linjudy

Hi - here are some photos from our recent 3 week trip to Italy

http://picasaweb.google.com/alan.jud...74505654612018

I hope you enjoy! I did an enormous amount of research for this trip on accommodation, restaurants, and wines. Would be happy to share the fruits of my labor. At some point, if I get organized I'll post a trip report (tho I still need to do that for our Botswana safari from 2005!).

Judy

kja

Great pictures, linjudy! Brought back lots of wonderful memories. Thanks for sharing!

SeaUrchin

Love your photos. Yes, please write a trip report. Where did you stay in Positano? It sounds like a wonderful trip, thanks for sharing with us. Now I am going to go look at the photos again!

kagoo

Great photos; thanks so much! The festival in Assisi must have been wonderful. We're going to Umbria in October and I'm getting more excited with each passing day.

May I ask where the restaurant (Il Giglio D'Oro) was? Spello?

bobthenavigator

Very nice trip---brought back some good memories. I loved the flowers in Spello.

LJ

I share your fondness for Ostuni and thank you for this lively travelogue.

bellastarr

hi linjudy,
I just love your photos, and, from the captions, your approach to the trip!
I am curious as to where you stayed in Positano, the views were wonderful.
ANd teh pictures of trulli were great too!
Hope you'll post a report with some more details, I would look forward to reading it..
Thanks

KarenKM

Thanks, Judy, for the great photos of some places I've never seen, and now want to visit. I enjoyed your captions, as well.

Karen
http://www.pbase.com/karenmickleson

linjudy

Glad you guys enjoyed the photos. I will try to post a travelogue/trip report. I'm currently "unemployed" so have no excuse not to

Answers to questions:

1) We stated at the Albergo Miramare in Positano. It was absolutely fabulous. As you saw from the photos, the only problem is the steps. But if you're in average shape(and again, as you can see from the photos, we're definitely no triathletes , it's not really a problem. Make sure you ask for Room 209. It's the one w/the awesome bathtub view. It's a bit more (290 euros, the regular rooms w/view is I think 215), but worth it!

Positano is a great base for the Amalfi Coast. The town itself has not much to do, but lots of good hotels and restaurants. Also it has really easy boat and bus trips to all the other towns including Capri.

2)The restaurant Il Giglio D'Oro is in Orvieto. It's right on the piazza of the Duomo. It's a bit more expensive, but not really by US high-end restaurant standards. The food is incredible. Definitely worth a splurge imho.

Look out for the trip report!

Judy

Leely

Wonderful photos, crisp with great light and color. Agree that they make me want to return to favorite places and see some new ones.

Thank you for sharing them.

Leely

p.s. "Barry! Barry! Barry!" (Enjoyed the captions very mcuh--hilarious.)

Leely

p.s. "Barry! Barry! Barry!" (Enjoyed the captions very much--hilarious.)

CarlaM

Hi Judy! When I saw your post on the Africa board today, it sparked my memory that you were going to Italy this year, hence I was hoping to find your photos here. They are terrific! I really enjoyed them all (and your captions too) What a romantic place and thanks for sharing the "hunk" photos too! That bathroom in Positano is to die for! If I hadn't discovered Africa...Southern Italy was my next destination and your trip is exactly what I would love to do. Well I hope to get there one day. Thanks for sharing. If you have your itinerary handy and can either post it or email it to me that would be fantastic. Thanks!

mcnyc

Thank you for your wonderful pictures.

It'll have to tide me over since my trip planning with my friend is about to fall through due to reasons beyond her control.

CRAZY4TRAVEL

Glad that you photos resurfaced. Brings back so many wonderful memories!!

ira

Thanks for sharing, L.

VG pix.

chicagolori

One of the best photo sites yet - great job. Love the Puglia pictures as that area is less talked about here and i want to go... someday.

You both look so cute and happy! thanks for sharing ...

linjudy

Hi Carla, great to hear from you again. I know, it's very difficult to choose between Italy and Africa, my 2 favorite places on the whole planet!

Here was our itinerary:

- 3 Days in Rome
- 4 Days in Positano. We visited Pompei on the way down, and also did day trips to Amalfi and Capri from Positano
- 1 Day in Ravello
- 4 Days in Puglia, near Ostuni
- 1 Day in Ascoli Piceno in the Le Marche area. This was to break up the drive.
- 4 Days in Assisi coinciding with the Calendimaggio, but we also visited a bunch of the other Umbrian hill towns on day trips
- 1 Day in Orvieto
- 2 Days in Florence.

Of these, I had reservations for Rome, Positano (2 days but ended up staying 4), Ostuni (2 days but ended up staying 4), Assisi, and Florence. The advantage to going slightly off season (late April/early May) was that it was really easy to be flexible with reservations.

Let me know if I can be helpful with any other planning ideas.

Judy

Trophywife007

Thank you for posting this! Fabulous pictures. Mr. 007 said, "Find out the name of that hotel and get the room number!" Of course great minds think alike.

Blessings to you.

CarlaM

Thanks Judy~