My brother, my son and I traveled to Italy to see how much had changed since my brother and I had lived in Naples 40 years before.
In August of 2005, we flew Swiss Air from Kennedy through Geneva to Rome; spent a night in Rome; one week in lovely Positano in a villa called La Roccia; two nights in Modena near the Ferrari factory in Maranello; and the last two nights in Rome again.
Our time in Positano left us ample time to relax and take side trips to various points of interest. We visited Capri, Emerald Grotto, Blue Grotto, Pompeii, Naples (to visit #1 Via Nevio, our old haunt), 1,500+ steps to Nocelle, not to mention making numerous walks into and out of Positano to/from our villa.
Geneva
We had an all day layover in Geneva which we took advantage of. Storing our luggage in lockers was easy as was the train ride into the city. Once there we had a bit of a meander including hanging out by Lake Geneva. Very hazy but warm with lots of erstwhile bathers aka sun-bathers. As I recall, the lake way too cold for "normal" people.
Rome
Later that we day we flew to Rome and stayed for a quick overnight at the Mecenate Palace Hotel which was absolutely fabulous. What a treat!
As I recall, the next day we hopped the train to Naples and then took a hydrofoil to Sorrento which is across the Bay of Naples from the main port. Then we had to get a van to take us and others to the Amalfi coast & Positano. What a drive that was through narrow streets, hairpin curves, etc.
Positano
We stayed at the villa La Roccia about 1/2 mile or so from the town center. What a gorgeous place which my travel expert sister arranged for us! At the time, there was a motorcycle repair shot below the villa right on the Amalfi Coast highway. The man running the shop knew everyone in town and all the goings on. He helped us with many a question and suggestion about what to do in town.
Here are some scenes of and from in the village itself. What a fantastic place to see.
Here is the main plaza from where some artists paint their versions of the Positano scenery and where many great restaurants are. In fact, one day, we arrived at a restaurant apparently only 5 minutes after Denzel Washington had just left.
Here is the local cathedral. Wow!
One day, my son and I took the steps to Nocelle! The first image is road side about 100 feet from the villa! The prize at the top was a nice lunch at a very nice restaurant.
On another day, and for the entire day, we hired a car for a longish, exciting drive and visit to Pompeii. These are a number of images from that experience.
Another day saw us taking a boat ride and swimming in the Mediterranean. Such a fantastic experience!
Capri was also on the list, with us taking a ferry from Positano to Capri. Here are some images from Capri.
Many of the boats moored in the harbor are an indicator of where some of the worlds wealth is spent and how happiness is expressed! A wonderful incentive for us capitalists ;-)
Naples
We returned to Naples to visit the villa my brother and I lived in when we were kids oh so many years ago! I recall that on more than one occasion I hoped that Vesuvius would pop off so I wouldn't have to go to school. I absolutely had the right idea -- but the wrong kind of a reason -- for school to not be in session ;-)
Here is a current sat shot of the property, followed by some images we took. What a view of the Bay of Naples and Vesuvius we enjoyed.
There was also a public access patio garage rooftop where all the brides would come to have their wedding pictures taken by professionals. There was almost always a zoo of interesting people to be seen looking out from our villa patio!
Modena, Maranello, and Ferraris
The same day we grabbed a train to Modena with the last minute decision to go to the home of the Ferrari (in Maranello). Since we winged it, we had no idea that Northern Italy was on vacation with few hotels manned let alone restaurants serving.
But we had a great time because we did wing it. The only restaurant in Modena that we could find open was a Chinese one serving what has to be the best Chinese food I have ever had!
And we ended staying in what seemed like a ghost town of a hotel owned and operated by a family of 1st generation Russians. It was as though the hotel had been designed & built by how I imagine a 1950's Soviet Russian hotel would be built. What an experience.
Modena itself has deep historic & architectural roots, including the
Modena Cathedral (Duomo).
We made our way to Maranello and the Ferrari museum and factory. I was quite upset because they cancelled our personal tour of the factory (I'm kidding tours apparently are never given to anyone). We did witness the test track being used by people whom I imagined had paid for the right to drive a Ferrari on the test track. The Ferrari museum was open and a great thing to experience!
Rome
Back in Rome for two days, we checked out some of the fabulous things that Rome has to offer.
Here are some images of the steps and fountains of Rome.
Here are some images of the Roman Colosseum. Incredible what the Romans achieved architecturally.
Here are some images of the Vatican & museum. What an amazing experience! The wealth held by the Catholic church is immeasurable.
Conclusion
I argue that a great time was had by all of us based on this image of apparent satisfaction! I recommend a trip to Italy for everyone. It will definitely cure whatever ails you!
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