Overview: The Best of South Italy - 13 Day Tour
If you're anything like me and have difficulty making a decision on where to focus your travel time, this 13 day South of Italy tour is for you! On this tour I sojourned through five regions: Lazio, Molise, Puglia, Basilicata, and Campania. Each regione offering a vastly different experience and exposure to the Southern Italian culture. I found myself absorbing the glamour and history in The Eternal City of Rome, the tranquility and warmth of the Gargano Peninsula on the Adriatic Sea, the breath- taking views of the Amalfi Coast, and Old Napoli with its people who love life and love to eat. I met great people on tour. And Donald, our tour guide, was fabulous! (Love you Donald!). I hope you enjoy my personal photos and writings that offer you a glimpse of "my Italy". Maybe they will encourage you to seek out yours.
On each page Click the "play" button in the upper left corner of the first photo to start the slideshow, or the arrows on the right hand side to view them slowly on your own. Enjoy!
On each page Click the "play" button in the upper left corner of the first photo to start the slideshow, or the arrows on the right hand side to view them slowly on your own. Enjoy!
Get ready...Get set... Go!
Before leaving for Italy there are many things that need to be taken care of. With all of those competing priorities, it is important to add reading the Rick Steves "bibles" - his travel guidebooks - to your to-do list. The guidebooks you receive as part of your tour are full of tips and information designed to help you enjoy your trip that much more. I thoroughly embraced the suggestion made by my RS travel consultant to read them. I felt like a college student again using my highlighter and sticky tabs to make note of the amazing places I was going to see. The guidebooks also have many great suggestions on where to eat and things to do on your free time during the tour.
Packing Light is Packing Right
The second most important thing to know before you go is how to pack smart and travel light! Living just 10 miles north of Rick Steves' office here in Washington, I was fortunate enough to attend a few of his travel seminars. One seminar I attended was on packing for your trip. Here is the part where I say to you: DO AS HE SAYS! Thinking I knew better, I packed far far more than I needed and wound up dragging a heavy suitcase behind me for the duration of the trip. With the right packing tools such as; cubes and kits, you'll be amazed at how much you can fit into one small carry-on bag. However, just because you can make it fit in does not mean you need to take it with you. If you can't attend one of his seminars read his packing tips here on his web site http://www.ricksteves.com/plan/tips/tips_menu.htm. Take it from Rick, the expert, and pack light!
With euros in my pocket, my Rick Steves' books in hand, my camera on my shoulder, and my bags packed I was ready to go. Arrivederci United States. Sono in vacanza in Italia! (Goodbye US I am on vacation in Italy!)
With euros in my pocket, my Rick Steves' books in hand, my camera on my shoulder, and my bags packed I was ready to go. Arrivederci United States. Sono in vacanza in Italia! (Goodbye US I am on vacation in Italy!)