Last random thoughts on Italy

1- Men in speedos: I was very excited about the prospect of hot Italian men on the beach in speedos- sadly (and oddly) the only man in a speedo I saw was on the hiking trail in Cinque Terre- he was wearing hiking boots, a backpack and a speedo. Those crazy Italians,

2- Melone Gelato (cantaloupe Ice Cream) I tries this on a whim in Cortona- it's light, refreshing, and tastes like biting into a slice of cantaloupe. I was immediately hooked. I think I've had one every day since then.

3- Espresso on the run- on more than one occasion at a roadside restaurant, we've watched cars pull up and someone jump out, run up to the counter, order an espresso, shoot it and then jump back in the car and take off. Where are they going? Why the hurry? and do they need espresso to survive it?

4- Shoes- I bought a rockin' pair of sandals, gladiator style with leather roses down the front. Just warning you ahead of time so my fabulousness doesn't throw you for a loop.

5- Last memory- after we walked back from buying my fabulous sandals, we walked along the dark grand canal. Across the way on the steps of a chapel, a lone violinist was playing Glen Miller's "String of Pearls". The music was sweet and romantic. It was the perfect end to a perfect holiday.

Ciao Bella!

Venice, Last Supper

Tonight is our last night in Venice and the weather is cool but very humid. We`had a wonderful day highlighted by the Gondola ride and another great seafood dinner, two wondering minstrels walked through the bistro playing their violins, Yvonne loved it.

Attached are some parting shots of the sights of our last night in Venice;

Gondola Ride

Yes, we did it. We did the incredibly cheesy tourist gondola ride with the embarrassing guy in the striped shirt and the little straw hat with the ribbons. And you know what? There's a reason this is so popular. Another stupid expensive tourist thing worth every penny! So glad we did it!

San Marcos Square

Walked there this morning= what can I say- breathtaking, impressive, unbelievable- there are not words. Brian will post pictures, but it won't even begin to do it justice. And yes, we sat at a table in the Square where an orchestra was playing and had two of the most expensive coffees on the planet- worth every stinkin' penny.

Garmin has an evil twin

Every vacation has one of those days where anything that can go wrong will go wrong, and you want to stab your beloved spouse with a cheese knife. Yesterday was one of those days.

We left Cinque Terre, sadly, with our trusty Garmin by our side and the shortest route to Venice programmed in. Unfortunately it seems that the shortest route is over what felt like the Italian alps with switchbacks, narrow roads, and sheer drop off It probably added two hours and took two years off our lives, but no worries, we made it and all was good- or so we thought.

We got on the wrong water taxi. Who knew there was more than one? We ended up on the other side of Venice with all of our luggage and about a mile walk. Over cobblestones. Crossing 7 bridges.

FINALLY we arrived, So, the moral of the story is- marry the right man. Otherwise you'll end up in an Italian jail for attemped murder with a cheese knife. :)

Last day in Cinque Terre

Woke up and went in to town where we left off, town 3 of 5 and went down to the boat docks for a cappuccino  It was rich, creamy and delicious, the Batista had painted designs in the foam with chocolate. It was so good we sat back and had another, Meandered through town looking at the buildings  and then got on the train to see the last town,

Decided to have lunch in the last town and had probably one of the best meals I've had here- pasta with tuna, kalamata olives, capers, tomatoes and olive oil, Unbelievable!

Went back to the hotel after and went for a swim in the pool, Yes, Brian swam. In a bathing suit. Miracles still do happen.

Dinner at a local restaurant in town- three courses that we shared, all seafood, all fabulous. Probaly one of the best days here, foodwise. We'll be sorry to go.

We are off to Venice

We are off to Venice. Check out the entire blog, I figured out last night how to go back and add pictures to previous blogs, so there are at least 20 new photos below.

Will try and more in Venice, ciao!