Truly the land of Pizzas ,Piazzaz,Pisa ,Gelatos, Pastas,Wine and warm (HI-FASHION) people!!!!
My 1st trip to Italy ITS BEEN ALMOST A MONTH now am back but let me tell you I still can't get the thought of the piping hot pastas out of my mind. The country which captivates your senses with its historic significance and the preserves n the relics ---all leave you exhausted from the awe you feel at every step. You just keep wanting more. I officially stepped in the following places- Rome, Florence, Pisa, Maranello, Quarto d'Altino, Treviso, Venice, Vatican & Tivvoli.
The best deal is seeing 2 countries in one trip--yes "Vatican" is officially a different country where the Pope's world is enclosed in the high walls. Its the smalllest country in the world.We visited it twice-one was a day tour -other by ourselves at night since I insisted -ahem!
We stayed in B&Bs in Rome & Florence and they were absolutely gorgeous places impeccably clean. I would suggest Bed & Breakfast stays since you are going to be in your room just at night. Find placesin the city centre always.The 1st thing I noticed when I landed in Italy was that all girls were wearing high boots & was happy as I had packed a pair too. Besides looking stunning the boots serve the purpose of beating the chill brrrrrrr.Bought 3 knit tops, a legging , a shawl & a pair of gloves from Italy.
As soon as we landed we collected our hot wheels from europcar which is conveniently located on the termini walkable distance from the main airport. Drove to Florence and stayed there for the night. Best shopping area is around the station.Not to miss the GALILEO museum here - FEel almost like you a part of history when you are strolling through the museum which houses the crazy &complicated instruments the scientists started exploring space and science with .Huge globes dated A.D. gosh its super dumb to give this a miss. Next day took an open top bus tour & vening went to Pisa clicked loadsa pictures,had amazing & really low priced lipsmacking food sitting just 200mts away in a restaurant overlooking the Leaning Tower.Blisss.
The bus which took us to the tower from the station got stuck in one of the narrow lanes at the turn hahaha. We had to get down a lil ahead of the actual stop.Back to Florence by night.
Next day we started for Maranello-Red town of the Ferrai.Took a tour of the factory & the Ferrari museum.
HIGHLIGHT of THE TRIP-
We drove a ferrari.Ok I didnt!! It was a paid test drive- I got to sit & my hubby drove. The red beast gives you an adrenaline rush like u must hav never felt before.The town was quaint enough with quiet roads and lovely houses with attractive display of colourful flowers on the windows and gardens.
Same evening reached Quarto d'altino-checked in at this gorgeous hotel with even better breakfast.Can't forget the soft, orange jelly centred muffins.We reached around 7pm so decided to explore a town nearby and as advised by the front office helpdesk "again very very courteous & ready to help Italian "went to Treviso.Just 20min drive.
I was absolutely in love with the town, it had cobbled streets, no people on the road but mind you the pubs were OH SO FULL and many handsome old men with their perked up wives were out for dinner. We soaked ourselves in wine and pastas.Every evening the aroma of food just held me by the arm and pulled me towards it. Mesmerising the taste buds & tantalising the senses-in short drivin me nuts-sexy food.
Visited Venice the next day- was a wet day for that part of Italy but we enjoyed it nevertheless.I forgot to take my overcoat so bought a shawl and gloves from Venice to keep me from freezing in the rains.We visited the main sites and then hopped on & off the ferry wherever we felt like and walked inside some of the tiny streets where you almost brush people if there are 2 passing in opposite directions.Crossed the bridges-come on had to do that ..there are so many.It was too crowded the place-
I didnt find it that romantic n mayb thats the reason. By evening back to base Quarto d'altino & had splendid dinner there.
We started for Rome next morning after super awesome breakfast...were plannin on visiting bologna but we had a lazy morning packing and stuff so had to skip as we had to return the car by late afternoon.
We got stuck in a traffic jam on the highway, still don't know the reason but we weren't charged for coming in 2 hrs later than the said time to return the car. So we head to Rome-WATA GORGEOUS PLACE!!
The people have preserved the city ruins so well & made it accessible to the world-no doubt its one of the most visited places on earth!!!The history is ghastly when you listen to the audio guides-I mean I hate history but since it was Rome I was hooked on to the audio guide-it described Julius Ceasar as "not the 1st ruler" but "1st tyrant or dictator" of Rome. They referred to him with unkind words. The history of the Colloseum left the insides of my stomach churning and uncomfortable with the number of fights to death between humans & animals. There were many "Gladiators" and "Julius Ceasars" spread all over the vicinity waiting to pose with tourists.Their get-up was to impress and they get tipped generously.
2days of Rome and 3rd half of the day we visited the VAtican-What a secluded place enclosed by really high walls. They run their own country without interference from Rome.The St.Peters Basilica is the most humoungous at the same time delicately & minutely detailed structure I have ever seen. So much art & architecture.Spell bounding works of Michealangelo sculptures, Rafael frescos, Trojan horse, Greek statues , Egyptian sphinx, Caravaggio painting--phew its a Classic piece of beauty born from the hardwork of the skilled artists. Hats off to them for creating these works of love-love & passion for the skills they were blessed with.
You can walk a lot & see most of the places in Roma or they are just 10min away by the effecient metro or bus.
We had were guided by the owner of teh place we stayed in Rome -his name was Emmanuelle. He gave us a map and told us exactly how we should spend our 4days in Rome. The most amazing favour he could do ever ---was to impart the the address of restaurants which are frequented by the Italians & BOY were THEY good OR what!!
slurrppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppppp-lipsmacking food & Vino.
Most of the nights we were high on house Wine heehee. There's hardly a place in Italy where you an find bad food - you could try defend that.
The last day we chose to travel to Tivolli-city of fountains instead of Capri islands. Thanks to this Swedish lady we got talking to at the b & b reception.She said its a must visit destination and is a treat to the eyes.Emmanuel was quick to bring up the pictures of this place on his desktop & as soon as we laid our eyes on them we decided to put that on out itinerary. Well Capri isalnds & Sicilia would be on our agenda on our leisure trip maybe few years down the line.
Tivolli had the most amazing landscaped garden in front a castle standing tall on a hill. So basically I went a town on a hill-which I secretly was wishing I cud visit while on the way back from Quarto d'altino on the highway---We saw some mind blowing small towns far far away -cast away in the cozy arms of huge huge mountains & thats when I felt wish we could actually walk around in one of those mysteriously tucked away villages. So here we were on the station of Tivolli very very few people on the station except the noisy bunch of students who got off-probably architects or painters in the making-desserted station.
We walked towards the city -actually just followed the people who got off with us heehee. Reached signboards and found directions for "Villa d'este" the most sort after fountain garden there. Had to walk quite a few steps and had to struggle a walk uphill .THE PLACE-It was "Oh my GAwd" .Beautiful is an understatement. Thank u aunty from Sweden. You are the best.What crazy fountains and what a design -ok check this I dont have words to explain the experience----http://www.villadestetivoli.info/storiae.htm
We visited the Pantheon square twice & one evening just sat there to watch people and hear the guitarist just sitting in the middle of the road & playing his electronic instrument .He was talented & the music carried me n teh rest of the audience away to another magical place .
So m back from Italia but still lost somewhere in the small towns and museums and music notes out of nowhere and most indefinitely in a food coma.Did SHOP a bit though that wasn't on the agenda but hey visiting the country which hosts the unveiling of the latest seasons trends & not shopping -doesn't make sense to the Shopaholic me ;)
Italia has successfuly taken the place Paree held in my heart & am not at all being biased here.
Italian food, history, warm people & hi-fashion -all overtake the French in every sense.
