The hotel managed to have breakfast ready for us despite our early departure. Six of us were on the same flight to Newark. Going to the airport via boat is a different experience in and of itself. My suitcase was double stacked and I kept thinking how it could easily flip into the sea. After docking at the airport, however, the rest of the trip was ordinary- – thank goodness.
Getting to the gate was hassle free. I took some time shopping at the duty free shop for a bottle of wine for Jonathan. I used an app Paul Benfer had told me about called Vivino. It rates the quality of wine and I succeeded in finding a really good bottle at a decent price. Meanwhile, the airline needed more overhead bin space so they offered to check extra bags for free all the way through to your final destination. We said yes, and had one less bag to carry, with the bottle of wine safely wrapped in clothing.
Nothing of interest to relate from this point on because our flights were on time, customs were nonexistent, all of our luggage arrived, and our driver was waiting for us in Cleveland. It was great getting home that evening.
On the flight home Dan and I shared a few thoughts about our trip to Italy. I’ve listed them below.
1. Fresh is best whether it is pasta, tomatoes, olive oil, fruit, balsamic vinegar, pastry, cheese or wine.
2. It is very easy to get run over. Cars and motorcycles travel on narrow streets that should be reserved for people only.
3. Italy has more restaurants per square foot than anywhere else on earth. Restaurants could be found even in the darkest alleyways.
4. Highway rest stops in Italy are fantastic.
5. There are more churches per square foot than anywhere else in the world.
6. There is far too much to see.
7. The people are friendly. We would be standing reading our map when someone would stop to help us, and even lead us to where we wanted to go.
8. There is really no major difference between a 3 star hotel and a 5 star hotel in Italy, except for marble and chandeliers.
9. You need time to see Italy. It would be nice to stay in a place for a number of days in order to see the sights and then just enjoy being there.
10. Maps and street signs do not always match. Many streets are not labeled, or the name of the street keeps on changing as you move along it.
11. There were lines for gelato regardless of time of day. We had some almost every day.
12. The Italian designs for both women’s and men’s clothing were very colorful, and mostly nothing most of us would wear. This was especially true of high end stores.
13. Wealthy families ruled different parts of Italy for centuries, many of whom were tied to the Popes, and thus Christianity. Popes essentially became emperors and their friends and families benefited. Basically, it was a take off from the Roman emperors. Over the centuries there were constant power struggles between families, and this could be seen in the structure of their buildings, towns, and artwork.
14. For a Catholic country there was a large amount of nudity in public statues and paintings. We’ve never seen so many penises and breasts in a 3 week period.
15. Italy you find history, art, food, and culture everywhere you travel, and everywhere you look. Italy has kept much of what it was in the past in order to make it what it is today.
16. Italy is romantic…a place to return to.
BY THE WAY WITH WENDY & DAN 