First Harvest!

Well the early hot weather is horrible for a garden! But I keep learning!

Green beans didn't survive and the squash keeps trying to get ready to soon so it makes them to hard.

It keeps the tomatoes and bell peppers small but they are still good! The some of the swiss chard was also ready to cut!

Back to the real world! I have people coming over and I can't organize myself!

Milano - Houston via Jersey - 16

May 12-29!

Planes, trains, buses, shuttles, and a rental. Rome, Venice, Florence, Belliagio and Milian (side trip down the Almafi Coast). What an amazing trip, and hundreds of photos taken!

So, learn a little Italian just to be polite (we have Rossetta Stone if you want to borrow, or get basic off itunes).

Get reliable walking shoes, because you will be walking!

Start watching the weather and pack because they had an unusal wet May, but we were prepared

May is a good month because it isn't real hot yet, and hotel ac's are not US style ac's! We had one ac in Milano because it was a modern hotel, one didn't have any and we had a superior suite, and the other two had ac's but was turned on yet because they base on the weather. But honestly we didn't miss it, we could open windows.

Look up the big attractions, because you need to make reservations in advance. And unless you want to see "The Last Supper" or the Duomo I would pass on Milano, unless you really really want to shop.

Be prepared to enjoy the best food and wine you have ever had. Plus have a gelato everyday, it makes you happy!

Thanks to our Awesome Dog Sitters and House Sitters! We couldn't have done it without you! Thanks for the Great Team at the office for making it possible! And last but not least Thanks to Julien and Jill for adding to a great Holiday!

Ciao Ciao

Milano - 15

5/28/10

Wow on the road since 5/12

Hauled Sam up to Switzerland this afternoon for a 4 hour venture at an outlet mall! Great mall, all the big names! Decided not to come home with Prada or Gucci (holding out for a special bag). I did see an YSL bag original price of 21,000 swiss francs marked down to 8,000! I passed on that too!

Had the last gelato, last awesome pasta and last bottle of Itailan wine today, that's the sad part. Good part, on the way back home to family dogs and friends tomorrow!

Will we come back...hope so!

Ciao! C'yall in Houston!

Milano - 14

First full day started with a large tour group.

It started with the Castello Sforzesc (very important Castle. Then the reason for us to take a big tour, Leonardo da Vinci' s "The Last Supper" in the church of the Santa Maria delle Grazie. An amazing master piece that has withstood nature and bombing of World War II. If you want tickets to this you need to make months in advance and even then we weren't able to, so we had to go with a big group. We then went on to see the La Scala Opera house, not just any opera house the Who's who sings here! There was a ballet company practicing today. Steph this is where we need to see an opera! Our tour ended with the Duomo, the third largest Catholic church in the world (we have now seen 2 of them, St. Peters in Rome and third is in Spain)

Break for lunch, back to the room to dry out (torrential rain storm). After a brief rest, back to window shopping!

I still have no Prada shopping bag....

Bellagio to Milano - 13

5/26/10

Took off from Bellagio on a nice clear morning, even thought it was a bit sad to leave such solitude.

Julien did a fine job of driving us back to Bergamo. The winding road was much easier to maneuver on a weekday! Back at Bergamo we said our good-byes, and all fun aside it was a joy to travel with our UK friends (just don't believe a word that Sam & Julien say)

They took off on a Jet 2, and we took the bus to the central train station in Milano. There a taxi to our hotel near the Duomo, and the major shopping district!

Now everyone has made fun of Sam taking me to the mecca of shopping, but he really hasn't had to worry! You walk the street of Via della Spiga with these shops of Prada, D&G and Gucci. They all have 6'5" guys standing at the door, some of the windows are even tinted so you can't see who is shopping!

Later another dinner of wine, more wine and a little pasta!

Bellagio - 12

5/25/10

I'm suppose to be packing..

Repeat of yesterday morning, do you know how hard it is to relax? I'll just have to force myself.

Lunch was take out on the our terrace with Jill & Julien, then off to to meet our Bellagio Water Taxi The taxi took 14 of us over to Villa Del Balbianello, in Lenno. The last James Bond movie Casino Royale had a scene filmed there and a seen from a Star Wars Movie (haven't a clue what scene that was). The trip to and from was incredible, and the tour and the history of the villa was well worth the 45 euro each.

Dinner was at the Suisse Restaurant but it really wasn't Suisse. Again another outstanding Italian meal, with wine, wine and more wine. We tried to decide what was the best meal we had but there was no best meal. But tonight's entertainment was the conversation of "Life of Brian", and "Blazing Saddles"...and you know me with laughing and drinking and the liquid coming out the nose.

Off to pack, tomorrow is off to Bergamo to drop off the rental. The Hillman's will then fly off to the UK, and we'll bus back to the train station in Milano for a taxi to our hotel!

I really shouldn't write after wine....

Bellagio - 11

I can't think of any other words to describe Bellagio, I used up all the adjectves. In Italian Florence is known as Firinza and to think of Florence we think of frenzy. Bellagio would match up with the Italian word Bella, or even better Multi Bella. Beautiful, quite, calm, perfect a place to relax, to slow down, and to smooth out the frenzy of travel.

Take our day today, we walked a few hill side streets, we hopped a lake ferry, crossed Lake Como to Menaggio for a quite lunch lake side. Left Menaggio to Varenna and back to Bellagio. Blue water, snow capped mountains, beautiful Italian villages and villas.

Upon our return we wandered the small passage ways of Bellagio. Shopping quaint village shops that sold everything from gelato to Armani. No pressure. No timetable. No worries.

A 7:30 stroll down a car less road to the meeting point of the 3 lakes that make up this region. The restaurant called La punta. An evening view of the lake at the sunset and the lights began to sparkle around the shore. Processco, wine, more wine and free entertainment with Julien and Sam makes for a grand evening.

No George sighting today, but I have been pointed in the right direction!

Ps...I have now done laundry in Laundromat's in London, Venice and Bellagio!

On the train to Bellagio via Milano - 10

After breakfast and saying good bye to Jacklyn and John we were off to the train station.

Starting out at 10am by taxi, we then left by train to Milano, bus to Bergamo, then rental car to Bellagio. We arrived in Bellagio about 5pm. The main roads were normal main roads but when you turned off towards the lake area, they would be considered one way roads for us, but they were two lanes, and to add excitement to the driving you have crotch rockets passing you! Just wait because when you arrive to your Bellagio then your road becomes about 15ft wide, so the pedestrians have to stand side ways when you come through. You park by the park when you get here, and don't touch it again until you leave!

OK, so I've already said what makes the list to come back and visit, scratch those, I'm coming back here!

There are water taxis and car ferries that zigzag across the blue lake going to each of the villages. There are restaurants lining the lakes edge, quaint shops up steep hills (lots of steps)!

Now off to eat, rest and find George (I have 2 full days to search)

Firenze - 9

The second full day in Firenze (or Florence to us) we decided to take a trip on the hop on hop off bus. We took the route that took us on the other side of the Arno River and way up a hill. Oh My what a view. It is such a beautiful place. There were 2 separate bridal parties that came up for photos after they had been married just to do wedding photos. After our morning latte, back on board and we completed the loop. Found a nice trattoria off one of the many piazza's to have lunch. Then we went our separate ways to shop. We walked along the designer street, and passed the Ferragamo Flagship store. Inside the store is a museum to Greta Garbo because he did all her shoes.

We had our afternoon gelato. (have never seen this much ice cream.) It's like our fast food place on each corner, no that isn't correct, there are more than one gelato stand on corner.

Dinner was back to 4 Leoni because it was so GOOD. Another couple joined us this evening. John and his wife Jaclyn from Rotterdam, he is Sam's counterpart across the ocean, and had worked with Julien for many years. Again a fun entertaining evening with friends, wine, more wine and limoncello!

I could write an entire blog on food, I really wish I had time for cooking classes.

Firenze - 8

First full day in Firenze took us to the Galleria dell'Accademia to see Michelangelo's "David", it is a massive impressive statue 17 feet tall. Michelangelo did this at the age of 26, and his method of creating was not making a clay model, he just started chipping away. The first place he chipped out on this piece he considered the heart of David. This piece truly leaves you speechless.


After the Accademia we found a spot for lunch, a brief look at a leather factory then in to the massive Galleria degli Uffizi Museum. Be prepared for the 4 flights of stairs and then standing at the great works of art. Again, all I can stress is good shoes, and advil for later.

Evening ended with a perfect meal from 4 Leoni. Most of the restaurants have English on the menu, but not this one. After we deciphered all we could we ask for some translations. This place is one to add to your "must go" list!

On the rail to Firenze - 7

We started the day with a little laundry, and packing! Julien and Jill went shopping.

Our train left the station about 2:30pm, great uneventful trip! Pretty country side except when you stay in tunnels.

We are now in the Tuscany region, home of great red wines (but they still have plenty of white for me). Good thing about going out with this group, they get a bottle of red to share and I get my own bottle of white!

More adventures tomorrow! (it's really hard to recount what happened during the day after a great meal, wine and limoncello)

Venezia - 6

Wednesday found us taking the water bus around Venice to the quiet quaint island of Murano. Famous for glass blowing the island is paradise for slow relaxed shopping and observing glass art of all kinds. Watch them making blown glass, carefully enter shops with works of glass art or just find a piazza for lunch. This place is relaxing.

Tour by their people mover, the water bus. Sometimes crammed. Sometimes empty. Always the way to get around. Crowds of kids on a school outing or accompany those riding to a funeral (we passed a barge with a casket riding on top). A great place to see the real Venice. (Private taxis are still my favorite)

Dinner this night was at Cantina Canaletto we had seen this on Samantha Brown, and it was great fun! This meal ended with a Grappa shooter!

You observe really quickly why things cost so much, EVERYthing is delivered by boat, and then pulled by hand cart to each home or shop.

Venezia - 5

We walked and walked and walked some more. Bring your best walking shoes, no bring a couple of pair of awesome walking shoes you will need them. But it wasn't all straight walking as we crossed too many to count (up steps - down steps).

First full day we headed to the palace of Venezia. Doges Palazzo. Where the great rulers and Popes of the day came to offer their services to the traders and rich of Venice.

Things happen here. The Venice CIA worked from here. Casanova was imprisoned here, escaped and returned as an agent for the Doge.

Dinner on this day was a water taxi ride across the Grand Canal to a restaurant water side behind the St. Maria della Salute church. Dinner was Venetian veal liver, Lobster and spaghetti were just two of the great dishes served with great Italian wines. As soon as I find the card I'll list the name and website! Here it is Ristorante Lineadombra

I have decided that private water taxi is the way to go!

On the rail to Venezia - 4

New day new place started without umbrellas and raincoats! We caught the 0945 Eurostar to Venezia. I love train rides, great way to get around, too bad all of the US can’t catch on to using this kind of transportation.

When you walk out of the train station here you are on a dock! There are pricy private water taxis, or the public water taxi (which we took). Venice is a world within it itself and like nothing I’ve seen before. No cars or motor vehicles. And if you don’t like walking down allies, well just get use to it. Some are wide and busy, some are narrow and a little dark.

After checking in, we went to find the local laundry mat to do laundry, and that is what we did. We then wandered and window shopped. Decided to do dinner in, so we bought parma ham, cheese and bread, bought it back to the room along with Bellini’s.

We went out later for a gelato, and waited for our friends to arrive from the UK. Julien and Jill didn’t arrive until around midnight thanks to the ash cloud but they made it, so more later.

Roma - 3

This day started early! Our guide picked us up at 0730 for a drive south. Again prepared with umbrellas and raincoats!

First stop was Pompeii. We had 2 well guided hours and saw parts of 2 regions, there are 9 regions. It will also go on the list of things to see again. They are still excavating and finding items well in tact that tell their stories. I can tell you that frescos were found at the entrance bath house that tell of the “oldest profession”. There are pictures with #’s that visitors that didn’t speak the same language could just pick a number (like going to McDonalds and ordering a #4)

Did you ever see My Big Fat Greek Wedding? Where her dad would say “that word was taken from the Greek word”….well it’s the same here but the Romans had the first Condo’s, shopping malls etc. I can tell you if you ask about it, the Romans did it, or found it first.

Then on to a very narrow road along the Amalfi Coast. I can’t find words to describe what we saw, and even my pictures don’t do it justice. I just know we are going to Positano again, and not for a day visit.

Still can't down load pictures! Try again later

Roma - 2

Started off with meeting our guide Lisa at the hotel and taking a taxi to Vatican City. This day also started off with RAIN! But we had our trusty umbrellas and raincoats. This also took us to another country but we didn’t have to show passports.

Our guide had pre-purchased our tickets to the Vatican Museum, Sistine Chapel and St. Peters Basilica. You aren’t suppose to stand in line when you do that, but due to a cat getting in the electrical system the day before causing a 2 hour shut down, we had to stand in line for about 20 minutes. This tour is a 3 hour tour, and it was a great tour, but you can’t begin to take it all in 3 hours. It’s like going to D.C. and saying we are going to see the Smithsonian in 3 hours (not possible). So what you do is hit the high lights. It was amazing, and pictures can’t begin to show you the beauty, you really have to hear the stories that go with them. It’s a place that will go back on the list of things to see again.

We then lunched with Lisa and went our separate ways. So off to the hotel for a short rest and dry shoes. That afternoon we went to the Church of Saint Peter in Chains. They have what has been past down and believed to be the chains that bound Peters in Israel and in Rome. It is also the home Michelangelo’s Moses statue. It was beautiful beyond belief.

The evening ended with another outstanding meal at La Pentolaccia which was down the street from the hotel. Our second visit. This Restorante was also in Rick Steves 2010 Rome book, which we didn’t know until we read after the 2nd visit.

Roma Holiday

We started off at 0900 and what a day, with a short stop for an espresso and a latte for me. Then later a lunch at a place where the guide takes his family it was non stop seeing the sites!

Just to name a few, the first day included The Spanish Steps, The Trevi Fountain, The Coliseum, Circus Maximus, The Appian Way, the Piazza Del Campidoglio and the Catacombs . Pictures don't even begin to cover what we saw, it's like you have to listen to the story to visualize, it's amazing. Can't down load pictures because of the slow service.

And if you think you want to rent a car, well just don't even think it. Walk, walk and walk is the way to go unless you have a guide that drives!

Our guide, Ivano Di Iacovo, is owner operator of Driver Guide Service, he is a 3rd generation guide! He was expressive and passionate about his job. I would recommend his service to anyone going.

And the food! Oh my, you find why great chefs train here! Plus there there is the wine, really good wine! Oh, and the after dinner limoncello, hmmmm, hmmmm Good!

Wallet = Clutch

He's back.....but his name has been changed to Clutch!