flygirl

I would have to vote on the via del Corso in Rome, because my Mom was just entranced by the whole thing - she couldn't get over it. An absolute sea of people!

enroute

bellastar, that was beautiful. To me that's what independent travel is all about.

I thought when people come on this board to ask quesitons about package tours, they should be pointed to your little story. Maybe they'll see the light

-e

NeoPatrick

ellenem reminded me of Bari itself. We had a few hours in the evening to kill before our Dubrovnik ferry left at about midnight. All over town, particularly along the waterfront, people weren't so much strolling as pulling folding chairs and tables out of their cars and setting up along the promenade. I finally asked if a parade was about to happen and found out that no, it was a regular thing. it was like a huge social hour, many of them bringing their actual dinner or at least having wine and snacks and socializing and sharing with each other.

ciaodeb

For me, it is where my Dad was born, ITRI, near Gaeta and Formia. These areas are halfway between Rome and Naples on the Via Appia. Itri's piazza was a wonderful place for evening strolls, seeing my cousins, aunts and uncles out during warm summer nights. Looking up at Monte Fusco, a small mountain named after my family. Other direction shows the Castello - castle, a big fortification with one part of castle remaining with a small part of the wall. Bombed in WWII, a war my Dad was in and prayed NOT to be sent to his homeland, instead to Japan.

KarenW

Siena, in the Campo. I expected only tourists in the bars there, but I was wrong. Lots of Siennese, young and old, in the evening before dinner.

Waldo

To Cioaodeb- You picked out a great place--Itri. It's a lovely town.

ciaodeb

Waldo, how do YOU know about ITRI? No one ever does!!! I know as my Dad was from there. AND YOU? I am going there again this August.

tomassocroccante

Truly enjoyed the passeggiata in Orvieto - very lively citizenry, a bultural air, festival atmosphere though it was the week AFTER the slow food fest. The shops are as attractive as the people. Excellent wine sellers, etc. The first time I experienced it my friend and I ran into a woman who had served us at a shop earlier in the day - she introduced us to her friends, and soon to her boss. It was as "home town" as you can get.

Waldo

Ciaodeb--I've been to Itri many times. I go to Gaeta often, and I like to get off the main road from the midpoint between Gaeta and Formia, and detour to the road which winds up the mountain, goes through the olive groves in upper Gaeta, and into Itri. My wife and I stop at the piazza and have a great lunch, I forget the name of the place, but they also bake fantastic pastries, which is what we really go for. The road continues all the way to Rome, it is Strada Statale Numero 7 (State Road 7), which is the old Appia Way. We don't take this road all the way, but we make a left turn by the church, and get onto the most terrifying, as well as the most beautiful road in Italy, and this includes the Amalfi Drive. You're up in the mountains, on a narrow road with no guardrails. I keep the speed to about 10MPH, and I ain't kidding. After following this road to the end, it winds up in Sperlonga. It's a little trip really worth taking. We have gotten to know some families from Itri, living in Gaeta, and we have visited Itri with them quite a few times. The family that sticks in my mind is named Di Russo. I have fond memories of Itri.

ciaodeb

Waldo, what a nice write up and as I read it I knew EXACTLY where you were! I have been there many times and our family farms are off of it, olive groves basically, for oil production. When I was in olive oil importing business I sourced from Itri and my cousins run IMOIL, a big mfg. of olive oil, based on road to Serlonga: IMOIL Srl. IMOIL Srl. Strada Provinciale Itri Sperlonga 04020 Itri (LT) Italy. Now, going past them I take this road, go through mountains and reach the beautiful beach of Sperlonga.

If you recall that pastry shop on Numero 7 I'd like to try it too. You can e-mail me at: [email protected]. We will leave USA on 8 Aug. and be in Itri mid month. Have driven Almalfi and it is nerve racking indeed! Bet there were a line of cars behind you when you were going 10 mph!! I did not go much faster! -Deb

Waldo

There were absolutely no cars behind me when I was going 10MPH. I was the only fool on that road. The name of the pastry shop eludes me, but when I can recall it, I'll let you know. I tentatively plan on being in Gaeta in August (September also). I'll probably go to Itri a few times.

ciaodeb

Waldo-- that is good, no cars behind you because I can tell you from doing lots of highway driving, they are nerve racking! If you do less than 130 KMP they come up close and flash brights and honk horn till you M O V E over! I have seen smaller cars with a 90 sticker on it, that means they do not go faster than that speed and stay to right and don't expect anyone to give them the pressure described above. The Almalfi is different but I have seen Italian drives that those curves at speeds I would never attempt. I am, however, a fast driver here in USA.

caroltis

My first passeggiata was in Rapallo on the Italian Riviera so it is probably my "favorite"...but Florence ranks right up there...nothing like it but you must have a gelato in one hand.