Tuscany

Good list, Bob the Nave! (Mine, however, would exclude the 2 beauties you've named at the end.) Instead, I'd substitute Giancarlo Giannini and the late Marcello Mastrionni.

To answer the question, a place where I feel very much at home.

BC

arancini
pizza how it should taste
Michealangelo's Pieta in St. Peters
Amusing Floretine men who love blonde American women!

Oh yeah, my husband to myself without any outside distractions for 2 weeks! I'll let you know what else in mid-October.

open empty churches to wander in when I am tired an need a break. Where I can sit and listen to the silence, a sharp contrast to the noise and bustle outside.

Art still in the origianl places that it was painted and meant to be.

A better understanding of my grandmother and an opportunity to see what my grandfather was like through his cousins.

Espresso to sip as I stand at the bar eavesdropping, picking out the words I know.

Winding streets to walk down and arched doorways to peer in. Wonderful Courtyards to admire behind old decrept walls.

Endless surprises around every corner and unexpected beauty in the most unbelievable places.

Days of exploring on my own discovering an amazing country and myself in the process.

Italy gives me just about everything that's already been cited here....plus some wonderful Italian friends!

Mozzaralla di bufala!!

Everything listed above.

Being able to drink wine at a picnic. (Why is this against the law in the U.S.?)

Insalata Caprese.

Shopping for Italian fashion at stores that are not located in strip malls!

The way they sell all the essentials (beer, water, Coke! Okay, so all of MY essentials) at those little carts you find all over. I love those carts!

Cats that eat spaghetti!

A feeling like I lived there before in a past life...and another feeling that I need to live there in a future one! But in the mean time, I plan on visiting as much as humanly possible in this one...I leave for Venice in two days!

Hey BC,I am happy to see your tastes differ from mine--did I mention Claudia Cardinale ?

I forgot, inspiration and Andrea Boccelli