Have Gelato In Italy

First Gelato in Verona, Italy

It's no secret...I love dessert!  Cookies, cakes, and ICE CREAM, you name it, I love it!  If it's raining, and cold, I will still think it is PERFECT weather to get ice cream!  Gelato is an ancient Italian frozen dessert.  The main differences it has from American Ice Cream is that it significantly has less butterfat than ice cream, it also has a much higher density (no air is added into it), and the last big difference is that it is served slightly warmer than ice cream.  The end result is yummy divine goodness!

Gelato in Venice

When we arrived in Verona, Italy we did the usual touristy things like visit Juliet's Balcony, but just around the corner from Juliet's Balcony we spotted a Gelateria!  Yes please!  I handed the cashier a few Euros, and in my hand was a little piece of heaven!  After that I was sold!  As I continued my journey through Italy I had Gelato in Venice, Florence, Bologna, Rome, Pisa, and Pompei. 

 Gelato in Florence

Since then I have become a bit of a Gelato snob.  I have yet to have Gelato nearly as good as it was in Italy, but perhaps the flavors were just enhanced because I was in Italy!  Who knows! 

Date Accomplished:  September 22nd, 2007

See Florence From The Piazzale Michelangelo

The photo above is exactly why the Piazzale Michelangelo guarantees one of the best panoramic views in Florence.  There is a reason that many postcard photos are taken from this spot.  On our way to our Tuscan dinner we stopped by the square as the sun was setting.

Going during sunset can give you views like this....

The square is dedicated to the artist Michelangelo and was built in 1869, and is booming with tourists hoping to get the best shot.  There is also a bronze replica of David on the square.

We thankfully got a drive up to the square, but other options are by taking the bus, or by climbing up the stairs from the "Poggi Ramps."  In our dresses and heels, climbing up stairs were completely out of the question.

There aren't many spots in Florence where you can get a shot of the Duomo and Ponte Vecchio in one frame.  We didn't spend a terribly long time there, we spent just enough time to admire the views and snap a photo of one of my most favorite Italian cities. 

Date Accomplished:  September 25th, 2007

Have A Cup Of Espresso In Italy

There's no question that I love coffee, but I love Espresso even more.  I love the strong punch that only espresso or a shot of tequila can give me, however the shot of espresso is more palpable for my palate than the tequila.  If I have time in the morning to prepare espresso, I use this little piece of amazingness to do so.   I mix it with some almond milk, some sugar or syrup, and I have a cup of greatness that will keep me awake for my long, physically (and mentally) exhausting 12 hour shifts.

Espresso is a beverage made by forcing a small amount of boiling water under pressure through ground coffee or espresso beans.  The final product is a creamier, and more concentrated version of coffee.  Espresso was discovered in Italy, and it fills the tables of nearly all Italian street side cafes. 

After dinner in Tuscany, I was offered a shot of espresso.  Yes, Please!!  It was strong, delicious, and
exactly what I needed to jump start my evening for some dancing in Florence!

Date Accomplished: September 25th, 2007

Send Myself A Postcard From Another Country

The Vatican City is the smallest, independent country in the world, and that happens to be within the city limits of Rome.  As an independent state it has its own newspaper, radio stations, army and post office.  I'm an avid collector of postcards, and have a huge memory box filled with postcards from all over the world.  I had never mailed a postcard to myself, but had heard using the Vatican City post office was a must thing to do.

The Vatican City Post Office is worth the short detour while touring other parts of the Vatican. It is considered more reliable than that of the notoriously slow Italian Postal System.  I purchased a Vatican stamp, a postcard, and sat on a bench as I scribbled out a note to myself, "Hey, You're at the Vatican, and loving it!  See you back home!" 

When I got home from my trip I became distracted with the normal nuisances of life.  About a week after my trip I opened my mailbox to find my Vatican postcard with a Vatican City post mark.  It was a sweet surprise after a fantastic trip.

Date Accomplished: September 26th, 2007

Travel With A Traveling Gnome

When gearing for my first international trip I got obsessed with the idea of traveling with a traveling gnome like in the movie Amelie.  It was like a right of passage, an initiation to travel if you will, or maybe I just wanted an excuse to buy a gnome. 

I named him Herman, a traveling Gnome I bought on Amazon, complete with his own passport.  I bought two more gnomes that I creatively named for my besties.  I'm the only one that ended up using the gnome as a traveling gnome.  I'd like to believe he was the secret to my travel success.

Herman easily fit in my purse, and traveled from London to Greece with me.  He was there when I stumbled out of a bus and sprained my ankle in Paris, he held my hair back when I was puking in the toilet after having too much vino in Venice, he was our bodyguard when we were chased through Switzerland by a public masturbator, and he drank it up with us during Oktoberfest in Germany.

Date Accomplished:   October 2nd, 2007

See The Amalfi Coast

The Amalfi Coast is one of the prettiest coastlines in the world.  It is located in Southern Italy on the Sorrento Peninsula, and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The Amalfi Coast is known for their limoncello liqueur, and it's towering bluffs.  It is a popular tourist destination that attracts a large amount of tourists annually.  After visiting Pompeii I got the chance to do a drive-through of Amalfi.  My friends and I were in awe, and most of our jaws dropped at the beautiful scenery in front of us. 

I hope one day I can stay for a few nights and enjoy the seafront cafes with a glass of Prosecco in hand.

Date Accomplished:  September 27th, 2007

Take A Gondola Ride In Venice

A signature sight in Venice are the endless stream of gondolas floating through the canals.  More often than not those gondolas are filled with tourists like myself.  Before our gondola ride we headed to a shop to get a few bottles of wines and cups for our ride. 

I have a confession to make, before our ride we did a bit too much drinking (a downfall when wine is cheaper than water), and we were starting to feel and look like Peter.....

While I'm in the mood of confessing, I'd also like to confess that I rarely floss, and I was actually terrified that our gondola might topple over.  I  had no plans of imitating Madonna by dancing and jumping around in the gondola.

It was an Italian-style booze cruise.

Our gondolier was a friendly chap that had a liking for my friend Jen.  He even let her drive our gondola, but personally I think he just wanted an excuse to feel her up. 

Wine was spilled, a bottle of champagne was cracked open, and we serenaded (or rather painfully annoyed) the people of Venice with our version of "That's Amore."

"So how drunk are you on a scale of 0 to Peter?" 

Pre-Gondola Ride: 6

Post-Gondola Ride:  Peter

Date Accomplished:  September 23rd, 2007

Toss Coins Into The Trevi Fountain

The Trevi Fountain is one of the most famous fountains in the world.  The fountain is located in Rome, Italy and covered by tourists daily.   Construction was completed in 1762. The fountain gained international fame after being a backdrop for several famous films like "Roman Holiday" with Audrey Hepburn.  Another thing that makes it standout from other fountains is it's size, it is just downright GINORMOUS!  It is an impressive 85 feet high and 65 feet wide.

There is a tradition that claims if you toss one coin into the fountain it will ensure a return to Rome, and if you toss two coins you will return and find love.  It is estimated that 3000 euros are thrown into the fountain each day!  Rome uses the money for a supermarket for people in need, and other various charities. 


I threw two coins.  Apparently I failed in Trevi Fountain Coin Tossing 101, the correct way to toss the coins are to have your back to the fountain, and to toss the coin with your right hand over your left shoulder.  No wonder I have never been back and found romance!

Date Accomplished:  September 26th, 2007

Climb The Spanish Steps

The Spanish Steps is the widest staircase in Europe and is composed of 138 steps.  It is located in Rome, Italy and the staircase starts at the base of the Piazza di Spagna.  It is often said it is shaped as a butterfly.

During the Renaissance period it attracted artists and writers, and the area was filled with beautiful hotels and homes.  Now the Spanish Steps are constantly filled with people, predominately tourists who sit and relax mainly at the base of the staircase.  It is also a haven for pickpocketers.

At the foot of the stairs, you can find the Fontana della Barcaccia.  The fountain has a mold of an overflowing half-sunken ship, because in 1598 the Piazza had been badly flooded and when it was drained their was a boat in the square.

After climbing three flights of stairs you reach a church called the Trinità dei Monti that is surprisingly owned by the French.  

During the Spring and early Summer the steps are completely covered with beautiful flowers.   The Spanish Steps are a must to visit, so grab a gelato, take a seat, and get ready to people watch and soak in the atmosphere.

Date Accomplished:  September 26th, 2007

Lean With The Leaning Tower Of Pisa

The Leaning Tower of Pisa, located in Pisa, Italy, is a belltower that, well, leans.  The tower began to lean during construction in 1173.   It took over 300 years to build.  The foundation that the Leaning Tower of Pisa was built on was too soft on one side that caused the tower to lean.  After construction it continued to progressively lean for centuries afterwards.  Before restoration, the tower leaned at 5.5 degrees, post restoration it now leans at 3.97 degrees.   Located also in the square are the Cathedral and Bapistry. 

In front of The Leaning of Tower is a large grassy area where you can get the best tower photos.  You know, THOSE photos of people leaning on it, and pushing it straight.  The grassy field is "off limits" but people walk on it anyways.  While we were there no one enforced it, but I have heard that they do occassionally.

This is such a touristy thing to do, but I am a tourist.  So there.

But I think what I enjoyed better than taking those cheesy photos were taking shots of others attempting their photos.

This is what the passersby see.

After taking our photos, grabbing a scoop of gelato, we then took a walk back to our bus.  But we were missing something, our friend, Edgar.  Edgar was from Mexico and he had left some of his most important stuff on the bus.  Since we were on a tour everyone agreed to wait for at least ten minutes, and one person went running to go look for him.  He was nowhere to be found, so, we left whether we liked it or not.  We were so worried that he wouldn't be able to find his way back to Florence without his valuables.

We lost Edgar in Pisa!!  For the remainder of the day we kept saying, "Where in the world is Edgar?"

That evening after a night of drinks in Florence, we arrived back to our hotel to find Edgar there!   He had gotten the meeting time wrong by an hour, and after he realized we were all gone, he panicked.  I would have probably cried, actually, I know I would have cried.

After his mini panic attack he bucked up, found an Internet cafe, found out where we were staying, took a train, bus, and taxi to our hotel!  Till this day, anytime anyone mentions Pisa, I immediately think of poor Edgar lost in Pisa!

Date Accomplished: September 23rd, 2007