Italy 2008

I know this is way after our trip is over but I figured I'd finish my blogs while it's still fresh in my head.

Coming into Sorento we were back on these twisty roads again except on the other side of the peninsula. Jess once again was uncomfortable because now it's raining with limited vision but on the outside lane mostly. When we got to the other side we knew we were in for something good. The rain was stopping and the bottom of the mountain we could see Sorento. What was amazing was all the rainbows over top of this little city and the Mediterranean sea. We pulled off on the side of the road and started taking pictures and got some really nice ones but Jess was in a hurry for some reason and I couldn't get the full one that came out 5 minutes later. Thanks Jess. lol Guided by tom tom once again we got to this road/driveway. We thought tom tom was on crack! But we took it anyway. Now this road was the narrowest we have been on yet and would go down 100 yds and turn back at 180 degrees just to do the same after another 100 yds. Half way down we asked some canadians if this truly was a road. They politely said yes and don't expect the same respect to any other car coming at you that you would give to them. Nice to know I guess? So this went on about 15 times around these turns and sure enough we popped out by the outskirts of Sorento. We drove around town looking for yet another hotel to stay in and school must of just let out because there was about a brazillion 14 year olds with back packs racing the streets. The girls drive pink scooters by the way. lol We parked our car and thought we had found our hotel so on the way back to our car for shits and giggles we went into this REALLY nice hotel to check out prices. WHAT LUCK! its the off season and we got a 320 euro room for 180! It was near the end of the trip and our last place was a dive so we splurged. Come to find out it was probably the nicest room in the place. Our balcony over looked the Mediterranean once again but this time with MT. Vesuvius in the back round. We could see all the yachts coming to port right down the fisherman in tiny little boats close to the harbor. So Jess took a bath in this great big jacuzzi tub and I went to get some local wine. The local wine turned out to be something like grape soda with 11.5% alc. Once again I didn't realize we didn't have a cork screw! DAM IT!!! So I took the bottle down stairs to have the bar open it. The bartender popped it open and it fizzed like a soda which he commented on. All I could tell him was the best 8 euros can buy. lol So now we got ready and headed out for some dinner. We passed up lots of places while checking out prices and then our hunger prevailed went back to where we knew there was something good and said screw the rest. Again this city reminded us of Venice in parts due to the narrow streets and all the stores packed up against one another. Dinner was great with yet another bottle of wine. It was around 7 or 8 which is to early for most Italians to begin to even think about dinner so it was slow around town. We finished up our meal and some good laughs and headed back to our hotel for a bit. On the way yes we picked up our 3rd bottle of wine, but this time we had it opened at the store. We're getting the hang of this Italy thing. We rested up because it was Friday night and we saw signs of and American bar with Karaoke. Unfortunately when going back we didn't see the one saying closed for the season. We did find one of the only after hour bars that was open til 3 and playing pretty decent music. So we hung out there for awhile, well until Jess asked for a local drink. Beginning of the end for her. lol after our 3 bottles of wine a few other drinks this was the last thing she needed and come to think of it....it was the last thing she had. Yes it was time to go home. I was getting kinda drunk too and tired so I didn't give her the Felix's two step. Oh I'll have one more and I'll meet you home in a bit. lol So a short walk back to our hotel and a little heaving for Jess when we got there and off to bed we went. The next morning we had wished we would of saved an extra day for this town. It has alot to offer and we only saw a very little of it. That and we loved our room Any way check out time came and went and we were off to pica by way of Pompeii.

I'll squeeze in this last little bit in here so I don't have to do a separate blog.

So we're heading out of our favorite stay and by far the best day in Italy debating whether to stop at Pompeii or not. We came to the conclusion we mine as well see it since we may never be back. So we get to the exit expecting another hour drive and low and behold at the bottom of the ramp sits Pompeii! What luck! I never realized how big the ruins were and the fact it was a tiny city. Walking through seeing all the tourist you can almost get a feel for what the streets might of looked like back then. Also while Mt. Vesuvius is off in the distance the amount of lava to flow over this city must have been unlike anyone has seen. We walked and saw their Colosseum and amphitheater. Along with their houses, kitchens, bedrooms and courtyards. Their Pictures on walls, statues, monuments and bathhouses. Amazing how modern they were for their time and equally eerie to know how it was all wiped out in a single day. Our main goal was to find the garden of refugee's. This is where a group of people young and old, from babies to grandfathers were instantly entombed under the lava. Frozen in time, right where they laid when they were over come by Mt. Vesuvius. This was the last thing we wanted to see there and we left. When Jess uploads the pictures you'll see what we mean.

So now we're on the road to Pica, our final stop to get a picture of the leaning tower and the Basilica next to it. This is also very amazing. To see it in person you wonder what the heck is holding it up? It's a beautifully built building it will be a shame when it does finally fall. Even more amazing were the hookers we saw on the way out. lol They were kinda hot! haha

So there you have it, our trip in a nutshell. We'll try to finish up the pictures over the long week end. Thanks to all that kept track.

I know it seems like we were in the car a lot and some days we were, but for anyone that wants to do a road trip of Italy. It's well worth it. We definitely suggest not making reservations and being locked into specific spots at any time. Some places you like and want to stay a little extra and others you may hate(Rome). Sacrifice the road time and see it all is my advice. Roll the dice and as we found out talking to the people is first and foremost, doesn't hurt to ask about anything and as we found out good things come from it!

Breakfast at Almalfi, lunch in positono, and dinner in Sorrento. Driving the coast was so far the best part of the trip. There really aren't enough words to describe it. The roads are insane around these mountains, twisting and turning with barely enough room for two cars to pass one another. Although some how the scooters and motorcycles still squeeze through the middle? These guys are fearless around these bends. For that matter it amazed me when cars would pass slower cars(us). The line in the middle of the road is only a suggestion as I have read and it's very true. This ride had got to be one of the best I have ever seen. Again how these people get there houses in the spots they do is just incredible. Some just dug a hole in the side of the mountain like a cave and called it home I think. When we got to Amalfi, which is a small but beautiful town we walked into or up through it in amazement that people really live on this mountain side. Little shops and stores just like any other community. Fish market, restaurants, church, supply store, the whole nine yards. I couldn't believe that there was enough business there for everyone to be sufficient and live. I know it's a tourist stop but everyone can't own a gift shop? I don't know I guess it works. Positono was the same way except a lot bigger and there were a lot more steps. Positono did have a beach where me and jess got to put our hands into the Mediterranean which was warm as hell by the way. We were finishing up lunch when out in the sea we could see the rain hitting the water and we knew it was time to go. Of course we were at the bottom of about a million steps. These people are in shape I'll tell you that. OH and the woman of this town....GORGEOUS!!!! They have a beautiful gene for sure!! I really don't know what to write about our coast drive. When you see the pictures you'll see why. I'm saving the Sorrento story for when I get a chance to explain it all.

We got to Salerno which is a small town. Almost like a big fishing community but it turned out it's a small port for cargo. So we roll up around around 730 or so. Driving in there we're people everywhere with lights strung down this one street as far as the eye can see. So where thinking alright this could be cool lets park real quick and grab a hotel and join the party. On the way in I noticed a few people staring at us like who the heck are these strangers but thought nothing of it, just like we stare at new people in washington lol. So we park and grab our back packs and walk thru this festival of lights looking like dorks and grab our hotel which was dive by the way. Worst one we stayed in. The guy at the desk couldn't speak any english and had an Italian studder to make matters worse. Our veiw was a wall of the next building. We had probably 8 channels of course all in Italian. So we watched an old Jackie Chan movie from when he was in China playing mystery theater 3000. Actually it wasn't that bad of a movie. His character hasn't changed much not matter what language. lol Anyway that was later. Back to the festival of lights, on the way to the hotel we notice some people clearing so we check in, drop our bags off and are heading back out and we see the streets totally clear??? It was like 830 by then. We joked and said I guess they don't like strangers. Or maybe the creature of the sea comes out after 9. Lol We we're waiting for a bell or something to alarm the villagers the fog was moving in. After that awsome movie there was a nice thunder storm that rolled through but in this town it still creeped me out. I kept thinking of Hostel or something like that was gonna happen. Jess took half a hydracodone to get some good sleep, she's been driving a lot and I told her she's going to wake up and I'll be gone. lol This town served it's purpose we're at the amalfi coast. So tomorrow we'll blow this fish and head to Amalfi, Positono, and then Serento. Oh yeah if your bottle isn't a twist of you can use your belt buckle!!! lol what a discovery!!!

I never thought I would be writing about driving from one point to another but our 5 hour road trip from Venice to Rome was pretty dam scenic. Italians grow grape vines like we have corn. Fields and fields of vines the entire way. Not only for mass production even the littlest of houses had at the very least a quarter acre of vines probably for home consumption. There were villages on the highest mountain sides and castles here and there on the very peaks. We passed by Bologna and started ascending into a mountain range that dwarfed those of west Virginia. That’s all I can compare it to. So as we're going along going over bridge after bridge, thru tunnel after tunnel, twisting and turning down these roads we see this mountain that stands out from most with these low lying clouds covering the very top which looked pretty cool. We'll about an hour or so later we start driving into those clouds. So we we're like, HOLY CRAP! That was about as far up as we went and when we started descending my ears were starting to pop from the pressure or whatever makes them do that. So it took us another hour or so just to get down from there. Still amazes me how these people built these bridges and these miles of tunnel thru the mountains. Most of all how they set up villages on top of some peaks and survive? I thought Virginia was bad for inbreeding some villages had like 9 cottages with nothing for miles. lol So I told everyone we were in Rome and today we're leaving for Naples after we see the Vatican. Dam this is like doing home work and of course my assignment is going to be late on Rome. HAHA Oh yeah and when on a road trip in Italy bring a bottle opener. There's nothing worse than getting back on the road and realizing your beer isn't a twist off!!!

Ok heading into Rome I thought I was going into Newark. Trashy people. There was a little old lady hitching a ride. There were people sleeping on the bus stop bench’s. Billboards for all kinds of stuff plastering the scenery. I was wondering what the hell is this ? Anyway we get into the center part of Rome and people are driving like mad men. The motorcycles just whip in and out of all the traffic like they own the roads. Jess was freaking out because she's a true Virginia driver and drives passive. So everyone on the road is just taking advantage of her. The roads are very narrow with names like V.Versillia da Tolentino???? Tom Tom couldn't keep up we were going in circles for an hour till we saw a hotel and said screw it we're taking it. We go in and wouldn't you know they're booked. Great just our luck so we see a bar across the road and by now Jess needs one for her nerves. Oh and I can't drive if I didn't mention. She didn't tell me that I need an international drivers license to drive in Italy. She was scared of my driving? Anyway we go into the bar and get talking to this girl behind the bar. Alicia, so we get talking and she's very friendly and so are the other 2 people working there and we told her our situation and she said hold on, makes a phone call and next thing we know we have a cheap room at a bed and breakfast right up from the coliseum. AWSOME! We get there the room is great the service is great our luck has changed!!! Nope ROME SUCKS!!!!!!!! If that city didn't have it's history, monuments, and the Vatican it would be the biggest SHIT HOLE on EARTH!!!! and that’s all I have to say about that.....(forest gump voice) I'll upload the pictures they're way better than the words. Needless to say we cut a day out of staying there and was going to go to Naples but Jess said she had heard that was more of a dump than Rome and we're both not in the mood for that. So we are heading to the Amalfi coast and the city of Salerno.

(**Warning** There's a lot here...and a lot more to come...)

Nov. 10: Milan to Venice

We left Milan at 8:00am. Again, I love driving in Italy. The Autostrada is much like our interstates, except (for me, at least) everyone seems to have their wits about them while driving. There’s an unspoken camaraderie on the roads. If someone wants to get around you, they blink their lights. But for some reason, it’s like their saying “excuse me, I’d like to go through please.” Whereas in New Jersey, if someone blinks their lights at you it’s likely because they’ve been riding your ass for 10 miles and are pissed off.

I think I’m falling in love with TomTom. It doesn’t matter what I do, he always points me in the right direction. Of course, I only got off track twice, but each time the route recalculates automatically. (For those of you who are used to using a GPS Navigation system, bear with me. I’m new to this…)

Our journey to Venice was nice, albeit foggy. I was kind of bummed by the fog, but it was still kind of nice. Once we got to Venice, we found a place to park immediately. We figured it would be easier this way, since it seems to be impossible to find parking once you get into the city. We also decided to get a hotel right after we parked. This way we didn’t have to carry our bags everywhere. I think we’ll do the same thing in Rome.

Venice is an amazing city. Even though it was foggy, I still found myself standing in one spot for a minute just taking in the beauty of everything around me. It’s like a little labyrinth, tiny little streets interlaced and zigzagging throughout. Each time we turned a corner I was awestruck by the view. The Rialto Bridge was especially beautiful. And it’s so easy to get to, as there are signs everywhere showing you the way. No matter how many streets you walk down, there’s a sign pointing in the direction of Rialto.

After we left the internet café, Brad took over in navigating, since we couldn’t follow the Rialto signs anymore. As we walked, trying to get back to the hotel, we came into Piazza San Marco unexpectedly. Don’t get me wrong, I’d seen it in pictures, and I kind of knew what to expect, but coming into the square and not having any idea that we were doing so literally made me stop and catch my breath. I’ve never seen anything so spectacular and magnificent in all my life. This was the reason I had wanted to come to Venice, I had just forgotten briefly, caught up in the city streets of Venice. We tried to get some pictures, but because it was dark, and the fog was still hanging overhead, none of the pictures were coming out. So, we decided we would try it again tomorrow. After all, you don’t come to a city like this and skip the most majestic part.

Nov. 11: Venice

We decided to wake up early so we could see Piazza San Marco in the daylight. After having our traditional Italian breakfast of cereal, croissants with butter and jelly, ham, cheese, yogurt, coffee and juice in the hotel, which we’ve learned is the same throughout Italy, we caught one of the public transport boats to the Piazza.

From this point forward it will be very difficult to describe how breathtaking the city truly is. However, I will try…
We were on the boat at 7:45, so we got to see all of the morning deliveries to the markets and hotels along the Grand Canal. Each building, every alleyway, was absolutely amazing. I must have taken 50 pictures just during that 20 minute boat ride. I still can’t get over how a city like this was built on water and how it’s withstood the test of time the way that it has.

When we got to the Piazza, I started taking pictures immediately. The structures were just as majestic and amazing as I imagined it would be. You know, I’m trying to think of some way to describe it in words so that you can get a sense of how amazing it was, and I can’t. All I can say is, if you ever get a chance to come to Italy, you MUST stay in Venice. The people are extremely friendly, the streets are super clean, the architecture is astonishing, the food, unbelievable. For the rest of my life, I will always have a piece of Venice in my heart.
Venice to Rome, via Bologna and Florence

Once again, I’m at a loss for words. The trip started off much like our trip from Milan to Venice. It was foggy, and every now and then we would pass a small vineyard or a little village on the side of the road. Until Bologna. I almost wish we had stopped here, it was such a gorgeous city to pass through. But we still had four hours of driving to Rome, so we decided to skip it. From here, it only got better. The road went through tunnels into the mountains, then we started our ascent. Every twist and turn had another amazing view. There were houses and villages built into the mountains. Brad tried so hard to take pictures of everything, but the trees lined the autostrada and it was really difficult. I remember at one point we had gone so high, we’d reached the bottom of the clouds. For the most part, driving was ok. (I should mention here that there were a LOT of trucks on this road.) Every now and then a car would pass us doing at least 90 miles an hour, and I would hold my breath. At one point, there was a car that had to slam on its brakes to avoid hitting a truck that had pulled into the left lane to go around another truck. Brad said “Oh, so that’s what that sign meant.” I asked him what sign and he said, “Back there, it was a sign that said ‘Be careful: Cars bumpin’ into trucks.’” For some reason (probably the delirium of driving for so long) we couldn’t stop laughing…

Coming into Rome from the Northeast angle was a very bad idea. It was like coming into any big city in the U.S. Nothing like we expected. The roads we packed full of cars, and there was no sense of a traffic pattern. TomTom wasn’t helping at all. I thought Milan was crazy, but it was nothing compared to Rome. Motorcycles (wait… scooters) were all over the place, driving in between cars, dodging the pedestrians, weaving in and out of traffic jammed at stoplights. I love to drive, I even love driving in New York City, but this was seriously stressing me out. We finally found a parking spot (thank GOD we had our little Fiat) and went into a bar. I needed a break.

In the bar we met Alicia (pronounced A-lee-cee-a) and I was sure she was an angel from heaven. We asked if they knew of a hotel. Aha! She did, her friend ran a Bed & Breakfast!! And for only €80 a night, with our familiar Italian breakfast included! (That’s good for Rome!) So she called her friend, gave us the address, and even outlined our route on a map for us. A Godsend indeed!

The B&B was really nice. The room was very clean, and the coolest thing (well, I thought it was pretty cool) was our bathroom. The shower WAS the bathroom. There was a curtain separating the shower / toilet from the sink. Yes, you could sit on the toilet while taking a shower. It was pretty cool!

After we got checked in, we got something to eat and went STRAIGHT to bed – at 9:00pm! And no, not because we’re old!

Venice was more than I had expected. On the way down there was so much fog I wasn't sure we would get a clear view of the city. Come to find out the tiny little roads which there are no vehicals of any kind aload on are just filled with all kinds of stores and restuaraunts. Every kind of eatery From the bakerys to the pizzarias were stocked with beer or something. Although I must say I only had like 3 beers the entire time we were there. Not bad for a 24 hour strech. LOL It felt like we were there for days because of all we saw. I think our favortite spot was when we took some wrong turns and ended up at piazza son marco. What a spectactular place. St.Marx is a church there and across from it was another Massive U shaped building and both of them were built almost of all marble. We wanted to take the tour inside but we couldn't make it fit in our plans because we found it late Monday night. This morning we took the monrning commuter boat, yes commuter boat as if it were a bus to get to work so we went back over to take some better pictures that we will upload later. The way of life is one to be seen from the morning supply deliveries arriving on boat to the afternoon " SIESTA? Very friendly and honest people. We would by a ticket to ride on or do something and no one would ask to see them when we had to use them? We think everything may be free and we got dupped on tourist trap. DAM ITIOTS WE ARE lol. I was a little disappointed that around mid night everything shut down but people still were walking the streets all night so there has to be something for the locals to do late night. So now we're heading to Rome maybe Sieana where we hoping to see the sun because it is still foggy. When we get to Rome I think we're staying for two days because there are somemany things to see so we should have lots more to tell. Again we'll get the pictures up as soon as possible. Steve can you tell me my FF score forgot what my new log in info is LOL Ok So we've had a hard time finding free wifi but we are in Rome now and Jess is upstairs about to passed out from the two bottles of wine we had. Bottle for lunch no food. Bottle at diner with a LOT of food. I'm going to upload a little and tomorrow we should be all caught up to date on our trip. We are at a bed and breakfast that has internet but not from our room the wife only works from downstairs. We have a TON of stuff to write and over 300 hundred pictures to re-size.

Poor Jess cuz I suck at this stuff. lol Poor me cuz I don't have time to run spell check and the WIFI is going off.

So we made it to the airport and hopefully we didn't forget anything. If we did oh well. no worries we'll make do. My nuts still hurt and yes I am a little bitch about this lol I'm still groggy from the hydrocodone I took last night. WOW what a mistake! if you were there I apologize lol. I don't remember a thing! Any way I'm on the airplane waiting to take off for this 9 hour trip to Amsterdam...YEAH MAN smokin some ganja fo sho! poor Jess having to deal with me. If anyone remembers back in the day I wasn't very good towards the end. PARANOIA! at least it's legal there. I think we may hit the red light district JUST TO SEE. no touchy haha. well we're about to go down the runway and I really hate ascending so I'll be back in a bit.

Amsterdam was a cool little city but I backed out on the weed part. Was tired from the plane ride and just wanted to find a warm bed. It was early when we were there and most places weren't open yet. drove to Milan and that was filled with people walking the streets. Reminded me off NYC. The drivers are nuts especially the motorcycles. Come to find out there was a soccer game that just let out and the home team lost to their cross town rivals. our hotel was nice was like 75 euros.

On our was to Venice now after a traditional Italian Breakfast

Nov. 8: At the Airport:

When we got to the airport, I knew Brad was right. We’d left too early. But I would rather be early than late. I just kept picturing traffic backed up for miles and us stuck on I-78 for hours, making us late for the flight. I worry too much.

Had lunch in the terminal, Brad skipped out. He’s still not feeling his best. I feel really bad since it’s kind of my fault. (Although he could have waited to go through his “procedure” until after we got back. Lesson learned.

I’m starting to get sleepy, so it will be nice when they start calling us to board the plane in 20 minutes. I plan to go right to sleep once we get settled in our seats.

Nov. 9: Amsterdam

The flight was roughly six and a half hours long, which was three hours longer than what I had anticipated. Brad and I watched two movies and took a short nap. (I actually had thought we would sleep the entire time, but was surprised by how quickly it flew by.

When we arrived in Amsterdam, it was much earlier (and much colder) than we expected. Our first item of business was to exchange our dollars for Euros. DO you remember when you were younger and an adult would try to trick you by trading four one-dollar bills for one five-dollar bill because, after all, there were more of them? Yeah, this was like that. After exchanging our $200 and getting back roughly $150, we decided to head into Amsterdam via the train in the airport. This train was nothing like the New York Subways I’m used to. For one thing, it was two stories, and another: it was clean. I mean really clean.

Once we got to Amsterdam Centraal Station, we got off and walked out the doors into the city. Actually, we first walked out the back doors stood around thinking “this is it??” We were standing by a river and the whole area looked industrial. When we walked back in, we stopped at the information desk and asked how we get into the city. She pointed to the “front” door and informed us, “you are already IN the city.” Silly Americans.

Amsterdam was beautiful. As we walked along, I wanted to take pictures of everything. The small side streets with bar after bar, shop after shop, and bridge after bridge. It was so much more than I thought. We finally sat in a small patisserie and I had the most delicious ham and cheese croissant in the history of the world. After that, we decided to try to get back to the airport. (Yes, I know… booooring… but we were SERIOUSLY tired. It was already 4am in our systems.)

We found our way back to the airport and found the “Comfort Chairs” section. These are like lounge chairs in a quiet part of the airport. We literally slept for three hours while we waited for our flight to Milan. Then, we slept the whole way to Milan, too.

Nov. 9: Milan

I can only remember a few other times in my life when I was actually as excited as I was when we landed in Milan. All of a sudden, I had this rush of adrenaline that woke me up immediately. I was ready!

We got our little Fiat Panda **pic of Panda** and were on our way. Let me just say this: Thank God for TomTom. It would have taken us at least an hour to find the right road to Milan if we didn’t have it.

I love driving in Italy. The autostrada is much like our interstate system, and the people drive similar to those in New Jersey. The only difference is the motorcycle drivers are INSANE. They literally drive in between cars whenever possible, no matter the speed, congestion, or weather conditions. It’s very fun to watch, until you have someone flying up on your right hand side and a car merging on your left.

When we got into Milan, TomTom took us directly to the center of the city. It was much like driving in New York City, except it was crazier. Imagine this, you’re driving in the Financial District, during the Giants Superbowl Victory Parade, now add the subway ON the streets WITH the cars. It was nuts, but it was AWESOME. I have never had so much fun driving, ever.

Finally, we decided it was time to get a hotel. After stopping at a gas station and asking the clerk (who spoke very little English) he directed us to an exit with a few hotels. We finally found Hotel Agape. I have to admit, I’m a little smitten with the place. The room is very nice. It’s small, but amazingly clean. Plus, we’ll get breakfast in the morning. Then…it’s off to Venice!

Welcome to our travel blog. By using this site, we're hoping to track our trip, collect our memories, and share them with friends and family.

I still can't believe we only have 9 days until we leave. It all seems like a very intricate daydream at this point. Of course, the anticipation is killing me.

So far, we have everything for our trip: passports, international drivers permit (to avoid the oh-so-hefty fine of €200-300 for not having one - which is roughly $250-350), travel adapters, Italian phrasebooks, and extra memory cards for our digital camera. Now we just have to start bringing it all together to make sure it all fits in our backpacks.

Come with us as we journey through Italy, with a seven-hour layover in Amsterdam.