The Plan...

Have you ever wanted to visit a place that has so many years of history built into it, with so many media references and friends' recommendations that you want to see it all? And then you pick up a book or visit a website to check out what there is to see only to find WAY too much information that you become overwhelmed and just need a vacation from researching your vacation? That's how I felt for the first few months I started to look into Italy. Rome alone has enough to see and do that it could take six months to ever get through the travel book's offerings!

But, finally, after sitting down and slowly going through all the information, a plan began to form. I decided on 3 weeks because I had a pretty good idea of what I wanted to see and do and thought it would be best not to rush the entire trip. Originally I was planning for September 2011, but a new job and subsequently another new job last October pushed that out. It felt a bit wrong to be planning a 3 week vacation my first year at Encana but I figured I couldn't keep pushing this out forever. There are more places to explore after Italy and I've been dreaming about this for so long. It was, and now almost is, time to go!

ROME (4 nights)

We fly into Rome on June 8th around noon and probably will be ready to crash fairly early that day. There will be time for some walking and exploring and maybe we'll see the Forums and Colosseum from afar but I think that day will be fairly slow and quiet.

June 9th we have tickets to the Vatican and St Peter's. Luckily, Bryan hadn't seen that on his previous trip so we're both excited for the tour. After that, perhaps we'll stop in Spagna and window shop, explore and make our way to Fontana di Trevi. Villa Borghese is supposed to be a nice place for a picnic and many of the cafes offer takeout just for that.

I think fate was keeping me from going to Italy last year because from March to September 2012 (only, apparently), Musei Capitalione has an exhibit called Lux Du Arcana going on - the Secret Artifacts of the Vatican are on display! Galelio's trial, the Quill, Archive Sand, and many more amazing items will be available. www.luxinarcana.org On June 10th, we have tickets for this exhibit. After that, I'm hoping to wander around Palazza Navona and find a really great, quaint local restaurant. Maybe we'll find a rooftop bar to take in Rome at night.

June 11th is a free day so I'm sure we'll explore more of the city. The transit systems are very comprehensive and we could visit areas outside of the core. I read Trastevere has great shops and eats and sites. I'm happy to explore and take in every piece of the city and experience it all.

VENICE (2 nights)

Our train leaves Termini at 10:45am on June 12th destined for Venice, which is approximately 3 1/2 hours from Rome. This will be my first chance to see how well my TrenItalia research skills paid off! We hope to see Palazzo Ducale and Saint Mark's Square and Basilica, and perhaps spring for a gondola ride (though at €80 each I'm more inclined to take the water bus for a ride).

FLORENCE (3 nights)

We get into Florence around noon on June 14th so we have that afternoon and one other full day to explore. I'm hoping to take a day bus trip to Siena on one of the days we're in Florence because I've heard such beautiful things about Siena. It's like Florence but more elegant and romantic. Again, nothing much specifically planned but more walking and exploring. Did I mention that Bryan hasn't yet realized just how much walking there will be???

LUCCA (3 nights)

I took a chance and bought a Dealfind voucher for a 3 night stay at a Lucca resort called Albergo Casanova. This is a 14th century property with suites, chapel, restaurant, bar and many gorgeous outdoor views of the sea. We easily were booked into the resort and the Assistant Manager, Victoria Ikel, has been extremely helpful, answering all my questions for arrival and getting around.

We are also booked in for a 4-hour cooking class on June 18th at Cucina Italiana, learning to make fresh pasta, ravioli and sauces!

CINQUE TERRE (2 nights)

We'll be staying in La Spezia rather than one of the 5 Cinque TERRE towns for easier access out, but the train for Cinque Terre leaves from La Spezia so it will be simple to get to that area. There is a 14 km walking path from Riomaggiore to Monterosso that I'm determined to complete but Bryan thinks it's too far...we'll see. We are also going to try to scuba dive at Monterosso but I'm not sure if we'll have time. Only about 1.5 days in Cinque Terre.

SORRENTO (3 nights)

June 22nd will be our longest day of traveling - our train out of La Spezia leaves at 5:45 am! We travel to Rome, have about an hour of waiting, switch trains and head to Naples. Since I haven't read too many great things about Naples we will stop there just to experience Napolean pizza. From there, we'll take the subway train to Sorrento, about 1.5 hours away.

The next day we'll likely head to Capri for the day. There is tons to do there, or so I hear! The following day the plan is to visit Herculaneum.

ROME (2 nights)

I don't think I will get enough of Rome so we're headed back for two more nights. I'd love to see some Catacombs during this stint and spend the rest of the time relaxing and reflecting on the trip. It's nearing the end so I imagine I'll be sad.

LIDO di OSTIA (2 nights)

Ostia Antica is supposedly where Rome originated and now the ruins are open to explore. We'll stop there on the way to the beach, and then spend the rest of our trip hanging out by the sea. The beach is much closer to the airport and seemed like a good way to end the trip.