Less than 2 weeks till take off!

We will depart on New Year's Eve, nine more days to go! After poring through dozens of guide books, we finally decided to purchase RS's Italy 2006 and supplement the missing sections, as his book doesn't cover Perugia at all and some other sections as well as I would like. However, what I do like about his book is the succint writing, and the mini-tours or guided walks included for certain cities, especially the ones we plan to visit: Naples, Assisi, Sorrento, and several others.

Anyway, now we're trying to plan the daily itinerary, as we've booked the lodging.
The first week we're staying in Campania: that means Naples, Pompeii, Capri, the Amalfi Coast, Sorrento (we'll be walking there), and wherever else we have time for. The second to last day we stay in Sant'Agnello, a small town on the outskirts of Sorrento, is Epiphany, a religious holiday. In fact, we will arrive on a holiday, New Year's Day, in Campania, and depart on one. I'm looking forward to the presepi - or the Nativity scenes of Naples and the surrounding region.

On Epiphany, la Befana, or the witch comes out... I think. Anyway, I don't know what we'll be doing, whether we'll be sightseeing or walking around Sorrento or Naples. I printed out the holiday shows of Sorrento, but I don't know if we'll have time to experience those. Last time we were in Rome we didn't have time to go to any concerts, just sightsee and stroll la passeggiata come gli italiani!

From Campania, we make our way to Perugia for four illustrious nights at the Fortuna Hotel. I am really looking forward to this stay -- from the reviews it looks like the swankiest place we will probably stay. Anyway, I hope not to overblow my expectations, what I should do is have minimal, if low expectations. I hope I enjoy Perugia this time, as the last time I was there, I thought the view was spectacular, the flea market was cool, but I was not extremely impressed by the town in general. Maybe I was just not in the sightseeing mood. Anyway, I will be in town for a few days and will give it another chance to explore this area, including Assisi, and perhaps Spoleto, Spello, Orvieto, and Arezzo.

After our short stay in Umbria, we will probably take a bus to Siena, where we'll only refuge for two nights. Originally we were going to stay here for four of five nights and tour the region of Tuscany, however after re-thinking and considering that we (I) might have had enough of serenity and hill towns after Campania and Umbria, I axed several days from Siena and decided to add Venice to our itinerary, since it was sort of on the way to Milan. I figured there is more in that region to keep us busy, plus we didn't need to rely on transportation as heavily, as we would in Tuscany (where car rental would be optimal or we would have to rely on the bus system -- I recall the bus system from my days in Urbania, not very frequent, doable, but your schedule works around the bus, and sometimes you wonder why it takes so long to travel short distances???) Anyway, we will stay in a hotel near the campo! I love the campo - it's so beautiful. Siena was so awe-inspiring, when I was last there, 2003. If we have time, we might take a day trip to San Gimignano or Volterra, by bus! (haha)

Then, from Siena, we will take a bus to Florence, where we'll board a train to Venice. I may be one of the few who is not as fascinated by Firenze... anyway, we will be in Venezia per tre notte... this time in San Marco, as the hotel in Castello was closed. It's all right, as the hotel we have booked is supposedly nicer, from the website and reviews. It is located right near the Basilica and it seems that it is right in the heart of the action! Since we have already been to Venice two times and seen some of the sights (but not all), we're not in a rush rush like first timers. But there are still some places that I would like to visit. Most of all, I think I just want to wander around Venice... so beautiful, even among all the throngs of tourists.

On our way to Milan, if we have time, we might make a pit stop in Padua, a university town... or Verona - but I think Padua might be a better bet as I read in RS that a lot of the sights in Verona and Vicenza are shut down on Mondays (and we'll be in Milan on Monday). This will be my third time in Milano, and I like it, unlike some people. But I guess I'm a city person - and enjoy shopping, buildings, etc. After all the sightseeing, I just want to shop, and I have timed our trip for the winter sales -- and where better but fashion CAPITALE MILANO! Plus, our hotel is located in a shopping area, and then we can take the metro to the famous Quadrilateral, not that I can afford anything, but I just want to windowshop, especially at those stores like Giorgio Armani... that was a cool one, if I recollect. Ahhhhhhhhh.... Milano...