Wrapping it all up, June 2017

Wrapping it all up, June 2017

The flight from Rome to Atlanta was uneventful, always the best kind. We left at 12:20 pm and arrived (early) at 4:45 pm making a valiant effort to stay awake during the crossing so we'd avoid major jet lag.

Remember the 4,000+ steps to get from curb to gate at FCO in Rome? Well, when we got off the plane at ATL we were greeted with a snazzy electric sign telling us it was an eleven to thirteen minute walk to immigration control. Every so often an airport employee was there to say "Welcome home" and urge us on or another snazzy sign telling us we only had another nine minutes to walk. But God bless Global Entry! When we got to Immigration the line was endless except for Global Entry--maybe ten people ahead of us. We figured we saved at least an hour. Luggage was on the carousel when we got there and our car service at the curb. Despite the rush hour traffic we were home by 6:45. And in bed at 8!

All in all the trip was a great success. We enjoyed the trans Atlantic crossing and will definitely try to do that again whether to or from Europe. I'd also go back to Bermuda for a longer stay. Even though it's no where near the Caribbean for some reason I thought it would be like the islands there, not at all my cup of tea. Serendipity took us to Brittany and quaint Quimper. I'm so glad we opted to go to Mont St Michel and Brussels. And Italy....

Dr. Howard Shealy was a wonderful guide, escort, problem solver and travel companion. We all said over and over, "If only I'd had a teacher/professor like Howard..." So knowledgeable without being pedantic. And when he wasn't sharing nuggets of history he'd regale us with stories revolving around "my roommate, Rusty." The dream date for any college guy is a cute blonde whose dad owns a Budweiser distributorship. And the dream roommate? Rusty who kept a sailboat in Key West where his grandfather owned a bar. And thus the Rusty stories. With a set up like that how could there NOT be Rusty stories?!

Howard arranged for us to learn about Italian history and culture through Tuscan food and wines and even better, enjoy said food and wine. While the restaurants are available to anyone, our very special wine tastings were once-in-a-lifetime experiences thanks to Howard. Our last one was in a palace next to a castle at Nipizzano outside of Florence. Before the tasting we followed our host, Giacomo from the Frescobaldi group again, who suggested we "walk just a few steps to the castle." I managed the long uphill drive way to the castle and 29 of the 30 old, uneven, high stone steps up to the parapet to enjoy the view. I didn't quite clear that last one and ended up face down on the view site. Nothing hurt other than my dignity but I did return home with a special souvenir of Italy, a big ole bruise on my knee and shin. The view was magnificent as it seems all views in Tuscany are.

Montepulciano was so special. It's small and friendly, especially when compared to Florence and Rome. Florence was crowded but Rome was packed. It seems that half the world is traveling and visiting the same places at the same time.

Photos to come...