Mediterranean Memories

The last few days of our trip were relaxing. The included breakfast at our hotel was so special: homemade pastry, cheeses and cured meats, olives and espresso, enjoyed on the terrace overlooking the beach. The chef also offered to make us dinner, and it was the best meal we had in Vietri (meatballs and bruschetta, enjoyed with local wine and house made limoncello, plus cream and strawberries for dessert). We climbed the little streets of Vietri to the more commercial sector and enjoyed shopping for ceramics and souvenirs. The town is known for its beautiful Majolica style ceramics which get incorporated everywhere: the walkways, storefronts, and even the dome of the main church. One afternoon we heard a band of local kids drumming and marching into town - we went down to the square and got to see the performance which was cool. The beach was lovely. We were definitely the palest skinned people around - neither of us tan really so sunscreen was in abundance, and we paid 15 euro for an umbrella and beach chairs. Some American college students wandered onto the beach and the Italian proprietor was trying to get them to pay, but they were confused. I helped them sort out the language barrier which was a gratifying moment. We took the train back to Naples, then another train to Florence. We enjoyed one last pizza, and revisited the Oltrarno part of town, also a cool food market where Ollie had a beer cocktail he enjoyed. I found some handmade vintage shirts in the Santo Spirito piazza, and we watched Italian news in hotel room- lots of shouting and interrupting! We caught up on the final episodes of Succession during the plane ride home, which was fun. Also watched the First Wives Club, which was campy, feminist, and very 90s; I respect that Ollie can enjoy the acting chops of Bette Midler and Diane Keaton. The plane ride was cramped but easy compared to the way there. We are so lucky - the trip of a lifetime!Read more