ROME

Our tour began in Rome. Of all Italys historic cities, Rome is the most compelling. Over 2500 years of civilization have given us the grandeur of the Colosseum, the greatest amphitheater ever built, the Appian Way where Spartacus was crucified, the splendor of St. Peters, the magnificence of the Vatican City, the sheer brilliance of the Sistine Chapel, the Trevi Fountain, Baroque churches and much more.

Our first day was spent on a privately guided tour of the Vatican. The Vatican contains many of the citys historical artifacts, making it the world's largest, richest and most compelling museum. It houses Michelangelo's wondrous Sistine Chapel, countless Papal-commissioned Renaissance artworks and also offers world-class Egyptian antiquities, furniture, sculpture and silverware.

Our second day began with a short excursion highlighting baroque Rome. We visited the magnificent Spanish Steps where people watching is de rigueur; we visited the Plazza de Spagna, arguably Romes most beautiful square; and then we had the opportunity to throw our coins into the Trevi Fountain, the famous natural fountain that spews over a superbly ornate 18th century sculpture. Legend has it, if you throw a coin into the waters, you will always return to the city, as depicted in the classic movie, Roman Holiday.

We then took a drive to the hilltop town of Tivoli, once a favored resort and retirement town of the ancient Romans who were lured there by the tranquility of the surrounding scenery. We visited the famous Villa dEste and the Tivoli gardens, a series of spectacular fountains and terraces housed within the cloisters of what was once a Benedictine Monastery.

Since Italy and food are synonymous, we spent the evening enjoying a wonderful true Italian meal at the charming La Taverna degli Amici. (www.latavernadegliamici.com)

Our third and last day in Rome was spent visiting some of the citys many sights and monuments, including St. Peters, the Colosseum, the Forum, the Pantheon, Circus Maximus, the Vatican City, Palatine Hill, and River Tiber.

ASSISI AND TUSCANY

After leaving Rome, we traveled to Assisi. This delightful medieval town, with its flower-hung streets, lovely views of the Umbrian countryside and fountain-splashed piazzas, was the birthplace of St. Francis, lover of animals, caretaker of the poor and founder of the Franciscan order of monks. The Basilica of St. Francis was built to honor the saint and contains his crypt as well as a magnificent collection.

Our hotel was the superb My One Hotel Radda (http://www.myonehotel.it/ ) in Tuscany. The hotel is set in the heart of the beautiful Chianti countryside.

FLORENCE

Highlights of Florence were: the Cathedral and the Baptistery, the oldest building in the city; Ponte Vecchio, the superb bridge over the river Arno lined with traditional goldsmiths and some of Florences many museums.

A highlight of our visit to Florence was certainly the Uffizi Gallery, where we viewed magnificent masterpieces. The Uffizi gallery is the best fine art collection in Italy. It contains work by Botticelli, Raphael, Leonardo da Vinci, Titian, Caravaggio and Michelangelo to name but some.