Rome
We were, as it turned out, too busy exploring the streets and having amazing meals in the great restaurants, and visiting the Vatican museum and old churches to take many pictures. A few survived; here's one.
The Coliseum.
The Temple at Segesta, Sicily. One of my many favorite places in Sicily. Unlike Agrigento ("The Valley of the Temples") this temple is secluded in a beautiful, pristine, natural setting, has very few visitors (besides the lizards) and is filled with peace.
The temple at Segesta had these brilliant emerald-green lizards everywhere.
Flowers on a hillside above San Vito Lo Capo, Sicily.
The view of Isola Bella from the path leading from the beach back toward town, to catch the funivare (funicular) up to Taormina. We stayed at the Hotel la Plage, adjacent to Isola Bella (just to the left of the spit of beach connecting the island to the rest of Sicily).
The Greek theatre at Taormina.
A hill town in the La Madonie mountains in the northern section of Sicily. This area is amazing, reminding Nigel and me of Yosemite in grandeur, yet you meet sheepherders on the side of the road, and there's very little evidence of any change in their way of life over the last 200 years.
Another view of a hilltown in the Madonie mountains.
Venice was a great surprise. What fun to turn a corner and cross another bridge and discover yet another enchanting little courtyard, with people carrying on their daily lives in this totally unique place. You can get lost so easily but never in a dangerous spot, and however lost you may be, you'll find cafes serving excellent espresso, fascinating architecture, and interesting shops to browse with Venetian glass, masks, bookstores, open-air markets selling all sorts of fish from the lagoon, and many expensive restaurants.
Just one of a million amazing canal views in Venice.
Another Venice canal view.
Nigel sitting in the window seat overlooking the canal, at Ca'Angeli.
Tuscany was beguiling, even more than the beauty of Sicily. We think it may be something about the quality of the light: it wraps over the hills like a light gauze. Of course, the great food doesn't hurt. We stayed in Certaldo Alto and in Pienza, and visited Montepulciano, Montalcino, Greve in Chianti and other small towns.
A view of the countryside from Montichiello.
View of Florence from Fiesole.
The courtyard of a museum we passed by in Florence. Not enough time to see everything, alas.
Kitten in window at Pienza.
A typical doorway in the lovely town of Pienza: flowers, laundry, ancient grey stone and brick.