Currently traveling

Feb 2019 – Aug 2025

Italy Part II

Yes, I'm going back to Italy, this time going north from Rome - Tuscany!! Can you say WINE!!
I will be traveling the Tuscan Countryside for 9 days in early April. Should be a beautiful Spring trip.
PS - Jerry is coming too! Read more

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Traveler Italy Part II
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- Day 43
- Tuesday, April 9, 2019 at 4:47 AM
- 🌙 7 °C
- Altitude: 8 m
- Italy Fiumicino International Airport 41.79667, 12.2416741°47’48” N 12°14’30” E
Home at last
April 9, 2019 in Italy ⋅ 🌙 7 °C
Made up some time in route to Charlotte, but on our approach a line of thunderstorms was rolling in. No one is allowed on the tarmac when there's thunder and lightning. We skirted around for a bit, but as we had been flying for 10+ hours, we didn't have fuel for long. Landed soon after, then had to wait for gate to clear. Customs was a nice little hike, wait, grab luggage and declare what you are bringing back into the States. Good thing my wine is being shipped. Peggy was hanging out in the cell phone lot, so she was right there. Now home at last... little something to eat and off to bed.Read more
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Traveler Italy Part II
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- Day 43
- Tuesday, April 9, 2019 at 4:47 AM
- 🌙 7 °C
- Altitude: 8 m
- Italy Fiumicino International Airport 41.79667, 12.2416741°47’48” N 12°14’30” E
Departure delayed
April 9, 2019 in Italy ⋅ 🌙 7 °C
Got up early to see my great roommate Lindsey Martin, arrivederci!
Now to wait... flight home to Charlotte is delayed 1 1/2 hrs.
Yes, Peggy, I have more than a tshirt packed in our new suitcase for you plus...
See you on the other side of the pond!Read more
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- Day 42
- Monday, April 8, 2019 at 1:28 PM
- ⛅ 16 °C
- Altitude: 8 m
- Italy Pons Cestius 41.89, 12.4783341°53’24” N 12°28’42” E
Farewell dinner
April 8, 2019 in Italy ⋅ ⛅ 16 °C
Another awesome 'Be My Guest' experience, dinner at Chef Fabio's home on Tiberina Island.
Greeted by Chef Fabio with Prosecco and cheese pinwheels in the lower level then to the upper loft area where dinner is prepared for us; lasagna, saltabacco, roasted potatoes and tiramisu, each dish paired with 2 lovely wines.
Was wonderful to be back here, I was able to do a pasta making class in November. An amazing experience too.Read more
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- Day 42
- Monday, April 8, 2019 at 12:26 PM
- ⛅ 15 °C
- Altitude: 76 m
- Italy Ludovisi 41.90932, 12.4903341°54’34” N 12°29’25” E
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All roads lead to Rome...
April 8, 2019 in Italy ⋅ ⛅ 15 °C
Pulled out of Montecatini this morning and headed back to Rome where we will spend one night before flying home. We were dropped off for a brief walking trip to the parthenon & trevi fountain. Then a quick lunch and some shopping. Checked in for the night, now off to our farewell dinner.Read more
Traveler New shades
4/8/19Reply
TravelerHope your enjoying this trip! Not as much as ours but....😁
4/8/19Reply
TravelerNov. was an amazing experience. We went to Fabio's but didn't get to make pasta there. Showed Fabio my pictures from our visit
4/9/19Reply
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Traveler Italy Part II
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- Day 41
- Sunday, April 7, 2019 at 5:40 PM
- ⛅ 15 °C
- Altitude: 38 m
- Italy Galleria D'Arte Bentivegna 43.88384, 10.769243°53’2” N 10°46’9” E
2
Oh the food and wine
April 7, 2019 in Italy ⋅ ⛅ 15 °C
Amazing wine pairing throughout our meal!
Traveler Did Jerry enjoy?
4/8/19Reply
Traveler Not as much as Nov
4/8/19Reply
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Traveler Italy Part II
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- Day 41
- Sunday, April 7, 2019 at 5:34 PM
- ⛅ 15 °C
- Altitude: 38 m
- Italy Galleria D'Arte Bentivegna 43.88381, 10.7691843°53’2” N 10°46’9” E
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Then there was dinner
April 7, 2019 in Italy ⋅ ⛅ 15 °C
Enjoyed an incredible meal with Libero and his son at Villa Machiavelli. Started with a Limoncello-Prosecco followed by a tour of their old cellar and beautiful garden. Upstairs to a private dining room where we enjoyed wine pairing with appetizers, meats & cheese, crostini, gnocchi, pasta, roasted potatoes and Prime Rib. Delicious. Bring on the Prosecco for dessert of panna cotta and tiramisu. Glad I wasn't driving... love their Prosecco!!!!Read more
Traveler You have found your happy place
4/7/19Reply
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Traveler Italy Part II
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- Day 41
- Sunday, April 7, 2019 at 5:06 PM
- ⛅ 14 °C
- Altitude: 38 m
- Italy Galleria D'Arte Bentivegna 43.88385, 10.769243°53’2” N 10°46’9” E
More of Florence
April 7, 2019 in Italy ⋅ ⛅ 14 °C
It's been a great day!
TravelerWith that new piece of Luggage - I better be getting something more than a T-shirt
4/8/19Reply
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Traveler Italy Part II
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- Day 41
- Sunday, April 7, 2019 at 5:02 PM
- ⛅ 14 °C
- Altitude: 38 m
- Italy Galleria D'Arte Bentivegna 43.88387, 10.769243°53’2” N 10°46’9” E
Florence, Italy
April 7, 2019 in Italy ⋅ ⛅ 14 °C
Today we had a full day in Florence. Walking tour, lots of statues and churches then a little lunch & shopping; all between rain showers and rainbows.
Looks amazing
4/7/19Reply
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- Day 40
- Saturday, April 6, 2019 at 4:00 PM
- ☀️ 11 °C
- Altitude: Sea level
- Italy Spiaggia Velico Pietrabianca 43.35719, 10.4365443°21’26” N 10°26’12” E
Siena
April 6, 2019 in Italy ⋅ ☀️ 11 °C
Last stop before heading back to Montecatini. Time for walking, Prosecco, and snuck into the Basilica of St. Dominic.
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- Day 40
- Saturday, April 6, 2019 at 1:00 PM
- ☀️ 14 °C
- Altitude: 45 m
- Italy Galleria D'Arte Bentivegna 43.88358, 10.769643°53’1” N 10°46’11” E
Be My Guest
April 6, 2019 in Italy ⋅ ☀️ 14 °C
A great opportunity to dive into the Countryside and be the guests of the Lenzi family for a tour, meal and tasting of their estate wines. Magnificent! Husband and wife, along with their daughter, who is the chef shared their history, wines, and served us a wonderful meal.
Beautiful experience, just another must do!Read more
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- Day 40
- Saturday, April 6, 2019 at 10:00 AM
- 🌧 16 °C
- Altitude: Sea level
- North Atlantic Ocean 39.68799, -34.220239°41’17” N 34°13’13” W
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San Gimignano
April 6, 2019, North Atlantic Ocean ⋅ 🌧 16 °C
Morning edition- San Gimignano beautiful view from the roadside stop: vineyard, church, and friends. When we arrived we took a stroll to the center of this quaint village. World famous gelato was a great treat, pretty storefronts, excellent meats and cheeses-which we made into an indoor picnic.Read more
Traveler Yummy
4/7/19Reply
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- Day 39
- Friday, April 5, 2019 at 5:15 PM
- ⛅ 15 °C
- Altitude: 41 m
- Italy Galleria D'Arte Bentivegna 43.88397, 10.7693343°53’2” N 10°46’10” E
Regional meal in Montecarlo (Italy)
April 5, 2019 in Italy ⋅ ⛅ 15 °C
Another amazing experience, Regional dinner at a family estate: vineyard & olive grove.
After a walk to the vineyard and an explanation of the olive press, we headed into dinner: bread, meats and cheese, olives, barley soup, sauteed veggies, roasted potatoes, grilled chicken, ribs, and sausage... wines of course with biscotti to finish with. Such a terrific way to meet the locals and see their way of life. Trafalgar has many of these experiences on most of their itineraries. We even met a group that was on a Costsaver tour which included this meal. Something for everyone!Read more
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- Day 39
- Friday, April 5, 2019 at 12:09 PM
- ⛅ 12 °C
- Altitude: 41 m
- Italy Galleria D'Arte Bentivegna 43.88386, 10.7694243°53’2” N 10°46’10” E
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Pisa and Vinci
April 5, 2019 in Italy ⋅ ⛅ 12 °C
Rain has moved out and we are given blue skies for today's adventures: Pisa - yes, where the tower is still leaning, tho some angles not so much. Then down the Countryside to Vinci, birthplace of Leonardo. Very picturesque, full of history and nestled between olive groves. Nice stop for a snack and glass of wine. Tonight we have a regional meal at a local home. We'll see how they press olives into oil, grapes into wine and enjoy a traditional meal.Read more
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- Day 38
- Thursday, April 4, 2019 at 3:41 PM
- 🌧 13 °C
- Altitude: 38 m
- Italy Galleria D'Arte Bentivegna 43.88381, 10.769243°53’2” N 10°46’9” E
Cinque Terre
April 4, 2019 in Italy ⋅ 🌧 13 °C
Pictures, postcards, stories cannot full explain the beauty of this area. The vineyards terraced on the hill side, the colorful homes and storefronts, the coastline and force of the Mediterranean..... it is an experience you must see in person! As part of this tour during warmer weather you will arrive in La Spezia and take a boat between the 5 (cinque) villages. We walked, and walked, and walked some more then took the train to the farthest village. Toured there and had a simple lunch and gelato. Took the train back to La Spezia where our motorcoach brought us safely to Hotel Columbia. Little wine shared with new friends and fun time at dinner. More adventures tomorrow so off to bed.
One thing I really like about this travel style is we are staying at the Hotel Columbia for 6 nights... there is so much to explore from here within an hour or so drive it's a great location.Read more
TravelerWere you able to see it lit up at night?
4/4/19Reply
That's how I felt. Never felt like the pictures (which were beautiful) did justice to the spectatulr experienc we had! I felt that way about the Vatican in particular.
4/4/19Reply
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- Day 37
- Wednesday, April 3, 2019 at 5:24 PM
- 🌧 15 °C
- Altitude: 41 m
- Italy Galleria D'Arte Bentivegna 43.88397, 10.7695543°53’2” N 10°46’10” E
Pasta and wine
April 3, 2019 in Italy ⋅ 🌧 15 °C
If you're going to make me work for my lunch, then you better provide wine and Prosecco!
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- Day 37
- Wednesday, April 3, 2019 at 5:20 PM
- 🌧 15 °C
- Altitude: 38 m
- Italy Galleria D'Arte Bentivegna 43.88384, 10.7692443°53’2” N 10°46’9” E
Fresh market and pasta making
April 3, 2019 in Italy ⋅ 🌧 15 °C
Montecatini morning was cloudy, rained a bit on our way to the fresh market in Florence. Met Chef Libero and Rosa. We broke into groups of 5 or 6 and were given a list of a few items needed for our cooking lesson and lunch- in Italian.... they did give us Euros to purchase the items. Once we translated our list consisted of red onions, bunch of Rosemary and Sage. Mission accomplished. We the wandered through the market looking at all their fresh meats, cheeses, breads, and fruits. After enjoying bread and stuffed sun dried tomatoes we got back on the coach to Libero's restaurant & estate vineyard. Warmly welcomed with a glass of blue champagne! Yes, blue, hint of raspberries.
On to pasta making. Donned in apron and hairnet sous caps, we got to work making ravioli for our lunch. Also made a panzinela salad, zuppa and biscuits (what I would call biscotti).
Amazing wine tasting with starters of fried squash blossoms, crostini & fried polenta.
Rained while we ate and drank then the sky cleared and we had a beautiful drive back to the Hotel Columbia.Read more
TravelerSounds like and awesome day
4/4/19Reply
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- Day 37
- Wednesday, April 3, 2019 at 3:01 AM
- ⛅ 10 °C
- Altitude: 38 m
- Italy Galleria D'Arte Bentivegna 43.88387, 10.7692243°53’2” N 10°46’9” E
Food and Views
April 3, 2019 in Italy ⋅ ⛅ 10 °C
Wonderful dinner last night in beautiful Montecatini. Cloudy today with a chance of PASTA!
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- Day 36
- Tuesday, April 2, 2019 at 8:05 PM
- ⛅ 16 °C
- Altitude: 38 m
- Italy Galleria D'Arte Bentivegna 43.88383, 10.7691843°53’2” N 10°46’9” E
Last post for today... Tuscany
April 2, 2019 in Italy ⋅ ⛅ 16 °C
Seemed like a long drive but now in Tuscany for 6 nights. Great hotel near the town square, explored enough to get a nice dinner and a few glasses of Prosecco. Once my phone and tablet sync I'll post food and wine pics.Read more
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- Day 36
- Tuesday, April 2, 2019 at 2:48 AM
- ☁️ 8 °C
- Altitude: 38 m
- Vatican City Pigna Courtyard 41.90667, 12.4533341°54’24” N 12°27’12” E
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From the Vatican to Tuscany
April 2, 2019 in Vatican City ⋅ ☁️ 8 °C
Early wake up and breakfast then off to do the Vatican museums, St. Peter's basilica and Colosseum. Definitely must do Vatican city with a skip the line pass, early admission too. Not very crowded when we got in, but long lines formed quickly. Amazing sculptures, tapestries, paintings and views. After lunch of Caprese salad, headed to the Colosseum then north.Read more
Traveler For Joshua Gregory Gregory 😉
4/7/19Reply
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- Day 36
- Tuesday, April 2, 2019 at 2:11 AM
- ⛅ 8 °C
- Altitude: 38 m
- Vatican City Pigna Courtyard 41.90667, 12.4533341°54’24” N 12°27’12” E
Vatican
April 2, 2019 in Vatican City ⋅ ⛅ 8 °C
Jerry made it in also!
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- Day 35
- Monday, April 1, 2019 at 4:26 PM
- ⛅ 19 °C
- Altitude: 79 m
- Italy Ludovisi 41.90917, 12.4905141°54’33” N 12°29’26” E
More pictures
April 1, 2019 in Italy ⋅ ⛅ 19 °C
So many pictures, so little space. Penguins only allows 6 pictures at a time. Here's a few more.
TravelerIf you pay the yearly subscription, they will give you 10 per footprint plus 2 videos of up to 60 secs each. Only $20 per year
4/1/19Reply
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- Day 35
- Monday, April 1, 2019 at 4:07 PM
- ⛅ 19 °C
- Altitude: 79 m
- Italy Ludovisi 41.90921, 12.4904941°54’33” N 12°29’26” E
1
Rome and dinner at San Marco
April 1, 2019 in Italy ⋅ ⛅ 19 °C
Best way to end the day; pizza and vino after a quick circle around the city. Off to bed, early wakeup call so we can beat the crowd and have an early entrance into the Vatican.
Yum, I love a good Sangiovese!
4/2/19Reply
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- Day 35
- Monday, April 1, 2019 at 9:47 AM
- ☀️ 11 °C
- Altitude: 79 m
- Italy Ludovisi 41.90916, 12.4905141°54’33” N 12°29’26” E
Hotel Victoria
April 1, 2019 in Italy ⋅ ☀️ 11 °C
No April fools day here, greet this morning to another beautiful sunny day. Moved to the Hotel Victoria and meet a few of the other agents. Took a stroll around this side of the city, made it to the top of the Spanish steps and weaved our way through Villa Borghese and a street front cafe for a light lunch and wine! Tonight we will see an overview of Rome, dinner at a nearby pizzarelli and early night. We have early morning skip the line passes to the Vatican and museums.
More later.Read more
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- Day 34
- Sunday, March 31, 2019 at 2:18 PM
- ☀️ 19 °C
- Altitude: 76 m
- Italy Piazza della Repubblica 41.90495, 12.5001841°54’18” N 12°30’1” E
Roma
March 31, 2019 in Italy ⋅ ☀️ 19 °C
Arrived to a beautiful sunny day! After 55 minutes waiting to clear the passport screening, went to get my suitcase I had checked it in CLT, less to keep up with, I had a moment of panic when it was not on the belt, but when I went back, it was there, just upside down and I couldn't see my luggage tag. Anyway, my transfer driver was so patient, helped me find it then off we went. Gorgeous day for drive... he pointed out some sites along the way and showed me how close Santa Maria church was to my hotel... so after checking in, changing clothes I head off to 6p Mass, all in Italian of course, but mass is the same in any language, and I actually understood quite a bit. Way back to the hotel I popped in a corner market for a bottle of water and a bottle of Prosecco (when in Rome). Right across the street from the hotel is a great little Familia Pizzeria - my dinner consisted of pasta la pesto, chianti, & tiramisu. Great start to a great upcoming week!Read more
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- Day 33
- Saturday, March 30, 2019 at 3:48 PM
- ⛅ 24 °C
- Altitude: 222 m
- United States Charlotte Douglas International Airport 35.22055, -80.9405735°13’14” N 80°56’26” W
Now to wait
March 30, 2019 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 24 °C
Head into Charlotte early to enjoy this beautiful day with my sister Peggy. She can't join me on this trip but hopefully the next one.
CLT airport was easier to get to then other times and then I get TSA precheck. Now to wait, boarding starts at 545p.Read more
TravelerDid you use the Parking Spot?
3/30/19Reply
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