FLORENCE, ITALY - The middle aged British couple beside us in the open air restaurant across from this city’s famed 13th century cathedral, or Duomo, were celebrating their 30th wedding anniversary with a train trip through Italy.

ROME - Tourists are rewarded for coming to the Eternal City during the sweltering summer months.  First, July and August – the hottest months – are when Romans flee the city for cooler climates, thus leaving the usually chaotic streets free of traffic.

ROME - I was only kidding when I told Rosa, a dear Roman friend, that I’d like to take a piece of the Forum home with me.  The middle-aged Rosa, determined to fulfill my wishes, climbed over a small barrier separating us and 2,000 years of history and began searching through crumbled columns for my souvenir, all the time ignoring signs saying poachers would be prosecuted.

MONTEROSSO, ITALY - As the hull of the powerboat slammed against the choppy surf and our stomachs churned, we wondered if this day trip to see Italy’s famed quintuplets of towns known as the Cinque Terre was worth the sea sickness we were experiencing.

SAN GIMIGNANO, ITALY - From afar, this ancient town of towers looks like a fairytale village.  Perched on a hill, its 14 terracotta towers stand out against the lush green Tuscan countryside like birthday candles. And at one time San Gimignano was a place where many wishes came true.

BURANO, ITALY - We rushed to catch the early morning ferry to Burano, one of Venice’s enchanting out islands, but were lost in the maze of alleys leading to Fondamenta Nuovo pier, the boat’s launching point.

ROME - The scene is ancient Rome. The year 205 A.D.  Chariots race around the Circus Maximus, the city’s oldest and largest chariot track, at a blinding pace.  Chaos reigns supreme as drivers jockey for position, putting their lives at risk and laughing at the ever-present dangers.

VENICE - It was in a small shop on a narrow back street of this water-logged city that I had my first encounter with a Merchant of Venice.