We were in Dusseldorf, Germany at the Worlds Largest Boat Show, BOOT. After the show, and since we’d flown so far to get there, we decided to take a few days in Italy. With me were my wife Jody and my Granddaughter Tabitha.
Our trip started in Rome, an amazing city where we did all the touristy things. In order to get the full Italian Experience, I had my pocket picked while at the Colosseum. This enabled me to buy a very kewl leather wallet made in Italy. LOL.
On the day we visited the Vatican we hired a private guide (so we could sneak in early before the crowds!!) We got in before the crowds came and pretty much had the place to ourselves the first hour.
The trip was fantastic in every way. We caught a train from Rome to Florence where we spent a couple days being tourists, and then we picked up a car for the rest of the trip. Florence turned out to be one of the best stops we made. We wandered the streets visiting museums and historical sites, including some statue of a nude dude made out of marble named David!
From there drove a leisurely drive to Pisa to view the tilted tower. We had fun shooting weird photos, with Tabitha standing on her head, and me making a fool of myself “holding up” the building, along with about a hundred other “tourists!” Then we moved on to go the Portofino. After a few hours driving we got to almost a mile from the town, when they closed the road. It seems The Portofino was full, and they didn’t have room for any more cars? This bummed me out, as I lived in the Portofino Marine in Redondo Beach California for decades on my boat, but never did get to see it’s namesake!
From there we headed to Lake Como. It is an absolutely beautiful lake located further north. We once again played tourist, walking the streets, checking out the shops, and having a couple great meals at some of the eateries in the area. Afterwards sitting by the lake just enjoying the beauty of it all.
After a good night sleep we started our drive to Venice. Venice is one place everyone should visit at least once in their life, and do it before it’s too late, as Venice is sinking!
While there we visited more museums than I thought possible. At least Jody & Tabitha did. I, in my infinite wisdom, decided in many cases to sit it out at a local waterfront bar. Hey! I’m old. I get some time out’s right??
As soon as we’d arrived in Venice we had to catch a Gondola to get to our hotel. Tabitha seems to have a way of making friends (maybe because she’s attractive??) but soon we had “our own Gondola.” Whenever we’d need. A Gondolier she’d call Edwardo, and he’d show up and take us wherever we wanted to go. Always with a big smile.
While walking the crowded streets one evening we ran into a film crew from the BBC doing a documentary. We’d had lunch with them at the colosseum when my wallet disappeared, and we had a good laugh standing there in the crowded streets!
We thought Venice would be the highlight of the trip, but we were wrong. Ya see, there’s this little “Country” you can find after a bunch of steep climbing switchbacks, the country of San Marino. This place is hard to imagine. It is its own “country” located at the top of a mountain in Italy. Waaayyy at the top of a mountain. We spent the night at the Grand Hotel, and it was a hotel experience we will not soon forget. It took us back to the glitz days of the 20’s. We had a great dinner at a restaurant that sat on the edge of the mountain, with an unbelievable view!
The drive from San Marino back to Rome to Catch our flight home was stunning, and we have decided that we need to go back to Italy at least one more time!
