THE PERETTI SISTERS GO TO ITALY !!
(Every other day or so, Lauren and Katelyn would post a report on an Internet website, so that family and friends cold monitor their trip progress. The following is a summary of those posts; a running diary of their exploits in Italy)

Arrivederci USA, Buon giorno Italia
Buon giorno! Join us, Lauren and Katelyn, as we begin a two-week tour of Italia. We are departing the U.S. today and will be experiencing the sights, sounds, tastes and splendors of Rome, Siena, Florence, Venice, Sorrento, Milan and much more along the way. We’ll post travel logs, photos, and videos here to share our day-to-day experiences with friends and family.

Lauren and Katelyn are sisters, whose ancestry on their father’s side hails from Ascoli Piceno and Calabria. Although both natives of Italy, the two met and married after coming to the U.S., and raised a family that still lives in Frostburg, Md. Lauren recently graduated from West Virginia University with a master’s degree in integrated marketing communications. Katelyn is currently a senior studying elementary education at West Virginia University.

So, our bags are packed and we’ll board the plane later this afternoon. We’ve got enough reading material on Italy to last us the entire flight over, plus we need to remind ourselves of key Italian phrases we learned several semesters ago. We’ll land in Rome tomorrow morning. Until then, ciao!

Written by laurennp, June 19, 2010 at 6:40 am

Archive for June 20th, 2010
When in Rome…
 

Today was full of mixed emotions. We were excited to get over to Italy and begin our tour, but heartbroken to have found out that Pap Pap passed away while we were waiting to board our plane at the airport. We chose to continue on with the support of our family, because we know that’s the way he would have wanted it.

After checking into our hotel, we met up with our tour director and group before heading into the city for the evening. We walked the Spanish Steps. In fact, Lauren almost fell down them! Nearby was Valentino’s headquarters and a string of small shops.

We visited the Trevi Fountain, which is said to collect 10,000 Euros a day. We saw a variety of ancient Roman monuments and buildings, like the Victor Emmanuel Monument, Santa Maria Maggiore church where only the Pope can give mass, among many other things. But, our favorite sight of the evening was the Coliseum lit up!

We ended with a what seemed to be more than a five-course meal. We had antipasta, fried vegetables, pasta marinara, bow-tie pasta with a garlic sauce, salad, chicken with potatoes and tiramisu, and drank wine, as well as espresso. We were also serenaded during dinner by a opera singing couple and an accordion player.

Written by laurennp, June 20, 2010 at 5:49 pm

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Archive for June 22nd, 2010
Traveling to Tuscany

Today, we traveled. After leaving Rome, we went to Orvieto, a small town in the Umbria region of Tuscany that housed a church with the most colorful facade. We purchased both earrings and a pendant made from mosaic glass fragments and had lunch on the steps of the church. Then, we went on to Siena, where we spent some time wandering around the Piazza del Campo, a sloping dramatically shaped square, and visited the Duomo, a gothic church, where we lit two more candles in honor of Pap Pap as today was the viewing at home. We walked the narrow streets and visited many storefronts, and ended the evening with pizza and wine on the piazza.

Written by laurennp, June 22, 2010 at 3:46 pm

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Rome wasn’t built in a day…

We have conquered the "Eternal City" of Rome. We woke up at 5:30 a.m., which was difficult, because we are still trying to adjust to the time change. A small breakfast consisted of rice and bran flakes cereal, rolls, croissants, jellies, milk, and espresso. We stuffed some rolls into our bag for lunch, as well, and boarded the bus for Vatican City to see the Vatican Museum and the Sistine Chapel. It was one of those experiences that you stop, do more than just notice and really try to absorb all that you are seeing, because you know that what’s in front of you is not only an amazing work of art, but a well-known piece of history that many do not get a chance to see. Neither of us have ever really been art-junkies, but the sculptures, ceiling and wall paintings, and basilicas were amazing and something we will never forget. We also lost George, a gentlemen that must be over 80 years old, hard of hearing and traveling alone while in the museum. Don’t worry, though, we found him about two hours later.

We had a Panini in St. Peter’s Square after seeing the church, which included a dome designed by Michelangelo, his "Pieta" sculpture of Jesus and the virgin Mary, and where the Pope gives mass. We explored the mighty Coliseum and envisioned it covered with marble before going to the Roman Forum and seeing its Arch of Titus, Temple of Romulus, Temple of Antonius and Raustina, Arch of Septiumius Serverus, and more. We bought our first gelato and roamed around numerous narrow side streets in the area. After visiting the Pantheon and the Santa Maria Basilica, we hung out in the Piazza Navona lined with palaces and sidewalk cafes, and saw fountains like Fontana dei Quattro Fiumi by Bernini. We ended the day at Chiesa del Gesu, a smaller, but no less beautiful church, where we lit a candle for Pap Pap.

We ran into some inconveniences trying to get back to our hotel, as transportation in Rome is not only crazy, but confusing. Luckily, we were with two other women in our group one of whom could speak both Greek and Spanish, and was able to communicate better with the locals. It was an adventure, but we made it home before dark and safely!

Written by laurennp, June 22, 2010 at 3:30 pm

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Archive for June 24th, 2010
Florence was fantastico

Florence was fantastico today! It is a beautiful, but bustling city of commerce and Renissance. We saw well-known works like da Vinci’s "Annunciation," Botticelli’s "Birth of Venus," and Michelangelo’s "Holy Family" at the Uffizi, a museum of Renaissance art. We had paninis for lunch in the Piazza della Signoria, where a replica of Michelangelo’s David stands, and tour around the city to see the Duomo, Battistero San Giovanni and much more. We enjoyed shopping for leather and gold, which Florence is most known for, and even made a few purchases for ourselves and family.

Before having dinner at the hotel, we walked the streets of Monticantini and window shopped in their small boutique stores. No one really spoke much English, so we had to pull some Italian out as best we could. Dinner was good, and although we are having so much fun, we are both beginning to get tired, so we’ll rest this evening in preparation of Venice tomorrow.

Written by laurennp, June 24, 2010 at 3:56 pm

Found St. Agostino in San Gimignano

We continued to travel through Tuscany today stopping in San Gimignano, Greve and Montecantini. I think San Gimignano has been one of our most favorite spots yet for various reasons. It is one of Italy’s best preserved medieval towns with numerous towers and narrow streets. The Lord works in mysterious ways, because within the town is Chiesa di Sant’ Agostino. We were delighted to discover this romanesque-gothic church as today was the funeral at home for our Pap Pap, otherwise known as Augustine. Aside from being home with our family, we couldn’t have found a better way to honor Pap Pap. We lit some candles, spent some time in the church and are bringing back a gold crucifix we purchased just outside the church that we hope can be mounted on or placed near his tombstone when we return home.

After that we wondered most of the town and found a unique glass and wood shop where we were excited to purchase wine decanters that have a separate section for ice. It will be a nice piece that we can use to entertain for years to come. We also got some hand carved untensils.

We traveled to Greve in Chianti where we toured a winery and had a tasting. We walked away with two bottles- the famous Chianti Classico and a bottle of dessert wine. It was a beautiful landscape full of olive trees and vineyards and we got to see it from high above on the hill.

We ended the evening in Monticantini, a spa town outside of Florence and had dinner on the Tuscan countryside at a restaurant in an old Villa. It was delicious and a great ending to our tour through Tuscany!

Written by laurennp, June 24, 2010 at 3:55 pm

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Archive for June 26th, 2010
A day in Venezia

Venice is a city full of life and no cars! Among the crisscrossing canals, gondolas, water busses, arched bridges, palaces and numerous piazzas are so many ins and outs the Venetian lifestyle. In addition to seeing the Basilica di San Marco, we viewed the Ponte di Rialto and the Palazzo Ducale. We got to watch glass blowers from Murano work as they easily created the tiniest of objects. The city is most known for glass, lace and linens and we leisurely walked and shopped about the city picking up all three items from local merchants in San Marco. We ended the afternoon with a cruise around the canal, enjoyed some gelato, and chatted with local store owners. We ate dinner at our hotel with other tour members who we have gotten to know well over the last week or so. 

Written by laurennp, June 26, 2010 at 1:13 pm

Pisa to Venice

Today we drove from Montecatini to Pisa to visit the Square of Miracles and the Leaning Tower, as well as the cathedral, baptistery, and museum. It was really incredible to see the massive tower actually leaning! We continued on to Venice through the Aennine Hills and ended the evening in Saint Marks Square. It was bellisimo! We took a motor boat ride across the Giudeccca Canal and walked about the square experiencing famous buildings, small bridges and inner canals and more. We ate dinner just off the squared at a Venetian style restaurant and ate shrimp, lasagna, cod, sea bass and tiramisu. It was a full moon and Venice lit up at night was a sight we’ll never forget!

Written by laurennp, June 26, 2010 at 1:12 pm

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Sailed away to Sorrento

We actually got to sleep in today, June 28, and it was much needed before we began the second half of our journey on our own. We hitched a ride with some other members of our tour group and traveled by bus to Sorrento. We originally thought we were going to have to take the train, but were lucky enough to get a scenic view of ol’ Napoli and be dropped off at right in front of our hotel, which is only minutes from the center of Sorrento.

Because we arrived later in the day, we quickly checked in and then ventured out into town. We walked around the Piazza Tasso for a bit before boarding a bus for Marina Grande, a fishing village on the water. You wouldn’t believe that way these drivers navigate the twisting and turning streets here. It’s unreal! We both really enjoyed this small area along the shore because we got to experience it at sun set. There were colorful, small boats lined up on shore and docked in the water, fishermen sipping on a glass of wine, music playing and more.

We dined at a local restaurant where we spilt two of the areas most prized meals- Pizza Margharita and fresh fish. They didn’t lie about the fresh fish. It looked and tasted like it was just caught today! The pizza was good, too. We boarded the bus again and headed back to the hotel to make preparations for tomorrow. It’s going to be a busy day!

Written by laurennp, June 29, 2010 at 3:07 am

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Roman Holiday

Today, June 27, was the last day of our guided tour through the central part of Italy. We departed Venice early and made the drive back to Rome through the Umbria region surrounded by rolling hills, mountains, and even fields of sunflowers, but not before stopping in Assisi, where the Basilica de San Francisco is located. We visited both cathedrals and even saw the tomb of St. Francis of Assisi. We also lit a candle for Pap Pap there, as well, and it was very beautiful. We arrived in Rome and had a nice farewell dinner at a local ristorante pizzeria with our new found traveling friends Helen and Catherine from New York. It was a wonderful evening that rounded out with wine at an outside lounge with other members of our tour group. It was sad to say good-bye, and we can’t believe how fast the trip has gone. (Pictured with our tour guide Mattia.)

Written by laurennp, June 29, 2010 at 3:05 am

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Pompeii, Capri and Sorrento

What a busy day we had today, June 29! We might not have a tour guide anymore, but we proved that we are more than capable of getting around Italy. This morning, we walked a short distance to the circumvesuviana, or train, and boarded for Pompei, the ancient city covered by the eruption of Vesuvius (volcano) in 79 AD. We walked the majority of the ruins, Roman roads and archaeological sites. You could even see ruts in the original cobbled streets made by the wheels of Roman chariots! On our way there, we also got to see olive trees where the nets were strung and ready for the upcoming season when they fall from the branches, as well as a bit of Napoli.

We reboarded the train for Sorrento. "Due biglietti per Sorrento" and a thumbs up from the clerk meant we were on our way to the second excursion of the day- Capri. It took a little walking and about a 40 minute ferry, but we made it to the island in the middle of the afternoon.

It was hot, very hot, today, so we both came home with sun burns. (We’re so mad at ourselves, because now we really look like tourists!) The harbor was full of yahts, big and little boats and shops, and it was easy to see why it’s known as the "Gem of the Mediterranean." Although it is small, its packed with beauty from the towering limestone cliffs to the deep blue waters. Mistakenly, we climbed all the way to the top of the island. How? We ventured up this narrow pathway and before we knew where we were headed, we were half way. But, when we made it to the top, the hike was well worth it! We cooled off with some gelato, window shopped, and then sat and ate at a pizzeria that overlooked the entire coast of the island.

We made it down to the coast line and found a spot on the shore after changing into our swim suits we’d been lugging around all day. We were surprised, though, to find that the shore was not made of sand, but various sized pebbles. It was actually quite painful, so we sat (as comfortable as we could) and watched the boats come and go into the harbor. We both got in the water up to our knees, but it was pretty cold and difficult to maneuver around in. We boarded the ferry back to the Marina Piccolo in Sorrento, where we had dinner by the water again. This time spaghetti and tortellini with fried zucchini flowers. We walked back up to the history center of Sorrento and window shopped before returning to the hotel.

Written by laurennp, June 30, 2010 at 1:29 am

Meandering in Milan

We have arrived at the fashion capital of the world after traveling for eight hours! June 30 began with a walk to the nearest bus station where we caught a charter to the Naples airport, but along the way we got held up for about an hour because of a wreck. Keep in mind the coastal road in Sorrento and the surrounding area is on a cliff, very narrow and extremely winedy. We boarded with plenty of time to spare and after arriving at the Milan Airport, we took an express train and then a metropolitan train that left us just outside our hotel. It’s a nice place, but unfortunately it’s the first that doesn’t have air condition, and boy is it hot today.

We spent the evening meandering around the streets of Milan visiting areas where the locals thrive and saw the Castello Sforzesco (castle), the Parco Sempione Arena, the Arco Della Pace and several other piazzas. We even got mistaken for Italians a few times. "Parlo inglese!"

We had pizza on Via Dante near the Duomo, which is the second largest cathedral in the world next to St. Peter’s in Rome. Then, got some gelato and admired the gothic style church and surrounding buildings, and window shopped in the Galleria Vittoro Emanuel, a shopping mall covered in glass. We also visited the Piazza alla Scala where the Teatro alla Scala (opra house) is located.

Written by laurennp, July 1, 2010 at 2:50

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Well, we spent seven hours today in various Milan stores ranging from top international designers to lesser known hopefuls. Yes, it took a whole day to get through Milan’s shopping streets, but we are pretty certain we hit every stop in a three mile radius!

We shopped popular streets, like Via Manzoni, Via Monte Napoleone, Via della Spiga, and Corso Venezia. Not to mention we spent some more time on Corso V. Emanuele where more shops were located near the glass mall. To make sure the price was right we did some window shopping during the first few hours, and after we got our bearings, we started making decisions, after careful consideration of course. Katelyn purchased a pair of cobalt blue suede peep toe wedges and Lauren added a pair of red and nude strappy sandals to her collection.

Unfortunately, the stores in most of Italy close around 7 p.m., so when our shopping was done, we ate at a nearby cafe Milano and had lasagna and spaghetti alla carbonara with rosemary potatoes.

Written by laurennp, July 1, 2010 at 4:23 pm

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Made in Milano

Today, July 2, we began the day visiting the Duomo of Milan. The inside was beautiful full of stained glass windows, an organ whose pipes ran up both sides of the cathedral’s walls, and many gold sculptures, as well as large paintings. Together, we lit a final candle for Pap Pap. As we said at the start of the trip, we would celebrate him as best we could. By now, we’ve lit up all most of Italia in memory of him.

We ventured into some of the big name designer stores, like Prada and Louis Vutton, but only to look. The items were beautiful, but in the end much too expensive, so we opted to explore smaller boutiques. We both found very nice dresses and a pair of sunglasses. Our weakness for shoes came flooding back, and we gave into temptation…again.

We had paninis and gelato for lunch and continued to meander about the city to places we had not seen the previous day. It was a much needed, relaxing and care free day that ended with dinner at a traditional Italiano pizzeria. Steve, our waiter, was very kind and even offered us free wine and dessert!

We retired to our hotel only to discover that we actually did have air conditioning! We were so excited, yet outraged at the same time. So, we cranked it up, and hit the hay in preparation for our departure home the next day

From: Katelyn Peretti

To: Kim Peretti ; Dad Peretti

Cc: Lauren Peretti

WELCOME BACK HOME GIRLS !! (We Love Ya)