Italy
NORTHERN ITALY 2014
Florence (Tuscany), Emilia-Romagna (Ravenna & Bologna), Lombardy (Milan), March 2014
- Florence, home of friends near the Arno River, walking distance to the Ponte Vecchio; the Historic Center of Florence is a UNESCO World Heritage Site
- Favorite restaurant: Buca Lapi (reservations a must, we had eaten here during our first trip to Italy in 1966 and the food and ambience were marvelous both times)
- Favorite family-owned jewelry shop, Ore Due (short walk from the Ponte Vecchio), for handmade 18 karat necklaces, pins, and earrings by Lorenzo and his father Robert in the workroom behind the shop, with Lorenzo’s well-informed, cordial sister Veronica in the shop
- Bologna, Antica Residenza d’Azeglio, delightful B&B with splendid rooms walking distance to Piazza Maggiore; they are most hospitable and recommended excellent restaurants nearby
- Da Nello, Via Monte Grappa off Piazza Maggiore (reservations a must in this extremely popular place)
- Ravenna, M Club, a charming contemporary B&B in the town well known for its incredible mosaics
- Ravenna, side trip to Classe, M Club, charming contemporary B&B in the heart of the town near city arch, run by Michael Scapini Mantovani, a charming young man and gracious host; his father, an engineer, and mother, an interior designer, designed and decorated this delightful place
- Verona, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is the setting for Romeo & Juliet
- Milan, RossoSegnale and 3001 LAB, Citta Studi area of Milan near Loreto Metro Station, a combination art gallery & B&B
- Favorite neighborhood restaurant: Ristorante Il Melograno, a short walk from RossoSegnale and 3001 LAB B&B, husband & wife team serve delicious homemade pasta in charming restaurant, graciously provide half-portions upon request
- Favorite restaurant nearby: Trattoria da Abele near Pasteur Metro Station
- Milan, Park Hyatt, walking distance to Piazza del Duomo and La Scala (we used our valuable Hyatt points here); the concierge got us tickets for several performances at La Scala and had the tickets waiting in the hotel vault for safekeeping
- Favorite restaurant nearby: Café Trussardi, casual bistro below the one-star Michelin restaurant Il Ristorante Trussardi alla Scala
FLORENCE
Historic Center UNESCO World Heritage Site
Ponte Vecchio, Florence
View of Santa Croce Beyond Red Tile Rooftops
RAVENNA
Early Christian Monuments UNESCO World Heritage Site
Basilica of Sant’Apollinare in Classe on Outskirts of Ravenna, Mosaic
Basilica of Sant’Apollinare in Classe on Outskirts of Ravenna, Mosaic
Basilica of Sant’Apollinare in Classe on Outskirts of Ravenna, Mosaic
VERONA
UNESCO World Heritage Site
Colosseum, Roman Ampitheatre, Verona
Juliet’s Balcony, Verona
MILAN
Milan Cathedral
Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, Milan
La Scala, Milan
SICILY 2004
Handpainted Donkey Cart
Siracusa Waterfront
Ellen in Taormina
- Palermo, Principe di Villa Franca
- Agrigento, Baglio della Luna
- Siracusa, Grand Hotel
- Taormina, Villa Ducale
- Catania, Villa del Bosco
Agrigento, UNESCO World Heritage Site
Rooftops and View of Taormina
ROME
The Roman Forum, Historic Center of Rome, UNESCO World Heritage Site
Italian Parliament Building
Ditirambo, Our Favorite Restaurant in Rome, Near Campo dei Fiori
Our favorite restaurant in Rome is Ditirambo, http://www.ristoranteditirambo.it/.
