Believe it or not, finally the time is here to actually get to venture back to Italy….our favorite place in the world to be. It always feels so special to get back to the magical city of Florence. It doesn’t feel like it’s been two years, but, yes, it was October 2019, when I was last there with BPP Tours. Leaving there is always sad but never would we have dreamed how long before we would be able to return again.
Alan and I are heading out this weekend and have our walking shoes ready, our eyes wide open and our tasting palate primed for all of the amazing things that we will get to see and experience. We’ve heard that things are getting back to ‘normal’, whatever that is, we are sure to find out……plus we have also been told that we will find quieter, gentler towns with less tourists. I am so looking forward to soaking in the beauty of each of these special places we will be visiting.
We are heading first and foremost to Florence, our Italian home away from home and I cannot wait to hit the streets, literally, there. From the street scene and the culture of this amazing Renaissance city combined with the shopping of Florence, always looking for new places to see and experience.
New to our itinerary this trip will be the addition of regions that are new to us……Emilia-Romagna, where we will be based out of Bologna, a city I’ve alway heard amazing things about and the wonderful ‘eating towns’ that surround it like Parma and Modena. Then we are off to Veneto region to headquarter in Verona and visit Veneto, Venice (love it there!!) and have some wine tours of Valpolicello and Amorini region. We then settle back into Florence where our Italian Son, Pietro will be making the treck from Puglia to stay with us…..we always need a ‘Pietro-fix’ when visiting Italy!
Please stay tuned if Italy is one of the places that you love as I will be ‘socializing’ online with everyone through my Instagram and Facebook photos that I hope you will enjoy. Also, since my focus will be many things Italian this coming week, you will see a little less from MRG in your Inbox in the coming days. So many of you ask for more and more info on what we are seeing and experiencing while we are there, so to you, I say, stay tuned! I know there will be much newness to report from these magnificent regions of Italy in the days ahead.
Ciao bella to all!
GO ASTROS!!!!
P.S. Since writing this, so thrilled to now have to work into our itinerary, those fun-filled bars in Italy that show American sports! Florence has always been a great spot for this…….in 2017, I got the call there from Alan and Janet from the field at Minute Maid that we were heading to the World Series; 2018 when playing in the ALCS finals, we watched it live and now once again, we will be watching World Series, Italian Style, an additional fun memory to make…..can’t wait!
Have a wonderful trip!! We are cruising the Mississippi River from St. Paul to St Louis. It’s a fabulous experience. We’re wishing you joy. Gloria
Thanks Gloria, what you are doing sounds very cool!! Florence where I have only been for a couple of hours now is wonderful…..like we were here yesterday!! Enjoy your adventure!!
Have a wonderful time in Italy Roz and Alan!
I just got back from spending 5 weeks there and staying with Livia, Carl and Vanda, her mom.
Spent a week in Rome and then a month in Viterbo/Ronciglione with them.
Combat boots a la Doc Maartens and lots of tatoos were seen on the streets of Rome.
Wow, Maude that sounds divine. Where do you stay when you go there? We would love to be able to do 5 weeks! Was thinking of you when we were working on the ICCC luncheon and missed you!! Ciao bella!!!
Have a wonderful and safe trip and please stay hydrated! We head back to an italy in September for my sons wedding in Tuscany. You and Alan enjoy!