April 4, 2013 - I took the train from Venice to Florence and took a bus to the airport to meet my Mom. I was SOOOOO excited to see her and start this adventure together. She finally arrived and through tears of joy, we watched as Gate 1 gathered our luggage and placed it in the Mercedes that would take us into the Tuscan area of Montecatini. We got to our hotel, Grand Hotel, where Giuseppe Verdi (Pinocchio) stayed.
We came back from Cinque Terre and went to a cooking class at the hotel. Liliana taught us how to make tomato and basil gnocchi, pork escalope with olives and capers and tiramisu. Yummy!
April 7, 2013 - Siena, Dinner at Tuscan Vineyard
That night, we met with our tour manager, Alessandro, and Sharon from Florida in the bar. He was so helpful and told us all about what to expect on the tour but not before offering us the most delicious drink...Spritz. Now Spritz would be our drink the entire trip...prosecco and Aperol with a slice of blood orange. Only Sharon, my Mom and I were new to the group. The rest of the ladies had started the tour in Venice. We met them at dinner that night in the hotel. Delicious food and great company. Only 12 ladies total and 1 man! We could not have been more blessed with a fantastic group of ladies whom we still keep in touch with!
The hotel bar where we had many Spritz
Sharon and Linda at dinner enjoying the conversation and vino
Tuscan appetizer
Salute Mom!
Everyday, we had an itinerary that was posted in the lobby
April 5, 2013 - Cinque Terre, Cooking Class
The motorized baskets that go up the hill to pick and hold the grapes
Angel statues on a hill in Cinque Terre
We stopped in here for a quick glass of vino and enjoyed the view
We stopped for lunch and a little shopping in Monterroso. The area is known for their fresh anchovies. Some friends tried it but I opted for a caprese salad instead.
Pesto is also supposed to be the freshest and best in Cinque Terre. It certainly was!
We celebrated Carmencita's birthday that night at dinner
April 6, 2013 - Florence (Firenze), Sharon's birthday dinner and drinks at midnight
Mom on the train to Florence
Just a quick picture of David while I had the chance. The back view was even more incredible!
Duomo
Lighting a candle for those we loved and lost
The "fake" David, where the original one (that is now in the museum) stood
Spaghetti Carbonara...almost didn't leave enough to take a picture!
I bought a Coccinelle purse in Florence and they stamped my initials in gold on it for free (well...almost):)
Vespa Land
One word...GELATO...can bring a smile that big!
Sitting on the steps of the Duomo people-watching
Having dinner at a restaurant across from our hotel...celebrating Sharon's birthday and a fantastic meal
BEST pizza ever! We could see the men making it next to us. Nothing like a pizza from a wood burning oven
Mom enjoying her appetizers after a long day!
All gone!
Drinks at the Piano Bar with some handsome friends
A few shots to celebrate Sharon's birthday
Walking the steep roads of Old Siena
Duomo
Piazza del Campo, where the annual Palio races take place
The bell tower that some of our friends attempted to climb. They said when they got close to the top, they felt like the tower was swaying...
Beautiful wedding
Lunch at La Torre...delicious Ravioli
The owner with the kitchen in the background. There is no menu, it's just a family restaurant where they cook a few things and this is what you get...family service
Delicious...strawberries with a little sugar and lemon and topped with vino
The fanciest "psych" ward I would ever want to be at...the view from here is breathtaking.
On to the vineyard-located outside of Lucca (or they claim)
Meeting with the owners
Where they make olive oil
My favorite dog, Oscar...besides my own babies (mostly my parents pups now)
Look at these feet!
Lots of food, vino and craziness!
Grappa...ohhh...Grappa!
And the dancing begins...
There was nothing better than seeing my Mom out there dancing like a 21 year old! She had the best time and nothing could make me happier.
Favorite picture of my Mom
Back on the bus and still dancing!
Oh Lynne! We had the best time!
We went back to Montecatini and went to the piano bar next door for a few drinks. Then, we found some pizza and got free dessert.
A little Nutella to end the night
April 8, 2013 - Pompeii and Sorrento
Mt. Vesuvius...the volcano that erupted and buried the town of Pompeii
We stopped outside of Pompeii at a shop that makes cameos
Theatre
The streets of Pompeii
Original frescoes on the wall
Going into the popular brothel area
There were rooms inside which had a "menu" outside the door with pictures describing what could be done inside...scandalous
A few pictures inside the brothel
Beautiful view
Mom and I taking a few photo ops
Drive into Sorrento...
Bay of Naples
Our tour bus with our lovely driver, Mario, in Sorrento
Europa Palace Hotel in Sorrento for 3 nights
Bar Area
Heaven
Our balcony in our room
View from our balcony
Dinner the first night at the hotel
Eggplant appetizer...love eggplant in Italy!
Pork
Omelette
Lemon Profiterole...Sorrento is known for their lemon trees
April 9, 2013 - Amalfi Coast Drive and free time in Amalfi; Dinner in Sorrento
This drive should be on everyone's bucket list...words or pictures can't describe the beauty of this amazing place.
Fresh lemonade stand
Close to Pompeii...
Nativity scene on the side of the mountain
"Mary" statue
Amalfi...we spent the afternoon here. We had lunch on the beach and walked around the precious town shopping.
Looking up onto the houses from Amalfi
Duomo in Amalfi
Mom tossing a coin into the fountain in Amalfi...I hope all of your wishes come true!
April 10, 2013 - Capri and Farewell Dinner
The ferry ride from Sorrento to Capri. The water was rough and quite a few of the students at the front of the boat were sick. Luckily, we sat in the middle and were fine! We were dropped off at Marina Grande and took the Mamma Mia ride to the top to the town of Anacapri.
The chair lift to the top of Capri - we didn't do this because it was overcast and there wouldn't have been a good view from the top
Map of Capri on painted tiles
My main mission in Capri was to have sandals made. I went to this shop on recommendation and picked out the style, color and had my foot measured. Then he began making my sandals. He is very popular in Capri with the stars. I still wear my sandals everywhere and need to go back this summer to have some more made:)
Had to have a Caprese salad for lunch while I was here
Convertible cabs
After lunch and shopping, we took the bus down to the town of Capri.
Gardens of Augustus gave us wonderful views
View of Faraglioni
After the gardens, we took a hike up to the top to view the "Natural Arch". While the hike up the steep streets was a bit rough, it led to some of the best "off the beaten path" views.
From Capri, we took a trolley down the hill to Marina Grande to catch our ferry back to Sorrento.
On the ferry back to Sorrento
Having the best gelato in Sorrento!
Decided on limoncello and strawberry
The main square in Sorrento
Another great drink with a smile...limoncello with prosecco
That night, we headed to our final dinner on the tour. It was bittersweet. We knew everyone would be going their separate ways tomorrow morning and this would be our last chance to enjoy some wine and good conversation until our next trip together. We went around the table and each of said our favorite memory of Italy. Mine was simple...everywhere because I was with my Mom.
View from restaurant in Marina
Jugs of vino at our table...we had quite a few on this night
Eggplant:)
Ravioli and penne pasta
lemon profiterole
Saying goodbye is never easy
We all went back to the hotel and sat in the bar and had a few more drinks and then headed upstairs to pack.
April 11, 2013 - Airport and Naples
The next morning, we woke up and had breakfast and then the van came to pick up Mom, Lynne, Janine and I to go to Naples Airport. I stayed with them while they got checked in and said my tearful goodbyes. While I was sad to say goodbye to my Mom, I felt extremely fortunate to be able to spend an amazing week with her in Italy...a place we only dreamed of coming to together. This is a week in my life that I will always remember.
I was staying the night in Naples and then taking a train the following day to Florence to catch my flight back to Abu Dhabi. I knew Lynne and Janine would take care of my Mom on the flight back so I went outside to catch a taxi to my hotel. I stayed here and rested for a bit and then took the train into the main part of Naples and walked around. I was trying to find Da Michele, the pizza place from Eat, Pray, Love. While I was looking for it, a street vendor stopped me and warned me that I should not be walking around by myself here and to take a taxi. I knew Naples was known for pick-pocketers and I had already had my purse stolen once so I decided to take his advice. Naples was not my favorite place at all. I found the people to be different and not as kind. Although, this could've just been because I was sad to see my Mom go.
Da Michele - the pizza was extremely yummy!
Menu - very basic - pizza margarita or marinara with Coke, Fanta, beer or water
Pizza Margarita and beer was my choice
The line outside to get in...I came early so I skipped the line!
April 12, 2013 - The next day, I took a taxi to the train station to catch the train to Florence. The train got stuck on the tracks for about 1 1/2 hours. I hustled to catch the bus to the Florence airport and got there right as my flight was leaving. Now, I did not have a cell phone or any back up plan so I was terrified! I did have Alessandro's number so I begged someone to let me use their phone. I called him and told him what happened and he suggested that I take the train back to Rome and stay at the hotel with the rest of the ladies who continued on the tour to Rome. I decided that was probably best since I had no one to call or even a phone in Florence! I got a room at the hotel and Alessandro called Alitalia Airlines for me to see if I could get a different flight...no luck. I had to purchase another flight.
April 13, 2013 - I went to the airport extra early and sat there all day waiting for my flight at 6pm. I flew from Rome to Cairo, Egypt and stayed the night in Cairo (on the airline) and got back to Abu Dhabi the next morning. While in Egypt for the night, I decided this was probably not a place I would come back to. I almost missed the second part of the flight when I got no wake up call at the hotel. I didn't have a phone so no alarm. I'm extremely lucky I woke up early! This was a lesson I learned and will always know...have a backup plan!
This trip was perfect in every way despite a few hiccups along the way but that's life. I traveled alone, with my Mom and then alone again and I made it! Italia won my heart and I decided I would go back during the summer!
The 12 Angels and Alessandro!
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