. First picture is of the Trevi fountain last night.  Quite the popular place at night.  Had a great dinner right in front.  The next pictures are of St. Peters Basillica, the square and Sistine Chapel. I also included the very moving " pieta' " Mary with Christ. Last picture is me in front of the spanish steps.  It is brief but hopefully you get the picture.  We were BUSY.  Love to all.  Today we are doing ancient and classic rome.  The coliseum was amazing

Well it is quite late for us so it will be short.  We finished our short stay in Tuscany.  It rained pretty much throughout the  whole day..  The country side was amazing however I got sick in the car again,  We had to pull over and rest it was so winding etc.  We toured Sienna which was beautiful and landed in Rome at Michael's cousins apartment Lori.  She of course has been quite hospitable.  Had dinner at a great place with Lori and her friend Markus who is CRAZY.  I think we are going to Greece together next summer!!! Sheila and Fred you will love him and he can hook us up cheep.  I am exhausted so I will write more tomorrow.  enjoy the pics.  Having tours tomorrow of the Vatican.

Love to all and Happy Fathers Day

ROAD TRIP TO CHIANTI VIA FLORENCE

We sadly left Venice today, rented a car and headed south.  The whole car experience went quite smoothly as we had a GPS and Michael handled it like a pro.  We stopped in Florence for  several hours and visited Michealangelo's David, the Duomo(Florence's largest masterpiece) and of course the Ponte Vecchia.  Michael is in front of the Duomo which is just enormous and quite beautiful.  My only wish is that we could have photographed David as that was equally impressive if not more.  The Ponte Vechhia was a little understated but the history is certainly there along with lots of Jewelry!!!!!!!!!  We got back in our car and headed for Chianti.  The hills are roaming, the corners are sharp and the roads winding and steep.  If we drove 10 more km I think we both would have vomited. It was a tough ride to the castle and the doorman certainly took note of our strange color.  I cannot describe the beauty and peacefulness here.  More pictures tomorrow as we have yet to really explore the grounds and countryside.  I will note that we had our best meal yet tonight. Feasting on suckling of  pig, duck and lamb.  It was fantastic and of course the wine was from the grapes right outside our door.  The pic of the country side is the view from our room.  Looking forward to tomorrow.

Buona Notte (Good Night)

THE FOOD

Per popular demand ; the food update.

Real Venetian is quite different than American Italian.  Their big specialty is FRESH fish, mussels, prawns, squid, cuttlefish, Octopus.  Yes, it is fresh however they prepare it quite simply.  NO sauces... The salads usually are tomatoes, corn and carrots.  Odd combo but it works.  Of course lots of Caprese salads : Tomatoes, buffalo mozzarella and olive oil. Pizzas are flat bread and quite delicious as they are topped with the freshest of meats and veggies.  Great pastas with mussels and shrimp.  Table wines are excellent and we haven't had a bad dessert yet!!!!!

OUR LAST DAY IN VENICE

Today we spent a good part of the day in Murano.  This is an island right near Venice and is world famous for it's glass.  We were able to experience the glass blowing up close as they took us back stage if you will.  It was quite impressive and HOT.  We returned to Venice and took it easy. Picked up some last minute souveniers.  We had a great evening with the owners Mateo and Barbara.  They are extremely nice.  The entire staff here is incredible and we are all on a first name basis!!  Tomorrow we rent are car and drive off to Tuscany!!!!!  We hate to leave but ready to experience a different landscape.

DAY TWO- ST.MARK'S SQUARE, DOGE'S PALACE

Another great day... We had a private tour with a lovely Venetian named Coreena.  She majored in Art History and was quite knowledgeable.  We learned all about the history of Venice, how it was built and how , through global warming it is "sinking".  The buildings are not sinking but the water is rising.  Water is almost ground level and many years ago there were at least seven steps which are now under water!!  The Basillica was amazing and so beautiful.  We also spent quite a bit of time in the Doge's Palace.  Another beautiful building with so much history.  The architecture is second to none.  We ended with a private boat tour of the grand and side canals.

The last picture is the famous Riolto Bridge at night!  We ended our night with drink on the terrace with the owner Mateo and his wife Barbara.  They went home to eat and we went home to BED!!

VENICE AT NIGHT

Well our first day is coming to an end and I don't want to go to sleep.  It has been remarkable. Basilica ddi S. Marco was amazing at night. Sooo romantic.  A birthday I will never forget.  We have tours set up for tomorrow and a sunset gondola ride . Not a bad agenda!! 

Good Night until tomorrow

PS: Michael arranged for flowers to be delivered to the room for my birthday. While they are beautiful, they are quite fragrant and the room smells like a funeral home.  We may put them outside.

VENIZIA DAY ONE

We arrived with no complications.  I think I slept better on the plane than Michael, however I had a little help with Valium AND Tylenol PM!!  We arrived at our hotel via water taxi and the pictures above are from our terrace which over looks the grand canal and the Ponte Di Rialto.  A famous bridge here.  The sights are amazing.  This area seems to be lost in time.  It is all so surreal.  We visited an open market where you could purchase any fruit, vegetable or fish.  We are finding the people here very friendly and helpful.  I made a major NoNo when I asked for butter with the bread basket at lunch.  The waiter said NO NOT IN ITALY, I'll bring Olive Oil. OOps!! Well I won't do that again. Lunch was excellent of course as we had grilled vegetables, cheeses an breads. Love you all

OK folks as you can see we are at the Norfolk Airport and ready to go.  Special thanks to our folks and friends for helping in making this all happen.  Weather looks promising and planes are running on time. 

Ciao 

TWO DAYS TO GO

Michael made me delete the first two posts because it had nothing to do with the trip.  I tried to tell him it was practice...Well, We are somewhat packed and today actually, we bring Kristin to the Eastern Shore for a week long camp.  I will miss her terribly.