[RL] Italy
Pros: Greco-Roman sculptures, Hadrian, Laocoon, cappucinos and latte macchiatos, the mask shop guy, our main guide who cared about my social anxiety, our Florentine guide who loves his city, gelato in the Venetian sun on the Adriatic sea, St Francis' basilica and Assisi, walking on cobblestone streets, being there with my mom.
Cons: Vatican to an extent, St Peter's basilica, rude tourists who stop abruptly, crowds, Americanized coffee and food, the noisy groups in our first two hotels, getting hopelessly lost in the residential district of Venice, the Coliseum, other people in our group who complained about almost everything.
Spoils:
- Plague doctor marionette from Venice, named after our main guide and sold to me from a little shop where the owner was thoroughly knowledgeable and happy to share that knowledge.
- Laocoon marble miniature, bought in Florence, only one to be found during the whole trip.
- Replica castle skeleton key from Doge's Palace in Venice.
- City flags of Venice, Florence, and Rome for work.
- Florentine ink and croquil pen for friend.
- Victorian doctor's bag bought in Florence.
- Gauzy snakeskin patterned scarf from Venice.
"Dr Stefano da Venezia"