Well, I'm going again! This time not only am I going to Italy, but I am travelling around the Mediterranean with my friend Vicki! We are flying into Rome on October 3rd and heading out on the cruise on the 4th.
I'm so excited to go... New adventures with an old friend! Does life get better than this?
Tuesday, September 23, 2014
Tuesday, July 5, 2011
Final Thoughts and Observations...
Italy was amazing! But I think what made the trip even better was the group I was traveling with... We had so much fun! Maggie did an amazing job of planning our adventure and setting up some pretty amazing things for us. I don't know that I will ever be able to thank Ray and Maggie enough for this... It was truly an amazing adventure! I love you guys!
I know there are some people who are looking at going to Italy in the future, so I'm passing on some of my favorites places, eats, etc.
In Rome, we stayed at the Hotel Manfredi on Via Margutta, next to the Spanish Steps. The location was perfect, the staff was great and it has one of the best free breakfasts that I've ever had... America, take notice, they know how to do a free breakfast! Here's a shot outside the hotel looking down Via Margutta...
In Assisi, we stayed in the Residenza d'Epoca San Crispino. The coolest B&B I've ever stayed in! The rooms (apartments) we stayed in were beautiful with old desks and furniture that dated way back to the 1400's and had been used by Monks that studied there. Each room had either a balcony or a yard attached where you could enjoy the view and coffee.
Finally, in Tuscany, we stayed at the Borgo Casorelle right outside of Lamporecchio. I can't say enough about this place! Stephano, the keeper, was great, the apartments were roomy and had kitchens and multiple bathrooms (that's a must when several people are residing there!). Oh and let's not forget pizza night! That's a given for all guests and a great way to meet the other people staying there. I met a couple from Slovinia that want to trade homes for vacations! And the view... ahh the view. Stay there if you get the chance, you won't regret it!
My favorite meals...
Rome - La Buvetta located near Via Margutta and the Spanish Steps... YUM!
Assisi - Trattoria Pallonta... It's a small town, you'll find it.
Bologna - Trattoria Leonida... Located off a small side street. Well worth the search!
As far as places we saw, there are so many cool things to see and do, it's hard to name them all. In Rome, St. Peter's and the Sistine Chapel are must sees. Not to mention the Colosseum, Trevi Fountain and the Spanish Steps. If you can book it far enough ahead (we're talking months), try to get into the Scavi Tour in the catacombs under the Vatican (thanks again, Maggie).
If you do go to Assisi, which was one of my favorites, make sure to wander around at night... It's beautiful! But even in the day, some of the nicest views I've seen!
In Tuscany, we visited Siena, Bologna and Florence. I must admit, I loved the feel of Bologna because there wasn't as many tourists there. I felt like I got a better glimpse of what an Italian life looks like. Florence is beautiful as well. The picture of the bridge I'm attaching doesn't do it justice. The buildings along the bridge used to be homes. Now the entire bridge is lined with jewelry shops... as Paul said "lots of sparkly things."
I would go back to Italy in a heartbeat. It's a beautiful country with great food and warm people. I learned and saw so much. I can't wait to go back again.
Oh, one final thing...
Make sure you have one of these when you come home... I'm really good at making coffee with one of these now. It's strong and makes me think of Italy.
Ciao for now, Italia... I will return!
I know there are some people who are looking at going to Italy in the future, so I'm passing on some of my favorites places, eats, etc.
In Rome, we stayed at the Hotel Manfredi on Via Margutta, next to the Spanish Steps. The location was perfect, the staff was great and it has one of the best free breakfasts that I've ever had... America, take notice, they know how to do a free breakfast! Here's a shot outside the hotel looking down Via Margutta...
In Assisi, we stayed in the Residenza d'Epoca San Crispino. The coolest B&B I've ever stayed in! The rooms (apartments) we stayed in were beautiful with old desks and furniture that dated way back to the 1400's and had been used by Monks that studied there. Each room had either a balcony or a yard attached where you could enjoy the view and coffee.
Finally, in Tuscany, we stayed at the Borgo Casorelle right outside of Lamporecchio. I can't say enough about this place! Stephano, the keeper, was great, the apartments were roomy and had kitchens and multiple bathrooms (that's a must when several people are residing there!). Oh and let's not forget pizza night! That's a given for all guests and a great way to meet the other people staying there. I met a couple from Slovinia that want to trade homes for vacations! And the view... ahh the view. Stay there if you get the chance, you won't regret it!
My favorite meals...
Rome - La Buvetta located near Via Margutta and the Spanish Steps... YUM!
Assisi - Trattoria Pallonta... It's a small town, you'll find it.
Bologna - Trattoria Leonida... Located off a small side street. Well worth the search!
As far as places we saw, there are so many cool things to see and do, it's hard to name them all. In Rome, St. Peter's and the Sistine Chapel are must sees. Not to mention the Colosseum, Trevi Fountain and the Spanish Steps. If you can book it far enough ahead (we're talking months), try to get into the Scavi Tour in the catacombs under the Vatican (thanks again, Maggie).
If you do go to Assisi, which was one of my favorites, make sure to wander around at night... It's beautiful! But even in the day, some of the nicest views I've seen!
In Tuscany, we visited Siena, Bologna and Florence. I must admit, I loved the feel of Bologna because there wasn't as many tourists there. I felt like I got a better glimpse of what an Italian life looks like. Florence is beautiful as well. The picture of the bridge I'm attaching doesn't do it justice. The buildings along the bridge used to be homes. Now the entire bridge is lined with jewelry shops... as Paul said "lots of sparkly things."
I would go back to Italy in a heartbeat. It's a beautiful country with great food and warm people. I learned and saw so much. I can't wait to go back again.
Oh, one final thing...
Make sure you have one of these when you come home... I'm really good at making coffee with one of these now. It's strong and makes me think of Italy.
Ciao for now, Italia... I will return!
Trip Home...
Well, I left Italy on Sunday, but of course, there is always adventure in flying...
Maggie, Ray, Tony and I got to the airport around 7:50a. They were flying to Chicago at 10a and I was headed to JFK at 10:20. The line for check-in was enormous! To quote Ray, "There is nothing glamorous about travel." About 15 minutes later, they called all the people flying to Chicago. They got checked in and within another 15 minutes, we said our goodbyes (with hopes of meeting in the gate area for coffee) and they were on their way.
I stayed in line... for a very long time! At 9:30 I was still standing in line (along with about 25 other people going to JFK), looking at a board that said they were starting to board my flight... hmmm. I think it finally hit the Italians that they needed to get us checked in. At 9:45 I was on my way to security. People were trying to make them understand that our flight was boarding... security shrugged and said, "You were late." Ahh, patience.
I cleared security, which by the way, is much more lax than in the states and started trotting toward my gate. I waved at Ray and Maggie's gate as I ran by (they were on board by then) and finally found my gate. Ahh, the line to board the plane wrapped around the waiting area. A nice lady held my spot in line while I ran and bought her and I a water for the flight. By about 10:10 I was on board... no coffee and no breakfast... boo.
After everything, the flight didn't pull away from the gate until 11:10! Oh well, we took off and landed safely at JFK a whopping 9 hours later. I got my bag, cleared customs, rechecked my bag and headed to the gate for my final leg home. Thank God, there was a Starbuck's in the concouse! After being up for 15 hours, I was ready for some caffiene! Wasn't as good as it was in Italy, but it was welcomed!
I made it back to Orlando, safe and sound. My friend Lisa swooped me up at the airport and depositied me and my luggage at my front door... gotta love her! I went and picked up Elsie (the pooch), came home, had some popcorn, unpacked the bags and headed off to bed a full 24 hours after I got up in Italy. Let me tell you, my bed never felt so good!
Maggie, Ray, Tony and I got to the airport around 7:50a. They were flying to Chicago at 10a and I was headed to JFK at 10:20. The line for check-in was enormous! To quote Ray, "There is nothing glamorous about travel." About 15 minutes later, they called all the people flying to Chicago. They got checked in and within another 15 minutes, we said our goodbyes (with hopes of meeting in the gate area for coffee) and they were on their way.
I stayed in line... for a very long time! At 9:30 I was still standing in line (along with about 25 other people going to JFK), looking at a board that said they were starting to board my flight... hmmm. I think it finally hit the Italians that they needed to get us checked in. At 9:45 I was on my way to security. People were trying to make them understand that our flight was boarding... security shrugged and said, "You were late." Ahh, patience.
I cleared security, which by the way, is much more lax than in the states and started trotting toward my gate. I waved at Ray and Maggie's gate as I ran by (they were on board by then) and finally found my gate. Ahh, the line to board the plane wrapped around the waiting area. A nice lady held my spot in line while I ran and bought her and I a water for the flight. By about 10:10 I was on board... no coffee and no breakfast... boo.
After everything, the flight didn't pull away from the gate until 11:10! Oh well, we took off and landed safely at JFK a whopping 9 hours later. I got my bag, cleared customs, rechecked my bag and headed to the gate for my final leg home. Thank God, there was a Starbuck's in the concouse! After being up for 15 hours, I was ready for some caffiene! Wasn't as good as it was in Italy, but it was welcomed!
I made it back to Orlando, safe and sound. My friend Lisa swooped me up at the airport and depositied me and my luggage at my front door... gotta love her! I went and picked up Elsie (the pooch), came home, had some popcorn, unpacked the bags and headed off to bed a full 24 hours after I got up in Italy. Let me tell you, my bed never felt so good!
Monday, July 4, 2011
Rome for one final night...
Saturday, we all got up early and moved out of our apartments at the villa. It was hard to say goodbye to everyone. It was such an amazing week in Tuscany!
Danny and his family were off to catch the train to Munich. They were gonna stay there for two nights before heading home to California today. Julie and her family piled in the car with Roberta, the GPS, to find their way to the coast for two days before heading back home today.
We dropped off Paul, Jenn, Sara and Tim in Empoli at the train station. They were taking the train to Pisa for the day before flying off to Spain to continue their adventures.
Ray, Maggie, Tony and I all drove back to Rome to drop off the rental cars at the airport. We checked into the Hilton at the airport and then headed back into Rome for one final night. We went to 5p mass at the Pantheon. It was amazing and awe inspiring. The mass was delivered by a Cardinal... if ever there was a time that I spoke Italian, it was then! He was so passionate in his words! Here is a shot of the altar before the services began...
It was a little strange to be in the Pantheon in a very beautiful service, then to have the mass be over, they dropped the ropes and it became Disneyland... people ran in and started talking pictures. From awe to "ugh" in less than 5 minutes.
We explored some more and had a final dinner in a restaurant in Trestavere. We ended the evening by walking back over to St. Peter's Basilica so we could see it in the evening. It was worth the walk...
We finished off the evening with one final gelato ( I told you that would be an ongoing theme!) and took a taxi back to the hotel to pack for the trip home.
Bueno Sera, Roma! I hope to see you again soon!
Danny and his family were off to catch the train to Munich. They were gonna stay there for two nights before heading home to California today. Julie and her family piled in the car with Roberta, the GPS, to find their way to the coast for two days before heading back home today.
We dropped off Paul, Jenn, Sara and Tim in Empoli at the train station. They were taking the train to Pisa for the day before flying off to Spain to continue their adventures.
Ray, Maggie, Tony and I all drove back to Rome to drop off the rental cars at the airport. We checked into the Hilton at the airport and then headed back into Rome for one final night. We went to 5p mass at the Pantheon. It was amazing and awe inspiring. The mass was delivered by a Cardinal... if ever there was a time that I spoke Italian, it was then! He was so passionate in his words! Here is a shot of the altar before the services began...
It was a little strange to be in the Pantheon in a very beautiful service, then to have the mass be over, they dropped the ropes and it became Disneyland... people ran in and started talking pictures. From awe to "ugh" in less than 5 minutes.
We explored some more and had a final dinner in a restaurant in Trestavere. We ended the evening by walking back over to St. Peter's Basilica so we could see it in the evening. It was worth the walk...
We finished off the evening with one final gelato ( I told you that would be an ongoing theme!) and took a taxi back to the hotel to pack for the trip home.
Bueno Sera, Roma! I hope to see you again soon!
Our final day in Tuscany...
Well, Friday was our last full day in Tuscany. It was pretty much a quiet day for everyone. Needless to say, there were various degrees of "pizza hangover". Some of the girls went back to Florence to do some shopping, the Storti kids headed to Gianamo (?) for the day and the rest of us hung around the villa and explored the walk into town. Of course, it started to pour when we got in town so we were drowned rats by the time we got back... literally dripping! The walk was worth it though... it was beautiful!
That night Paolo, Ray's business associate, made us reservations at an amazing restaurant that was near a castle at the top of a mountain. The view was amazing, the food was delicious and the company was outstanding. There couldn't have been a better way for us to end our stay in Italy as a group.
That night Paolo, Ray's business associate, made us reservations at an amazing restaurant that was near a castle at the top of a mountain. The view was amazing, the food was delicious and the company was outstanding. There couldn't have been a better way for us to end our stay in Italy as a group.
Thursday was pizza day!
So, on Thursday, we got ready for the pizza party with Stephano. At noon, we paraded over to his kitchen like little ducklings to see how he makes his dough. Seems that his secret ingredient is "live" yeast that he uses as well as another yeast that I couldn't seem to identify... well, I tried to figure it out by smelling it and God knows I have the nose for that! He has an enormous mixer that I would die to have, so we decided to use that as opposed to kneading enough dough for 50 pizzas by hand! He told us to be back around 2 and we'd roll them into individual pizzas.
Ray, Maggie and I went in search of a few local towns that were known for their pottery... Ummm, didn't find the pottery, but we did see some of the countryside and learned that Italians basically shut down from about 12:30p to 4:30p for lunch. I gotta tell ya... No wonder they call it "La Dolce Vita", the sweet life, they don't work a lot. Makes me wonder if the USA needs to adopt some of their rules!
We got back around 2:30 and Maggie and I headed over to the kitchen for the dough rolling. Julie had beat us there and did a lot of it, but it was fun to see how Stephano does it... No pinching, just rolling into perfect little balls that he sets into plastic containers to finish rising. Gotta tell ya, Mom, his dough tasted just like yours!
Around 7, Stephano started firing up the pizza oven. It's a pretty impressive oven! Think there was a lot of BBQ envy happening, considering Ray and Danny are now considering putting one in their yards! He gets it hot enough that the entire inside of the oven is white hot. We, of course, relaxed with wine and games until they actually got cooking!
Our cooks were Paul and Stephano.
Paul is a Canadian/Italian citizen who did an amazing job of teaching us how to throw dough! Not to mention, it was fun to talk Canadian with him... "get in the boat, ay." Stephano was our host and was amazing! Not only was he the oven master, all the girls were completely smitten by him! Sorry girls, he's got a really sweet girlfriend! They both were very patient in teaching everyone how to roll, throw and cook the pizzas. Here are some pictures of epole learning how to cook, not to mention enjoying the pizza!
After the pizzas were gone, we laughed, drank wine and toasted with grappa. There were some games... "slap the bag" and one where we were meowing, barking like a dog and hugging strangers... Needless to say, a great time was had by all!
Can't wait to try tossing my dough at home!
Ray, Maggie and I went in search of a few local towns that were known for their pottery... Ummm, didn't find the pottery, but we did see some of the countryside and learned that Italians basically shut down from about 12:30p to 4:30p for lunch. I gotta tell ya... No wonder they call it "La Dolce Vita", the sweet life, they don't work a lot. Makes me wonder if the USA needs to adopt some of their rules!
We got back around 2:30 and Maggie and I headed over to the kitchen for the dough rolling. Julie had beat us there and did a lot of it, but it was fun to see how Stephano does it... No pinching, just rolling into perfect little balls that he sets into plastic containers to finish rising. Gotta tell ya, Mom, his dough tasted just like yours!
Around 7, Stephano started firing up the pizza oven. It's a pretty impressive oven! Think there was a lot of BBQ envy happening, considering Ray and Danny are now considering putting one in their yards! He gets it hot enough that the entire inside of the oven is white hot. We, of course, relaxed with wine and games until they actually got cooking!
Our cooks were Paul and Stephano.
Paul is a Canadian/Italian citizen who did an amazing job of teaching us how to throw dough! Not to mention, it was fun to talk Canadian with him... "get in the boat, ay." Stephano was our host and was amazing! Not only was he the oven master, all the girls were completely smitten by him! Sorry girls, he's got a really sweet girlfriend! They both were very patient in teaching everyone how to roll, throw and cook the pizzas. Here are some pictures of epole learning how to cook, not to mention enjoying the pizza!
After the pizzas were gone, we laughed, drank wine and toasted with grappa. There were some games... "slap the bag" and one where we were meowing, barking like a dog and hugging strangers... Needless to say, a great time was had by all!
Can't wait to try tossing my dough at home!
Friday, July 1, 2011
Random thoughts on a morning in Tuscany...
I'll get back to our daily adventures, just wanted to post some thoughts on my last morning in Tuscany...
I don't know if I can adequately describe how beautiful it is here. I'm wide awake at 5:15a. The wind blowing thru the Olive trees sounds about as close to the beach as I've heard. The birds are singing and the roosters are crowing. Maggie loves the roosters. She asked last night if she could take one home in her suitcase. I, personally, thought it might be an issue, but good luck with that...
I wonder if the people who live here truly appreciate it. I really wish you could hear what a morning in Tuscany sounds like...
I don't know if I can adequately describe how beautiful it is here. I'm wide awake at 5:15a. The wind blowing thru the Olive trees sounds about as close to the beach as I've heard. The birds are singing and the roosters are crowing. Maggie loves the roosters. She asked last night if she could take one home in her suitcase. I, personally, thought it might be an issue, but good luck with that...
I wonder if the people who live here truly appreciate it. I really wish you could hear what a morning in Tuscany sounds like...
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