Rome Day 1

The trip from Toronto and the arrival in Rome went very well. Our apartment is very comfortable and well situated, very near Piazza Navona.

This lovely rectangular plaza is very vibrant with lots of people visiting throughout the day. There's an obelisk in the center of the plaza mounted on an elaborate sculpture, and a small fountain at one end.

We walked around quite a bit and admired the architecture and various monuments, including the Column of Marcus Aurelius, inspired from Trajan's Column. The detailed carvings are wrapped around the column like a comic strip, and tell the story of the Emperor's triumphant campaign against Germanic Tribes. The bronze statue of Marcus Aurelius that used to be on top of the column was replaced during the Renaissance by a statue of St-Paul.

We connected again with Michel and Nathalie at the Trevi Fountain, along with a few thousand other tourists. And of course, it is simply spectacular.

The Spanish Steps are under renovations, but there are still tons of people milling around the plaza at the base of the steps.

We had a lovely meal with Michel and Nathalie at a small restaurant literally 5 steps from our front door. Our street is very active, and luckily, not too noisy at night.

We finished the evening back at Piazza Navona, which was busy with buskers and people enjoying the cool evening and the charming ambiance.

All in all, it was a lovely first day in Rome. Good way to start the trip.

Mario

Introduction

True to her nature, Vicki started planning two years ago for a big family trip to celebrate her 50th birthday. Here she is with husband Mario and kids Tristan and Joy.

She invited friends and family to join her on a five-week trip to Italy. This trip is somewhat modelled on what the family did in 2012 for Mario's 50th birthday when the family and six friends travelled together in France. Their adventures were chronicled in another blog.

http://tenfriendsinfrance.blogspot.ca/

It was so much fun that everyone decided to join again, along with a few additions. This time, along with the Gagnons, the Italy group will include Kate and Jim, Alan and Michael P., Dorcas and Michael H., Maggie and her sister Mary, Peter and Alice, and Mario's brother, Michel, and his partner Natalie.

All these folks enjoy each other's company, usually around food and wine.

Here's a good part of the group at Vicki's birthday celebration two years ago. Clockwise from the front left, we can see Kate with the flowery blouse, Maggie, Joy, Vicki in the black dress,  Alan, Michael P., Tristan, Michael H., and Dorcas in fuschia.

And here's a more recent picture with Jim next to Kate.

Michel and Natalie, pictured here with Vicki, came to Toronto for the Christmas Market at the Distillery District back in November.

Then we have Peter and Alice, seen here having a good time, as they clearly know how.

And finally, there's Mary, Maggie's sister, seen here crouching in front of Kate and Vicki, when she joined us in Annecy in France in 2012.

The Gagnons will begin the trip in Rome, followed by Florence and Venice. And then spend one week each on Lake Maggiore, in Lucca, Tuscany, and in Amalfi near Sorrento, with closing back in Rome for a few days before heading back home.

The companions travelling with them will vary during the trip. Here's who will accompany the Gagnons during the various segments.

Rome: Maggie, Michel and Natalie
Florence: Maggie and Mary
Venice: Maggie and Mary, Kate and Jim
Lake Maggiore: Maggie, Kate and Jim, Alan and Michael P., Peter and Alice
Lucca: Maggie, Kate and Jim, Alan and Michael P., Dorcas and Michael H.
Amalfi: Maggie, Alan and Michael P., Dorcas and Michael H.
Rome: Alan and Michael P.

We will try to post photos, stories, and anecdotes pretty much on a daily basis. We hope you will find the tales of our adventures entertaining.

And who knows, maybe more people will be joining us on our next trip...

Mario