It's really such a beautiful theater. You really cannot appreciate it's beauty until you see it in person.

There wasn't a guy there making annoying donkey noises, was there?

Is that an invite for your next trip there?

It sounds like you had a great trip... I'm happy for ya.

So??? Where are all the stories?????

What kind of stories do you want?


The first night in Taromina, we were in the lounge at the hotel, and I was out on the terrace having a drink and the piano player and I began talking. He asked me if I liked the music of Nino Rota! I began laughing and one thing led to another and it turned out that he was a personal friend of the owner of the Villa that was used as Don Tomassino's Villa in the movie. He took my e-mail address and promised me that he was going to e-mail me pictures of the Villa both inside and out. We'll see.



When we were on our way over from Sicily, we made a stop to a small town, up in the mountains of Calabria. We went to this restaurant that was something out of an old Italian movie. The grandmother was cooking in the kitchen, the grandfather was serving the homemade wine. The sons and daughters served us antipasta that consisted of various italian cheeses, prisciutto di parma, cappicola ( which by the way is completely different than the capi that we get in the states) and dry sausage. Then we were given home made pizza. Then a dish of home made spaghetti ogla oil that was simply to die for. For dessert we were given a home made tirumisu, a double espresso, and a platter of assorted melons. As we were having dessert 3 little children came out to entertain us by playing the accordian. They played many italian folk songs and finished with The Godfather theme. I felt like I was taken back in time to my roots as my family originated from the Calabria region. It was such a fantastic experience in that small town family restaurant. Something that I will never forget!

Darn, I can't see them. They only come up as red x's for me. It might be my work computer.

How nice. The opera house looks well kept and beautiful and the hotel looks modern compared to what I visualized I guess.


It sure sounds like you've done and seen a lot during your vist DC. Thanks so much for sharing the pictures.

TIS

The Vatican :



That's me walking:



The Colosseum :





Swimming off the Island of Capri




Bed in a Brothel from the ruins of Pompeii





Streets Of Pompeii

DC - Sorry to say that all I'm getting are those little red X's too.

But I'm sure it will all be straightened out soon. And, for now, I can be happily envious reading your vacation stories and viewing the pictures SC posted for you.

Welcome home!

Signor V.

Thank you Signor.

I don't know why you cannot see the pics, I can see them. Is anyone else besides Beth and Signor having a problem?

Welcome home dc im pleased you had a good time,and i also cannot see the pictures either.

I can't see them either. I'm using Firefox, though, if that helps...?

I'm sorry about the pics not being veiwable to you all.

I don't understand it. I went on my other computer to see if they come up and they do.

Hopefully Geoff or SC can help me out with making them veiwable to you all.

Welcome back DC. I am very happy your trip was such a success. Having been to Italy several times, I agree with you that it is one of the most beautiful places on the planet. Next trip head north to Tuscany, Venice, and the Italian Alps. BTW I also cannot see the pics.

Can't see them, DC, and I'm dying to!!!

DC - They're pointing to your hard drive, which of course we cannot view online... I PM'd you with alternatives...

You should be able to see them now.



The Vatican :



That's me walking:



The Colosseum :





Swimming off the Island of Capri




Bed in a Brothel from the ruins of Pompeii





Streets Of Pompeii

Wow they are absolutley amazing the colosseum looks well i dont know what to say its breathtaking i cant even begin to imagine what its like when your there.great thanks for sharing

The Roman Forum





Mondello Beach in Sicily




View of Taromina coastline from my hotel :




Town of Taromina which sits at the top of the mountain :





Amalfi :

Absolutely beautiful DC!!! What sharp/clear pictures. All wonderful; the Vatican (did you see the Pope?) and that Coastline...just amazing.

Welcome back. I'm sure you had the time of your life.


TIS

Wow! A picture is worth more then a thousand words. Let me know if you need an Au Pair the next time you go.

DC, when you were in Taormina, did you take the cable car down to the beach? My parents were totally pissed at me because I was too afraid to ride in it. My mother wanted to leave me at the hotel and go, but my father wouldn't do it.

Those are absolutely beautiful photos, DC. I'm so glad that the trip was everything that you hoped for and dreamed of.

Pssst! Beth!!! Think of a job for me to do in Italy. I wanna go too (Maybe he needs two Au Pairs). Plus, I've always wondered if Italian men actually pinched the ladies!!!


TIS

I think he might need someone to hold his little blue drinks for him.

It depends if the Au pair is going to take care of the kids....or me!

No blue drinks in Italy. Only when I go to the Caribbean.

For me, it was Amaretto on the rocks. And White Russians in the afternoon because they were the closest thing to having an iced coffee.




No. We took a shuttle. Unfortunately the cable cars were not running because of the brush fires on parts of the mountain side that were caused by the heat.

So, how did the cab rides work out?

Actually the cab rides were fine. The were pretty reasonable cost wise as well as the drivers being really nice. Funny thing too is that the all drivers were Italian.

Well, that's good. I'd hate to see you under the pressure of having to drive your own cab in Europe, not being used to the other side of the street and all.....

DC - Now I can see your photos, and they are absolutely stunning! What a beautiful part of the world.

So, now you've returned from the warm temperatures of Italy - just in time for a New York heatwave.

Signor V.

Where are your armbands?

Excellent pics. My fave is the view from your hotel. What a breathtaking view.

I can see them now,beautiful pics DC..