Summer Vacation Michael Mealor

“We landed in Rome, rented a car and drove three hours north to the middle of nowhere in Tuscany and stayed in the Borgo Pignano Hotel for three days. This is sunset over the Tuscan hills, which looks like a painting in person. We went horseback riding and took day trips into the little towns like Siena.”

“After Tuscany, we drove further north to the city of Florence, where we stayed for another three days. I really enjoyed walking the quaint streets and soaking up the local color, which included eating wonderful food, like scallops with black currants and fennel, and drinking the best wine.”

“We did the usual sightseeing stuff in Florence like checking out the Duomo cathedral.”

“From Florence we took a short flight to the Puglia region, which is at the heel of Italy’s ‘boot’ and right on the water. This is at a little town on the southern Adriatic coast called Polignano a Mare, where we stayed for two days. After that, we drove north for another hour where we checked into a hotel on the beach and just relaxed. From there, we took a train back to Rome for the final four days of our vacation.”

“Another way to escape the crowds was viewing the famous Trevi Fountain from the rooftop of Hotel Fontaine.”

“Of course, we had to stop by the Colosseum. Everywhere you look in Rome there [are] amazing statues and architecture. I had the best meal of my life at a restaurant called Rimessa Roscioli. And, of course, you can get amazing gelato anywhere, but be careful, because it’s addictive.”

“This is sunset from the rooftop of Hotel Locarno. Rome was absolutely magical and the highlight of the trip for me.”