We began with a plan just to go and base ourselves in Rome. For seven weeks.
Several factors overruled that. First we realised that to stay in Rome from 19 September would mean warmer weather and that crowds would still be there. So we chopped off the first three weeks and allocated them to Genova, Piacenza and Arezzo, a week each. Chosen because having lots to offer but less popular with English speaking tourists.
And then I wrote to Silvia, who had been such a wonderful apartment host and became a friend when we rented her apartment in Sicily in 2011. And Silvia immediately insisted we go and stay with her at her place in Tuscany for a couple of days. Meaning three nights, one stolen from Genova, two from Piacenza.
But doubling back to Florence from Genova and then going north again to Piacenza before coming back through Florence to Arezzo seemed intolerably like traveling the same way twice (twice)... contrary to our natures, not to mention training back in the mists of time in avoiding being kidnapped. In any case there was temptation to add an extra something. So we have stolen another night from Piacenza and will take a modern regional train along an historical route to Brisighella, declared one of the most beautiful villages of Italy, through the mountain pathway taken by Dante. Arriving as we should in time for lunch. Departing early next morning for Piacenza.
The longer stay places intended as bases for day trips, as perhaps from Piacenza for Bobbio or Mantova or Milano... but we’ve eroded our time in Piacenza. From Arezzo the desire to wander into the hills where the catchment of the Arno ends and the Tiber begins. Sansepolcro and Monterchi. And of course there’s food there, as elsewhere. We considered renting a car for the latter but bus services are good.
But we are not immune from Gelateria Syndrome, that disease afflicting those who go to Italy and want all the different flavours on a single cone. So we will run away for a night from Arezzo, to Perugia.
Rome no plans to run away yet. Big family stay in Rome, with two daughters and a son in law coming for part of the time from Seattle and Washington DC.
Several factors overruled that. First we realised that to stay in Rome from 19 September would mean warmer weather and that crowds would still be there. So we chopped off the first three weeks and allocated them to Genova, Piacenza and Arezzo, a week each. Chosen because having lots to offer but less popular with English speaking tourists.
And then I wrote to Silvia, who had been such a wonderful apartment host and became a friend when we rented her apartment in Sicily in 2011. And Silvia immediately insisted we go and stay with her at her place in Tuscany for a couple of days. Meaning three nights, one stolen from Genova, two from Piacenza.
But doubling back to Florence from Genova and then going north again to Piacenza before coming back through Florence to Arezzo seemed intolerably like traveling the same way twice (twice)... contrary to our natures, not to mention training back in the mists of time in avoiding being kidnapped. In any case there was temptation to add an extra something. So we have stolen another night from Piacenza and will take a modern regional train along an historical route to Brisighella, declared one of the most beautiful villages of Italy, through the mountain pathway taken by Dante. Arriving as we should in time for lunch. Departing early next morning for Piacenza.
The longer stay places intended as bases for day trips, as perhaps from Piacenza for Bobbio or Mantova or Milano... but we’ve eroded our time in Piacenza. From Arezzo the desire to wander into the hills where the catchment of the Arno ends and the Tiber begins. Sansepolcro and Monterchi. And of course there’s food there, as elsewhere. We considered renting a car for the latter but bus services are good.
But we are not immune from Gelateria Syndrome, that disease afflicting those who go to Italy and want all the different flavours on a single cone. So we will run away for a night from Arezzo, to Perugia.
Rome no plans to run away yet. Big family stay in Rome, with two daughters and a son in law coming for part of the time from Seattle and Washington DC.
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