Italy 2012. Naples, Amalfi, Positano and Vesuvius.

From Florence we headed Southwest to one of the most amazing coast lines on the planet. We may have stopped along the way for gelato a few times, but this is a judgement free blog. It was at while driving at night into Sorrento that we discovered that Rocco had inoperative headlights. The combination of my Sisters' expert driving and the basic lack of interest from the Italian police, made this a complete non issue. Driving along the coast we stopped in the small towns and shopped for ceramics that the area is known for. And perhaps there was more gelato. Oh and right, we climbed up to the summit of Mt. Vesuvius. Actually you drive up most of it, and then hike up the rest of the way, but you know what I mean. It is quite spectacular to walk around the crater of a dormant volcano, and the view of the surrounding area and the Bay of Naples is amazing.

Italy 2012. Bellagio, Venice, Cervia and Florence

My family and I spent some time in Italy last month for what was (at least for me) a seriously amazing adventure. There was no shortage of sights, as we spent our time driving (and ferrying) our way accross the inspiring and amazing country that means so much to me. We picked up our 10 passenger van (which we named Rocco) and set out from Milan to Bellagio, Venice, Cervia, Ravenna, Florence, Sorrento, The Amalfi Coast, Pompeii, Vesuvius, Naples, Isola di Panarea (that's where the ferry came in handy), Rome, Siena, and the Cinque Terre. It was simply an amazing trip with amazing people. Add delicious pasta and Campari and Soda's to the mix and the outcome is a vault of memories that will stay with me for life. Thank you to my Mother Eleanor, my Aunt Ida, My sisters Nina and Lisa, my Nieces Amelia and Dana, and my Nephew Nick... you are all amazing travel companions.

There will be serveral posts here from this trip, so keep checking back for updates if you are interested.

I hope these photos both do justice to a country full of geopraphic/architechural/artistic/historic spleandor, and to the people I was lucky enough to travel it with.