“the Friday before we flew home I was sweating it a little as Air Dolomiti employees went on strike”
All part of a true Italian experience. 
Glad you did the Tuscan countryside and especially Montalcino. Great little town.
Glad you had a great time!
As with any vacation now that we are home we are ready to rest! The tour around the country was fabulous. My preferences were the Amalfi coast and the Italian Lakes and that did not disappoint. Both water views were beautiful but so different. Probably would give the edge to Capri and Sorrento and would love to stay there several days. The grottos were amazing.
Surprised that I enjoyed Venice so much as it was not a place I thought I would enjoy. Entering the area looks rather industrial but once we water taxied to Venice it was awesome. We also took a ride over to Burano and that was a nice relaxing time compared to walking around Venice. Went to a glass blowing place and spent money on Murano glass items.
Rome was nice but I’m not sure I’d care to spend more time there as I am overloaded on museums and ancient sites. We took a side trip to Hadrians Villa and Ville de Este which was a bit different from seeing the ruins in Rome. Thanks to those who recommended the Food tour in Trastevere. We couldn’t do the one recommended up thread as it was unavailable the day we needed and booked another company. It was great.
Florence is definitely a city to return to and @“Youdon’tsay” I’m sure you got to see in depth. I wish we had time to go to Pitti Palace and Boboli Gardens. We did do the Assasin’s Creed tour as a birthday gift for my 21 yo. It gave some interesting details and my kids enjoyed seeing the sites they had become familiar with in the game. Loved seeing “David” up close. Having tour guides really brings a lot of insight when visiting these kinds of places.
Enjoyed both San Gimignano and Siena. I could stay at either place for a nice relaxing visit. Got a lot of steps and flights on my fitbit. Especially in Siena. It seemed that all we ever did was go uphill. Hard to remember ever going downhill. HaHa The day we were there one of the districts was parading around in costumes and playing drums, waving flags etc…nice to see. Would be nice to see the Palio di Siena but don’t think I’d like being in the crowd during the race.
@Youdon’tsay I’m so glad you had a wonderful trip. I was in Florence for 3 days last spring, and that wasn’t nearly enough time to see everything, especially not to get out into the gorgeous Tuscan countryside. We also skipped Rome and I’m glad we did.
@sweetea Did you take the amazing interconnected escalators up, up, up from the train station in Siena? That saved an incredible amount of climbing. And Venice, touristy as it is, is about the most beautiful city I’ve ever been in.
I hope to get to the Amalfi coast in a few years…maybe once I’m done paying tuition.