Italy

I've been to Italy many times, and still I would go back again and again, forever. There was so much to explore and experience, so much history to uncover, so many beautiful beaches to visit, and so much delicious food to taste!

GETTING THERE

Italy has several international airports, in Rome there's the main airport FCO, and nearby Ciampino, CIA. In Milan, there's the main airport, Malpensa MXP, and nearby is Linate LIN. In Venice, the international airport is VCE, and many other smaller airports all around the country.

The train system is extensive, and brings travelers from across Europe.

AMAZING EXCURSIONS

Rome was a fabulous city, a mix of urban life and ancient legends, with the Tiber River flowing through it, and ruins all around of the Roman Walls that once encircled the city. It was very walkable, and it's possible to see the key sites just by walking. The Coliseum was a spectacle to behold, bigger than expected, and it was remarkable that tourists with tickets could simply wander through it, and experience the awe of being there, and also go into the underground area. I walked through the Roman Forum, and also saw the chariot racing tracks in Palatine Hill and Circus Maximus. I observed tradition and threw a coin into the magnificent Trevi Fountain. Not only ornate, but also efficient! It was built at the city's first water source, the original Agua Virgo aqueduct, which still flows water into Rome today.

I headed south to Anzio, a charming beachfront city, about an hour train ride from Rome. The train was packed with locals, young and old, who told me Anzio was where many Romans had vacation homes and it was the best beach close to the capital. Anzio had a small busy port filled with sailboats and fishing boats, and the waterfront was lined with many cafes selling super fresh seafood. On the other edge of town was a long sandy beach, with many resorts overlooking the Mediterranean.

Further south, I visited Naples to explore ruins and eat pizza. It was also the perfect spot to catch ferries to Capri and Positano in the Amalfi Coast. The town of Positano was vertically built into the surrounding cliff, with a rocky shoreline and a small beach made of pebbles. I climbed through the town and ate the best cannolis I've ever had, rich, velvety, and crunchy! Also there was a unique, very tasty lemon sorbet served in a large hollowed out lemon!

From Naples, I took a train to Pompeii, at the foot of Mount Vesuvius. The once very large well developed city now sat in ruins, wiped out in a fast moving volcanic eruption in 79 AD. It was fascinating to see the casts of people, killed when lava hit them unexpectedly.

Back in Rome, I visited Vatican City, which was tremendous. I've never seen a church the size or grandeur of St. Peters Cathedral and I marveled at the incredible artistic human achievement of Michelangelo's Sistine Chapel. There were also old maps, which didn't even have Australia or New Zealand on them!

I rented a car at Rome's main airport for a road trip to Terme di Saturnia thermal hot springs. It was easy to drive there because Italy used the same side of the street for driving as the USA. First I went along the coastline, past secluded beaches, then inland through the Tuscany countryside. It was dotted with wineries offering tastings, cooking classes, and overnight stays. I drove up into mountain towns, where the circular, winding roads got a bit confusing, but then down again into a valley with the natural hot springs. It was very picturesque because the springs created multiple travertine stone pools, which people sat inside, with the therapeutic water cascading around.

Then I traveled by train to Milan, making a quick stop to see the famous Duomo di Milano, which was even larger than St. Peter's Basilica in Rome! The gothic cathedral was made with geometrically shaped white, green, and pink marble.

I continued by train to Lake Como in the Lombardy region. The scenic trip through the countryside took me into the foothills of the Italian Alps. The charming town of Como was nestled between mountains, overlooking the stunning Lake Como, which was shaped like an upside down Y, and the town of Bellagio was in the center. There were many ferries and private boats available to explore the lake, as long and as far as desired. I took a ferry to Bellagio, and admired all the luxury homes and world class hotels lining the water.

In Como, a lakefront Promenade wove through a garden, with temples, statues, and monuments. At the end was a sandy beach, with locals swimming and playing. I took a dip, and the lake had cool undertones, but it was very refreshing in the heat.

Impulsively, I jumped on a train to Venice, and when I arrived there were tons of people mulling around the train station at night, some sleeping on the steps. I soon found out why. Hotel after hotel - all full! I wandered around the winding narrow cobblestone alleys, searching for a room for the night. Someone took pity on me and gave me an overpriced but cozy room. Minutes later, I'm out exploring, eating the best Carbonara and enjoying Gelato. The gondolas of Venice were the perfect way to see the islands, and even though there were some bugs, it was worth it! The weathered homes had colorful flowers hanging off windows, red, pink, purple, and white.

I took a ferry on the famous Grand Canal through Venice, then went to Lido di Venezia, a barrier island just a short ride away. It had art deco architecture and a long sandy beach with boat rentals! I rented a little boat to laze in the sunshine and drift on the Mediterranean.

I continued on to Trieste, a seaside Italian port city, close to Slovenia and Croatia. Many cruise ships stopped there while traversing the Adriatic Sea. Trieste was filled with outdoor cafes, coffee shops and boutique clothing stores. There was a lively Grand Canal in the old city center, it was a great spot to get a bite to eat and people watch. There was also the large Piazza Unita d'Italia square, lined on three side with palaces, and the Mediterranean was on the fourth side.

My journey to Italy was filled with ancient history, brilliant beaches, scenic islands, natural hot springs, stunning lakes, and authentic Italian food, all of it making Italy a trip of a lifetime, to be savored and done more than once.