Home Sweet Home

My Italy vacation with Frank has finally come to an end. After a twenty-one hour journey starting in Rome at 4:30 in the morning I am back at home.

I had a really wonderful time on our trip. We spent a while in Rome enjoying the myriad of sights, ate amazing pizza in Naples, explored the ruins of Pompeii and soaked in the beauty of the Amalfi Coast. The best surprise of the trip was how much we loved Sicily and I definitely want to go back there to explore more someday.

I am exhausted and jet lagged but happy. I look forward to sharing some pictures and stories. Now for a little sleep...

Random Sights: Clever Vending Machine Solution in Rome

Earlier this week in Rome as Frank and I were walking from the Spanish Steps to the restaurant we were going to have dinner at, we spotted this clever bit of entrepreneurship. This little shop had closed for the night and pulled down its metal shutter but was still open for selling cigarettes. By cutting a few strategic holes in the metal shutter passersbys could still use the cigarette vending machine. Just to be sure you didn't miss it, there was a lit up blue and white "T" sign indicating a Tabacchi and proclaming it was open 24 hours for self serve. It totally cracked me up!

Random Sights: Smart Car Parking in Rome

While Frank I were in Rome earlier this week we saw a lot of interesting parking jobs to most effectively utilize the limited space available. My particular favorite was the creativity used by two passenger Smart Car drivers.

On several occasions (like this picture I snapped next to Trajan's Forum) the Smart Cars parked perpendicularly on the side of the street where the other cars had parallel parked. Parking flexibility definitely seems to be an advantage of driving a two passanger car!

Off to Italy!

Frank and I are taking off this evening for our Italy trip. Because we booked low mileage frequent flier flights (don't you love free flights?) we are taking a round about way to get there with day layovers in Montreal and Paris. I don't mind at all and actually I am happy about it. I love both cities and getting bonus days there will be fun plus I'll get to try to revive a bit of my high school French.

While I am away I have some posts already planned and I hope to also post a bit on my trip if I have the chance but I want to focus on enjoying my vacation and relaxing. I am really looking forward to this break from work and hope to come back refreshed. I'm also a little stir crazy because it has been almost two months since I've gone out of town. It's time to hit the road!

Do you have any spring or summer vacation plans? Where are you heading? If you don't have any plans, where do you wish you were going?

Heading Back to Italy

Frank and I have been talking about going to Italy this spring and yesterday we booked our tickets for next month. I am really excited. Ten years ago I went to Italy as part of my first trip overseas and I haven't had a chance to go back since then.

On that trip I had a wonderful time roaming about by myself and meeting other travelers along the way. I went hiking between the five tiny fishing villages of Cinque Terre, saw the leaning tower and field of miracles in Pisa and explored the Renaissance art and architecture of Florence. In Rome I was amazed by the ancient ruins at the Colosseum and Forum and fantasized about being Audrey Hepburn in Roman Holiday. I spent a whole day just at the Vatican Museum in Vatican City and strolled along the canals and learned about traditional glass making in Venice. It was an amazing trip that had a profound impact on me and I can't wait to go back.

Frank and I are flying into Rome and then we are thinking of going to Naples and the Amalfi Coast and maybe the hill towns of Central Italy. Have you been to any of these areas? Do you have any recommendations or suggestions? Thirty-one days and counting! Bring on the limoncello!