You see it all started way back in Australia. Yeah, I know...what does the land down under have to do with small group tours through bella Italy? Without writing the proverbial novel let me just say Australia and her frontier-spirit played a huge role in the development of my love for Italy. It was this sense of discovery and independence that led me to Italy. I have a large family of uncles and aunts many of whom lived during World War II. The uncles were well traveled as defenders of freedom and the European theater played a huge role for them. My Dad was in the Pacific theater and I have another chapter planned for him and that region of the world.
Anyway to get back on point, Italy was everything I had hoped for: authentic people who were passionate about living, great food and delicious wine, and scenery that was out of a storybook - pun intended. Thus Italy's Great Cities Tour was birthed because of how truly great the cities I discovered on my first time to Italy were! Venice was and is magical. Folks who haven't been there may have heard how stinky August can be or dirty some of the sidewalks can be...well it's true, but if you go to your own downtown I'm sure you can find something equivalent. And can you believe some folks don't even want to try Venice? I think this is what we would call, closed-minded fools. Venice is alive and thriving even though it's still sinking and many of its population now live on the Mestre, or mainland. But it's worth seeing and it's magnificent.
Florence, birthplace of the renaissance is probably the most-favored city for the majority of travelers. It's up there for me, too, as it boasts a medieval feel and invites you to explore while also saying, "have a seat in my shadows and enjoy a good chat!"
San Gimignano is a hill town in Tuscany known for its towers. It had at one time something around 70+ towers but the plague, earthquakes, power plays and politicians ensured their demise. Now around 12 towers remain and the town is lovely. It features a gellateria that has won the country's best title several years, so worth a stop. The area is known for its white wine called Vernaccia, a pleasant nectar that goes down smoothly and encourages the consumer to stop, look and relax a bit.
Cortona, where Under the Tuscan Sun and Francis Mays took my heart and imagination to new heights, is our next stop. It's a short stop in the context of the tour through Italy and a diversion from the cities.
Finally we arrive Rome where all roads lead. Rome has a special feeling in the air most of the time: from its incredible past as an Empire that dominated the world to its contemporary culinary and cultural scene that is distinctly...Roman, it's a place that draws you back again and again. That's why they have the Trevi Fountain, right?
You, too, can visit all of these wonderful places and find your self in your own story of travel through Italy. Visit www.StoryLandSea.com and start exploring all of our Italy small group tours and find the next chapter in your Italy Story today! Oh and you can also click on www.ItalyStory.com!
Andiamo!
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| Guests returning to Italy celebrate on Piazza San Marco in Venice |
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| Story Tour Captain Steve Richards in Tuscany! |
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| Story Tour Captain Steve Richards, who apparently cannot stand up straight anywhere while in Italy. |
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