A tenth visit to Bella Italia proved to be my dream trip to Italy, because this truly was a romantic vacation. I traveled with someone I love, and that made every place we went as a couple, a new experience.
“Italy is a dream that keeps returning for the rest of your life” —Anna Akhmatova
I love this quote by the Russian poet, Anna Akhmatova, because her words ring true for me.
Arriving in Venice, Richard and I not only explored the Grand Canal, St. Mark’s Square, and the Rialto Market, but we experienced a romantic gondola ride. Of course we explored many other smaller magical places in La Serenissima, and we made a few day trips too.
One was to the beautiful city of Verona, only an hour away by train. Here we met up with my cousin Angela and her fiancé, Alessandro, and had a wonderful day together. Much more on that in another post.
We also took a day trip to Bologna, where we had lunch at an outdoor trattoria, and then went to a smaller out-of-the-way place in Emilia-Romagna. Much more on these places in later posts, but until then, enjoy a few photos from these locations.
A fast train transported us to Rome afterward, where we spent six days that went too quickly. You can easily spend a month in Rome, and it wouldn’t be enough.
With our hotel conveniently located near Piazza Navona, it was only a short walk to Campo di Fiori, the Trevi Fountain, and Piazza Venezia, which is dominated by the larger-than-life monument, Vittorio Emanuele II.
A guided tour of the Vatican and an audience with Papa Francesco were some of the highlights, as well as a tour of the lower levels of the Colosseum and the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill. So much more to write about, but that will come later.
And we spent a day with friends, Daniela and Francesco, who showed us around parts of Rome we never saw and treated us to some authentic Roman food where the locals go. Grazie, Daniela and Francesco
One of the days we took the ninety-minute train ride to Florence as a side excursion and despite the rain, we found a wonderful leather shop to hang out in, where the owner even provided Italian beer and wine. We did get to see Michelangelo’s original David in the Accademia. More on our day in Florence later.
After the busy times in the big cities, it was time for relaxation, so we headed to the Amalfi Coast, where we spent five glorious days and nights in the Positano, a paradise on earth.
Waking up to a view of the sea each day made the hundreds of steps we had to climb worth it all. You’ll be able to read all about this adventure in my upcoming book, which is going to my editor this month. After the necessary revisions, I hope My Amalfi Coast Love Affair will be ready for release this fall, so stay tuned. I don’t want to give away too many details just yet.
The final days of our three weeks in Italy ended in Sicily, and Taormina was our home for the last five nights.
Relaxing in this beautiful resort town,and spending time with my Sicilian family, was the highlight of our Sicily travels.
And we made some new friends as well.
Much more to come other than this brief overview, so watch this space.
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I am always eager to know your thoughts, so please leave a comment.
Grazie and Ciao
Cara Perciaccanto
Lovely! What a wonderful trip. I’ve never heard that quote on Italy before – so true!!
margieinitaly
Thank you so much Cara!!
Royalty Yachts
Thanks for sharing a wonderful article Margie! It looks like you had a fantastic time.
margieinitaly
Thank you so much for checking out my blog and taking time to comment. Yes I had a wonderful time as I always do in Italia. I can imagine traveling on a yacht would be an amazing way to see the Amalfi Coast
Stacy di Anna Pollard
Margie <3 I'm so thrilled for you! It does look like a wonderful trip and I look forward to the more detailed posts ahead! Un abbraccio. xo
margieinitaly
Grazie Stacy. Stay tuned!
Coral Waight
Gosh, what a fabulous trip.
margieinitaly
Thanks so much, Coral…I’m still reeling from the memories.
timelessitaly
I am so thrilled for you! What a lovely post and a great guy…looking forward to reading more of your adventures 🙂
margieinitaly
Thank you so much, Susan…It was a lovely time and I will be writing much more..Hope you are doing well, and from all your travel posts, it looks like you are truly enjoying the western part of the USA
Tony
What an awesome trip, so great to share the country you love with a person you love! Thanks for sharing. 🙂
margieinitaly
Thanks so much, Tony. We had a fabulous time together..I always appreciate your support.
Un po' di pepe
Margie you seem to be positively glowing in these photos ❤️❤️❤️ Looking forward to reading more about your trip. Ciao, Cristina.
margieinitaly
Does it show, Cristina? I guess that’s what love can do…Always appreciate your comments here.
Un po' di pepe
Viva l’amore ❤️ ❤️❤️!
margieinitaly
Grazie Cristina
marilyneb
This sounds like an idyllic three weeks Margie! Such a wonderful mixture of sites and how lovely to share it with someone special too!
margieinitaly
Thank you so much, Marilyn..Yes, it was an entirely new experience, and a wonderful one Thanks so much.
Karen DiRienzo
Your trip brings back wonderful memories from 2012 when my husband and I and our two boys spent 4 weeks travelling around Italy to celebrate our 25th wedding anniversary. I can’t help but smile widely as I remember each place we stayed and all the places we visited and wonderful memories we made. The icing on the cash was when we exchanged our wedding vows again, along with my in-laws who were celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary, in the same church they were married in. Your pictures make me long to visit once again (even though I was back in 2014 and 2017).
Margie Miklas
Thanks so much Kathy. I have a smile on my face as I read your comment. Your trip sounds very magical and I know the feeling about always wanting to return. I hope you get to go back soon again. It never gets old
dollygoolsby
We must have been in Italy at the same time…again…I so enjoy reading your blog, as I see some familiar places as well as new ones. I share so many of your feelings about Italy, and I agree, it is so good to share these experiences with someone you love. Congratulations on finding someone who shares your enthusiasm for travel.
margieinitaly
Thanks so much Dolly..I do think our paths crossed…One day we will meet there I am sure…yes it was a wonderful trip. I am reliving it every day…and yours sounds fabulous as well…
JAVINNO T. PURICELLI
Marg its really good to see you doing so well, and you always seem to know how to make me smile… e sono molto grato per le viste mozzafiato di casa davvero. Ogni scena è così pacifica con tale bellezza, quindi assapora ogni momento
margieinitaly
Thank you so much Javinno. I always appreciate your kind words