Two weeks of laughs, meeting new friends, food and wine, sight seeing and crazy adventures. We started in Roma with catching up on the last few months. A morning of sight seeing at the Pantheon and Piazza Navona. Then took a leisurely train ride to my town. Climbed the hills of town to my apartment with a very large backpack…thankfully on wheels. Had many great meals and celebrated a few birthdays. Explored the town and had many coffee and prosecco meetings at Caffe Centrale. One day of rain gave us a day of rest at my apartment. Followed by a lovely day of mud treatments and time in the thermal pool at Terme dei Papi in Viterbo. An afternoon of horseback riding on Mount Cimino followed by an evening in Bagnaia to see Il Focarone, a Guinness record setting bonfire. Then our memorable two day road trip…what an adventure that was! And back to town to see the Sant’Antonio’s blessing of the animals ceremony.

Winding down our time together in Firenze, shopping for leather, making new friends and enjoying many laughs. The last few days were in Roma. We attended the Papal Audience; that was an incredible experience. Walked many miles shopping and exploring the sights…Piazza Spagna, Fontana di Trevi, also the Roman Forum and Colosseo. Wrapping up with a tour of the Vatican and St. Peter’s Basilica. Especially nice to have this tour after attending the Pope’s address.

This birdie caught a train back to my Italian town and my friend caught her plane to Canada. A delightful visit. I am happy she was able to come to Italy to meet my friends here and hopefully understand why I find Italy so very special.

Ciao ciao!