In 2015, we booked a trip with our good friends that turned out to be the trip of a lifetime. We experienced a delay at the airport because Joe Biden, then Vice President, was arriving to say his final goodbyes to Pope Francis. We traveled to Venice in late September, just as Pope Francis was returning to Rome to celebrate his first feast day after a six-week journey through South America and the United States, which concluded in Philadelphia. Our travel arrangements were made through Roma Travel in Havertown, and they included excursions, dinners, hotel accommodations, and our excellent guide, Massimo. What an unforgettable trip it was!
Our first stop on our 12-day trip was Venice, where we enjoyed a wonderful welcoming dinner. As our boat taxi docked, our group was led down a torch-lit alley that opened into a beautiful courtyard. We sat outside in the perfect evening air, eating, drinking, and singing along with strolling musicians who played our favorite songs as they moved among the long family tables set for our group.
During our two-day stay in Venice, we visited St. Mark’s Square and Basilica, the Doge’s Palace, the Rialto Bridge, and the Bridge of Sighs. We even took a trip down the canal in a gondola and had an excursion to Murano. Each place was just as memorable as the last.
The next leg of our journey took us through the Cinque Terre region and along the Italian Riviera, eventually leading us to Florence. We spent a couple of days there, starting with a warm welcome at a farmhouse dinner. While in Florence, we visited the Uffizi Gallery, the Duomo, and the Ponte Vecchio, and enjoyed excursions into the beautiful Tuscan countryside, including the town of Assisi and the Basilica of St. Francis
Our next leg of the journey took us to Rome, where we spent a couple of days exploring the ruins of the Colosseum, the Vatican, and St. Peter’s Basilica. We were fortunate enough to get tickets to the Papal Mass—thanks, Joe! We also took an excursion to see the ruins of Pompeii and so much more.
Our final tour concluded with stops in Sorrento and then Positano on the Amalfi Coast. We enjoyed wine, indulged in delicious food, took in the beautiful sights, and savored limoncello water ice. We sampled the local cuisine and wine, explored the many shops and piazzas in each village and town, and met gracious locals along the way. As we flew from Naples to Rome and then back to the States, we realized that this trip is not only one we will never forget, but it’s also one I would happily do again.
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