Amalfi Coast of Italy

The Amalfi coast is absolutely beautiful.  The mountains are dotted with hotels, charming homes and sprawling villas and the lush vegetation colours the slope side. This area is known for it's lemon and olive trees which seem to be everywhere. Lemoncello is the drink of the area and is a very lovely treat after a big meal.
Our first day here we took a private bus tour to visit the towns of Positano and Amalfi.

Positano is situated on a very steep side of the mountain and is a quaint seaside village with narrow streets lined with lovely shops. Amalfi is equally as charming with exquisite shops and quaint restaurants.  Fresh fish is the most popular dish on the menu.  Some of the ladies took a boat ride along the coast to view the magnificent towns from the water. This area has many villas which are owned by famous people, such as   Sophia Lauren, Roger Moore and Gina Lola Bridgida to name a few.

Everyone seemed to come away with a few purchases of momentos from these towns. Our bags are starting to get a little heavy.  On the way back to Sorrento we took the high road to the top of the mountain.  The view was breathtaking.  Our guide suggested we stop at a local shop to tast the famous monk cheese. Mmmm Mmmm good.  We purchased cheeses, pastas and wine.  It was a great day enjoyed by all.  This evening we walked into town for a lovely dinner.  The people all seem to be so nice in these seaside towns.

Pompei and the Amafli Coast

This morning we left the busy city of Rome and began our drive to the Amafli coast.  It was a quiet drive as the ladies caught up on their sleep.  Monday morning traffic in the city and on the highway made the journey a little longer than expected.  On the way we stopped for a tour of Pompei.  This is one of the largest and best preserved archealogical site.  Pompei is a city dating back over 2,000 years.  Unfortunately it was destroyed by the eruption of Mount Vesuvius.  The city looks as though it has been frozen in time. The homes and shops are in tact, the grand avenues and chariot roadways are expansive. Colorful frescoes are still visible on the walls and great history has been uncovered here.  The city was preserved by thick layers of ash.  It was an incredible site to see.  The ladies enjoyed their tour and were delighted with the information supplied by our tour guide Dario, who was both entertaining and knowledgeable. 

After our tour we continued our drive to the town of Sorrento. The Hotel Mediterrano is our home for the next 5 nights.  It's a charming seaside hotel with a fabulous pool area and stunning views of the sea of Napoli. Everyone is delighted with their rooms and are looking forward to the relaxed pace of the Amalfi coast.

Rome Sept. 2011

Rome is such a wonderful city.  Vibrant, bustling and art everywhere. From the fountains, to the statutes.   The coloseum, the Vatican and the Sistine chapel. After checking into to the quaint and charming Hotel Columbia, we met our guide to begin a tour of the Vatican museum.  The works of art are absolutely beautiful.  Statues, frescoes, tapestries and of course the Sistine Chapel.  When you look at this ceiling it's hard to believe one man created such a master piece. Michelangelo was a true genius and master of the art of painting.  Our visit to St. Peters Basilica was delightful.  Not only did we have the opporunity to  admire this beautiful church, we were treated to the sound of a choir performing for the Saturday afternoon mass. 
On Sunday we set out on foot to explore every corner of the ancient city.  The last Sunday of the month is a treat in Rome. The museums are a fraction of the cost and the main avenue is closed off from traffice and becomes a pedestrian way.  It was a beautiful sunny day, perfect for strolling about the city.  Our first stop was at the Coloseum for a guided tour of this magnificent structure.
After our tour we walked along the main Avenue to the Panthenon, another architectural marvel and continued on to the Piazza Navona.  The square was bustling with tourists and locals on this beautiful Sunday afternoon.  A brief stop for lunch (pizza and lasagna) and then continued walking to the Trevi Fountain.  In spite of the crowds, this is a must see.  This is one of the most beautiful fountains I have ever seen.  The gals we thrilled to throw a coin in the fountain. They say if you do this, it will bring you good luck and you will return to Rome one day. The rest of the afternoon the ladies were free to do as they pleased.  Browse in the numerous shops, enjoy a glass of wine near the Spanish steps or sip a cappuccino and people watch.  Some were brave enough to walk all the way back to the hotel, others managed to find their way back on the subway . Inspite of the city being so large, it is quite easy to find your way around and there is an excellent transit system.
Dinner this evening was at Maccharoni's, a charming restaurant situated downtown. The food was fabulous. Our last evening in Rome was enjoyed by all. Tomorrow we are off to the Amali coast.

Florence, day 2.

 Florence is such a beautiful city and so are the ladies in this photo.  They are willingly posing in front of the Ponte Vecchio, along the Arno River.  This evening we took a leisurely stroll to the restaurant for our first authentic Italian dinner.  Exquisite pasta, delicious Florentine beef, salad and free flowing wine. It was a wonderful meal.  On our way home we stopped to listen to a wonderful entertainer playing his guitar in the Senioria Square.  A magical way to end a wonderful day.

Jenny and Terry enjoyed the view from the Ponte Vecchio bridge on our walking tour of this ancient city.

Italy - 2011

We've arrived in Florence, Italy. The weather is wonderful, summer  like temperatures and blue skies. We have a great group of women who are ready to see the sites, explore the city, shop and have fun. Our first day we got our bearings, wandered through the local market. Anne seems to be quite happy with her purchase .

Gellato is always a favourite on warm summer like day. Today seemed to be that perfect day for a taste of the cool, refreshing dessert. Marilyn and Elizabeth seem to be quite eager to taste the delicious desserts.