Our favorite moments....
Stacy Puckett (me)
Boise, ID, US
A certain gondola ride in Venice where my soul mate Robert proposed to me is obviously at the top of my list of favorite moments! I also loved the Trevi Fountain in the rain our first night in Rome, the simplistic beauty of the pantheon, the party atmosphere of wine tasting on my mom’s birthday while in Tuscany and the views and quietness of San Marino and its castle towers. Overall I got to live out a dream of traveling through Italy with the man I love and an amazing collection of family and friends (new and old). So “Salute” to Dreams coming true!
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| Stacy & Robert |
Robert Boulier
Boise, ID, US
Favorite Moments would include:
* Proposing to my soulmate in Venice
* Enjoying the views in San Marino
* 414 Steps in Florence up the Bell Tower
* Boat ride around Capri
* Making new friends from north of the boarder
* Tuscan dinner & wine, great B-day for Kristi and Judy getting a lesson on dipping the biscotti
* Seeing Vatican City & Rome, walking through history
* Last dinner with new family and friends in Rome
Favorite Moments would include:
* Proposing to my soulmate in Venice
* Enjoying the views in San Marino
* 414 Steps in Florence up the Bell Tower
* Boat ride around Capri
* Making new friends from north of the boarder
* Tuscan dinner & wine, great B-day for Kristi and Judy getting a lesson on dipping the biscotti
* Seeing Vatican City & Rome, walking through history
* Last dinner with new family and friends in Rome
Kristi Puckett
La Grande, OR, US
There are some very special moments that were particularly memorable to me- but very hard to choose. My birthday dinner at the Tuscan vineyard was really special- celebrating with family and friends. Another was the night in San Marino on the terrace drinking in the view as well as good wine with wonderful family and friends. The boat ride around Capri was fantastic and enjoyed by all of us. I found the beautiful colors of the ocean were amazing – as well as dipping my toes it the warm Mediterranean. I have to say the most special moment is when Robert proposed to Stacy- we are excited to welcome Robert into our fun and crazy family
Judy Puckett
Boise, ID, US
I know we all enjoyed the history of all the various places we went in Italy, but it was our free time together I ultimately enjoyed the most. The first gathering of the Canadians and the Americans which made us group of 30. We thought the Canadians would be the quiet reserve group and I believe they thought we would be the crazy Americans. However, by day two, we both were crazy Americans and crazy Canadians who became a cohesive group and laughed together for the remained of the trip. The 30 of us became friends for at least the 10 days together and who knows one day we shall meet some of them again.
Siena and Florence hold a special place in my heart, not only for all the the wonderful history it holds and our free time together. On the second morning in Florence Stacy and I sat outside a cafe' drinking Americana coffee while Shirley, Robert and Kristi climbed the Bell Tower. I know I enjoyed the dinner and wine tasking in Chianti outside Florence. I can only remember the the tour of the vineyard, the toast to my sister-in-law as it was her birthday and the first few glasses of wine and wonderful pasta. Unfortunately I am saddened by the fact after that I remember nothing more and lost out on the celebrating and dancing of the night; however, Stacy has pictures showing that I enjoyed the evening far more than I imagined with way too much wine.
Although I would not go back to Venice it was a highlight in the fact that Stacy and Robert became engaged on the gondola right down the aromatic canal and whereby Mother said "I feel like I am in a dream". After a morning of touring Venice, Shirley, Kristi and I sat outside a cafe' drinking a bottle of white wine, eating an amazing fish stew and pizza whereby we could view the ferries arriving and the other islands in the distance.
There are no words to describe San Marino whereby only one vehicle could go up the winding mountain at a time and whereby we stayed at a quaint hotel at the top and actually had time to "stroll" the streets which was the first time I believe we could actually use the word stroll. The is the place my Father said "this is the Italy I was waiting to see". We each could look out our windows at the panoramic view of the mountains and city below. I loved the time we spent on the balcony after dinner, enjoying wine and the events of the day with all the Americans whereby we tried to take it all in by drinking wine, talking and laughing. It does not get better than that.
Then came Sorrento and the Island of Capri as they were each so different that were we had been and we could all feel ourselves slowing the pace. I have to say Sorrento took by heart! The first night there we were again able to stroll the streets and day two in Sorrento we ferried to the Island of Capri for a walking tour and a majestic boat ride around the island. The water was a a deep aqua with orange around the edges as we entered into the caves. Truly indescribable. We left the Canadians the next morning at Sorrento as most of them were off to Amalfi to recuperate.
Stacy became the tour guide back to Rome as we were on our own. We stayed at the same hotel we originated. Shirley, Kris, the folks and myself playing pinochle and enjoying two great bottles of wine. We ended the night with all the Americans going out together for dinner and toasted our trip and saying goodbye to the three that were going on to California.
My true joy was that a portion of my family made a trip together that we never thought would happen and although we can try to share those memories with others they are only memories we can hold in our hearts for the remainder of our lives. We know we are all truly blessed we made this journey together.
Siena and Florence hold a special place in my heart, not only for all the the wonderful history it holds and our free time together. On the second morning in Florence Stacy and I sat outside a cafe' drinking Americana coffee while Shirley, Robert and Kristi climbed the Bell Tower. I know I enjoyed the dinner and wine tasking in Chianti outside Florence. I can only remember the the tour of the vineyard, the toast to my sister-in-law as it was her birthday and the first few glasses of wine and wonderful pasta. Unfortunately I am saddened by the fact after that I remember nothing more and lost out on the celebrating and dancing of the night; however, Stacy has pictures showing that I enjoyed the evening far more than I imagined with way too much wine.
Although I would not go back to Venice it was a highlight in the fact that Stacy and Robert became engaged on the gondola right down the aromatic canal and whereby Mother said "I feel like I am in a dream". After a morning of touring Venice, Shirley, Kristi and I sat outside a cafe' drinking a bottle of white wine, eating an amazing fish stew and pizza whereby we could view the ferries arriving and the other islands in the distance.
There are no words to describe San Marino whereby only one vehicle could go up the winding mountain at a time and whereby we stayed at a quaint hotel at the top and actually had time to "stroll" the streets which was the first time I believe we could actually use the word stroll. The is the place my Father said "this is the Italy I was waiting to see". We each could look out our windows at the panoramic view of the mountains and city below. I loved the time we spent on the balcony after dinner, enjoying wine and the events of the day with all the Americans whereby we tried to take it all in by drinking wine, talking and laughing. It does not get better than that.
Then came Sorrento and the Island of Capri as they were each so different that were we had been and we could all feel ourselves slowing the pace. I have to say Sorrento took by heart! The first night there we were again able to stroll the streets and day two in Sorrento we ferried to the Island of Capri for a walking tour and a majestic boat ride around the island. The water was a a deep aqua with orange around the edges as we entered into the caves. Truly indescribable. We left the Canadians the next morning at Sorrento as most of them were off to Amalfi to recuperate.
Stacy became the tour guide back to Rome as we were on our own. We stayed at the same hotel we originated. Shirley, Kris, the folks and myself playing pinochle and enjoying two great bottles of wine. We ended the night with all the Americans going out together for dinner and toasted our trip and saying goodbye to the three that were going on to California.
My true joy was that a portion of my family made a trip together that we never thought would happen and although we can try to share those memories with others they are only memories we can hold in our hearts for the remainder of our lives. We know we are all truly blessed we made this journey together.
Ronald Puckett
Cove, OR, US
Seeing the Colosseum and San Marino with all the houses stacked up. I enjoyed touring the ancient city of Pompaii. Grandpa didn't say this but I imagine meeting all his new smoking buddies was something he enjoyed as well.
Seeing the Colosseum and San Marino with all the houses stacked up. I enjoyed touring the ancient city of Pompaii. Grandpa didn't say this but I imagine meeting all his new smoking buddies was something he enjoyed as well.
Bette Puckett
Cove, OR, US
This trip was like a dream to me. So many things were favorite moments for me including: San Marino, St Peters Cathedral, Sorrento, and Capri. The night we were at the wine tasting in Tuscany during Kristi's birthday was particularly memorable. I also enjoyed the restaurant where we enjoyed an opera singer and an accordion player. Of course Venice and our family's special occasion with Robert & Stacy's engagement holds a special place in my heart. This trip was a very special memory for our family that we will always have of our time in Italy.
Thanks to all who made this trip special- we had such a nice group of people!
This trip was like a dream to me. So many things were favorite moments for me including: San Marino, St Peters Cathedral, Sorrento, and Capri. The night we were at the wine tasting in Tuscany during Kristi's birthday was particularly memorable. I also enjoyed the restaurant where we enjoyed an opera singer and an accordion player. Of course Venice and our family's special occasion with Robert & Stacy's engagement holds a special place in my heart. This trip was a very special memory for our family that we will always have of our time in Italy.
Thanks to all who made this trip special- we had such a nice group of people!
Shirley Roberts
La Grande, OR, US
So many, Italy in general, then came Florence (414 steps in the bell tower), Kristi’s birthday at the vineyard, Robert’s & Stacy’s engagement in Venice; San Marino (lovely hilltop town), Pompeii (ancient city); Sorrento (a place to return to) and finally Capri and swimming in the Mediterranean, ohhh what a trip!
Sue Venutolo
La Grande, OR, US
Sitting on the hotel terrace in San Marino drinking wine with our family & friends… enjoying the beautiful view. Navigating Venice ;-), Tuscan wine tasting and really getting to know the Canadian travelers on our tour
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| Ken & Sue |
Ken Venutolo
La Grande, OR, US
While waiting for Linda, Kristi yells out “”There She Is!” Because it would be terrible to be left behind!
Jade Venutolo
La Grande, OR, US
Getting my cheesy tourist t-shirt of course. Dancing at the Tuscan wine tasting and swimming in the ocean on Capri
Cheryl Venutolo
La Grande, OR, US
Best moment of the trip in Amsterdam when I saw Alex (first time I had seen him in a year and we meet here!) Also Capri- I want to move there!!!
Derek Venutolo
Long Beach, California, US
Boat trip around Capri
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| Kristin & Derek |
Long Beach, California, US
Tuscan wine dinner
Joseph “Alex” Venutolo
Los Angeles California/ La Grande Oregon, US
City tour of Florence and seeing the statues in the square
Linda Greenaway
Pr. George, BC CANADA
Swimming in the warm salt water on the coast of Capri, I mean “the edge of heaven!”
Guido & Maria Papiccio
Woodbridge, ONT Canada
We had a wonderful time with nice people. We liked all the cities that we visited. Enjoyed the company of the Americans.
Chris & Brooke Acton
Canada
Being with a great tour group
Donald Weir
Pickering, CANADA
Sept 8th (Assisi)
Sept 8th (Assisi)
David & Ivy Callaghan
Burlington, Ontario Canada
Arriving in Rome on our 40th Wedding Anniversary
Peter & Kathy Ingram
Guelph, Ontario Canada
Sitting in the famous piazza in Sienna drinking delicious cappuccino, enjoying the view and the experience
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| Kathy & Peter (on right) |
Ted & Terry Laxton
Guelph, Ontario, Canada
Walking amidst the artistic monuments which are a testament to the beauty and goodness of the human spirit
Linda-Anne Greenway
Belleville, Ontario, Canada
Gondola ride and dinner on the grand canal in Venice and exploring Firenze!
Ross & Mary Puma
Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
Wine and gondola ride
Aurelia
Woodbridge, ONT, Canada
Wine & cheese evening at the vineyard… favorite saying “Living the dream”
Rebecca Pullan (tour director)
Naples, Italy
Seeing you all dancing at the Tuscan farmhouse
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| Sorry Rebecca- just loved this pict |
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