Here is our European path thus far: (a little messy, I know)
We started out in Lisbon, Portugal, went up to Porto and over to Salamanca Spain, over to Madrid, down through Cordoba and onto Marbella (southern coast) then up to Barcelona. We scooted along the south of France to get into Italy, stopped off in Genova, then Siena (Tuscany), down to Rome and up to Venice. The plan was to spend a couple of days in Naples but our excursion in Naples kind of covered things so we changed it up a bit and spent another day in Rome and an additional day in Venice, where we are today. When we arrived here yesterday, we learned that it was yet another holiday, Labor Day, May 1. So things were a little wonky again. In Europe, for the most part, restaurants and stores close early afternoon for 2 – 3 hours and then reopen early evening. Throw a holiday in there and it’s a little tough to figure out.
Well, it started raining a couple of days ago and slowed us up a bit. After our 13 hour excursion to Pompeii and Positano we were a little tired and it started raining so we spent our last day in Rome in our hotel. We wanted to go see the Santa Maria Maggiore Cathedral and the Borghese Art Gallery but we decided not to add another challenge (the rain) to our travels around Rome. Those two sites were a recommendation by a friend and I love recommendations! Seriously I do! You can’t go wrong, sorry Marty 🙁
We actually had another one of those days, well it was just a half day but it was fun! When we were in Genova and it was Liberation Day and everything was closed, we decided to go to the grocery store and we got some baked chicken and gnocchi, went back to our room and watched Netflix on my Ipad. We were kind of over watching TV in a different language. So we had a picnic in our room and it was super fun!
On our last day in Rome, we went down to the hotel restaurant for lunch. Kevin asked the waiter what a particular ingredient was and the waiter explained (with a very strong italian accent) that it was fish eggs that they take from the fish, dry them and then grate them up and use like cheese.
Who figured out that would taste good? Kevin loved the dish so ……….
Someone told us that if we can make it past the 3 week mark, we would be good. Apparently, 3 weeks is when people traveling get homesick. So yesterday was our 3 week (half way point) and we decided we weren’t really homesick, although I sure do miss my grandbabies! However, Kevin had a dream that he said lasted all night. We were going to an event and there was a bridge overhead that was ready to fall. So Kevin went and reported it and told them what needed to be done to fix it and they asked him if he would fix it before the event. So he said he spent all night reinforcing this bridge so it wouldn’t collapse on all the guests. It might be a reach, but I think that might qualify as homesick 🙂 What do you think?
So, to sum things up, we are in Venice, it is pouring rain and I am sick! Not sure if it’s just a cold, the flu or what. Had a little fever last night so Kevin is out right now getting me a covid test. Not sure what good it will do but guess it’s good to know.
For now, pace e amore, e rimani in salute! (Is anybody looking these up?)
Ciao!!
Oh no! I hope you can kick the illness whatever it is, quickly. So frustrating to have to spend vacation time sick ❤️🩹
Peace and love was obvious
Had to look up stay healthy. Sorry you are not feeling well. Hopefully just a 24 hour bug and a day of rest will take care of it. Been wondering how you managed to set up all the tours. Did you do them by yourself or go through someone? Enjoying your posts.
I love the map update of your travels!!
Sorry to hear you’re not feeling well! I hope it’s over quickly and you can get back to the fun!
Denise, I hope you start feeling better right away. I don’t know what the rules are in Italy, but when I was in Austria – many years ago, I got a bad upper respiratory infection, then I learned that I could go straight to the pharmacy and the pharmacist would diagnose and give me a prescription. That worked out so well for me and I was grateful.
Thank you for the update on your travels. You two have seen and experienced so much. Take care, rest.
Sorry to hear that you’re not feeling well. Otherwise, sounds like a wonderful adventure.
So far it has been! Just ready to not be sick anymore so I can carry on.
So sorry you don’t feel well, Denise. Hope you are right as rain (oops, no more rain on your trip). What I mean is, I hope you are feeling better already and ready to take on another adventure. We love reading your posts. Thank you for writing them.
Anabel won’t take Covid test when traveling because if you test positive they might not let you back in the country with out quarantining you!!!!