Posts in category Italy Tour

Sitting at a coffee shop watching the mens go by

May 23, 2007 Written by Lisa

Today is Lauren’s 21st birthday and her mom (Cousin ‘o Love) and I are in Italy to celebrate and honor her life. Italy was one of her most favorite places and she and I were planning this exact trip when her cancer returned. We never got to go together but I know that her spirit will be with Mary and I on this adventure. Wonder how she’ll show up!

(Title of the post comes from what La and I planned to do once we were in Italy!)

Onward:

This is a snippet of the conversation CoL and I shall have as we wander the streets of Verona today:

Cousin ‘O Love: Let us take the law of our sides; let them begin.

Me: I will frown as I pass by, and let them take it as they list.

Cousin ‘O Love:: Nay, as they dare. I will bite my thumb at them; which is a disgrace to them, if they bear it.

Okay, so we won’t be saying those exact words (h/t to Bill Shakespeare) but we may be biting our thumbs at them! So, people of Verona, I say to you “Look out for the American Thumb Biting Brigade”)

Alright, here’s what we really will be doing:

DAY 6, Wed Depart for Florence. On the way stop in Verona, the city where Shakespeare?s tragedy of Romeo and Juliet was set and where the famous Roman Arena is still used today for performances of important concerts and operas. Arrive in Florence known as the birthplace of Renaissance in the afternoon. Admire a view of Florence from Michelangelo’s Square and the red dome of the Duomo in the distance before reaching your hotel for dinner and overnight

I hope these guys paddle better than me!

May 22, 2007 Written by Lisa

Day 5 of Italy via Snarkypants

Cousin ‘O Love has booked us on an OPTIONAL (mind you) Gondola ride for our evening in Venice and YEY for her planning skilz.
I am all for “letting some guy paddle us around while we do nothing” (hat tip to a little fairy girl). I mean, I think that is the theme of this entire trip! :) I know Lauren would second me on that one!

DAY 5, Tues Today begins with a boat ride to the Island of Murano, known throughout the world for its glass manufacturing industry. Visit St. Mark’s Square to begin a guided walking tour of romantic Venice. Visit the Golden Basilica of San Marco, the Bridge of Sighs and the 14th century Doges’ Palace, whose facade features a massive late Gothic gate, known as the Porta della Carta, on the Piazzetta side. Take the remainder of the day to explore Venice on your own, or join an optional gondola ride with music along the famous Grand Canal and experience a piece of Venetian history

I’m in ur Vatican stealing ur wafers

May 21, 2007 Written by Lisa

So, yeah. We are on the move today! Apparently, we are heading to Venice after we hang out at the Vatican with Pope Benny (and the Jets?). I’m sure we will buy lots of nifty souvenirs here. Maybe a hat for our patron Pope of Snarkypants, Pope Connor. Tee hee. I bet the “Baby ‘O Cool” (aka: Luke) would look quite fetching in his il berretto di pelliccia di volpe con paraorecchie (that actually means “fox cap with earflaps” which isn’t quite a pope hat but sounds kind of cool, doesn’t it?). We will find something perfect for everyone because we are good like that.

DAY 4, Mon Visit the highly decorative Sistine Chapel, and the Vatican and its famous museum. Stroll through St. Peter’s Square, passing Bernini’s famed colonnade to visit St. Peter’s Basilica, completed in 1626, where you will view Michelangelo’s Pieta. This highly-finished marble sculpture depicts the body of Jesus in the arms of Mary after the Crucifixion, and was created for the funeral monument of French Cardinal Jean de Billheres. From here, travel along the “Sun Route” motorway through the scenic panorama of Tuscany before reaching Venice in the evening (B): VENICE

Arches and Empires and Republics! OH MY!

May 20, 2007 Written by Lisa

Are we still alive? Well, we did have that day of leisure yesterday so you can safely assume all is well. Here’s what Cousin ‘O Love and I will be doing today:

DAY 3, Sun This morning, a historic tour of “ancient Rome” takes you to the Roman Forum, the political center during the Roman Republic, the triumphal Arch of Constantine, the Arch of Titus and the Colosseum, the largest amphitheatre built in the Roman Empire. Enjoy the balance of the day at leisure in the Eternal City, or join an optional walking tour of Rome’s piazzas and fountains, including the Trevi Fountain, the Fountain of Four Rivers in Piazza Navona and the Pantheon, with its vast domed hall and oculus. ROME

Uh oh. Just spotted those bad words: WALKING TOUR. We are not fond of walking tours. They involve, well, you know. Wait! I see the magic words “balance of the day ~~watching hot Italian men in tight pants walk by while drinking copious quantities of wine~~ at leisure”. Yes. Assume I am just peachy. :)

Tour Escort or Male Escort – is there a difference?

May 19, 2007 Written by Lisa

Join us, won’t you, as we take the “Lauren’s 21st birthday” tour across Italy. Here’s what we’re doing today:

DAY 2, Sat Arrive and transfer to your hotel. Balance of the day at leisure. This evening, enjoy an orientation meeting with your tour escort, followed by a welcome dinner (D): ROME

Words that make my heart happy: “Balance of the day at leisure”

Words that don’t make my heart happy: ” … meeting with tour escort followed by a welcome dinner” – FEH. This means I will have to be speaking to other tourists. Hmm. We’ll see how that pans out.

I wonder (as I’m writing this on 5/13) if Rome will be a lot like Paris (not Hilton) which I found to be a lot like New York. I wasn’t overly impressed with Paris (France -or- Hilton), actually. We’ll see if I need a petition to get me out of doing jail time!