Our First Note from Italy

Well the Larson's are off to Italy with friends from Albert Lea.   I texted this picture to most of you, but I thought it made a nice start to the information she sent today.

Carol says that to this point she has not had Wi-fi, so she is using a little of Dave's international time to send us a quick note.  ( I am going to add some pictures of the area she is in, so you get a feel of the country she is exploring.)    Fred and I went to Italy, but we did not do this northern area, I am excited to see and hear about it as well.   I will enjoy memories as she gets to Venice and beyond.

I will let Carol do her own thing, but since I was asked to send on this quick note.... you get it in my travelogue version as requested by Gretchen.

Carol and Dave are starting out in Portifino, Italy which was inspired by a Christmas gift from Fred and I.   If you ever get the chance to see the PBS special ( Andrea Botticelli in Portifino - this is it.)  He does the concert at night in this spot.  The boats are cleared out and he sings with all the lights and beauty of the city...

(We loved Portofina Lark, So picturesque.  I cannot wait to watch the music dvd again and see the places that we will now recognize)


The most famous shot of Portifino is below.  I can't seem to make it any larger with any quality, so I will let you go find one on the internet if you are interested.

It is the playground of the rich and famous, so it is a pricey little community.    The dollar is pretty good in Europe this year so that will work in their favor.

Unlike France, the food is delicious.  Oh my, It's fun to spend money and be rewarded with good food.  The fruit is wonderful.  The lemons abound and the Gelato is my favorite.  We've had it daily.l It is soooo good.   

Dave is saying goodbye to his favorite gelato spot.  It was our first city Santa Margherita near Portofina.  Portofina is for the rich and famous.  Santa Margherita is for everyone else!!.   It is by the water and also lovely

On to Cinque Terre

This is Carol, I have found no working wi-fi so Dave's phone has a SIM card in it for Data.  ( It is nice that it works this time, I had one in France and it didn't send or receive).


The coastal village walk we took above Cinque Terre     ( pronounced Sinko Terra) was absolutely beautiful.  I hope some day that you can hike the trail.  I was so grateful for having been faithful to exercising at the Y.  It was a strenuous trek climbing up and up.

Off to Venice


Now on the train to Venice.   We are crossing country to the west coast.

Unlike France, the food is delicious.  Oh my, It's fun to spend money and be rewarded with good food.  The fruit is wonderful.  The lemons abound and the Gelato is my favorite.  We've had it daily.l It is soooo good.    

The prices are high, but not too bad.  the majority of places so far though want euros rather than credit cards.  (Fred and I found this to be true in Italy as well.   We enjoyed purchasing from the little shops or the street vendors who all wanted cash)