We left Perugia one day early so we can stay the night in Florence. We made reservations to see the Gallery of Academia which houses the statue of David amongst other works of art from Michaelangelo. It really helped to have reservations because sometimes the wait is very long. It is hard to believe that some of these works of art date back to the time of Columbus. We were visiting the gallery when we turned the corner and far away down the corridor, there stood David. Like before, it is truly amazing to see this in person. They were very [View Full Entry]

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Tuesday: We made a day trip to Assisi and stopped at Santa Maria de Angeli there. Amazingly huge church. This is where the tomb of the heart of St. Francis of Assisi's is kept. We bought many beautiful rosaries and souveniers including holy water. The original chapel sits actually in the middle of the huge basillica and has a one person pew on both sides. This truly is the largest church I have ever been in. There are so many sections inside. Of course they forbid pictures. Hard to describe how ornate every detail is. The Italians close their shops from [View Full Entry]

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Our accommodations in Perugia are quaint. It is a one bedroom cottage with the bedroom and bathroom upstairs and the living quarters downstairs including kitchen. Bob and RJ almost touch the ceiling with their heads and have bumped them entering the doorway. We believe that Americans are taller and larger than the average Italian. Under the age of thirty you dont see any fat Italians and just a few that are over thirty. The kitchen has just a refrigerator and stove top. We ve saved a few dollars on breakfast by being able to buy groceries. The residence where we are [View Full Entry]

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We made it to Perugia on Sunday forgetting our own advice about "never on Sunday". All businesses were closed like bus lines, restaurants or any service oriented facility. About 1 30 we found a little cafe to eat (what else) pizza. Since everything was closed and no one could help us, we decided to call a taxi to drive us to our time share in Perugia even though we had our rental car with us. There was no way we could have found this cute little resort hidden within the hilly streets of Perugia. He charged Bertha 20 euros as Bob [View Full Entry]

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After we left Rome we started to travel out of the city to find a hotel at approx. midnight. Bob was to just get the Hell out of there! We traveled out of the city and found many hotels. Problem was that we could not get off the freeway. We could see the hotels from the freeway but we kept going around in circles and found ourselves back on the on ramp again. There are many toll roads which are straight shots from one major city to another. There arent a lot of off ramps. So if you make a mistake [View Full Entry]

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RJ thought that Rome was the cooliest place because there were all young people everywhere. He thought that this could be a place he would want to live (previously he thought that of Palermo..Naples...now Rome). While lost we drove by the Collosium (more than once) it was lit up and looked spectacular. Amazed that there were many ladies of the night soliciting business. Every corner we turned the monuments and statues were all lit up. He was disappointed that we had to leave. Like Vegas, it appeared to be a city that never sleeps. [View Full Entry]

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We really hesitated about driving in Rome because of the traffic and the fact the streets split so many times and go in circles and could be one way. We had been doing well so far in now becoming fluent in what the traffic signs mean. Little did we know.... Entering Rome was difficult. I am the map reader but sometimes the map is too general. This then requires Bertha to jump out of the car and search for someone to help us. We found a lovely family at the mall to drive us in the right direction. Bertha insisted on [View Full Entry]

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Naples: Saturday morning we ate breakfast in the hotel. Most often the hotels provide breakfast as part of your cost. We are finding that a good breakfast will sustain us best throughout the day. The night before we learned of where the City Tour was located for Naples. It was the same company as the tour we took in Palermo and we got a discount because we used them before. We sit on the open second story bus and listen with earphones in our preferred language. As we drive through the streets the pre recorded message describes what you are seeing. [View Full Entry]

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We just got back from one of the places where the first pizza, ever, was made, in Napoli! I am sure 50% of the taste was attributed to the atmosphere, but it was the best pizza I have ever eaten. Thin crust spicy salami, basil, pepperoni, garlic. There is no such a thing as thick crust, cheese filled, pan crust crusts to choose from. Since it was about 9 pm, it is kinda scary. There are street lights but for some reason they are not on. We took a cab, because there is no way I can drive in the streets [View Full Entry]

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The cars we ve rented are miniature. Today we fit into a car similar to a Madza 3 but it was a Fiat. Four adults with two pieces of luggage each. No pick up and go in this car. It was the only rental available. Depending on how we rent the car, the cost vary. We rented a car for 75 euros for 24 hours and only allowed us the distance of 200 kilometers. 75 euros equates to approx. 115 American dollars. Gas is only 1.50 per litre. I think it is 4.5 litres makes a gallon or something like that. [View Full Entry]

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