A log about those Silly Folks and their Escapades

January 2024 arrived and so did our 50th Wedding Anniversary
It’s hard to believe that 50 years have gone by since the day we got married
We both sit back and say “Where did those 50 years go”?
We also both know how lucky we are to have each other.
So, here’s to many more years ahead.

To celebrate we decided to have a month long vacation in Hawaii from mid January to end of February Plans were made earlier in the fall which included 5 nights in Vancouver prior to Hawaii and then off to Honolulu for a month in Waikiki.

The 5 nights in Vancouver flew by and before we knew it we were at the airport boarding the plane for Hawaii I should have mentioned that Vancouver was having a bit of weather and the night before we were to fly out they had had about 4″ of snow Nothing to worry about, right WRONG
We boarded the Westjet flight early and the Captain made an announcement that we would be pushing back as soon as the last of the luggage was loaded So, there we sat at the gate waiting for the baggage handling crew However we could see right outside our window on the plane and the baggage handling crew were having a “Snow Day” they were spinning the tires on the loading ramp conveyor and at times almost hitting the plane Basically they created a skating rink and no vehicle could get near the plane Meanwhile we watched as snow plows drove by not stopping to help clear a path

After about 3 hrs of sitting at the gate in the plane the Captain finally said we were ready to push back and there was a cheer from the passengers We waited another 1/2 hr and finally we started to move Yaaaaa we’re on our way; NOT SO FAST!
Now we had to line up for de-icing, so it was go, then stop, then go, then stop for another hour til we finally got to the de-icing area I could see planes on either side of us getting de-iced but none on us and after sitting here for 15 minutes the plane started to move forward and away from the take-off area Once the plane stopped the Captain made an announcement that they were now low on fuel and had to return to the gate to refuel Once at the gate gate agent came aboard and announced the the flight was cancelled as the crew would be over their safe working hours if they took off for Hawaii and that we would all be receiving revised flight times in the next short while by text message

So, it was off the plane, back through Customs and Immigration and pick up our luggage I immediately called a hotel in the area to get a room for the night Of course none of the extra expenses was covered by Westjet as they declared it was a weather related event Once back inside the terminal we waited over 1 1/2 hrs at 2 different baggage carousels for luggage and then headed to the hotel for the night.

Once at the hotel we got our revised flight times We were thinking the next day same time, but oh no! Our next available flight out to Hawaii was schedule for Saturday, 4 days later or there were other change options all of them stupid So we decide to scrap Hawaii for 2024

However, once we were at home for a couple weeks and we had time to cool off we decided to try Hawaii again and this time with Air Canada Plus we also decided to treat ourselves to an upgrade to Premium Economy and we flew directly from Kamloops This time it all worked out and we finally got to Hawaii and 3 1/2 weeks at The Pacific Monarch

However, once we were at home for a couple weeks and we had time to cool off we decided to try Hawaii again and this time with Air Canada Plus we also decided to treat ourselves to an upgrade to Premium Economy and we flew directly from Kamloops This time it all worked out and we finally got to Hawaii and 3 1/2 weeks at The Pacific Monarch

One of the casualties of the cancelled Westjet flight was a beautiful flower arrangement the Kevin, Tamara, Sage and Conrad had sent for our January arrival; the saving grace was the hotel staff and guest all got a chance to enjoy it in the lobby entrance

When we did get to our room there was a gift basket which included champagne and macadamia nuts from the Hotel Then a day or so later a gorgeous flower basket from Jeff Lindsay Zach and Oliver arrived

Once there we settled in and had a great time and got our Hawaii groove on and into some daily routines like a morning walk, early afternoon beach time and a sunset Mai Tai

Plus the change in our travel plans allowed Brent and Karen’s travel plans to overlap with ours so we got to see them for a couple of dinners

Hawaii this year took up most of the first three months from traveling to cancelling to replanning and getting there and getting back home

The one thing is, we will always remember our 50th Wedding Anniversary trip to Hawaii

Well after all the hustle, bustle and busy around the family gathering we started to get our somewhat quiet life back on track.

November and December flew by and somewhere in there we managed a trip to Kelowna to watch Zach play the trumpet in the Dr Knox School Band Christmas Concert GGPA was smiling down that night!

While down in Kelowna we celebrated an early Christmas as Jeff, Lindsay, Zach and Oliver planned to be at Silverstar Ski Mountain for Christmas with friends

We also bought all the supplies for Zach, Oliver and their buddy Ross to build Graham Wafer and candy Christmas Villages They really loaded up their individual creations.

For Christmas we headed to Princeton to spend it with Kevin, Tamara, Sage and Conrad What a fun couple days and it was so nice to be invited for Christmas Tamara and Kevin always prepare and serve a delicious Christmas dinner

And finally, a picture of Silly Christmas head wear

The passing of GGMA was very sad for the whole family, however we all knew that she was ready to go and to move on to the next stage of her journey. Thankfully the majority of everyone’s memories of GGMA are happy memories of a life well lived and many happy times.

But the work began while she was still in “Trinity”, as Dr. M. suggested we could clean her suite out at The Shores. Well the four of us (Dean, Judy, Brenda, Larry) started cleaning cupboards, moving out furniture, moving boxes of stuff to the thrift store, sharing treasured gifts among family members and in a few short days we had the place emptied.

Then of course after GGMA passed away the real paperwork began. Funeral home planning, death certificates, burial site planning, headstone design, funeral preparations, interment planning, tax documents, bank forms, Interior Health documents, wills and estate requirements; you get the idea. So much paperwork and so much to do that pretty well ate up the month of September and most of October.

Somewhere in all this mayhem we picked a date and location for a Celebration of Life for GGMA. We chose October 28th at Kamloops Funeral Home for the formal funeral service; which was followed by a luncheon for all.
Then later that night a Celebration with family and close friends was held at Frick & Frack Restaurant. Out of towners’ from Brenda’s family were her cousin Coleen from Ontario and her daughter Bonnie from Vancouver plus long time family friend Jayne from Calgary. From my side there was my sisters Maureen from Vancouver and Donna from Ladysmith on the Island. Tricia who was the official photographer for the evening. What a great evening to get family and extended family together for a Celebration.
One of the few times all the cousins have been together.

We have often reminisced that the ones who would have enjoyed themselves the most at this family gathering were the couple that we were holding this Celebration of Life for. Both Joan and Murray would have had the most fun of the evening watching the family and just smiling at what they were a part of creating.

At the end of July GGMA became quite sick with what we thought was a reoccurring infection. So, on July 31st Brenda took her to Emergency at the RIH. You can imagine what the emergency room was like in the middle of the summer; it was crazy to say the least.

After a few hour wait they finally found her a bed and after a bit more a Doctor came by with all the standard questions and then he started to poke and prod to the point the GGMA even complained. Let me tell you he must have really made it uncomfortable, because she never complained about aches and pains. He said she needed an x-ray because sometimes abdominal issues can have sinister things about them. That was something new we had not heard before. So, he said we may as well go home and wait for the results as it was going to take a while.

Anyway to make a long story short the x-ray showed she had a large mass growing in her abdomen and it was inoperable. After that was discovered the staff did everything required to get her assigned to another floor for more advanced care. As luck or fate would have it her regular family Doctor was away on a family vacation, however the Doctor that was covering for him (Dr. Dickinson) was outstanding. He was kind, caring, compassionate and he was forthright and honest. GGMA was in the final journey of her life and we should prepare for the end.

She was in the hospital about 4-5 days and was then moved to “Trinity Hospice” which is part of Overlanders Extended Care Facility and after about 3 weeks she peacefully passed away in her sleep. Below is her obituary which was written by Dean, Judy, Brenda and Larry.

Joan Mason of Kamloops BC, died peacefully on Sunday August 27, 2023, at Trinity Hospice Overlander Hospital.

Joan was born in Calgary on March 8, 1928, to Edward John and Alice Dean. The youngest of three children she was the last surviving member of her family. 

She married Murray Frederick Mason in 1950 and had two children, Dean (Judy) and Brenda (Larry).

Joan dedicated the first part of married life to being a great mother. She loved camping, going for picnics, spending time with family and she especially enjoyed ice cream at Riverside Park? The family can all remember her saying; “I Scream , You Scream, We All Scream for Ice Cream”.  She also enjoyed community get togethers, the community dances and especially the Birthday Girls luncheons.

In 1976 she and Murray became grandparents for a first time. They had four grandchildren Kevin (Tamara), Jeff (Lindsay) , Blake, and Sabrina (Mike) and seven great grandchildren, Sage, Conrad, Zachary, Amelia, Oliver, Makayla and Norah.  

Joan and Murray loved to travel, taking trips to India, Japan, across Canada, including the North all the way to Tuktoyaktuk. However, their favourite spots were in Southern California and Hawaii. Locally they became Good Sam Members and enjoyed the many campouts with the Juniper Sams RV group of friends.

They lived in Westsyde for over 50 years, moving to the Shores Retirement Residences in 2015 where she loved all the activities and was an eager participant. 

She was an active volunteer in the Anglican Community with the Church of Cleopas (Westsyde) and later at St Georges Anglican Church.

Joan was predeceased by Murray in 2019, her parents and her siblings (Alice and George).

Joan lived a full and happy life. We will all fondly remember her quick wit, her kindness, her love of family and most of all, the “Gramma Cuts” on dessert servings. 

The family would especially like to thank, Dr Montalbetti and his receptionist J.C?Doctor M. was a kind and caring advocate for Mom. We also want to thank the Shores Retirement Residences and her many, many friends.

The Celebration of Life will be held Oct 28th at 11:00 a.m. at the Kamloops Funeral Home. 

In lieu of flowers the family would suggest donations to a charity of your choice.

Well, after we arrived in Santiago de Compostela at the Cathedral and absorbed a bit of main square activities we headed down to the Pilgrims Office to hand in our Pilgrims Credentials Passport. You are required to get 2 stamps per day in your Pilgrims Credentials to prove that you have met the requirements of completion of our Camino hike and the obligations of being a Pilgrim. After the authorities had audited our credentials we were recorded as hiking 124km on our pilgrimage.

The Pilgrims Office is near the Cathedral and as we got close to the entrance we saw two familiar faces from Kamloops. Ken and Judy (our friends from Kamloops) had just arrived in Santiago de Compostela from doing the Primitavo Camino. They were the couple that talked us in to doing a Camino and were so inspirational with their encouragement, support and planning. So, we talked for a few minutes and they gave us some directions to help speed up the process and we made tentative plans to meet for dinner later that evening.

After completing all the necessary paperwork and purchasing a few Camino momento’s we headed off to our hotel Costa Vella for the next 4 nights. We then emailed Ken & Judy and planned to meet for a traditional Pilgrim’s dinner; they had a restaurant that they highly recommended from previous visits.
We went for dinner at 7:00 pm which is early for the Spanish and we were the second couple in , but it filled up quite quickly. The Pilgrim’s dinner included a salad, a main dish, desert and a bottle of wine shared between each couple and it was cheap, we think we remember it was about 17EU per person.
What a fun evening we had.

The rest of our stay in Santiago de Compostela was taken up exploring the area and enjoying the culture and celebrations in the City.
One event we went to was the Noon Mass at the Cathedral to see the burning of the incense and the Botafumeiro Celebration. The Botafumeiro is 5 ft tall incense burner that is used as part of the Catholic Christian Mass. The 5ft tall incense burner is attached to ropes and swings freely above the altar and at a certain point in the ceremony 5-6 helpers pull the ropes which causes the burner to rise up and then it is given a push to swing. The helpers then time the pulling of the rope with the swinging of the Botafumeiro and it really gets swinging; you’ll see that easily the arc of the swing is 100 ft.
The whole service and celebration was amazing, something we never expected to see. Enjoy the video.

While in Santiago de Compostela we also took a chartered day trip tour to Finisterre and Muxia? Many pilgrims take an additional 8 days (there and back) and walk this route to complete their pilgrimage. Finisterre rough translation is “the end of the world” and the next stop across the Atlantic Ocean is North America. Unfortunately the day we visited there was a lot of fog so we could only see about 500 yards out, but I guess when you think about it all that is beyond there is more water.
Also while we were in Santiago de Compostela they had a big celebration for All Saints Month, so there were various groups going around singing and then on large street party with entertainment, kids games, dancing, etc

After 4 days it was time to leave Santiago de Compostela and to head to Porto in Portugal. Dean found us an Uber type ride and we were picked up right on time and about 3 hrs later we were dropped off right at the front door of our rental unit Santa Caterina Suites. These suites were outstanding, very modern, very clean with lots of little extras, a great breakfast and right in the middle of Porto, so handy to everything. The only thing to watch for were the stairs to the suite level; they were steep and you easily went up 3 standard floors.

One tourist site we had to check out was the bookstore called Livraria Lello in downtown Porto. It is the only bookstore I know of that you have to make an online reservation to get entry to go book shopping. After you make your reservation you arrive at the bookstore and outside the store is a line up area with time markers. Once you find your time marker you get in line and they get you inside within 1/2 hr of your reservation time or sooner. Why the line up? Well “Livaria Lello” is a very old book store, it is 2 levels and has lots of oak and mahogany flooring, paneling, etc but the main feature is the really ornate winding staircase. The bookstore was the inspiration for Harry Potter author JK Rollings and Hogwarts; so no wonder the tourist interest and need for a reservation system.

Porto is a really nice City. It’s very old and lots of confusing streets and traffic and history and it’s right on the Douro River? Porto is also well known for its Port Wine Houses. Thankfully Judy and Dean were with us and convinced us to attend a Port Wine tasting session at Churchill Port House. Now my pallet for wine tasting is pretty much non existent, but even I could taste some of the differences between the ages. Judy on the other hand has an amazing tasting pallet and can pick up all the subtle characteristics. Since we ended up having our own private Port tasting session our Sommelier was even impressed with Judy’s ability and after we had sampled the standard stuff/swill and a couple higher end Ports the Sommelier went into the back and brought out some of the really good stuff; 30 years old or more.

It was a fun afternoon, a way to remember Porto and it was a good walk to get there and a cable car ride on the way back. One final attraction in Porto is the central market area, it was amazing, every type of meat, cheese, bread, chocolate, wine, port, plants, you name it.
We would definitely come back to Porto and do more exploring.

After 2 days we headed by train back to Lisbon and then caught a taxi to Costa De Caparica for our final 4 days. Costa De Caparica is a small seaside town about 45 minutes outside of Lisbon.
Not a lot going on but we stayed at a resort style property right on the ocean, went for some long walks, had some great dinners and just chilled out.

So, that’s about it for our Spain and Portugal adventure.

(Punctuation Disclaimer – I am not sure why, but when I enter a period at the end of a sentence in the post I am working on, once it is published the period sometimes comes up as a question mark at the end of the sentence)

Finally the day arrived for us to head off on an adventure of a lifetime the Camino de Santiago.

We have hiked and walked and walked and walked in preparation for our Camino? The one small change from our initial planning is that due to Brenda’s strained MCL we are going to use a luggage transfer service to move her suitcase from town to town along the Camino route? I am going to carry most of my stuff in my back pack, but will be taking advantage of using spare space in Brenda’s suitcase for some heavier articles?

So let the adventure begin? Well we checked in for our flights 24 hrs in advance as recommended and almost immediately were told that the second flight had been cancelled so we had to reschedule? In the end it all worked out, it was just a lot longer travel and wait times at airports? Our flights were Kamloops to Vancouver to Ottawa to Toronto and finally to Lisbon Portugal.

Once we arrived in Lisbon airport you all of a sudden feel a long way from home? The Customs and Immigration hall was packed with people, little to no direction or signage and complete confusion? After about an hour, which should have taken 15 minutes we got out and headed towards the metro train to the city.

On the way out of the airport we stopped at a cellphone store to pick up a SIM card, so we could be connected to the world; best decision we’ve made so far as we used the Maps feature on our cellphone everyday? The metro to downtown was pretty speedy and after exiting he underground station we found our hotel for 4 nights in Lisbon?

We met up with Dean and Judy who had been travelling the Netherlands, France and Spain prior to meeting us in Lisbon? We got pretty good at using the metro and toured a lot of Lisbon on foot or by train? Brenda was a “trooper” and never complained once about a sore knee even with hundreds of steps, uneven cobblestones and long walks up and down the hills of Lisbon.

While in Lisbon we took a day trip to Sintra? Sintra is on the coast and is a resort town in the foothills of Portugal’s Sintra Mountains. A longtime royal sanctuary, its forested terrain is studded with pastel-colored villas and palaces. The Moorish- and Manueline-style Sintra National Palace is distinguished by dramatic twin chimneys and elaborate tilework. The hilltop 19th-century Pena National Palace is known for a whimsical design and sweeping views? Sintra was very busy and we were glad that we booked a tour versus trying to do this on our own?

So after the 4 nights we headed off by train to Valenca, Portugal for 2 nights? This was our starting point for our Portuguese Camino de Santiago? Valenca is a small Portuguese town and has a walled part of the City or as it is called a Fortaleza de Valenca which is right across the Minho River from Tui, Spain? We stayed at hotel right next to the Fortaleza it was called Hotel Val Flores? It was small but clean and was well situated for the Camino hike and nearby restaurants.
One of the better meals and sangria we had on the vacation was at a restaurant in the Fortaleza? After the meal they brought out a bottle of Cherry Liqueur and just left the bottle told us to serve ourselves???. Yummy!

Today (May 26th, 2023) we started out on our Camino Pilgrims walk to Santiago de Compostela in Spain? On the Camino you hike along paths that are paved and gravel, along or beside roadways, through forests and small villages? The whole time you are looking for the Yellow Arrow pointing the way of St James to Santiago de Compostela? There are lots on granite posts, but many are spray painted on the side of a house or barn or on the roadway? It’s pretty tough to get lost because they are everywhere and also there are lots of other pilgrims on the route?

Our destination today was the town of O’ Porrino, Spain. We got our Pilgrim Credentials stamped twice in Valenca, Portugal the day before before, so we officially started in Portugal?

Today’s hike is about 22 km’s to O’Porrino which is known for it’s granite. There are huge granite mining operations on the surrounding hillsides? So in all the little villages we passed through granite is used everywhere, driveways, roads, fences, grape vineyards, etc? Tonights accommodation is at the Hotel Maracaibo in O’ Porrino? It’s not big, but it’s clean and above a bar for a much needed beer and appies after a long hike?

Well day #2 is here and not too many aches and pains? However, today’s hike looks like it is going to be a bit hillier on our way to Redondela and Hotel A Boa Estrela? Yesterdays hike was through pine and eucalyptus forests and along streams and creeks? Today is about the scenery from high up which means some climbs?It is also the first time we have seen Horreo’s, which are structures like a shed where they stored grains in the past that were mice, rat and rodent proof. You notice they are built of granite as is the wall of the property.

The walk/hike to Redondela was about 22 km and Redondela is a great little nestled on a hillside and has a small rive running through it.

It’s day three and we are headed to Pontevedra and the Hotel Rias Baja? Hiking today was through small villages, some street/road walking and many back alleys; always on the lookout for the Yellow Arrow pointing to Santiago de Compostela?

We are staying in Pontevedra for 2 nights? It’s a chance to recharge our batteries and take a day of down time? Pointevedra is definitely a bigger city so lots to do and see and eat and drink?

It’s day number 5 and we are headed from Pontevedra to Caldas de Reis, total walking of approximately 24 km?

Todays hike was rolling hills and vineyards? The hotel we are staying at tonight is the Balneario Acuna and they have a Hot Spring pool? Our tired feet and leg muscles will enjoy the soaking time?

It’s day #6 and we are headed for Padron, which is about 20 km away? Today was a lot more walking on or right beside major roadways? Until now it’s been a lot of forested trails or small country roads where traffic isn’t as busy? The last 3 km was all uphill and on the road, so it see,ed to take forever?

Our accommodation tonight is The Hotel Scala, it’s not fancy but it’s clean and right on the Camino route?

Well it’s our last full day on our Camino Pilgrimage, which is hard to believe? Today we will hike about 26 km and into the city of Santiago de Compostela and the end of “The Way”? But before we get there we hike through forested areas and past little roadside rest stops?

Then there is the final 10 km that is mostly up hill into Santiago de Compostela

Finally the Cathedral which is the end of “The Way” and it is where the remains of St James are interred

We feel so lucky to have had Dean and Judy join us on this lifetime adventure?

More on our Portugal and Spain adventure with Dean and Judy in our next post?

April arrived and weather is still unusually cool for Kamloops.

We have been out walking and getting lots of road miles as we prepare for the Camino.
Brenda continues with her Line Dancing three times per week and I have my Ukulele Jam’s and Kamloops City Strummers to keep me busy?

May arrived and with it the ongoing training and preparation for the Camino de Santiago? However, with about 2 weeks to go until we head off on the Camino, Brenda had a knee strain? We were out for one of our many walks and she all of a sudden mentioned her knee was sore, I offered some Advil and she said “No” then a few minutes later she asked for the Advil? So, it must have been really sore as she is a trooper and never complains about any aches and pains? Dr M diagnosed a MCL strain and suggested rest, ice, heat and Advil or Tylenol.

So, this little set back changed our luggage plans a bit Originally Brenda and I were both going to pack all our supplies? However with her knee strain we decided for her to use a luggage transport service offered on the Camino route? The Company is called Tui Trans and they move your luggage from town to town and accommodation to accommodation along the route and it’s pretty cheap only about $50 for the week

After this post I am going to do a special post of the Camino de Santiago

June arrived and we still had about 12 days till we arrived home from Portugal and Spain.

We were home only a few days and we headed off to Princeton to watch Sage graduate from Grade 12
The graduation ceremonies were great and the community street party afterwards was outstanding
Small town recognition celebration for the grads.

We were all so proud of her and she received 4 scholarships for continuing education

Also in June Oliver turned 11 years old???? it’s hard to believe?
Oliver is in the red shirt in the picture below

January arrived and winter got more socked in however it cleared up for a couple days and we were able to get down to Princeton to celebrate with Kevin, Tamara, Sage and Conrad.

Early in January we met with our friends Ken and Judy who have been trying to convince us for years to walk the Camino de Santiago? They are such an amazing couple and so inspirational and after having an afternoon coffee with them we decided that we weren’t getting any younger and if we were ever going to tackle an adventure like this it was going to be now?

Then in the middle of the month we headed off to Hawaii for 5 weeks? One of the highlights of Hawaii this year was we were able to attend a Jake Shimabukuro concert on the day after we arrived? What a great evening of entertainment and I got Jake to autograph my Martin Ukulele for the 4th time?

We had a great 5 weeks in Hawaii and we walked and walked and walked pounded the pavement in training for the Camino? This year we walked around the base of Diamond Head Crater over 18 times, plus there is the distance to get from our hotel to start the hike? Oh, and we also wore our day packs with weight in them to get use to that feeling while hiking/walking?

I found some ukulele jam sessions this year, which isn’t that difficult in Hawaii and Brenda was out and about and seeing the sites? We really like this picture of the Royal Hawaiian hotel she took on one of her many walks? It is one of the original Waikiki Hotels and it is so grand?

Plus Brenda took in 4 line dancing classes at the Waikiki Community Center?

Brenda and I celebrated our 49th anniversary in January????? where did those years go?

As far as birthdays, if he was still alive Murray Frederick Mason “GGPA” would have been 100 years old?

February flew by and the 5 weeks in Hawaii were great.

March arrived and with it a bunch more preparation for the Camino? Booking flights, accommodations, purchasing some needed gear and equipment, plus walking and getting ourselves prepared?

March birthdays included “GGMA” who turned 95 years young and Conrad who turned 15 years old.

Kevin, Tamara, Sage and Conrad visited us on the weekend of Conrad’s birthday; they went indoor rock climbing and had a great time.

The following weekend we spent up at Sun Peaks with Jeff, Lindsay, Zach and Oliver.

That’s about it for January, February and March 2023.

November and life was getting back to normal after a great vacation to Italy.

Brenda was line dancing Monday – Wednesday – Friday and I was back practicing with the Strummers on Thursdays’, plus studio painting classes every 3 weeks on a Tuesday.

The big events in November was that Zach turned 12, Sage turned 17 and Jeff???? well he just got 1 year older? HAPPY BIRTHDAY – Zach, Sage and Jeff.

December arrived and with it much colder temperatures and snowy weather especially around Christmas? In fact we had to postpone our Christmas visit to Princeton till early in January?
Jeff, Lindsay, Zach and Oliver arrived a few days after Christmas to celebrate with us.

Big Happy Birthdays in December include Tamara and Lindsay?

On Friday October 7th we headed off on our 19 day Wells Gray Tours adventure “A Taste of Italy”. We travelled by bus to Inn at The Quay in New Westminster for an overnight stay and boarded a Lufthansa flight to Munich Germany Saturday afternoon. The flight was long but the real “jet lagger” was the 9+ hour connection wait time to board the flight to Milan. By the time we arrived into Milan it was 12:30 a.m. local time and it was still a 45 minute bus ride to the hotel, when finally hit the bed we were exhausted.

Milan – 2 nights
The city of Milan is the second largest in Italy. Because of its strategic location, it has been ruled
by Romans, French, Spanish, and Austrians until finally coming under rule of the Kingdom of Italy
in the late 1800s. Our walking tour of the historic city included entry to the Duomo di Milano, the
city’s impressive gothic cathedral that took nearly six centuries to complete. The Milan Duomo is 70 yards wide and 170 yds long, from the front entrance to the altar.

Venice – 2 nights
Next we were off to Venice which is vivid, vibrant, and vivacious, the Queen of the Adriatic holds a mystical aura of a city of canals and palaces, and is one of the most enchanting places in the world. With canals, bridges and islands, Venice boasts of myriad magic festivals, exotic cuisine, and magnificent architecture. Called “the city of canals”, Venice extends across 120 islands that are joined by 455 bridges. Its colonization dates to the 5th century when inhabitants came to these marshy islands to escape the Barbarian invasion of the Mongols. Over time, the city grew across these islands, thus making Venice the only place of its kind in the world.

We boarded private water taxis for our transfer from the mainland to the Palazzo San Lorenzo, an intimate four-star hotel with an excellent location a few minutes walk from the famous Piazza San Marco.

We stayed two nights in the heart of Venice Venice is a city best explored by foot, so with the benefit of a local guide, we walk around the historic city. Attractions include Piazza San Marco, the Basilica, and Bell Tower. Admission was included to Doge’s Palace, seat of the Venetian Empire and one of the main landmarks in Venice. This afternoon, we enjoyed a Bacaro (wine bar) tour with appies and wine tasting.

Bologna – 2 nights
Leaving Venice, we travel to Ferrara, an intellectual and artistic centre that attracted the greatest
minds of the Italian Renaissance in the 15th and 16th centuries. Here, the concept of the ‘ideal
city’ came to life, marking the birth of modern town planning.

After a walking tour and lunch, we continued to Bologna, known for the oldest university in the Western world.
The day was devoted to the Parma area, known for the culinary treasures that it has given to the
world. We visit the Parmigiano-Reggiano Cheese Factory and the Prosciutto di Parma Museum,
learning about the unique methods that create these cheeses and Parma ham. Tastings were provided.

In Bologna, we savoured the cuisine that the region is known for; la Cucina Bolognese.

Florence – 4 nights
Our destination today is the Tuscany region and the city of Florence; which was our base for exploring the area. Florence is delightfully beautiful, a jewel of the Renaissance, and a centre for food and fashion in northern Italy. During a walking tour, a local guide showed us the open-air museum of Piazza Della Signoria, Santa Croce which houses the tombs of Michelangelo and Galileo, and the cathedral with Giotto’s bell tower and baptistery with its impressive “Gates of Paradise”. All these buildings demonstrate the traditions of Florentine art and architecture from the Middle Ages to the Renaissance. We also visited Accademia, home of Michelangelo’s famed sculpture, David.
One of the people on our tour, Joan from Kamloops had a lifelong bucket list item of seeing the statue of David in person and she got to fulfill that dream.
Peggy from Salmon Arm was a real jokester and she always wanted to touch David’s bum….. well at least that’s what she told us!

We spent the morning exploring Siena. We walked through the vast Piazza del Campo to see the
magnificent frescoes of the Palazzo Publico and visit the amazing zebra-striped Cathedral with marble paving and elaborate pulpit. Next, we drove through some of Tuscany’s lovely cypress and olive groves while ascending to the ancient hilltop village of San Gimignano.

In medieval times, each merchant family built its own fortress tower and residential area, and many remain standing today, giving the nickname, “town of the fine towers”. Here we tried out the local gelato and had lunch at a local farmhouse in the countryside.
The next day the morning was free to explore Florence on our own. The afternoon was devoted to exploring the Chianti region, well known for its exceptional wines. We were treated to an evening at Castello di Verrazzano with its extensive farms and gardens.
Plus we learned of the legend and story of the “Black Rooster – Gallo Nero” and how the Chianti Classico wines can only come from this region. Dinner and a tour of the wine cellars were included.

This morninig we toured an olive plantation where we were shown how cold pressed olive oil is made. We purchased a travel container of their extra virgin olive oil in a tin container.
Following this we had an interactive lesson in Tuscan cooking and we were rewarded with the fruits of our labour with an exquisite lunch and of course copious quantities of wine.
This afternoon we were off on an excursion to the city of Pisa, once an important port. Its proud and wealthy merchants dedicated some of their fortunes to build a fine cathedral and baptistery, but today it is the bell-tower that attracts the most attention – by leaning four metres from perpendicular.

Rome – 3 nights
Today we traveled the road south towards Rome.
On the way there we visited the town of Assisi, birthplace of St. Francis, who founded the Franciscan religious order here in 1208, and St. Clare, the founder of the Poor Sisters or Poor Clares.

Arriving in Rome, we stayed three nights at the wonderful Hotel Savoy. Built in the late 1800s, it has a great location next to fine shopping. Rome is called the Eternal City, a term coined by ancient Roman poets, and its 2,500 years of history have proven the name to be true.
This is the birthplace of western civilization and the city remains an important cultural and political centre in the modern world.

This morning, we have a guided walking tour of the Vatican, including entry into the Vatican Museums, St. Peter’s Basilica, and the Sistine Chapel to admire some of Michelangelo’s greatest masterpieces. The advantage of traveling in a group is being able to bypass the huge lines that form to enter!

Our locally-guided tour this morning includes entrance to the Colosseum, the largest amphitheatre in the Roman Empire, and the Forum, the centre of public life in ancient Rome. Palatine Hill is one of the Seven Hills of Rome, a truly ancient part of the city, and has been called “the first nucleus of the Roman Empire.”

Naples – 2 nights
Today we headed to Naples, third largest city in Italy. It was first settled by Greeks in the second millennium BC. Naples is one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world. Its historic city centre is the largest in Europe and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Neapolitan cuisine is noted for its association with pizza, which originated here, and we had lunch in a local pizzeria.

A walking tour was included this afternoon, then we settled into our hotel for two nights.

Mount Vesuvius dominates Naples, and its huge eruption in AD 79 buried nearby Pompeii under
4 to 6 metres of ash and pumice. Mostly preserved under the ash, the excavated city offers a unique snapshot of Roman life, frozen at the moment it was buried and providing an extraordinary insight into the everyday life of its inhabitants. It was a wealthy town with fine public buildings and luxurious houses with lavish decorations, furnishings, and works of art which were the main attractions for the early excavators.

Tonight is our farewell dinner to recap our Italian adventures, it was held at a farmhouse at the foot of Mount Vesuvius with local foods and Lacryma Christi wines.

Home to Canada
Saying farewell to Bella Italy, we depart Naples on Lufthansa, change planes in Munich and arrive in Vancouver in mid-afternoon.

What a great trip and adventure! Ciao!