When traveling with master planners like Harry and Leotha, you have to be prepared for adventure. And they did not disappoint. We put on plenty miles between the walking tours, planes, trains, buses, boats, taxis, gondolas and Ubers.
If We flew into Rome, our home base, for a week in late July. The temperatures some days reached the high 90’s, very hot. One of our first adventures was a walking tour of the Colosseum and Vatican. The views of the ruins were breathtaking. The highlight of the tour was learning about the history and architecture of the Colosseum. Everyone agreed that this history surrounding the Colosseum, the fact that we were walking the same streets as the ancient Romans and that part of the structure is still standing for centuries is absolutely amazing. We visited the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill ruins. We walked the cobblestone streets and hiked up the hill to see all of the ruins including Julius Caesar’s crematory.
Next, we took a bus trip to Florence and Pisa Tuscany. We visited Florence and stopped to taste the delicacies of the city and shop for silks and Italian leathers. We learned that Florence was where the story of Pinocchio originated. We continued on to Pisa where we saw the leaning tower, the cathedral and museum in the Piazza dei Marcoli.
Another day we took a flight to Venice and spent the day surrounded by water. This was the most fascinating part of the trip for me. I could not imagine folks living on water and commuting via boats and water taxis on a daily basis. We enjoyed a Gondola and water taxi tour of the city, lunch and some street (waterfront) shopping.
Our next adventure took us on a high-speed train trip to Naples, the birthplace of Pizza, where we toured the city by hop on/hop off bus. Naples is the 3rd largest City in Italy and was bustling. We strolled past the restaurants along the Mediterranean Sea enjoying the views. It was in Naples that we learned that some eateries take their pizza recipes very seriously, no changes or substitution of ingredients. You cannot always have it your way.
Back in Rome, we walked the old streets of Rome behind the fortified walls, visiting small shops where folks were making handmade leather goods. We strolled the city stopping at small restaurants and cafes indoors and outdoors while walking on cobblestone streets taking photos of the scenery. I still remember the music playing outside the restaurants and the string lights twinkling as the sun went down.
Everywhere we went, the authentic Italian food was amazing. We had our fair share of Prosciutto served with fresh Mozzarella, giant Italian meatballs, salads served with oil and vinegar, crusty Italian bread with olive oil and we will never forget the best ever Lasagna from a restaurant called Nannarella’s in Rome. Lee and Tamera simply called it “smooth”. It was the most delicious Lasagna we had ever tasted. This is also where our server, Sophia, recommended we try delicious locally grown Chicory greens to promote gut health. Let’s just say, she did not steer us wrong. Harry enjoyed authentic Italian Pizza whenever he could throughout our travels. Tamera and I are still trying to find Gelato and Italian ice to enjoy here in Wisconsin.
What an awe-inspiring experience! If you are interested in world travel and are looking to experience history, fascinating architecture and a sense of adventure, Italy delivers.
