I have recovered from jet lag but it took several days. Unfortunately, I was back to work on Tuesday after I returned from Italy. Luckily, my schedule is flexible until the teacher’s institute day on the 15th. I managed to lose 2.5 of the 3.5 pounds I gained while in Italy. So I am on track! I also made a Roku screensaver of about 100 of my Italy pictures. Now I just sit on my couch and relive them every night.
My overnight cities:
I am ready to go back for sure. I liked Rome and seeing all of the history, Vatican, Coliseum, St. Peter’s Basilica, and so much more, but to be honest, it was dirty. Trash everywhere, and I mean everywhere! Clothes, garbage, bottles, and leaves were all over. I still don’t understand why the leaves from last fall were still everywhere. Why wouldn’t the wind have blown them to fields or the shopkeepers picked them up and burned/compost them? I will probably never know.
I loved Sorrento! Being on the water and my love of the beach probably contributed. The hotel was beautiful and down a long walking drive through luscious gardens. My room was spectacular and big. Beach-looking in blues and white, and a balcony too. I didn’t have a view of the water but that’s okay. It was of the gardens and trees. Swimming in the Bay of Napoli was very cool! I could look right down to the bottom at rocks, shells, and even fish. We were told to watch our for sea urchins but those were nearer to the rocks edge. I got to do that two times, as well as swim in the hotel pool that got the water from the bay so it was salt water. I liked going to Capri and Anacapri, seeing the gorgeous blue water, boat tour, scary (but fun) ride in convertible to the top on narrow roads. The side mirror even grazed the side of the mountain! It was crazy!
We drive to Florence next and I really liked Florence. They are known for leather and gold. I did splurge on a beautiful red purse and Cochinella wallet. That will go in my will for Madi 😏 I got a few other things in Florence as well. The hotel was more historical looking and decorated, and decent sized. I knew exactly which elevator to take that brought me right to my door. Others on the tour were saying that they had to go forever down hallways and turn down more hallways to get to their rooms. They said “Remember that movie The Shining?” 😳
Venice was also a beautiful city. I loved the canals and boat rides when we went places. The Gondola ride was amazing. Just watching the gondolier “drive” the 32 foot gondola was amazing in itself. Turning from one canal into another at small intersections was unbelievable. It clearly is in the blood and a family tradition to maneuver the craft through the canals of Venice. I also got to enjoy musicians on the gondola since Pat and Al were celebrating their 50th anniversary. The hotel had three buildings in a row. The first was their original and they purchased and added as they became available. My room was the farthest away from the lobby. I was in the third building and third floor. It was a large room as well and very comfortable. With all that I was eating, I needed the steps too. No elevator. Murano glass factory visit and demonstration was very cool. I bought a very pretty necklace from there.
Milan was my last overnight city. We went there on Thursday and found out there was a Tornado that went through there on Monday. They have NEVER had that kind of weather before! There were trees down all over, car windows shattered, glass on the road, it was crazy! So glad we weren’t there earlier in the week when that was happening. Milan is definitely a fashion capital with very high end shopping. The hotel room was small with weird light switches that were very random as to what they controlled. Also, the desk was at the foot of the bed, which was different.
I had good experiences with all of the hotels and my rooms were all fine for me. Other had issues here and there. One shower in Sorrento went from hot to cold throughout the shower. I learned that quickly and just stepped back during the cold and hot waves and caught the warm water. Then I learned that Al contacted the front desk about the water and was told how to operate it correctly. He shared with all of us and the next shower temp was spot on!
Well, I am now saving for Fiore Italy 2025 (or 2026). Planning on Sicily and South Italy for a couple weeks. It will be much easier to go there after I buy a villa there 😃 I’ll let you know when that happens because it will be an Airbnb as well.
Here are the three purses I bought for me. The red one is the splurge from Florence. The green one is from Venice. The blue one is from Sirmione (Lake Garda). I love them all!
Ciao!
