35 Search Results for "trevi"

• Trevi Fountain

  • From: allaffordtravel
  • Description:

    The Fontana di Trevi or Trevi Fountain is the center piece to of the small Trevi square, at the intersection of Via del Lavatore and Via della Stamparia. We “stumbled” on the fountain on our walk from the Piazza Barberini and its famed Fontana del Tritone. This is the joy of Rome. Walking down side streets and exploring the ancient city; especially if it’s your first time in the city.

    Because of it fame and beauty, this small square can be jammed packed with tourists. But don’t let that stop you from going. Squeeze in on the steps and spend time gazing at a true wonder. Enjoy watching the people too. The fountain area draws a diverse crowd of people.

    Before you leave you must perform one ritual. With you back to the fountain, toss a coin over your shoulder. According to legend, this assures your return to Rome. We have been back five times.

    For the best deals on discount travel, airfare, hotels, cruises, condos, and villas, visit All Afford Travel.

    For a terrific discount travel membership this site and click on video number two. Discount Travel Membership.

  • 1 week ago
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• Trevi Fountain in Rome 2009

  • From: joyhiker1
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  • 1 week ago
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• Europe - A Recap

  • From: traveljunkiejess
  • Description:

    

    So I have been meaning to post a recap of my Europe trip pretty much since I got back. Partly because everyone who knows that we went ask me "So how was your trip to Europe" and I am sick of my lame response of "Good" and secondly because I love coming on here and reading my previous blogs because it always brings me back to that time or event in which I wrote about. A 21st century diary or sorts...... without all the angst...... ok maybe some.
    

    Anywhoo this is not for the skittish reader as it is lengthy.

    
    

    London – Jaron and I were so jet legged from flying over and not sleeping the night before so when we got in around 10am (4hours later then what we should have) that we just passed out until around 5pm. We then walked around and went to a pub and had a very English dinner and drinks and then took in some of London ’s McDonald’s deserts. FYI: They do not mix their McFlurries and they put things like chocolate covered rice crispies in them. Good - but different. The next day we then met our group and were able to just take in some sight seeing. The weather was really nice, no snow at all and probably around 60+ degrees so we got lunch and ate in the park. We then went to the London equivalent of Times Square and had dinner at this crazy Russian place. The restaurant made me feel like we fell through the rabbit’s hole in Alice in Wonderland. That is the only way that I can really explain the décor and feeling. We saw Buckingham Palace (however no Prince William or Prince Harry) and Big Ben at night and started adding to our list of foreign public transportation services that we have now endured.

    Amsterdam – was all that anyone ever thinks Amsterdam is and more. We went to coffee shops, the red light district, the blue light district (that is where the trannies reside) a sex show (saw a girl smoke a cigar with here whoo ha…. No joke), the Anne Frank Museum – which is her house/annex where they were hiding (so amazing and emotional), saw the original Starry Night (my all time favorite painter is Van Gogh so of course I went to the official Van Gogh museum I also found out that technically his name is pronounced Van GOFF not Van GO), we also took in the Heineken museum and proceeded to get buzzed fairly early in the day, before 11am from the free beer that we got, we also went to a clog shop in the country and cruised the canals through the city. I love Amsterdam and want to live there. There is so much more to talk about here but some things are better left for one on one conversation ;)

    Berlin – History galore!!! Saw the Berlin Wall or at least what is still left around. Took a walking tour of the city and saw major Nazi area’s including where Hitler killed himself. There were some great memorials for the Jews of the war and it was very moving. Germans consider their history to be their dark shadow……. They can never escape it, it will always follow them but they can strive to make the future better. We also saw the first concentration camp which was very surreal. It is crazy to think that so much suffering went on and the horrible conditions that they must have been under. Ugh!

    Prague – Beautiful city. It was so colorful. All the buildings are different pastel colors and very ornate and it has been kept up so well that it all looks new. We went to a Salvador Dali exhibit as well as an Andy Warhol exhibit which was really cool. Took a lunch cruise through the city and scoured the markets for trinkets. We then went to this restaurant that had a beer tap in the middle of the table. You then could feel up your glass and drink as much as you wanted. There was a big TV that was keeping score of every table and you were in competition with everyone. I got a really good buzz from that place and never had to pee so much. However we were nothing compared to the Aussie tables. They can put them down.
    

    Munich – Very fun and cool city. We took a tour through the city on cruiser bikes. I loved the bike so much that I got a cruiser for my birthday this year. I was the “butt babe” which pretty much meant that I stayed towards the end of the group and made sure that no one lagged behind. We went to the biggest beer hall in the world and had many of beers. We also went to an original beer hall where families still have their own tables and thousands of people can fit in. Munich goes crazy for Oktoberfest! I had a pickled pork knuckle and an awesome lemonade beer as well as had my first try of ‘snuff’ which is a tobacco that you sniff up your nose. It is awesome.

    On the way to Venice we stopped in Tyrol and went to the original Swarovski Crystal shop. They had a whole room completely covered in crystals – Winter Wonderland and it was very surreal.

    Italy –
    

    ***** Now quickly there are a few things that no one knows about Italy until you go there and it is pretty nuts. Firstly, they don’t give a fuck!!! They know that people will come to Italy even if everyone tells them that it sucks because, hey… it is Italy . They are very rude, they do not use salt in their bread so it is like eating cardboard, it is very expensive, theft is crazy over there so you must be on guard at all times, they charge an exhorbinent amount to use the toilet – However this is not just an Italy thing. In Europe most countries will charge you to pee however it is never very much and the money goes to keeping the facilities clean and nice however that rule does not apply to Italy . (I think I paid one time around the equivalent of $2 American dollars to pee in a very dirty bathroom and they do not have toilet seats, it is just the bowl. It was truly frightening) Also they have hidden dining fees. Firstly they charge you for utensils. They also charge you to sit outside as well as a service fee of usually around 15%. Also they do not tell you this and they will try and hide that unless you come straight out and ask “Do you have a service fee??” And by service fee I do not mean the tip. I mean your food, utensils, service fee, then tip!! These were things that we had no idea about however now stating that I don’t want you to get the wrong idea about my feelings on Italy . I absolutely loved Italy and think that everyone should go and see the massive history there. It is just nice to know what you are in for. It is very exhausting, a definite culture shock for sure. ***********

    Venice – Everything that you think of when you think of Venice is true. It is fucking gorgeous and like a dream. The weather was amazing when we went, I couldn’t ask for a more beautiful day. You can walk the whole island in like 20 minutes and we circled it many times. We went to a lace school and purchased a Venetian table cloth and napkins for my mom and saw a glass blower work and make a beautiful piece of art. We then did the cliché canal ride which was beyond compare. It was so much fun and you could bring whatever you wanted on the gondola with you so we bought an original bottle of Bellini (the peach drink that is now sold at Olive Garden was invented in Venice by a man named….. you guessed it something Bellini!!) and took that with us to drink. The city is so gorgeous that it almost looks fake. I ate gelato pretty much three times a day when I was in Italy and had to have pizza!! We did a lot of people watching and just meandering around the city. We then had an amazing Venice dinner that consisted of many different courses of pasta and seafood and salad and a lot of wine.

    Rome – Oh Geez!! So much and there can never really be enough time! We started with a huge tour around the city taking in the Spanish Steps and the Piazza Venezia. I drank out of the Trevi Fountain – which was delicious and said to bring you fertility!! We then went into a crypt that a priest had made hundreds of years ago out of deceased priests body parts. It was very eerie. Every piece of bone was used to make very beautiful and hauntingly creepy mosaics that lined everything from the walls, ceilings, floors, everything. There was not a bare wall in the place. We then went into the Pantheon and saw first hand the amazing architectural abilities of the Romans. We took in so many churches and shrines in Europe and in Italy in general that it is hard to keep them all straight. We checked out the Colosseum at night and walked the first ever street made in the world. Also popped in on the Pope (well not really he was traveling at the time) in Vatican City at night and ate outside on the side streets of Rome . In the morning we got a private guided tour inside ‘Old Rome’ and inside of the Colossuem. Old Rome is like 10 feet below the street level of New Rome because they just believe on building on top of the city. That is why the subway for Italy only runs around the city because anywhere they go to dig in the center of the city they are just going to end up excavating the previous Rome . Then we actually went to the Vatican and walked through the city as well as the church where the Pope presides, saw the tombs of all the old Popes. saw St. Peters Basilica, and saw the Sistine Chapel!! Also we visited the “Mouth of Truth” that is in Roman Holiday. You are supposed to put your hand in and think of something. If it is a lie it is supposed to bite your hand off. I still have my hand so all is well, however our feet hurt so bad from walking the city to try and see everything that it felt like they had been bit. I am sure I am forgetting something really momentous but oh well.

    On our way to Florence we stopped in Pisa . Nothing really in Pisa except that one leaning tower!! So of course we acted like stupid American tourist and did the obligatory pictures such as the holding the tower up, leaning against the tower, heaving the tower on your back and some people even did the leaning tower of penis. Propping it just so to where it looks very impressive. I tried to get Jaron to do it but he wouldn’t. I also purchased a very cute purple bogus Prada purse from some African/Italian counterfeit gangsters. I was able to get them down a lot too, they wanted 50 Euros and I got them down to 20 Euros! But by doing the simple act of purchasing I was then mobbed by about another 20 or so selling various shit.
    

    Florence – Here was the only time that it rained on our trip. And it wasn’t just a little rain. It was a lot of rain. It soaked through my waterproof Columbia jacket and proceed to get everyone as wet as possible. Again we turned to gypsies for needed umbrellas and went along with our day. This also happened to be the day of our mandatory group picture that was outside. We were all soaked. We did however check out a Florence leather company ( Florence is now for its amazing leather) to try and stay dry. Because it was raining the lines to get into museums were horrendous. We waited to see the statue of David outside for probably two hours. It was however worth it. The statue is amazing and also a lot bigger then I had expected. In more ways then one ;) We then took in some amazing views of the city on our way through the Tuscan Hills for our Tuscan dinner where we got serenaded by two Italian opera singers and were also forced to dance by some of our tour mates.You know who you are.
    

    Lucerne – This was a nice rest from the crazy hussle and bussle of Italy . Switzerland is very clean, orderly, and polite. It was a nice change. The Swiss are very into three things. Chocolate – Watches – & Swiss Army Knives. You can find stores for these 3 things everywhere!! The chocolate is amazing, the watches blow your mind, and they are not messing around with those knives. You are prepared for anything and then some. We just kind of wandered around. We took in some Swiss Fondue and a show which was cool and Jaron was forced to get up on stage and blow one of those huge horns from the Ricola commercials. Apparently it is harder then it looks. His prize……. A Ricola! Then a man dressed in a cow costume came out and ran through the crowds. It was odd, but fun.

    Paris – Another amazing city. We got in and promptly went around all the major sites such as Napoleons tomb, the Arc de Triomphe, The Eiffel Tower, and the Champs Elysees . Later on in the evening a big group of us went back to the Eiffel Tower and waited so that we could go up it in the night. It is truly beautiful at night and very glittery and romantic. It is a hell of a lot higher then I thought and even for me who does not have a huge fear of heights it was still pretty scary. In the morning we got up early and headed to the Louvre via the subway and underground entrance. I almost had a drunken Parisian fall on me but somehow made it. I ran to see the Mona Lisa as soon as the museum opened and got to enjoy that without a huge crowd of people. We then just meandered through and took in the crazy opulence of the royal palace that is now the Louvre. Checked out the gravesite of Jim Morrison of ‘The Doors’ as well as Oscar Wilde’s gravesite and Chopin. The cemetery was really old and creepy and some looked as though they had been graved robbed. However it was ironically enough very beautiful and comforting. We then headed back and got ready for our dinner show at the Moulin Rouge. There are no words for this show. It was amazing and vibrant and just plain incredible. At one point a see through tank of water comes up through the stage and a scantily clad girl dances inside the water with a huge cobra!! A great way to end the tour.

    New York City - Then we headed back to the US but had an overnight stay in NYC. I almost threw up in the back of a taxi from all the stop and go craziness. My friend Aimee graciously put us up at her place and pointed us on the right subway so Jaron could see the Statue of Liberty. We got there first thing in the morning and went inside the statue. It was cool because I was unable to do that when I went in 2003 with Ali & Christine. It was so windy however that we could lean forward and the wind would hold us up. In NYC I was happy to again be able to have Starbucks and all Jaron wanted to do was have some NYC street pizza. We also stumbled upon a protest that was going in front of Wall Street in regards to all the bonuses CEO’s got even though their companies had received bailouts. So that was unexpected. Then off again to be home.

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  • 2 weeks ago
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• Trevi Fountain as the light co

  • From: verdoonie
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  • 4 weeks ago
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• trevi fountain

  • From: enjyl
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  • 1 month ago
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• ROME trevi fountain figure

  • From: shattman
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  • 3 months ago
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• Trevi Fountain

  • From: albertpaul27
  • Description:

    This are a few pictures from my Rome trip.

  • 3 months ago
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• Trevi Fountain lights

  • From: albertpaul27
  • Description:

    This are a few pictures from my Rome trip.

  • 3 months ago
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• Colorful Cravats at Trevi Foun

  • From: Dick
  • Description:

    Taken at a men's shop adjacent to Rome's Trevi Fountain.  I love vivid colors, sights that make me smile, and images not typically found in travel literature.  These bright ties made me giggle.  They still do.

  • 3 months ago
  • Views: 163

• Trevi Fountain in Rome Italy

  • From: dmg33
  • Description:

    Trevi Fountain in Rome Italy

  • 3 months ago
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• Trevi Fountain

  • From: Cthomson462
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  • 4 months ago
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• Refreashing Fountain Water

  • From: traveljunkiejess
  • Description:

    We were told by our tour guide that it if you drank out of this fountain that it would bring you fertility. I had a drink, and it was delicious. No baby yet though!

  • 5 months ago
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• Trevi Fountain

  • From: rl999
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  • 6 months ago
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• Trevi Fountain Rome, Italy

  • From: noreensfl
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  • 6 months ago
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• Trevi Fountain

  • From: gregandkrista
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  • 6 months ago
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• The Chestnut Vendor

  • From: jeffdugan
  • Description:

    My wife JoAnna and I had just arrived in Rome and we made a beeline to the Trevi Fountain.  After making a wish and tossing in the obligatory coins, I turned around and snapped this photo of a chestnut vendor.  Drawn closer by the aroma of roasting chestnuts, JoAnna and I bought a bag, sat down and began to take in the sights and sounds of The Eternal City.

  • 6 months ago
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• Las Vegas

  • From: altea
  • Description:
    Reproduction of the famous "Fontana di Trevi", we are not in Rome, but inside the Forum Shop at the Caesars Palace Hotel
  • 1 year ago
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• 10 days and 5 cities in Italy:

  • From: hgeswein
  • Description:

    While living in Madrid, Spain I went on a 10 day trip through Italy with some friends who were also living in various cities in Europe. This is the story of how we fit 5 cities in Italy into a 10 day trip. Obviously I would have preferred to spend more time in each of the cities (except maybe Rome) but here's how to do it on a time crunch.

    In Rome we were hosted by a friend who was living there who showed us all of the historical sites of this city, including: the Coliseum, the forum, the Pantheon, the Spanish steps and the Trevi Fountain. She also took us into a church that she had visited with her architecture class that is painted to look like it has a dome when it actually doesn't. So when you walk in and look up it looks like a dome, but when you walk directly beneath it the perspective is skewed. It is hard to explain, but very cool to see. I was glad that she showed us that, since we never would have gone in there on our own. She also took us to the neighborhood called Trastevere for a great pizza dinner and a look around at the flea market. It was great to have someone who knew the layout of the city to take us around and keep us from getting lost. However, for some of the sites (like Palatine Hill) I think it would have been advisable to hire a guide who knows the history. I spoke to other travelers who hired guides and they knew so much more about the sites, whereas we had only seen them.

    
    The next morning we got up early to get in line at the Vatican Museum. Apparently we didn't get up early enough though, since we had to wait for 3 hours. But at least we got in at all. The whole museum was great, but obviously the Sistine Chapel was the highlight. We spent a long time in there looking at each of the panels. But I thought that the atmosphere was kind of ruined by the guards. Every few minutes they would clap their hands loudly and yell at everyone to stop talking and stop taking pictures. After that we grabbed some lunch then got in line for St Peters. Thankfully that line was not nearly as long since it was incredibly hot by that time. St Peters was also incredibly beautiful. We used a guidebook that we had to explain many of the things in the cathedral, like the tradition of rubbing the foot of the statue of St Peter.

    
    On Sunday we went inside the Coliseum and Palatine Hill, which were really cool to see and imagine what it was like during the height of the Roman empire. We then walked to a flea market that we heard was supposed to be cool, but really it was just more of the junk that is sold on pretty much every street. But on the way we got to walk past Circus Maximus, and through some nice residential areas. That night we were exhausted from the insanity of Rome, so we cooked dinner in the hostel and relaxed.

    
    The next morning we got an early train to Florence. After checking in to our hostel we headed back to the train station to go to Siena. This ended up being one of my favorite cities because it was beautiful, but most importantly not crawling with tourists. I definitely enjoy the smaller cities much more. In Siena we saw the duomo, San Domenico church, and the sanctuary of St Catherine, which contains her actual head and finger preserved in glass cases! That was pretty disgusting and also a strange thing to have in a church, I thought. We then climbed the city tower for a beautiful view of the city and beyond. Then we sat in the main square, Il Campo for a while to just people watch and enjoy. For dinner we went to a little hole in the wall restaurant where we ordered what the waiter suggested, which was the typical pasta of Siena, pisci, and a meat and potatoes dish, which were both incredibly good and cheap. Then we caught the last bus back to Florence.

    
    While in Florence we visited the duomo (which I thought wasn't as good as the duomo in Siena) and then walked over to the Pitti Palace. We had a picnic outside, then went into the gardens which were absolutely beautiful. The views of Tuscany were unbeatable. We spent most of the afternoon exploring the gardens, then got some excellent gelato.

     

    On our last day in Florence we went to the two famous museums, the Accademia and the Uffizi. The Accademia is where Michelangelo´s David is, and it was amazing to see. I never realized how huge the sculpture is! The rest of the works there were not that interesting though. The Uffizi is considered to be one of the best collections of Renaissance paintings in the world. And I'm sure that I would have loved it if I were a fan of Renaissance art, but I actually found it to be rather monotonous.

     

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• Italy for Free!!!

  • From: lmcconnell
  • Description:

     

     

    Buon Giorno!

     

    Have you ever had the perfect dream vacation; but, it was just that, a dream?  You tell yourself “How could I ever afford a vacation like that? Only the rich and famous could do that kind of trip.”  Well, I’m here to tell you that dreams do come true.  All it took was creativity and a willingness to think outside of the box.

     

    A few months back my husband and I found out that if you wanted to use your reward miles to fly with American Airlines after October 2008 they were going to require almost double the amount of air miles needed for international flights.  So after much work with the American Airline booking agents and with ourselves convincing each other that a trip to Italy was possible and well worth the effort; we were able to book (2) Business/First class round trip tickets from Orlando Florida to Rome Italy for nothing. (Except of course the many hours we spent with the booking agents and a small booking fee).  Now we were on our way. 

     

    But of course the next step was “where do we stay”?  We love Hilton Hotels and have accumulated many points with them by using our American Express Hilton HHonors Card so once again after much research we decided to stay at a Hilton in Rome Italy called Rome Cavalieri for all (9) nights.  We discovered that Hilton HHonors was offering a rewards program that stretched our points further to make this stay possible.  So fellow travelers or dreamers, we were able to book a (9) night stay at a Hilton Hotel in Rome for free. But wait, it gets better.  You see, the Hilton Hotel that we chose was now a Waldorf-Astoria.

     

    In my dreams, I never envisioned flying to Rome Italy in First Class or staying (9) nights in a King Deluxe Suite overlooking Rome in a Waldorf-Astoria all for free.

     

    One of the things my husband and I like to do is utilize the concierges when we travel (Tipping them well, of course!).  They are a wealth of information and will help you with restaurant choices, tours, and travel arrangements.  I was in contact with the concierge at the Rome Cavalieri asking about tours and trains prior to our arrival.  When we arrived at our luxurious hotel, we met with their wonderful concierges and they booked us immediately with the tours we wanted to take to the Vatican, the Sistine Chapel, St Peter’s Basilica, the Coliseum and more.  Fontana Di Trevi and the Pantheon are two sites you’ll want to see with great shopping all around.

     

    A wonderful way to see Italy is via their train system.  Their trains are very affordable and run to most of the major cities approximately every ½ hour.  We decided to take a (2) hour train ride to Florence.  The country side is gorgeous with their little villages scattered through out.  Florence was our favorite city.  It is so charming.  Ponte Vecchio was like nothing I’ve ever seen. We enjoyed walking up and down the cobblestone streets looking in all the little shops and cafes; grabbing a coffee and a plate of different pastries in one, then, a few streets over sitting down for a plate of pasta and a bottle of Chianti all the while enjoying looking at the buildings and people.  The Duomo is a magnificent site to see right in the middle of the city. 

     

    All the detail work that you see on the buildings in Italy is amazing!  How did they do that hundreds and thousands of years ago?  And the ceilings wow, most of us don’t even have paintings in our homes or businesses, yet in Italy, especially in the churches or Basilica’s, the ceilings are unbelievable. 

     

    When we took a bus tour down through Naples onto Pompeii, I was amazed at the paintings on the walls of the houses that survived.  If you ever get the chance to go to Italy, you must take a tour of ancient Pompeii.  It is so fascinating to see what a thriving metropolis it was. 

     

    Taking a train trip to Pisa was another great idea because we were able to see Italy’s beautiful rocky coast.  Once again the train ride was a little over (2) hours which goes by fast as you are trying to take in all of the scenery. 

     

    We did not care to spend much time in Pisa.  So after we took lots of pictures of the Leaning Tower of Pisa, we jumped back on a train to Florence where we found a great outside restaurant at the Piazza Della Repubblica that’s been there for over two hundred years.  We spent the afternoon sipping Latte’s and chatting with the locals until we were hungry enough to enjoy a plate of Ravioli and a bottle of Chianti all the while taking in the culture. 

     

    As you can tell, we ate our way through Italy.  So needless to say, when we heard that Bologna is known for their Tortellini, well, you know by now what we did!  Yes, the next day we took a train to Bologna.  Once again we enjoyed seeing the vineyards, farms, mountains, and countryside.  Bologna reminded us of Florence.  It too is very picturesque.  We found the most charming little market street that evening.   After eating tortellini, drinking Vini Rossi (the waiter’s recommendation of course!) and taking lots more pictures, we jumped back on the train and headed back to Rome. 

     

    We loved Rome and we were really glad we took in Italy the way we did with making Rome our home base and taking day trips via their bus or train system.  We didn’t have to constantly keep up with luggage.  At the end of our wonderful adventure filled days it was nice to go back “home” and not have to keep packing and unpacking and wondering if you forgot anything along the way. 

     

    For us, one day in each of those cities was enough.  The rest of our time was spent in the city of Rome where there is so much to see and experience and with so many wonderful places to eat!  My camera was clicking non-stop.  We came back with hundred’s of pictures.  There are so many beautiful fountains and museums.  We really enjoyed the tours.  You would miss so much if all you did was see the sites and not learn the history as well. The tours are well worth it.  The city tour bus is inexpensive and a great way to see and hear about a lot of the city.

     

    We were amazed at how so much traffic could flow so quickly and smoothly on their little narrow cobblestone streets.  What amazing drivers! The Italian people are also wonderful hosts.  They all make you feel so welcome and want to share their Italy with you.

     

    We loved everything about our Italy experience!  We didn’t want to leave and we definitely want to go back to Italia!

     

     Oh, by the way, you know all those tours and train trips we took?  Well, that didn’t end up costing us anything either because we paid for them with our Chase Visa Cash Back Reward Checks that we had saved up. 

     

    So, I am here to tell you from experience that yes, dreams do come true and it is possible in today’s failing economy to travel to a wonderful destination of your choice and it not cost you a dime or in our case a Euro!  Tourism is still affordable; there are deals out there and ways to travel.  You just have to do your research and make it happen.  When I was back in Florida, I sat in my Mom’s office to share my Italy experiences with her.  She looked at me and said, “Sometimes I think that the only way I will get to travel is through your eyes.”  As tears welled up in my eyes I was determined to let people know that affordable travel is possible!  Ciao!

     

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  • 1 year ago
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• Italy: Adventures and Ancesto

  • From: Ann Fessler
  • Description:

     

    How Can One Go "On the Cheap" to Italy in 2008?

    Part 1

     

     

    Thirty years ago, my husband, Ed, and I went to Europe using Frommer's Europe on Five Dollars A Day. For six weeks this September and October, we concentrated on Italy, cutting costs by renting a house in the oldest area of a town in Umbria, a non-touristy town named 'Marsciano." Instead of Venice, Florence and Rome, with their costly hotels, we lived in Marcia's typical Italian home with three floors. Not only was the price right, $1,500 for the month of September, but also we were afforded the comfort that comes from being able to cook many of our meals and do laundry. In addition, we didn't have to live out of a suitcase and move from place to place every few days.  Here is a picture of a Sunday morning procession as seen from our Marsciano House. See Marcia's blog and pictures of her home at the web site provided: http://web.mac.com/marsciamckean1/iWeb/MyItalianHometown/Welcome.html

     

    All Aboard! Part 2

     

     

    Train travel is the way to go! When gas was $9.00 a gallon in Europe at the time, traveling by train is the cheapest/least stressful way to go. This time around we did not visit big cities (because we had already spent weeks touring them), but on the days we chose to travel, we visited hill towns in Umbria and Tuscany. Some of the towns in which we spent a day included: Todi, Amelia, Perugia, Sienna, Pienza, Montefalco, Bevagne, Orvieto, Civita di Bagnoregio, Trevi, Gubbio, Spello and Montepulciano.

     

    Umbrian and Tuscan Hill Towns and Thrifty Eats!     Part 3

    We visited the towns, read the history, marveled at chapels and cathedrals, but didn't spend much time in museums. We arrived early enough to peruse the town and determined to find a tratoria or restaurant for a long lunch, during the time when shops in Italy close - 12:30 to 3:30 P.M. We often had a first plate (pasta or gnocchi) and either a salda or contori (vegetable - often, spinach or chicory) and the vino of the house - blanco or rosso. We called this "soaking up the culture." Second plates are meat and fish and are more expensive, and simply too much food. Bread and olive oil are always included and Italian restaurateurs add the gratuity to the bill. Usually, we did not have dessert but two were memorable - a tiramisu in Trevi and a warm chocolate cake in Spello.

    Searching for Ed's Roots - in Amelia (the region of Perugia) and in Grimaldi (the region of Calabria.)

        Part 4

     

    We went to Amelia, a beautiful hill town in the region of Perugia, where Ed's grandfather was born and lived until he immigrated to Portland, Oregon. Amelia is a walled city and has the reputation of being one of the friendliest cities in Italy. Everyone greeted us. It was poignant for Ed to imagine his grandfather there and he had many questions - when exactly did Ersillio leave, and why? And then, how was it for him to leave Ameilia in the early 1900's, a put together/beautiful walled city that was his home and move to Portland, a muddy frontier town in an unknown new world, that was an ocean and a continent away?

     

    After living in Marsciano in Umbria for a month, we went south to the region of Calabria.(from the ankle to the toe of the boot that is Italy.) Ed's grandmother came from there. She received her passport from Cosenza, a big city, and then took a boat from Naples to New York and the train to Portland. Her home town on her passport was listed as "Gruniliti." As we researched before leaving for Italy, we found no town of that name, so we went to a town close to Cosenza named, "Grimaldi." We were taking pictures and since it is not a tourist town, many people greeted us. I had studied a bit of Italian before we went and so I struck up a conversation (in my limited way) with an Italian man, saying that we thought that Ed's grandmother came from this town.

     

    He said, "Uno momento" and from his home, he brought out his cousin who was born in Grimaldi and now lives in Ottawa, Canada. She enthused, "Come with us to city hall; it's called 'the Commune of Grimaldi.'" Two people in the office started looking at birth records and found the family name. We didn't have her birth date, but thought she should have been born in the last decade of the 1800's. After about 20 minutes, Ed said, "I don't want you to waste anymore of your time. I think that because you found the family name, my Grandmother really did come from here. I don't have to see her birth record. I just wanted to walk in the city of her birth."

     

    The people in the office continued to look. In the very next book, they found "Rosa Sdao born in 1891 on January 21st to Bruno, father, and Falsetto, mother, Sdao." They listed the midwife's name and the church in which she was baptized.

    Ed was clearly emotional as he touched the book. The serendipity of this entire experience was incredible. The couple from Ottawa was supposed to leave for the city hall an hour before we arrived in Grimaldi and were actually supposed to leave to fly home to Canada the day before we came.

    Clearly, this was the "wow" of the trip. Ed's grandmother came to Portland when she was 23 years of age for an arranged marriage to a man (Ersillio) from the Umbrian region. They quickly had four children and then he died of TB. Ed really wasn't aware of her story when she was alive, so the discovery of her birth records and town were very important to him.

     

    A Hotel on the Mediterranean for $60 a night, including breakfast!

    Part 5.

     

    On October 2nd, for our final week in Italy, we enjoyed the beach and poolside at the Trevi Village near Campora San Giovanni and Amatea, Italy in the region of Calabria. Because it was "off season," it was definitely a bargain! www.trevivilliage.it

    

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