August 13, 2024 -Anacortes, Washington

Several months ago my cousin's wife, Alexis Mazzetta, told me she was headed to Italy this August. Sensing my jealousy, she said, "Do you want to join us?" Since it has been fifteen years since my last visit to Italy, and I'm a person who enjoys travel, I jumped at the chance. I'm please that we will be joined by my son Nick, my sister Janet, her husband Lial and Kylie, my cousin's daughter.

We arrive in Rome on August 30th, where we will visit with some members of our beloved Italian family. Seeing them is a main motivator for the trip, but of course we'll also savor meals, visit museums and churches, take in the scenery, the people, and, of course....SHOP!

Our sixteen days in Italy will start with five days in Rome where we will be visiting and having dinner with the Richotti side of the family (my grandmothers family). A few days later we will be traveling by car, to Nerito, a small village where my father was born, baptized and where he grew up until he immigrated to the states with his family at the age of 10.  We will be visiting and sharing a meal with the Mazzetta family.  We will return to Rome to do all of the sightseeing, shopping and eating that we can handle.  Next we will be taking the train to Florence. After spending two days there we will be renting cars and traveling thru Tuscany. Our plan is to see Sienna, Lucca, Montepulciano, and a day in Cinque Terre. 

Are you tired yet?  We are. Our last night will be in Rome having dinner with family.