Our Amazing December
December turned out to be an incredible one for us.
We had the shopping done and sent out. The cards were in the mail. The tree was up and the house decorated and my collection of old world santas were staring back at me from their location.
My husband had already taken the last half of the month off for vacation. He had hours to burn and it was a use it or lose it situation. We were sitting back and thinking of things we would do in that time.
Then on Saturday morning out of nowhere he asks, "do you think we could get tickets to Europe?" Yeah, sure when did you want to go I asked. Spring or Fall? No, Christmas this year. Uh? Who is this guy and what did you do with my husband?
Now, anyone who knows me well, know I tend to plan a trip several months in advance and I get my suitcase out weeks ahead of time, "to air it out I always say." but in reality it is for me to start dropping things off into so nothing is left behind. It has become a family joke, hey, has mom got her suitcase out yet?
It was already Dec. 8 and here we go. we thought a Christmas with snow might be nice to see again and experience. I had a zillions things to accomplish in 7 days time. Including finding some winter clothes. Not a big priority here year round. Close the house, find a sitter for our adoptive cat "Lucy" and getting everything paid up ahead of time.
We couldn't find a trip exactly like we wanted until I happened upon this one to Italy. It was a very relaxing one as you stayed in each location for 3 nights. Plenty of time to see the sights. I called the company and they said they would hold the trip for 3 hours until I could confirm flights. Yikes, flights in Dec.??? What was I ever thinking, agreeing to this.
So we put the trip on hold and I began burning the computer keys for flights. We knew it would take a bit to get there, so we decided to arrive much earlier and find a sleepy little hotel to catch up and get used to the 11 hours time change. Our trip was to originate in Rome so we decided on going to Sorrento, south of there a couple of hours.
I found some amazing flights and grabbed them up.
We wanted to experience Italy and the hidden secrets about it. No new, fancy chrome and glass hotel for us. We can get that on the mainland anytime. We finally found one that fit our wants. A beautiful little hotel on the marina, that once was the Harbormasters house. It had it's own restaurants and was the only one down on the water like we wanted. The buses in Sorrento make getting around so easy, right to the front door.
From the greeting at the front desk, by calling us by our names when we arrived and not knowing who we were, to the little 2 person elevator to take us to our room. We were in love. It had 50 rooms, but was situated so it wasn't obvious. Ours was on the 4th floor, with a view of the bay and full length shutters that you can open and little balconey. I may never leave.
You could watch all the ferries leaving to the outer Islands and to Naples
The owner was a multi generation owner and once was a captain for Mobile. He spoke English wonderfully, with that exciting accent.
We never once had a language barrier the whole time.
There were only a few couples checked in at that time and by the time we left, we were the only couple there. The hotels serve breakfast as it would be impossible to find a restaurant that does. Even though we were the only ones there. Mario, our server was there bright and early each morning with a nicely laid table and ready to make us a pitcher of the best European Chocolate you have ever tasted. We always had two in the morning. We were treated likely royalty.
We spent the next few days walking the streets of Sorrento and the alleyways for some of the best shopping on earth. Have you tried Lemoncello? What a drink, better grab your hat for that one. We bought a bottle.
We walked everywhere and ate like kings. We found ancient Roman roads right there in town. Building hundreds of years old. Amazing.
We had been brave and hopped a train from the airport to Rome, about 30 minutes. Then from Rome to Naples and then onto a little scarey local train on into Sorrento. We had no real problems. Their trains are on time. When they say they are leaving at 11:30, you had better be on board and holding on.
When we left, we had made several friends and the owner, Luigi, gave us a bottle of their own wine.
We finally made our way back to Rome and our group. What an eclectic group we were. From all over the world and we had a ball. To be in Rome and at the Vatican and St. Peter's Basilica and the Sistine Chapel during the holidays, what could be better. And it was our anniversary.
The Italians have it right about Christmas, with 95% Roman Catholic, it is about your family and food and the church, not so much accumulating gifts. It is about spending time with the family and midnight mass. And eating, did I mention that? They know how to eat. And you would have to look long and hard to find an overweight person in Italy. They walk. Not just a few blocks, but miles every day.
Have you seen the driving in Rome? No wonder they walk. You could be driving down a perfectly nice street and all of a sudden one lane is blocked with double parkers, inside a store shopping. No one gets upset.
They are all in tune with the environment and drive very small, tiny cars. We never saw one SUV or large pick up the whole time. Their gas is around $5.00 a gallon, not too far from us over here, but they still walk.
We enjoyed Rome so much and was totally mesmerized by it. I would go back in a nano. The wall around it and the ruins. I was under the impression, they were a few to be seen. Not true at all. There are hundreds, and right in town. Their beautiful buildings were a site to see.
The Spanish steps and the Trevi Fountain, much better in real life.
Then on up to Florence and Pisa. We got to see Michaelangelos David. TV does not do it right. It is breathtaking.
The leaning tower is really another sight not to miss.
All the while we are visiting so many Bascilicas and were in total awe. Some were started in the 1100's.
Back in Rome, St. Peter's is large enough for two Superbowls and has 44 chapels. A mass being held in one 24 hours a day. We got to witness one. Beautiful. We were within a few hundred feet of the Pope.
The Duomo in Florence was one block from our hotel and amazing.
We stopped in Assisi to visit St. Francis's Basilica and couldn't take enough pictures. Assisi is a beautiful little town, right out of the picture books.
On to Venice, aww, were you have to fall in love all over. Our hotel was right on the Grand Canal. Again, walking was the order of the day and on to most noted Piazza, in the world. Can't say enough. Then the Bridge of Sighs and the Rialto Bridge. Gondola ride and a tour of the canals.
We got to visit the island of Murano where the glass blowing is done. Pricey, but wouldn't miss it.
On to the little island of Burano, where they do the lace and other sewing creations you wouldn't believe. Had a wonderful fish dinner there that evening. When you arrive on the island, the little houses are all lined up and each painted a different color. Our guide had a funny little storey about that. Roberto, our guide was truly an Italian, he loved Italy, and he loved meeting people and he loved his job. He was very good at it.
The euro was easy to handle. Getting used to restaurants being closed from early afternoon until about 7 when they reopen for dinner until about midnight was a little challenge.
Their banks are only open about 4 hours a day. But they have no bank robberys. One person at a time in, you enter a tube and then it lets you in. So if you had robbery on your mind, you wouldn't get out.
Being a teacher was a job that was coveted and it was explained to us in detail. Nothing like American teachers.
Everywhere we went, we met people that loved Americans. Funny you don't hear that on TV. Not much of an language barrier anymore either.
We had a bus driver that took a second seat to no one. Pierluigi was the best I have ever seen.
We found the people nice, giving, and willing to help you anyway they could. We had one young man that wanted to talk about Hawaii. We gave him a picture postcard of Waikiki and you would have thought we had given him an expensive gift. We found the people very grateful for such things.
So all in all, we think this past December will be hard to top. Would we go back again. You bet. So much more to see and do. The history alone makes you want for more.
So if anyone says you can't plan and expedite a vacation in seven days, send them to me. Sometimes, the unplanned is the best.
I thank my husband for a wonderful anniversary and Christmas.
We had the shopping done and sent out. The cards were in the mail. The tree was up and the house decorated and my collection of old world santas were staring back at me from their location.
My husband had already taken the last half of the month off for vacation. He had hours to burn and it was a use it or lose it situation. We were sitting back and thinking of things we would do in that time.
Then on Saturday morning out of nowhere he asks, "do you think we could get tickets to Europe?" Yeah, sure when did you want to go I asked. Spring or Fall? No, Christmas this year. Uh? Who is this guy and what did you do with my husband?
Now, anyone who knows me well, know I tend to plan a trip several months in advance and I get my suitcase out weeks ahead of time, "to air it out I always say." but in reality it is for me to start dropping things off into so nothing is left behind. It has become a family joke, hey, has mom got her suitcase out yet?
It was already Dec. 8 and here we go. we thought a Christmas with snow might be nice to see again and experience. I had a zillions things to accomplish in 7 days time. Including finding some winter clothes. Not a big priority here year round. Close the house, find a sitter for our adoptive cat "Lucy" and getting everything paid up ahead of time.
We couldn't find a trip exactly like we wanted until I happened upon this one to Italy. It was a very relaxing one as you stayed in each location for 3 nights. Plenty of time to see the sights. I called the company and they said they would hold the trip for 3 hours until I could confirm flights. Yikes, flights in Dec.??? What was I ever thinking, agreeing to this.
So we put the trip on hold and I began burning the computer keys for flights. We knew it would take a bit to get there, so we decided to arrive much earlier and find a sleepy little hotel to catch up and get used to the 11 hours time change. Our trip was to originate in Rome so we decided on going to Sorrento, south of there a couple of hours.
I found some amazing flights and grabbed them up.
We wanted to experience Italy and the hidden secrets about it. No new, fancy chrome and glass hotel for us. We can get that on the mainland anytime. We finally found one that fit our wants. A beautiful little hotel on the marina, that once was the Harbormasters house. It had it's own restaurants and was the only one down on the water like we wanted. The buses in Sorrento make getting around so easy, right to the front door.
From the greeting at the front desk, by calling us by our names when we arrived and not knowing who we were, to the little 2 person elevator to take us to our room. We were in love. It had 50 rooms, but was situated so it wasn't obvious. Ours was on the 4th floor, with a view of the bay and full length shutters that you can open and little balconey. I may never leave.
You could watch all the ferries leaving to the outer Islands and to Naples
The owner was a multi generation owner and once was a captain for Mobile. He spoke English wonderfully, with that exciting accent.
We never once had a language barrier the whole time.
There were only a few couples checked in at that time and by the time we left, we were the only couple there. The hotels serve breakfast as it would be impossible to find a restaurant that does. Even though we were the only ones there. Mario, our server was there bright and early each morning with a nicely laid table and ready to make us a pitcher of the best European Chocolate you have ever tasted. We always had two in the morning. We were treated likely royalty.
We spent the next few days walking the streets of Sorrento and the alleyways for some of the best shopping on earth. Have you tried Lemoncello? What a drink, better grab your hat for that one. We bought a bottle.
We walked everywhere and ate like kings. We found ancient Roman roads right there in town. Building hundreds of years old. Amazing.
We had been brave and hopped a train from the airport to Rome, about 30 minutes. Then from Rome to Naples and then onto a little scarey local train on into Sorrento. We had no real problems. Their trains are on time. When they say they are leaving at 11:30, you had better be on board and holding on.
When we left, we had made several friends and the owner, Luigi, gave us a bottle of their own wine.
We finally made our way back to Rome and our group. What an eclectic group we were. From all over the world and we had a ball. To be in Rome and at the Vatican and St. Peter's Basilica and the Sistine Chapel during the holidays, what could be better. And it was our anniversary.
The Italians have it right about Christmas, with 95% Roman Catholic, it is about your family and food and the church, not so much accumulating gifts. It is about spending time with the family and midnight mass. And eating, did I mention that? They know how to eat. And you would have to look long and hard to find an overweight person in Italy. They walk. Not just a few blocks, but miles every day.
Have you seen the driving in Rome? No wonder they walk. You could be driving down a perfectly nice street and all of a sudden one lane is blocked with double parkers, inside a store shopping. No one gets upset.
They are all in tune with the environment and drive very small, tiny cars. We never saw one SUV or large pick up the whole time. Their gas is around $5.00 a gallon, not too far from us over here, but they still walk.
We enjoyed Rome so much and was totally mesmerized by it. I would go back in a nano. The wall around it and the ruins. I was under the impression, they were a few to be seen. Not true at all. There are hundreds, and right in town. Their beautiful buildings were a site to see.
The Spanish steps and the Trevi Fountain, much better in real life.
Then on up to Florence and Pisa. We got to see Michaelangelos David. TV does not do it right. It is breathtaking.
The leaning tower is really another sight not to miss.
All the while we are visiting so many Bascilicas and were in total awe. Some were started in the 1100's.
Back in Rome, St. Peter's is large enough for two Superbowls and has 44 chapels. A mass being held in one 24 hours a day. We got to witness one. Beautiful. We were within a few hundred feet of the Pope.
The Duomo in Florence was one block from our hotel and amazing.
We stopped in Assisi to visit St. Francis's Basilica and couldn't take enough pictures. Assisi is a beautiful little town, right out of the picture books.
On to Venice, aww, were you have to fall in love all over. Our hotel was right on the Grand Canal. Again, walking was the order of the day and on to most noted Piazza, in the world. Can't say enough. Then the Bridge of Sighs and the Rialto Bridge. Gondola ride and a tour of the canals.
We got to visit the island of Murano where the glass blowing is done. Pricey, but wouldn't miss it.
On to the little island of Burano, where they do the lace and other sewing creations you wouldn't believe. Had a wonderful fish dinner there that evening. When you arrive on the island, the little houses are all lined up and each painted a different color. Our guide had a funny little storey about that. Roberto, our guide was truly an Italian, he loved Italy, and he loved meeting people and he loved his job. He was very good at it.
The euro was easy to handle. Getting used to restaurants being closed from early afternoon until about 7 when they reopen for dinner until about midnight was a little challenge.
Their banks are only open about 4 hours a day. But they have no bank robberys. One person at a time in, you enter a tube and then it lets you in. So if you had robbery on your mind, you wouldn't get out.
Being a teacher was a job that was coveted and it was explained to us in detail. Nothing like American teachers.
Everywhere we went, we met people that loved Americans. Funny you don't hear that on TV. Not much of an language barrier anymore either.
We had a bus driver that took a second seat to no one. Pierluigi was the best I have ever seen.
We found the people nice, giving, and willing to help you anyway they could. We had one young man that wanted to talk about Hawaii. We gave him a picture postcard of Waikiki and you would have thought we had given him an expensive gift. We found the people very grateful for such things.
So all in all, we think this past December will be hard to top. Would we go back again. You bet. So much more to see and do. The history alone makes you want for more.
So if anyone says you can't plan and expedite a vacation in seven days, send them to me. Sometimes, the unplanned is the best.
I thank my husband for a wonderful anniversary and Christmas.
posted by the golden horse at 12:28 PM
4 Comments:
Wow Suzan! Your trip sounds wonderful. Many of the sights you saw we did also when we were in Italy in Mar, 2004. My absolute favorite was the Sistine Chapel. Rome was amazing, the food the weather, the people and the history. The Lemonchello was powerful. We did not buy, but sampled on the street at a vendor.
I loved Sorrento too. I wrote about my trip too. It is 35 pages, because we were in Europe 3 1/2 weeks. We began in London, Germany, Belgim, Switzerland, Austria, Italy, Monte Carlo and ended in Paris, France. It was so wonderful. I love history.
Did we really have these wonderful experiences? Sometimes it is almost too good to be true. The best is when we see on TV a place in Europe we visited and Bob and I always look at each other and do our special smile.
God blessed us to be able to see all of these wonderful sights. The Pope died one year to the day that we were in Rome.
Prago! Barb Davidson
PS We had no problem anywhere with language either. Everyone spoke English. Our guide taught us to say "please" and "thank you" in the language of where ever we were.
I am so glad you and Bob got to experience the same things that we did. You are right, when you get home, you ask yourself if it was true, that you did get to see all that. It is a little overwhelming and surreal for sure and I would go back in a second.
GH,
Wow! What an amazing Christmas gift to each other. I envy you so much and can only imagine what a wonderful trip you had. The only place I've been in Europe is Spain and it was a wonderful trip, too, but your Italy trip sounds wonderful.
My daughter had a brief stint in Italy when she was in the AF, but didn't really get to see much except the small seaside town she was stationed at. She would love to go back there someday and really do it up right, just like you and your husband did.
Joker,
Thank you for the kind words.
I, too, envy you for seeing Spain. It is on our list of must sees.
To have done this trip with so little prep and for it to all unfold so nicely is still totally amazing. Italy totally captured us.
I wish everyone could visit Europe and see where most of our roots started. We want to go back and visit so many other places. It was good to spend all the time in one country to get a really good handle on it.
Between my husband and me, we need to visit Ireland, Sweden, England and Germany and The Netherlands to cover our roots.
Good to see you back on our blogs.
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