If you read my last post, then you’d know Day and I have given our notices to our employers, and are spending January, February and March in Italy. Needless to say, we are freakin excited, and I am looking forward to writing all about our trip once we are there, but also, preparations leading up to our trip.

This trip was originally scheduled for the beginning of 2021, and, the purpose of the trip was for Day to get her Italian citizenship (more on that in another post). Obviously due to Covid-19, we had to cancel the trip. Furthermore, because courts were closed, and now there is such a backlog with cases, Day has yet to get all of the required paperwork to complete her citizenship. We decided months ago, we were going to go regardless whether she had her paperwork or not, and honestly, I’m happy this trip is just for fun. So let’s get into the basic itinerary.

We have an AirBnB in Palermo, Sicily for the month of January, one in Florence for February, and one in Rome for March. Month long stays in AirBnBs are pretty cheap. $900.00 for a 2 bedroom, 2 bathroom apartment for a month in historic downtown Palermo. $1100.00 for Florence and a $1600.00 for Rome, for a month, in the Trastevere neighborhood! Once we decided where and when, we started making plans.

Palermo

Day and I will be in Palermo for a week and a half (we have no plans) before we sneak out for a few days, and visit the town of Matera. Matera is one of the oldest continuously inhabited settlements in history dating back to the Palaeolithic period. It’s known as the city of caves with spectacular scenery, stylish cave hotels, and a fascinating history.

We’ll get back from Matera just in time to welcome our friends K and J, who will be joining us for two weeks. We’ll stay in Palermo for a few days, let K and J work out their jetlag, before we head out for a week long tour of Sicily.

Out first stop will be Taormina for 2 nights, where we can visit Teatro Antico di Taormina, an ancient Greco-­Roman theater still used today. We can hike up Mt. Etna, or more likely, take the cable car (although it’s pretty active right now) and visit the vineyards at the foot of the mountain. From Taormina, we go the town of Ragusa Ibla.

“Ragusa is a hilltop city in southeast Sicily, Italy. Ragusa Ibla, the old town, is home to many baroque buildings, like the Duomo di San Giorgio, a grand church with paintings and stained-glass windows. There are sweeping views from the Giardino Ibleo, a public park with churches and fountains. In Ragusa Superiore, the city’s more modern part, is ornate Ragusa Cathedral, with a museum of religious art and relics.”-Google

We’re in Ragusa for 2 nights, and then, we head for Agrigento and the Valley of the Temples. Valley of the Temples is a huge archaeological site filled with Greek temples from the ancient city of Akragas. The city of Agrigento sits on top of a hill, north of the valley.

From Agrigento, we go back to Palermo, where we will spend our last week in Sicily with K and J, before we head to Florence. Our plans: wander the streets, shop in the open air markets, eat and discover. I freakin love it!

Florence

Day and I will be in Florence for about two and a half weeks, by ourselves, with no plans, it’s gonna be great! Mid way through the third week, we’re gonna go up to Milan for a couple of days to see my favorite band (my friend Tara is gonna be pissed) the Lumineers! After Milan and the Lumineers we head back to Florence just in time to meet our friends: S&D, S&A and Jo.

Our friends will be in Florence with us for 8 or 9 days. We’re going to Bologna and the Emilia-Romagna region for 2 days for an all day food tour which includes a tour of the production and tastings of Parmesan cheese, Balsamic vinegar and Parma ham. The tour also includes a trip to a small organic winery around Emilia for wine tastings and brunch. After Bologna, Day and I head back to Florence with our friends, where we will spend the rest of the week with them.

The rest of the week will be wandering, the Duomo, museums, food and, James Taylor on Friday night at the Teatro Verdi! Once our friends leave, Day and I have a couple more days in Florence to ourselves, before we leave for Rome.

Rome

What can be said about Rome, the eternal city? We have a great AirBnB in the Trastevere neighborhood, great location and great food! I’m happy to say, we have no plans whatsoever, perfect for Rome. Rome should be discovered, day by day, a little at a time as you wander the streets.

There is so much to see in Rome: the Colosseum, the Roman Forum, the Spanish Steps, the Trevi Fountain and my favorite, the mighty Pantheon. And, let’s not forget the Vatican, the list is endless. 

A month in Rome, with no plans, I’m so excited I can hardly contain myself! I’m so excited about writing. A blog post about a morning in the Pantheon, an afternoon in the Roman Forum, the open air markets and artichoke season in Rome.

It’s only 2 months away. Day and I leave for Italy, we’ve quit our jobs and start a new beginning and a new chapter in our lives when we get back. This is gonna be exciting and scary. Explore. Dream. Discover. Travel!

Luv ya,
Curly