Fantastic Voyage
A scrapbook of our Rick Steves Tour
Ciao Italia!
Venice
Off the bus on onto the boat! An exhilarating Vaporetto ride (the bus system of Venice) got us across the Grand Canal. What fun, cruising along and bumping into the docks at every stop. Once there, we squeezed through the crowd and hiked through the narrow alleys to our hotel which was only a short walk to St. Mark's square. A little time to freshen up then off for a group dinner at a local restaurant for a fish for dinner. Of course, it's not Italy without a little limoncello and grappa after dinner.
Gondolas - what a fantastic experience! Unlike the cruise boat crowd and day tourists who take their trips during the day with hundreds of others in crowded canals, we had a private ride. The gondoliers were ready and waiting for us when we arrived, and another surprise awaited us - onboard musicians. We elected the couple celebrating their 50th anniversary to have the honor of riding in the "music boat." The accordion player played Italian tunes while our boats drifted through the canals and the notes bounced off the stone walls. Venice is beautiful and romantic at night. Rick Steves VIP treatment again.
It was still early so off to St. Mark's square is where we headed next where the bands are playing everyone's out enjoying the evening. Our group grabbed a table, ordered drinks, and soaked in glamorous night-time Venice.
The next day was rainy, but we forged ahead - a morning tour of the city and a visit to the basilica in St. Mark's Square. We enjoyed a bird's eye view from the top looking over Doge's Palace. In the afternoon we took Rick's advice and "got lost in Venice" with two other couples. What fun we had navigating our way between plazas using the directional signs on the buildings. When we thought we had traveled down the narrowest street, we'd turn a corner and find a narrower one. We warmed up with coffee and pastry in the shopping district then found our way to the Rialto bridge so we could visit a jewelry store just on the other side that our guide recommended. The store owners gave us quite a welcome when they realized we were a Rick Steves group. We made our purchases, were twisting through the streets again and of course found a fantastic gelato stand on the way back to the hotel. Who was there? No other than our fearless leader, Dave. He knows all the best spots! A dinner out with some of our new friends wrapped up the day.
Tuscany
Rolling hills and lush mountains greeted us as we headed into the Tuscan farmland for our next stop - an agriturismo surrounded by fields of grape vines and olive trees. Our hosts made us feel right at home from the first moment we arrived. The cozy bar served up wine while we settled in and checked out the grounds. Some strolled along the farm road and vineyards. The rest of us wandered out to the pool, and a few found their inner child on the zip line and the seesaw in the playground. In typical Rick Steve's fashion, we got a behind the scenes treat with a cooking demonstration in the hotel kitchen. Our host and the hotel chef shared samples of biscotti and homemade pasta - a hint of things to come later in the day. Our first dinner, or shall I say dinner party, was a delectable multi-course feast in the hotel dining hall. To our surprise, we were serenaded all evening by an incredible Italian singer and enjoyed hours of singing and dancing. It felt like a family reunion.
Florence
Florence- what a city. A historical morning tour then a bit of free time so we joined Kim and Barry for our Florence adventure. To make the best of our day trip, we grabbed a quick lunch at a sandwich shop. After a few wrong turns, we navigated our way to a leather factory (also a trade school) for a tour. As you move through the courtyard of the building, you can peer into classrooms where the students are busy at work. The "no talking" sign at the entrance assures visitors do not disturb the lessons. Afterward, we meandered through the plaza where the street vendors offer endless choices of leather goods, scarves, and accessories. Just enough time for one more stop, so off to find another treat. It's Italy, so it's either wine or gelato! As we rounded a corner, we saw the perfect place for our next break. An outdoor cafe right across from the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore was an irresistible sight. It was another surreal moment sipping Italian wine next to this gorgeous structure. Then it was back with the group again to see Michelangelo's David - a much-anticipated sight for all of us. Words cannot describe.
Back to the country to our farmhouse home. Our second and final evening in Tuscany was a sunset dinner under the trees. More homemade cooking and lots of wine made for a casual yet memorable night. Not too much though - we're up early to head to Rome.
A time of remembrance - as we approached Florence, we visited the Florence American Cemetery where over 4,300 WWII American soldiers are laid to rest. The terrace at the top of the hill has large tablets with the names of the missing. Looking out across the field of headstones, we saw the rows of white memorial stones marking the spot where someone's son, father, or rest. The rows of headstones seemed never to end. We walked among them and gave our silent respects.
Rome
Rome - after checking in to our last hotel of the tour, we headed out to see what Rome had to offer. Busy streets give Rome a feel of a faster pace of life. We traveled up the central hub where local artists had their works on display, and we headed back to prepare for our afternoon. Today it's the Capitoline Museum and Pantheon. Later, it was a night walk with our guide - Spanish steps and the Trevi fountain.
An early start at the Colosseum. Thanks to our local guide we didn't wait long to get in. Fabulous - even on the outside. The crumbling walls and arches exude power. Enter you try to see it all at once. You stand on the platform and try to imagine life in ancient Rome. Thousands gathered to see the spectacles - fun for many - agony for the others. Then the stately Forum and St. Peter's Basilica to finish the afternoon. Did we really just do all of that in one day? Our farewell dinner did not disappoint. Excellent food, great conversation and saying goodbye to all of our new friends we'll never forget.
