Recently, Susan and I were filling out forms for what was to us a new website - www.tripadvisor.com. During a discussion about places we have been, and places we'd like to go, we began to formulate a plan for a group trip to celebrate a milestone birthday.
As these things usually do, it took on a life of its own, so we've begun sending out rough itineraries for a trip to Italy scheduled for about 18 month from now. We don't expect that everyone will do the same trip, and maybe no one will do it all, but for the time being it'll be fun to plan for it.
So, as of today we're looking to start our part of the trip by flying from Chicago to Zurich, Switzerland. Zurich is an amazing city with great restaurants, good transportation and fantastic shopping. From Zurich we head to the lake country around Varenna, Italy.
After a day or so in Varenna, we head back to one of our favorites - Venice. We went to Venice in 2005 and were so taken by the city that we can't wait to get back, while it's above water. The trip from Venice to Florence is a relatively short jaunt by train.
Florence is one of Italy's truly fantastic cities. The history, art, culture and food are absolutely top shelf. I suspect that no one will see more than just a slice of Firenze in the 3 days that we'll be there, but it's still worth the trip.
From Florence, we're off to Rome - the Vatican City, Colisseum, Spanish Steps, Trevi Fountain, and about 3000 years of history. I'm really looking forward to this part of the trip - never been there before.
Next, we'll be off to the Isle of Capri by way of Naples. Susan has always wanted to go there, and where she wants to go so do I. But, the best part of the trip from her point of view may be the next couple of days in Ravello, along the Amalfi Coast. We're hoping to book a class at Mama Agata's cooking school. From the pictures at her website, it is glorious location with the opportunity to learn to cook Italian style from an expert.
Finally, we'll head back to Rome to catch a return flight to Chicago. Of course, who knows? We could head back up north to the Cinque Terre (Five Lands) in Northwestern Italy, or maybe Lake Como or, well let's save that for another day
Day 1 Travel to Zurich, Switzerland
Day 2 Arrive in Zurich http://www.frommers.com/destinations/zurich/
Day 3 Train to Varenna, Italy
Day 4 Day in Varenna http://www.varennaitaly.com/english.html
Day 5 Train to Venice
Day 6 Day in Venice http://www.venetia.it/
Day 7 Train to Florence
Day 8-9 Free Days in Florence http://www.italyguides.it/us/florence/florence_italy.ht
Day 10-11 Rome http://romeitaly.ca/
Day 12-13 Isle of Capri http://www.capri.com/
Day 14-15 Ravello http://www.sorrentoinfo.com/surrounding/ravello_italy.htm
Day 16 train to Rome
Day 17 Return to US
The web addresses are listed just as starting places for you to look at - from there, you're on your own.
3 comments:
Susie & Dean,
What a fantastically cute couple! You are conjuring up magic. I'm wondering. If the Lithuanian relatives don't make it to America, if they might consider joining their relatives in Italy?
Love to you both!
Pam & Tom
It is a possibility - and certainly would require less paperwork for them, but we'll have to work on interpreters
Lithuanian Classes, anyone?
Susan
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