Author Archives: Serene

We loved this trip!  We especially loved it combined with our Holland American transatlantic cruise.  It was a great five weeks in April and May 2022. This last (yes last!) post about our trip will mention some overall impressions, some … Continue reading →

Our first stop on the last day of our Tour of Italy was at the Florence American Cemetery Memorial.  This is one of two American Cemeteries in Italy. The other is near Rome.  Rome was liberated on June 5, 1944.  … Continue reading →

There were two significant events on our minds as we arrived in Florence. Seeing Michelangelo’s David and taking the Covid test required for travel back into the US. In May 2022, testing positive meant quarantine in Florence.  Our hotel room … Continue reading →

Pisa was an important port on the Mediterranean in the 12th century. Construction on a bell tower began in 1173.   Unfortunately, the land was marshy and the tower started leaning after the third floor was added.  We were told … Continue reading →

Our next destination was famous Lake Como.  It is a lovely lake surrounded by elegant villas and green mountains. We were reminded repeatedly that George Clooney and his family live on Lake Como but we did not see them.  We … Continue reading →

Lake Maggiore is in Italy’s Lake District, ever so close to Switzerland.  At one point we were ten minutes away from the border and regretting that we hadn’t known enough to ask if a visit was possible. The tour was … Continue reading →

Milano (Milan) is the second largest city in Italy and its business mecca. It is said that for every church in Rome there is a bank in Milan. The city is also an international fashion center.    The community that became … Continue reading →

This is the hotel room we woke up in on the day we were leaving for Verona.  It is fairly typical of what our rooms in older hotels looked like.  They were generally good size with old style furniture.  This … Continue reading →

Our first views of Venice were entering the city on the Grand Canal.  Venice is composed of 119 islands and has over 400 bridges and 150 canals. We were intrigued by the architecture in this 1600 year old city.  Venice … Continue reading →

On the journey to Assisi, our tour guide pointed out the Abbey of Montecassino on a nearby hill.  It was a Benedictine monastery when the Germans took it over during WW2.  The US made a calculated decision to bomb the … Continue reading →