Greetings.

Over the last couple of weeks we looked at both cultural and ‘touristy’ reasons for going to Italy.  We talked about some customs it might be helpful to know and we wrestled with some ideas that might get in the way of our selecting Italy as our destination.   With those things out of the way, we can now start focusing on some of Italy’s major cities.  Cominciamo con Roma!  (Let’s start with Rome!)

Not only is Rome the capital of Italy, at one time it was considered the capital of the world.  While it may not still be considered such, it still is a magnificent, laid back piece of history, architecture, and cuisine that will play with your senses and forbid you to release its memory.  There is an air about the city that suggests to today’s traveler that it’s time to slow down and relax for a while. I can think of no better place to sit and people-watch…to appreciate the aromas coming from the sidewalk café while enjoying a long lunch; to listen to the sound of the people chatting and the traffic buzzing by.  In Rome you feel ‘cool’ just for being there.

Don’t spend all you time at the cafés though.  The attractions in Rome are numerous and not to be missed.  For example, The Colosseum, the ancient stadium that is surely one of the most recognizable pieces of architecture on the planet.  Back in the day, Christians and gladiators literally fought to the death here, sadly to say, for the entertainment of others.  The ruins are a breathtaking sight to behold both day and night.  Along these same lines is The Forum, once the heart of the Roman Empire.

The Pantheon, not to be confused with Greece’s Parthenon as I once did on one of Mr. Gray’s tests, is a wonderfully preserved Roman building from the second century A.D.  It is a domed structure whose size is only exceed by Florence’s Duomo which was built some 13 centuries later.

Then there’s the Vatican City.  Not just a city, it is a tiny little nation of its own right in Rome.  We’ll discuss it in depth in a later blog.

If you’re looking for something romantic, as you must while in Rome, get to the Trevi Fountain and toss in some coins.  Toss one and legend says you’ll be sure to return.  Toss two and you’re sure to fall in love with an Italian.  (As far as I know you can return multiply times…for insurance.)

Oh, speaking of insurance: don’t forget to buy some for your trip…$85 to $115 for normal stuff, but certain risky behaviors will have you paying a little more for add-ons.

Così desiderare per ora.  (So long for now.)

Che la bella sera di progettare una vacanza italiana!  (What a beautiful evening to be planning an Italian vacation!)  Can you believe another week has passed and it’s time to talk about Italy again?  This time we’ll talk about a couple of things that go hand-in-hand:

      1.       Factors that motivate travelers to pick Italy as their vacation destination
        2.       Possible fears and misgivings/misconceptions that might tend to unmotivated them

Let’s consider the more motivating assets of an Italy excursion first.  Within Europe, you really can’t find a country with a more ancient background.  Cave drawings have been found dating back to 8,000BC.  Old castles, cathedrals, and villas dot the countryside making the landscape panoramic splendor.  Then there’s the food…Ooo-La-La…just thinking about the pasta, pizza, and wine makes the mouth water.

If you’re on a religious quest, and you happen to be catholic, Italy is considered the mecca for Christian pilgrimages.  And the art: the beauty and history of the paintings that reside there, such as Bernini sculptures, works by Michelangelo, and so many more, are unsurpassed. 

There’s the Italian Rivera in the south with its great beaches and snow skiing in the winter in the north.  There’s unbelievable shopping.  Italian leather and jewelry are world renown.  Some of the finest resorts can be found in Italy.  And who knows, maybe you can look up your long-lost cousin Guido as many Americans can trace their roots back to Italy.

After all that, who could have misgivings about heading off to somewhere Italian?  Well, some travelers do have concerns, but most are unfounded or are just outdated notions.  For example:  some think there’s a lot of crime; but most are small time things and you can protect yourself by taking normal precautions.  Some think it’s too hot; not in the autumn and spring.  Some say, “The drivers in major cities are crazy.”  Don’t drive. In Italy, you will be the crazy driver.  Public transportation is very good and accessible.

And lastly, some people worry that it’s too expensive.  Hellllooooo…it’s Italy!  Of course it’s expensive but it’s so worth it.  Pre-planned group tours and selected cruises can bring the cost down some.  But, it’s important to remember that vacationing in Italy can be the experience of a lifetime.  As for me, I say, “Go big or stay home!” 

Arrivederci per ora.  (Goodbye for now.)

Ciao, i miei amici!  (Hello, my friends!)

As we’re preparing to anticipate traveling in Italy, I thought I would start with some general information; some ‘no-frills data’, if you will, for the next couple of blogs.  Before we get to the real ‘meat & potatoes’ of big cities and their attractions.  Let’s look at some “Cultural Patterns of Italy”:

·         As you’re traveling from the north to the south, one thing that will be important to remember is that the pace of daily life in northern Italy is faster than it is in the southern portion of the country.  So, don’t be frustrated when suddenly no one seems to be in a hurry to do and/or get anywhere.

·         Don’t hurry your meals…in any part of Italy.  And, try always to eat everything you are served.  At dinner, you’ll have plenty of time to do just that as dinners are much longer than in the United States, and are really more social events than meals.  Lunches are the biggest meal of the day and they too are spaced out accordingly.

·         If you’ll be attending to any business on your trip, ‘dress for success’.  Wear your best clothes.  Italians consider it a matter of great personal pride to wear their finest clothing when conducting business.

·         If you’re lucky enough to be invited to an Italian home, take the host or hostess a small gift to show your appreciation.

·         And, here’s a funky little tidbit to note: Should you raise your index finger to a bartender intending to imply you’d like another drink, you’ll likely get two more.  In North America that gesture might mean one, but in Italy it means two.  The thumb is always counted as one.

·         Remember to add a little extra gratuity to your bill for the waiter even though there may be a service charge already included.  And, tips for most service-related jobs  are expected.

Next time we’ll cover some motivating factors for visiting Italy…and address some common concerns among travelers.  Fino ad allora, arrivederci.  (Until then, good-bye.)

Now that I fully understand the purpose of this nice blog that I’ve created, I can really concentrate on it.  My subject matter for the entire quarter is to be Italy.  How great is that?  It will feed my desire to travel there, as well as help others learn about this fascinating, history-filled country.
First some basic facts:

·         Capital: Rome

·         Time Zone: GMT +1  (Or, for those in Louisville: +6 hours)

·         You drive on the Right, not the Left as in England

·         Major Religion: Roman Catholic

·         Language: Italian

·         Currency: the Euro

Rome wasn’t built in a day, you know.  It was settled around 800 B.C.  Later, parts of Italy were controlled by France, Austria, and Spain until it was unified in 1861. Since that time, there have been many political and governmental changes with a few controversies thrown in to keep things interesting.

In upcoming posts, I will talk a little about: the Italian Riviera; some of the major cities like Rome, Florence, Venice, Milan; the food; the people; and perhaps the unexpected.   And, we’ll learn about some of the tourist attractions that make the entire country a travel destination point, not just one area.

Ciò è tutto per ora...Arrivederci.  (That’s all for now…Goodbye.)

April 02, 2012

Well, shall we begin?  Our first week of discovery centered on The United Kingdom and Ireland.  I was thrilled that this was my first assignment as England is the only place outside of the United States that I have traveled.  The year was 1996 and I chose England for the same reasons a lot of travelers do: familiar language and culture. 

Our tour took us through Central and Southern England where we saw many of the great tourist attractions.  In London we visited the Tower of London and saw the Crown Jewels.  We went to Westminster Abbey, Piccadilly Circus, and Hyde Park.  We saw the changing of guards, Buckingham Palace, and Big Ben.  So, you can see why covering all these, and more, was a little nostalgic for me. 

Additionally, it was good to finally have certain terms clarified for me.  I’ve always used the term United Kingdom and now I correctly know that encompasses the four countries of England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland.  (Yes, Northern Ireland is not just a region in Ireland; it is its own country.)  Great Britain is made up of the three connected countries of England, Wales, and Scotland.  Ireland, as the Farmer-in-the-Dell might say, is the geographical version of ‘the cheese that stood alone’.  It is a country all to itself and the Irish will thank-you to remember that.  It is not part of Great Britain or the United Kingdom.

That’s all for now….Next week I will share some tidbits about France.  Don’t miss it.  Pat F.

April 01, 2012

This is the first day of the first blog I've ever done in my life. It's just one of the many firsts I had this week. Returning to college as a Senior Citizen – (jeepers I hate to admit that) – has been both exciting and challenging for me.  While I admit that still contemplating ‘what I want to be when I grow up’ is humbling, it’s also exhilarating to know there are so many avenues open to me. 

While produced for others to read, this blog will also help me to absorb ‘mass quantities’ of information about the subjects at hand.  Wish me luck and follow along as I let you in on what I'm learning about Eurasian Geography…from a textbook standpoint as well as from the perspective of a soon-to-be-traveling great-grandmother.  Pat F.