In May of 2004, we ventured to Italy for the first time. With high expectations for an amazing getaway, but only 10 days of holiday to spare, Italy delivered above and beyond. We now understand why so many speak of this country and its people in such complimentary tones. we enjoyed it so much the first time, we’ve ventured back again and again.
During our first visit to Italy, we arrived in Venice–the type of place that fairytales are made of. Beautiful scenes dance upon every corner, friendly Ventians greet guests and locals alike and all alight in the prestige of hosting so many of the world’s travelers. The gelato here (judged by us) is the best in all of Italy, and it’s impossible to fathom the city’s ability to cope with so much water. We saw the usual suspects: the bridge of sighs, San Marco Plaza, San Marco Tower, Saint Marks Cathedral, the Rialto Bridge, etc. But we also ventured off the beaten path to see wide aerial views from the city’s highest point, to experience authentic Venetian life in one of the city’s many boroughs, and enjoy meals amid locals.After a few days of exploring Venice, we traveled on to the Cinque Terre—a little row of fishing villages lining a bit of the Mediterannean in the country’s north. We stayed in Vernazza and called that home based while hiking from one town to another. While the wide meditteranean views are enviable, it’s the peoples’ character that impresses you. Here, vineyards and lemon trees outnumber people and a simple way of life (sans cars and traffic) is maintained, despite the beauty that travelers find here and the wealth that comes with them. We highly recommend traveling to the Cinque Terre. Be sure to enjoy a carafe of the local wine at the town’s mountain-top castle at Sunset, the local anchovies, and the local pesto dishes. All compete with the tastes of gourmet fare back home.
Then, on to Sienna. A medieval town that’s been maintained in perfect condition through the centuries, this town is small enough to be explored on foot. Take the opportunity to enjoy a gelato on the city’s plaza, enjoy the fountain at center (the ladies and dogs seem to be positioned to welcome the town’s many pigeons), or do as the locals do and enjoy a day of shopping. But, don’t miss the wide views of Tuscany and its fields of poppies from the city’s highest point (poppies are in bloom from late Spring through the Summer).
Next, onto Sorrento—our homebase for the Amalfi Coast. Picturesque towns are perched high-above the Meditteranean with scenic views of Mt. Vesuvius (the active volcanoe that devastated Pompeii so many years ago). While we enjoyed Sorrento for its convenient location, we enjoyed near-by Positano and Amalfi much more for their authentic small-town charms. Positano is home to a small darkstone lined beach with many fishing boats and dinghy’s to taxi the town’s local and visitors at shore and in the distance. We now know why Positano and Amalfi rank among the top destinations for those who can travel anywhere—celebrities often site this area among their favorites.Our last day was spent in Pompeii. For K, this was not an enviable destination (another day in Positano would have been preferred :). But G enjoyed the ancient town’s remains in response to an article read as a youth. Most fascinating was the town’s organization and inventions to make life more enjoyable. The town’s many mansions included open roof tiles in the foyer so that a small garden could be watered by rain. And inventions that we believe to be modern were, in fact, a part of this culture (spas, heated floors and benches, elevated stepping stones at crossroads so that feet would not be soiled by rainwater in the streets, “fast-food†street vendors, and other modern conveniences).
We traveled back to Italy for a second time in May of 2007 to visit with friends Leigh-Emma and Kenny who were in from Richmond. We visited Pisa, Florence and drove about the Tuscan countryside. To see our post from our further visit in May 2007, follow the link below: