The day started with a heavy, wet fog over the entire area.  We made our way to the meeting point for our Vespa tour and checked in.   They drove us out to the countryside in a van.  A large gaggle of girls, no older than 20, occupied the first van.  They were students from…

I seem to buy wallets only on vacation.  My current wallet I bought on vacation in North Carolina many, many years ago.  I figured I needed an upgrade.  I’m actually unsure where I would buy a wallet not on vacation.   After visiting the Museo Galileo, all of us went shopping.  RBD’s shopping inclinations closely…

I could regal you of the history of Ferrari and discuss design, flow, and craftsmanship that goes into creating the cars.  I might even weave together a tale about how great design and great engineering can combine to create the sublime in an end user.  I’d cap it off with a zinger last line, that…

I try to imagine the initial conversation between the founders of Venice.  Something like, “Hey, guys, I know this area is a bunch of small islands, which are probably sinking, that also flood regularly, and will forever be a colossal pain in the ass to get to and from, and we’ll never eat anything but…

Today we spent time exploring the Duomo and its accompanying museum.  The actual name of the church is Cattedrale di Santa Maria del Fiore, or the Cathedral of Saint Mary of the Flower.  Il Duomo seems easier, sort of like how we New Yorkers say “the city” to mean Manhattan, as if only lesser places…

Welcome to Florence.  Population, roughy 380,000 people.  (Incidentally, in metric the number is much higher.)  The metropolitan area holds 1.5 million people and was founded in 59 BC by Julius Ceasar.  As far as anyone can tell, it’s been crowded ever since. We had a lovely flight from New York to Rome.  My combination of…

Hello again! Welcome to our next trip, Florence Italy.