A Scenic Journey Through Italy, a Treasure Trove of World Heritage Sites
Italy Scenic Tour from June 9 to June 18, 2014
From the northern Dolomites to the southern Amalfi Coast, I traveled on a tour from Kansai Airport via Alitalia Airlines.
Day 1
Departed from Kansai Airport at 13:15, with a flight time of 13 hours to Rome.
The flight from Rome to Milan was 1 hour and 20 minutes.
Time difference (Japan/Italy) is -7 hours (due to daylight saving time).
Arrived in Milan at 22:20.
About 2 hours after departing Kansai Airport, a meal (Japanese cuisine) was served, followed by a rice ball. About 2 hours before arriving in Rome, a light snack was provided. After arriving in Milan, we transferred to a hotel and arrived around midnight, marking a long travel day.
Day 2
Since we arrived late last night, the departure this morning was at 9:00. We toured Milan, starting with the Gothic-style Milan Cathedral (Duomo), followed by the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, Milan's largest shopping arcade. Afterward, we stopped in Verona, known as the setting of Shakespeare's "Romeo and Juliet." We visited Juliet's house, where a statue of the tragic heroine stood. It's said that touching the right breast of the statue will bring happiness and love. Many people touched the right breast, making it shine brightly. Tonight, we stayed in Treviso.
Day 3
Today, we visited the Dolomite Valley, a UNESCO World Heritage site in northern Italy. Surrounded by towering peaks over 3,000 meters high, the valley is famous for its breathtaking views. We aimed to visit the iconic Tre Cime di Lavaredo, a mountain range representing the Dolomites. However, due to a landslide, the road was closed, and we had to take a detour. The guide contacted the authorities and made arrangements for the change. The detour caused delays, and a toilet break was necessary. The driver and guide went to a nearby station for assistance but were turned away. They then found a supermarket where they were allowed to stop, and we were encouraged to buy something in return for the favor. The group of 24-25 members spent quite a bit of time shopping, and by the time they returned, over 30 minutes had passed. Eventually, 5-6 people were still missing, and the guide went to check on them. They returned with large bags—whether for shopping or sightseeing, it was unclear. After a 2-hour delay, we finally arrived at Tre Cime, where we enjoyed hiking in the magnificent scenery. On the way back, we strolled around Lake Misurina and stayed at the same hotel as the previous night.
Day 4
Today, we took a boat to the main island of Venice. While connected to the mainland by rail and road, no cars are allowed on the island. Instead, "Gondolas"—traditional hand-rowed boats—navigate the canals. St. Mark’s Square was packed with people. We enjoyed an optional "Gondola Ride." While Venice is called the "City of Water," the water quality was not particularly clean.
Day 5
We spent the day in Florence, a UNESCO World Heritage site. After visiting the city’s famous landmarks, we headed to the "Piazzale Michelangelo," a hill that offers one of the best panoramic views of Florence’s red-tiled rooftops. Afterward, we visited the Uffizi Gallery (Galleria degli Uffizi), where masterpieces from Renaissance artists such as Leonardo da Vinci, Sandro Botticelli, Raphael, and Filippo Lippi are displayed. One of the famous paintings I recognized was Botticelli’s "The Birth of Venus." After lunch, we headed to Pisa to see the famous Leaning Tower of Pisa. The tilt is caused by weak underground layers and subsidence, but it is now a major tourist attraction. Unfortunately, due to the long lines, we couldn’t climb the tower. Tonight, we stayed in Prato.
Day 6
Today, we set off for Rome, the capital city. After arriving around noon, we had lunch and then toured the historical areas of Rome and Vatican City. Unfortunately, the Trevi Fountain, Spanish Steps, and Colosseum were under renovation, but I’m planning to revisit in 4 years.
Vatican City, the headquarters of the Roman Catholic Church, is a major pilgrimage destination for believers worldwide. After going through security checks, we visited St. Peter’s Basilica, which was adorned with stunning decorations on the ceiling and walls. In the evening, we enjoyed an optional Canzone Dinner Show, and we stayed overnight in Rome.
Day 7
Today, we drove about 250 km south of Rome to Pompeii, an ancient city near Naples. In AD 79, the eruption of Mount Vesuvius buried the city in volcanic ash and debris, preserving it until excavations began in 1748.
Day 8
Today, we visited the "Blue Grotto" on Capri Island. We took a high-speed boat from Naples to Capri Island (about 50 minutes) and then transferred to a motorboat to reach the Blue Grotto. Due to the narrow entrance, we had to lie down as we entered the cave. Once inside, we were amazed by the vibrant blue color of the water, caused by the sunlight reflecting off the limestone at the bottom. Because of the narrow entrance, it's not accessible during high tide or when the waves are rough. The best time to visit is in the morning when the sunlight is at its peak. The cave is quite large, and the boat took us around the entire interior, although it was very dark inside. I managed to take some photos with my DSLR camera, adjusting the settings for the best shot. It was a spectacular sight. Afterward, we visited the Amalfi Coast. Italy is full of incredible sights from north to south, making it an ideal destination for first-time overseas travelers. Tomorrow, we will return to Rome from Naples and head back home.
