We went up to the top of Mt. Etna, Sicily’s active volcano, today. We had a great time exploring there. We couldn’t believe how cold it was — we were freezing! It was a great time though. We stopped on the way back at a place where they made their own honey. Then home, clean up, take a walk down to Isabella, and then out to eat dinner. Back for Euchre!

Today we went all over Taormina. Starting out early in the morning, we traveled to the ruins of the Greek amphitheater and to Castlemora, and then all over town. It was gorgeous and fun. The day went by quickly. We came back to the room, threw on fresh clothes and got cleaned up and then went out again for a fantastic fish dinner and to walk the streets of the cute little city. Finished off with a game of Euchre…

We had a great trip to Taormina, Sicily. Hit a few road bumps with oversized luggage and not a large enough car, but ironed out the details and we were off and running, with Gary taking the lead with a mini-van with a four speed. The hills are CRAZY here, and our hotel is up on a CLIFF overlooking the city. It was SCARY driving up the cliffs, in the little villages and towns. The street signs are everywhere and…

Laurie, Mike, Gary and I had a great time today, starting with Nino’s superb tour of the Colosseum and St. Peters, amongst other places, and then our continuation of the tour with museums, government offices and street shopping. Even though it poured all day, we were not to be deterred, but kept our pace steadfastly. It was an amazing day! Benessimo!

It was great to see Laurie and Michael pull in about 9:45 a.m. We went and had breakfast and then they had a rest while Gary and I looked around town. Then we came back and picked them up at 2 p.m. and went NON-STOP all day just sightseeing and shopping. We ended the night with an awesome dinner at Navone Notte near the Navone Piazza. Che divertimento! Sono così felice che sono qui! (What fun! I am so glad…

Had a really nice train ride from Milan to Rome. When we landed, went to Daniels hotel, where the entire staff remembered us! They were so happy to see us; it was very nice! Then we walked the streets and went to another amazing Italian restaurant for dinner, then back to the streets. Of course, Gary had a double espresso (HOW does he SLEEP after that??!!) and we both had gelato! Walked the Spanish steps and through the many amazing…

Lut and I are like two old friends… we have so much in common and get along so well. It was great to tour Milan with her. We met at 9:00 a.m. for breakfast in the hotel, and then took a few underground trains to get to Milan. From start to finish it was an amazing day. We purchased a tour guide and map and managed to see everything in the guide in ONE day PLUS some more things! We…

Lut and I started even earlier today – 8:30 a.m.! We met for a quick breakfast and then off we went on the underground to Milan center city. The soccer game is tonight – Barcelona v Milan – so there were soccer players and newscasters everywhere! We shopped and toured the city again. We had a nice lunch overlooking the Duomo Plaza. Then we headed back for a sparkling water in the hotel lobby while we waited for Johan and…

I MUST be Italian because as soon as I hit Italy, I am so GLAD! I LOVE Italy! The sights, sounds, people — BELLISSIMO — everywhere you look… and the people… of course, sorprendente!!! Gary and I toured Milan — saw the cathedrals, amazing winding streets, shops, people… ahhh… Italy, “Come sei bella”! Gary and I had an amazing Italian lunch — bring on the grilled vegetables and fresh fruit! Had an amazing gelato — there isn’t ANY gelato that…

It was so much fun to camp together. We literally THREW the weekend together at the last minute, cancelled it, and then re-instated it.  It is really an “updated version” of our old time camping days.  Old days we set up a minimum of five tents, made all our own meals, and just plain got grungy, soaking wet, and poison-ivy’d for a week (or sometimes even two) at a time!   NOW, our “updated version” includes going to Bally’s to…