Europe 2017
Mafia
We flew into Paris with Kim, Adam and family and had a 3 hour wait before flying to Torino, where we were picked up by Claude, Michelle and their daughter Emiline, and then headed to our B&B in Montafia to spend a few days visiting with them.
Venice
Ron and I left the kids as they were heading to Annecy to meet up with Kim’s cousin Azure and her family. We took a train to Venice where we got in on the Mardi Gras festivities. Our B&B was close to San Marco Square where we found people strolling about in period costumes and elaborate masks. It was such fun with us feeling like we’d stepped back in time. The Grand Canal was lined with elaborate homes that were fun to get a glimpse of the gorgeous crystal chandeliers at night.
Siena
We arrived in Sienna and had a B&B overlooking farmland with beautiful light in late afternoon, which we toasted with a glass of wine from our outdoor table. The highlight of Sienna was the Duomo in Siena which was completed in 1348. The interior is striking with its black and white marble in alternating stripes. And it just so happens that black and white are the symbolic colors of Siena because of the legendary city founders who rode black and white horses.
Florence
Kim, Adam, Mirabelle and Todd met us in Florence for several days, staying in a wonderful B&B together. We toured the city and went through the Pitti Palace and Museum along with seeing David.
Positano
From Florence we took the train to Naples where friends met us and we all drove together to Positano on the Amalfi Coast, where we shared an incredible B&B on a cliff overlooking the sea. We were fortunate to arrive the week before Easter, as Positano was empty of tourists and the locals were whitewashing the houses and repairing the streets to have everything pristine and beautiful for the Spring and Summer rush. It was so quiet that the small local markets recognized us, and made sure that we remembered certain things they knew we’d bought before!
The group took one excursion with a local guide down the Coast to the Village of Ravello where there were beautiful gardens and views down the Amalfi Coast…spectacular!
Capri
Ron and I decided we couldn’t pass up taking a boat ride to Capri and it was well worth going. Once we arrived we took a chair lift to a small quaint village with tiny shops and views that opened up to the sea. As you looked over the edge and down to the sea you could witness hundreds of birds taking advantage of the updrafts.
Milan
After a week in Positano we flew out of Naples to Milan with Todd and spent the night before he flew back to Calif. Before he left we had time to see The Last Supper, painted by Leonardo da Vinci in the late 15th century. Its size was larger than I expected (15’ 1” x 29’ and was more muted in color from its age.
Paris
We took a plane to Paris from Milan and met up with Kim and Adam to have our last 3 days together strolling the city, and making sure we went to the Carousel!!
