Ciao Bella!

In just a few weeks I will arrive in one of the most beautiful, romantic, elegant, soulful and charming countries...ITALIA!!!  The purpose of this trip is solely work related.  Guido, my boss at the travel agency (where we specialize in trips to Italy) believes that by showing me the ins and outs of Rome, Florence and Tuscany, I will have a much better understanding of each place and thus be better at my job!  Who could argue?  I don't necessarily have a title at the travel agency, but my position can best be described as travel assistant or itinerary writer/editor.  The bulk of my day is spent researching about the different cities and countries that our clients travel to,  and then produce very detailed itineraries for these said clients.  Needless to say,  because the basis of my job is to search the Internet and find details on spectacular places to visit,  I get very carried away in the photos,  descriptions of restaurants,  museums and everything else I find on the websites.  A "mental vacation" some would call it.  Although I do get my work done,  I am the first to say that I daydream on the daily and imagine myself living in the photos of say the.... Amalfi Coast!

Can you imagine a more enchanting place???

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When Guido offered to take me on a week long trip to Italy and hook me up with tours,  day trips and museum visits,  I signed up RIGHT away!  His plan is to give me first-hand knowledge of the tours, restaurants, hotels and museums we send our clients on.  Who could pass up a trip to Italy?  

Italy

Just writing or speaking the word itself is like hearing music,  or indulging in pistachio gelato.


Not only has Guido felt the need to show me his country in person, he has also decided that I need to learn the romantic language.  Being someone who is obsessed with culture, language and traveling, this was like winning the lottery for me!!!  I am only in week two of my Italian classes, but I think I will get the hang of it....if only I could get the "chi" and "ci" sound down...


I will be joined by a group of Archdiocese of Washington church people and a fellow coworker.  Our first stop will be Roma.  Although I have been to Italy before (Rome, Venice and Florence) it was back in college when I was a young buck and didn't care too much about going on guided tours, but was more concerned about clubbing and drinking lots of vino.  This second go around will be quite a different experience and I couldn't be more thrilled.

Let your imaginations take you on a "mental vacation" with the following pictures.....

Roma

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I love the tiny street ways that take you to exiting plaza's and markets throughout Italia

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Firenze of course...

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You know what they say?  If you throw a penny in the Fontana di Trevi, you will return to the city of Roma.....(guess it's true in my case).

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I plan on eating a lot of this...

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THIS....

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and of course......doing a LOT of this (especially while in Tuscany!)

I wish for you all to take a trip to Italy one day, if you have not already been.  And, if you have already been, I hope that you will go back and relive the romantic city, the shopping, the cafe's, the music, the food, wine and of course....the gelato!!!

Now, who is ready to book their trip?  Just visit our website and we will plan the whole thing for you.

www.bethesdatravel.com

I look forward to hearing from you!!