Wed. Oct 16, 2019, Rome Italy
We caught 9:30 Am train from Lugano to Milan, the 11:30 train to Rome and arrived around 2:30. We took the high speed train which was great in business class, just like the airlines business class with big comfy chairs, and food and beverages. We had. Fierce thunderstorm and heavy rain last night. Today is sunny and warm, perfect.
We arrived in Rome around 12:30, and checked in around 1:00. After a bit of a squabble about our room, we ended upgrading and had a beautiful big room on top floor. We then walked to Trvevi Fountain, what a complete zoo ! As Mike said, it has been loved to death ! We walked around some more, then back to hotel, then out to dinner. First impression, Rome is a chaotic, noises kind of dirty city..."
We caught 9:30 Am train from Lugano to Milan, the 11:30 train to Rome and arrived around 2:30. We took the high speed train which was great in business class, just like the airlines business class with big comfy chairs, and food and beverages. We had. Fierce thunderstorm and heavy rain last night. Today is sunny and warm, perfect.
We arrived in Rome around 12:30, and checked in around 1:00. After a bit of a squabble about our room, we ended upgrading and had a beautiful big room on top floor. We then walked to Trvevi Fountain, what a complete zoo ! As Mike said, it has been loved to death ! We walked around some more, then back to hotel, then out to dinner. First impression, Rome is a chaotic, noises kind of dirty city..."
Mon. Oct 21, 2019. Taranto ?
We had a leisurely breakfast, then took a beautiful scenic drive from Polignaro down to. Through vineyards, olive groves and by little trullis communities. The mass eric we are staying at is also a vineyard, and next to the vineyard where Mike has arranged a private luncheon and wine tasting for us. We got checked in, then drove to Grottoglua which is known for ceramic production. Unfortunately we arrived right around 2:00, just when the town was buttoning up until 4:00 for lunch. We did find an Osteria open and had lunch, then walked around the narrow winding streets until the shops opened back up. We then did some ceramic shopping. The restaurant at the mass eric is closed tonight, so we picked up picnic food for dinner. We arrived back just as the sun was setting. Jon has come down with a snuggle cold, so he went to bed. Mike Jana and I sat out and had drinks and ate our picnic for dinner in a beautiful courtyard.
Tues. Oct 22, 2019 Lizzanu Tenuta del Barco Masseria
Today was a fabulous day. Unfortunately Jon is battling a cold and spent the day at hotel. Jana and I spent the AM walking and exploring all around the property, lots of cool photo ops. At non we drove around the corner to the Emeryvineyards for our wine tasting only to discover we could walk through a gate next to our rooms and directly enter the vineyard. We met Claudia Quarto who is about my age, and owns the vineyard. He sold his private bio tech firm, then bought the winery 15 years ago. He was very engaging ! We started by driving along the shore to the 74 hectares vineyards. On the property was a large 16th century villa, and vines as far as you could see. We then returned to the winery and toured the wine cellar, and bottling operations. Next we were served an amazing 5 course lunch where we tasted ten different wines. The whole experience was really fabulous ! He then gave us gifts of silk scarves and ties to boot. I was sorry that Jon missed, truly a highlight of our trip.
Tomorrow on to Matera where we will stay in the Stassi in a hotel where the rooms are built in to the caves.
Wed. Oct 23, 2019. Matera. Palazzo Degli Abati
Up this AM and drove into Matera. A bit of chaotic driving trying to get to hotel but finally arrived. The hotel is spectacular. It is built into the caves and is very elegant. Our room has a little patio in front, and then a private rooftop terrace with surreal views over the entire Stassi. As soon as we arrived Jon went to bed. Mike, Jana and I spent the afternoon wandering and getting lost in tiny little streets. The area is the same as it was in the 11 th century. You half expected to turn a corner and run into Jesus. We returned around 5, then Mike and Jana met up with friends from home, I got take out from the restaraunt next door.
Thurs Oct 24. MaterA
Full day of walking and exploring in Matera. We went to a local museum that explained the history of Matera. It is one of the oldest known community known to be continuously inhabited since pre historic times, in the world. We averaging between 10 to 15 thousand steps a day and today was no exception. Jon and I had a date night tonight. We sat out on our rooftop terrace while sun sank down, the changing color over the Stassi was mesmerizing. We then went to eat at a restaurant called Osteria Al Casale where we had one of the best meals on this trip. Tomorrow off to zpompeii.
Fri. Oct 25. Pompeii
Sad to leave the magic of Matera this AM. We drove to zpompeii and arrived around 12:30. We checked into our hotel, where our balcony gives us a view of the ruins ....
We ate lunch at a little bistro, then went on a 2:30 walking tour of Pompeii. I was familiar with a lot of the displays and history from an exhibition about 35 years ago that I went to at the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston. We got back to our hotel around 5:30, then went back out to dinner and had a really good meal at a restaurant in town. Tomorrow we are off early to Sorrento where we have to drop our rental car off by 10:00 am.
Sat. Oct 26. Sorrento
We got up and into Sorrento at 9:30. We had a beautiful view over the Bay of Naples and a big balcony to sit out on. We then dropped off the rental car. Was so glad to get rid of the car, very stressful trying to navigate vs the train that was RAnd R while traveling. We then walked back into town and spent the afternoon wandering all the cute streets in Sorrento. We ate lunch street side at a cute cafe and people watched, did some shopping, took a really fun"train tour " around town that told all about the history of Sorento. We met back up with Mike and Jana for cocktails on our balcony, then had another great dinner at the restaurant that was right next to our hotel. After dinner Jon and I took a walk back into town, got a gelato and enjoyed the different vibe of the city at night.
Sun. Oct 27 Sorento
A very full day. We had a private driver pick us up at 8:30 am, and we toured the Amalfi coast with him till about 5:00. It was so great to have a driver and just relax and not worry about where to go, park etc....... We made lots of photo stops, stopped in Positano, Ravela and Amalfi. It was beautiful scenery with dramatic sharp cliffs, terraced gardens, and lots of crazy motor bike drivers ! We had a drink when we got back, then Jon and I headed back into town. We had a blast in town, we went to a local pub and had some good old fashion burgers, fries and beer. We then watched the F1 race that was in Mexico. So much fun with all the Italians hooting and hollering. We got a gelato on our way back. Tomorrow we take the ferry to Capri.
Mon. Oct 28 Capri
We caught the 9:30 ferry over to Capri. Was a bit nervous about our hotel because it was only a rated a 2 star. Well, when we arrived we were pleasantly surprised. We have a great room with a huge balcony that overlooks the marina, and back over the Bay of Naples. Wonderful hospitality, couldn't have picked a better stop. We got a bit settled then took the public bus to Anacapri, then another bus to the Blue grotto. The blue grotto was a huge disappointment to all of us and a waste of time and money. We then took the bus back to Anacapri and walked around the historic district and ate lunch. We then had a great time taking a single chair lift for about a 15 minute ride to the highest point on Capri. Stunning views... We then took the public bus back to the marina next to our hotel. The public buses are a bit of a nightmare. It is standing room only, stuffed in so tight you literally can not move, then rode about 20 minutes on curvy hairpin turns. We got back and had cocktails on our balcony, then went out for another great dinner.
Tues. Oct 29. Capri
We set out this AM and met up with our Captain who took us on a three hour boat trip around the island. It was spectacular, a bit cooler than it has been, but still sunny and warm. We got back to the marina and took the funicular up to Capro center. We had a fabulous lunch, then walked around shooting for our 10,000 daily steps. We got back to the hotel late afternoon and read for awhile, and watched the sky change to overcast. They are predicting rain for the next two weeks and we could feel the change in temp. We have had outstanding weather this trip. It has been unseasonably warm. We only had two rainy days. The day we Zurich, and the day we planned a rest day in Lugano. How lucky we have been ! Tonight we cocktails on our balcony, then Jon and I walked to the harbor front and shared a pizza gelato for our last night on Capri. There is something very romantic about sitting at a cafe, waterfront, and just relaxing....
Wed. Oct 30 Naples
We caught the 10:30 high speed ferry from Capri to Naples this am which was about a 40 minute ride. We checked into our our hotel, then headed out for an 18,000 step day. It ash finally cooled off a bit so walking was very pleasant. We walked all of the historic district, did some shopping and ate lunch on pizza alley. based on everything I had read, I really did not think that I would like Naples, however, i actually enjoyed it more Rome. Naples is crowded, noisy and dirty with lots of grafitti, but is was very easy to navigate, and everyone was very friendly. We headed back to the hotel late afternoon to put our feet up for awhile, then Jon adn I headed back out for dinner. We were out early so we were teh onluy ones in the restaraunt. We had a blast singing Phil Collins and The eagles with our water, and had great meal to boot. Afterward we went to the bakery next door for our last sugar splurge before returning home. Tonight we get up at 3:00 AM for 6:00 Am flight back home. It has been a very busy trip, but wonderful - now time for a vacation from our vacation !
Thurs Oct 17, 2019. Rome Quirinale Hotel
We were up early and arrived at the Cooliseum at 7:45 for our 8:15 tour. After some scrambling around, we found out they cancelled our tour, and moved us to the 9:20 tour. We ended up basically hanging around for an hour and a half. The tour of the coliseum was informative, but visually a bit of a disappointment because they had scaffolding everywhere. Next we toured the Forum that was really interesting. After our tour we ate lunch at some whole in the wall with a charismatic owner and great Panninis. We walked around more in the afternoon and enjoyed the backstreets and activity. We met a wonderful older guy who owned a wine shop and picked up some great wine. I am really enjoying Montepulciano wine and it is really affordable. We went out to dinner at a pub right near the hotel. Lousy food but good beer. Tomorrow we meet at 7:00 AM for our early entrance to the Vatican.
We were up early and arrived at the Cooliseum at 7:45 for our 8:15 tour. After some scrambling around, we found out they cancelled our tour, and moved us to the 9:20 tour. We ended up basically hanging around for an hour and a half. The tour of the coliseum was informative, but visually a bit of a disappointment because they had scaffolding everywhere. Next we toured the Forum that was really interesting. After our tour we ate lunch at some whole in the wall with a charismatic owner and great Panninis. We walked around more in the afternoon and enjoyed the backstreets and activity. We met a wonderful older guy who owned a wine shop and picked up some great wine. I am really enjoying Montepulciano wine and it is really affordable. We went out to dinner at a pub right near the hotel. Lousy food but good beer. Tomorrow we meet at 7:00 AM for our early entrance to the Vatican.
Fri Oct 18, 2019 Rome
Met guide buzzed through Vatican City Museums, Sistine Chapel, and the church. We did not have any lines, and it was very easy viewing. We doubled back through to exit and it was so crowded we could barely see the floor. Definitely worth every penny for early admission. Learned a lot of interesting facts about Michael Deangelo, quite a genius. We finished our tour around 11:30 then walked over to Piazza Navano for lunch on the plaza and people watching. Next checked out the Partheon, then walked about a half hour back to hotel. Took a nap then had cocktails and out to a great dinner for our last night in Rome. We stopped back to see our friend at the wine shop and picked up a couple more bottles, then back to hotel.
Met guide buzzed through Vatican City Museums, Sistine Chapel, and the church. We did not have any lines, and it was very easy viewing. We doubled back through to exit and it was so crowded we could barely see the floor. Definitely worth every penny for early admission. Learned a lot of interesting facts about Michael Deangelo, quite a genius. We finished our tour around 11:30 then walked over to Piazza Navano for lunch on the plaza and people watching. Next checked out the Partheon, then walked about a half hour back to hotel. Took a nap then had cocktails and out to a great dinner for our last night in Rome. We stopped back to see our friend at the wine shop and picked up a couple more bottles, then back to hotel.
Sat. Oct 19, 2019 Pogliana de Mar
Very stressful start to day with trying to get out of Rome in rental car. So long Rome, once was definitely enough ! It really felt like noisy, dirty chaos to me. It took us about 6 hours to get to our hotel. When we arrived there was a wedding taking place and it was packed. We escaped down the beach with wine, and were there till about 8:00 pm. We then went the restaurant for a quick bite, and off to bed.
Sat. Oct 19, 2019 Pogliana de Mar
Very stressful start to day with trying to get out of Rome in rental car. So long Rome, once was definitely enough ! It really felt like noisy, dirty chaos to me. It took us about 6 hours to get to our hotel. When we arrived there was a wedding taking place and it was packed. We escaped down the beach with wine, and were there till about 8:00 pm. We then went the restaurant for a quick bite, and off to bed.
Sun. Oct 20, 2019. Pogliana de Mar
A really day today. First we drove to old Old town, Pogliani where after multiple attempts, we found a nice guy who helped us figure out how to use the machines to get a parking sticker. We then wandered around the narrow streets and alleys, and walked around the walled edge that dramatically dropped to the ocean, and revealed lots of little coves and grottos. Next stop was Arebello which was a town full of old trullis.It was fascinating walking on narrow streets lined with trullis. We ate lunch, walked some more, then drove to Ostuni. Ostuni also has a historic area that is all white buildings. Explored that area then headed back toward our hotel. We stopped again in the historic center of Pogliana, and ate dinner at a seafood restaraunt that tables outside overlooking the busy square. We got back in around 8:00 pm, and getting to read till sleepy......