Hi

My wife and I h ave been to Italy twice...first trip was a trip to Milan and Venice (see trip report on http://gardkarlsen.com/italy_milan.htm ) and the second time we went to Rome (see http://gardkarlsen.com/rome_italy.htm ). We try to go to new places all the time and not get stuck in one pattern. I would like to go to Italy again...would love to see Florence and Naples :-)

Regards
Gard
Stavanger, Norway

Three toimes:

Florence: 1991
Siena and Tuscany 2000
Rome 2005

We are Francophiles who have travelled to Provence, Paris and elsewhere in France in each of the last thirteen years. Also to Holland, Ireland,England,Austria, etc.

I retire in a week and hope to continue travelling. My wife and I love travel.

Anthony Spinelli

I've been to Italy 14 times, and hope to go again in the next few months.

I haven't neglected the rest of the world and have been to 44 (I think) other countries. Just returned from a month in Namibia, Botswana, Capetown and Victoria Falls.

I love every place I've ever been, but there will never be a time when I won't want to return again and again to Italy.

Been to Italy three times and would like to return again and again.

thanks for all the responses. It is fun to know who has gone where and has had what experiences.

Another question..
Does anyone print threads off here to read on the plane? I have cut, paste and copied some restaurant reviews, sightseeing musts, and favorites you all have suggested for Venice,Rome,Cinque Terre, and the Amalfi..
I have also printed Elvira's report about the Geese to read.

I've been at least 20 times. I stopped keeping track and just tried to count them from memory. Some were 2-3 week trips, some were just long Thanksgiving weekends. I have friends who live there, so often I have a place to stay at least part of the time. I also began going there in 1983 when it was incredibly cheap--I miss lira!

I have traveled to a few other European destinations --London, Paris, Spain--but always return to Italy.

I read a travel article by Fran Lebowitz in which she wrote, "When one can vacation in Italy, why go anywhere else?"

I agree--it has everything I want in a vacation: great food, beautiful vistas, great architecture and art, a slow pace, a feeling of foreigness.

Nine times, I think. Of those nine trips, four of them including some time in Sicily (or were limited to Sicily), and five of them including some time in Florence or elsewhere in Tuscany (or were limited to Florence or elswhere in Tuscany). Those are the two areas in Italy I've visited the most.

No, I don't go only to Italy, but I do go to Italy more often than to other countries.

We are leaving for our 3rd trip to Italy in August. The first time we did the Mediterranean cruise to be sure hubby was going to like it then planned a solo trip in 2003 to Rome, Florence & Venice. This time we are going with friends to the CT, Florence and the Tuscan countryside. Can't wait. I keep sending my husband on business trips so we can get airline miles faster. Our friends often go on to other countries in Europe from Italy but it just doesn't seem to interest us. On the years we can't get to Italy we do cruises or go to Hawaii.

Italy Rocks!!!! We have been there 4 times. Got engaged in Venice and now I want to get married there.

We go once a year and will continue until we are no longer breathing. Hope that is a long way off.

We also travel to other countries every year as well, but the other countries have not pulled us towards them like Italy has.

There is something so special about this country. The people, food and scenery are heaven.

Twice and I hope to go back next year.
I've also been to Greece, France and Switzerland and have traveled to all but 3 states.
ITAly is my favorite destination.

Only once so far. I don't think God is actually FROM Venice, but I'm pretty sure he/she goes there on vacation occasionally. The rest of the time he/she goes to Tuscany specifically Giaole in Chianti.

My first trip to Italia will be this coming September: I just can't wait!!!!
I am sooooooooooooooooooo excited...

I am flattered by all these positive comments and feelings about my country! We're always complaining about the state of our cities, infrastructures, politics, education, traffic, etc etc etc.... It's encouraging to hear some positive voices!

Italy 10 times and loving it more each time...been to every region and Tuscany is on top....
Italia, my favorite, closely followed by
Ireland 4 times (both North and South

The rest:
UK 6
Ger 4
Poland 3
Romania 6
hungary 4
The former Yugoslavia 4 (incl. Croatia, Serbia and Slovenia, Montenegro, Bosnia-Herz.)
Greece 3
The former USSR 4 (incl. Ukraine, Belarus, Lith, Lat and Est, Uzbekistan)
Finland 1
Norway 1
Sweden 1
Denmark 1
Liecht. 1 Andorra 1
Switz 3
France 12
Lux 1
Belg 3
Neth 3
Bulgaria 3
Spain 6
Czechoslovakia (CRep and Slovakia)3
Austria 3
San Marino 1
Morocco 1
Turkey 2
Israel 1
Japan 1
Cina 1
Australia 1
NZ 1
Fiji 1
Malaysia 4
Singapore 1
Macao 1
HK (when it was GB) 1
Gibraltar 1
Chile 1
Argentina 1
Brazil 1
Mexico 5
and good old Canada 5(wife's native land!)

Actually, I figure on 50+ countries since 1948 when I had been stationed in Japan for two years. Heading back for my first visit since then (in '07). Also 49 out of the 50 states

To the poster Pausanias above who is sad to be "slowing up" at age 50+...don't even think of mentioning that again...I'm 77 and still truckin'...enjoy every mile!

Stu T.

Stu T

Good onya! I certainly hope I'll still be truckin' when I reach your age!!

Pls share with us which is your favourite place(s) you've visited and why.

S

14.72

4 times. Will be making it 5 next March!

Myvenezia and Swagman...as I said Italy is #1 with Ireland a very close second, almost a tie..right behind them is France and very close to all three is Croatia...Turkey and Morocco would be on the next level. In each case, we rate countries, cities within them, lodgings, sites and restaurants..in the latter we revise out personal top ten lists every year and send the lists to all of our world-wide friends and relatives, who in turn will try to visit as many of the lst members as possible. Do they always agree with our selections? Hell, no!
ITaly...the people, the climate, the food, the history and ruins..the overall feel the minute you land.
In Ireland...the gorgeous scenery, the people, the pub culture and the history and overall friendliness and humor of everyone you meet.
Stu T.