July 14, 2013: Left Florence and drove to Passignano for a quick stop and to walk along the beautiful waterfront and then onto Assisi. The Basilica of St. Francis was one of the top three churches that I have been inside. The town was precious and the people were so welcoming. A beautiful day!
After Assisi, we drove into Rome and got settled into the Hotel Palatino. We had a nice dinner here and took a quick night walk of the Colosseum area. Then, we stopped at Ciuri Ciuri for the best cannoli...I must have had at least two a day for the three days I was in Rome and then when I came back for two days at the end of the trip...my hotel was conveniently next door.
Sunflowers along the "Sun Route"
Passignano...
Assisi
Basilica of St. Francis
Another bride and groom along the way...I love this picture!
Sunflowers on the drive to Rome...
Roma...
After the tour, Mary, Nancy, Caroline and I walked around to see Trevi Fountain, Pantheon, and had lunch in Piazza Navona. I kind of felt like the tour guide as I had done this walk only a week ago. I did pretty good and hardly got us lost!
The Colosseum was being cleaned on one side during the summer. Here, you can tell the difference. When I went back in January for New Years, they were working on the other side.
The Roman Forum
Walking to Pantheon...
Piazza Navona...
Trevi Fountain...
July 16, 2013: We took a bus to the Vatican area to tour the museum and St. Peter's Basilica. I had seen the Sistine Chapel on my last trip but it is always a sight. St. Peter's Basilica was everything and more than I could possibly imagine. Michelangelo's Pieta was breathtaking.
After the tour, we went back and some of us went on an Underground Tour.
That night, we went to an Opera Dinner, a night tour and cannoli's.
Coming out of the Sistine Chapel down the walk to St. Peter's Basilica
The balcony where the Pope stands and waves
St. Peter's Square
Walking into St. Peter's Basilica
Michelangelo's Pieta
Standing in line to touch the right foot of St. Peter's bronze statue
The altar for the Pope
Standing by the altar that the Pope uses for mass
A confessional
Underground Tour...
Basilica of San Clemente - from the 12th century
There are two excavated levels: one shows the 4th century basilica and the second shows 1st century Roman buildings. Three basilicas built on top of one another.
Looking down to see the other levels from the top
Second stop on the Underground Tour: Basilica of San Pietro in Vincoli from the 5th century
Michelangelo's Moses
The basilica is also known for this famous relic...Chains of St. Peter. The chains were used on St. Peter during his imprisonment.
Opera Dinner...
Sister Mary:)
Night Tour...
On the bus
Cannoli's and Goodbyes...
One cannoli and one zuppa (creme filled puff of heaven)
Nancy and I showing off our matching Coccinelle purses that we bought in Florence.
Sadly, I had to say goodbye to these ladies as they were leaving the tour the next day for Milan and I was headed to Sorrento and Positano. Thank you for the wonderful memories and all of the laughs ladies! I hope we can do it again soon:)
July 17, 2013: After breakfast, we took the bus to Pompeii and then onto Sorrento. At Pompeii, I was feeling kind of sick and had already seen it. So, I stayed behind with Alessandro and Mario and had some fresh orange juice, pizza and good Italian conversation while we waited for the group to finish. I had seen this with my Mom and I don't think anything could have made that memory better.
We went walking around with Alessandro after dinner and stumbled upon this beautiful concert in the courtyard of this church.
The picture doesn't do this view justice...
July 18, 2013: After breakfast, I went down to the marina with the group and decided to get to Capri a different way...by a small boat. The driver met me in the marina and drove me down the coast and across to Capri. Once we went through the "Love Arch", we stopped and he let me jump into the Mediterranean at the Green Grotto. When I first jumped in, I was shocked. It was almost hard to breathe because the water was extremely salty! But then I looked around at this beautiful place and knew I would never forget this moment for the rest of my life!
When I got to Capri, I had lunch at the Marina and walked around a bit and then went back to the boat and headed back to Sorrento. This day was made perfect by a special man and I truly appreciate it and will always remember this:)
My boat...looking onto the coast
Natural coral
White Grotto...
The "Love Arch"
Rumor was...this yacht belonged to the owner of Victoria's Secret
Green Grotto...I swam under the rocks
The line for the Blue Grotto...you ride a boat to the Grotto and then get on another boat to go into the tiny entrance.
Dessert...Sgroppino (prosecco with lemon sorbet and vodka) and torta caprese (a moist chocolate and almond cake)
Just cruising by another yacht...one day!
Farewell Dinner at the Marina in Sorrento...Some of the group were leaving the next day and there would only be three of us to go to Amalfi the next day.
The dog just hopped up and they were on their way...
July 19, 2013: Since the group had left, there were only three of us left so Alessandro had gotten a Mercedes to take us to Amalfi. It was a beautiful day and enjoyed the drive so much. I took video of the drive but I can't figure out how to upload it. I will try again later. We walked around Amalfi and then had lunch and prosecco with fresh strawberry juice. On the way back, we stopped and walked around in Positano.
Amalfi...
Positano...
That night, we went to a restaurant owned by one of Alessandro's friends. We went here last time we were here and had such a good time. Homemade limoncello...yes, please:)
When we left the restaurant, we came upon a "Sorrento...Who's Got Talent" type of show. The contestants were pretty good!
MARCELLO! We stopped for gelato and I found this picture on the wall and then met the owner.
The owner posing with us. I have lots of video...it turned into a club once we got there...flashing lights and some good music.
July 20, 2013: I slept in and then left for Positano, where I would stay only one night. Not nearly long enough. I took the steps all the way down to the beach area. I would guess that it was 1,000 steps or more. Many places to stop along the way to take pictures and talk to people. Out of all the places in Italy, I highly recommend that you visit Positano.
July 21, 2013: I left in the afternoon to go to Naples to take the train back to Rome. I stayed at a precious hotel...Hotel Duca d'Alba. I went to mass that night at a basilica nearby and stopped in for dinner at a restaurant close as it was raining.
July 22, 2013: I took the train to Bracciano, which is where Katie Holmes and Tom Cruise were married. When I got into Bracciano, I walked towards the castle but locals were telling me it was closed on Mondays:( I got to see the outside and walked around the town and then took the train back to Rome to transfer to the Hilton at the airport as I would NOT miss my flight this time around.
This trip was so special and I am truly lucky to have been able to come back to experience more.
Italia...amore mio!
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