We toured Italy in the summer and visited Verona, Florence, the Tuscany region around Florence and then down to the western coastline close to Rimini.

After leaving Austria and heading towards Italy, you are traveling through the Italian/Austrian Alps. Our drive took us through the Brenner Pass. I must say it was a beautiful yet nerve-wrenching drive. This four-lane freeway consists of an abundance of curves, tunnels dug from the mountains, all while climbing the elevations of the Alps. Some of the tunnels are long enough to require using your headlights to see and on a sunny day you are constantly turning your lights off and on. This is also the main connection for freight between Austria/Germany to Italy, so the tractor trailer trucks are many. But, the speed limit for these large vehicles is strictly enforced at 70 km. which is equivalent to about 45 mph and they definitely stay in the far right lane except to pass. So at least they aren't as 'scary' as they are in the U.S.

Verona is a beautiful city and most famous for its Arena, where the traditional annual New Year's Day concert is held. The arena is crumbling on the exterior and is being renovated but you can certainly see how ancient it is. It sits in the middle of the city of Verona.

Verona was the first Italian city that I had visited. Most of these European cities have an Old Town and that seems to be where most of the activity, shopping and dining take place. Verona has a daily market that goes on right in the middle of the Old Town.

As you enter the Old Town, you are met by a beautiful castle with its large church tower and clock. The buildings and businesses all have their beautiful flower boxes on their window sills and the cobblestone streets, some of which are original. One of the surprises for me was that Verona is the home of Juliet's balcony (of Romeo and Juliet). It is located in a small courtyard off one of the side streets in Verona. As you enter, you will see, of course, the large gathering of visitors and as you look up you will see the stone balcony. There is a carved statue of Juliet in the courtyard and then you notice layers and layers of paper notes attached to the walls surrounding the courtyard. As you look closer at these notes and scraps of paper, they carry the names of couples and the date they visited. The tradition is that you are to rub the statue of Juliet and leave your names, and it is to bring you much happiness in your relationship.

I experienced my first real Italian Gelato and I was immediately addicted. It is the Italian version of ice cream but it has more of an icy consistency and mainly consists of fruity concoctions. On a hot day in Italy, a gelato is the best thing you can consume and I had my fair share during my time in Italy.