Hi all: I am a new member. My husband and I used Slow Travel for our last trip to Italy in 2005. We're going again in two weeks to discover other parts of the country. Italy must be one of the most beautiful places on earth ... and the people, wonderful! This site is a wonderful resource. babsadoodle

I beat Debrah to the punch here by getting to be the first to welcome somebody!

Glad you joined. You apparently already know how helpful the Slow Trav folks are. I planned my second trip to Italy with all the help from this site and my daughter actually complimented me on all my selections! That was a proud moment.

Where are you going on your upcoming trip?

Hi Earline: Nice to meet you. Would love to learn abou tthe "intensive Language Course in Florence" and Sorrento is one of my favorite places. Last time we happened upon the Sacre de Pesce (sp) in Sorrento and celebrated with the locals. What a special time. I have pictures of them decorating the wharf for the festivities. I ate octopus for the first time thinking it was Hungarian goulash!!! It's confirmed, I do have blonde hair.

Anyway, this time we're starting in Venice, staying for four days, heading to Chianti to stay at a Vineyard and explore the countryside. I really want to see the Umbrian countryside this time -- Orvieto, Assissi.

Then heading to Bolonga for few days, back to Venice where we catch a train to Vienna for six days. I'm getting psyched!

Any suggestions for the trip? Thanks, Barbara

Very funny Earline....as it was I was just too exhausted to welcome Babsadoodle. I mean having gone from never welcoming ANYONE to welcoming TWO in one day, I had to take a nap and missed Babsadoodle's first post!

Oh yes, Babsadoodle...welcome - Enjoy! it's whatever flavour you want!!

Thanks, Debrah. You guys are just having way tooo much fun! Barbara

Weeeellll Barbara. I hate to be the one to tell you. But that's the way it is on SlowTrav!

I hope you get to know us and love us and put up with us and learn a whole lot from us. That's what we're all about.

Incidentally, just click on the blue (or is it purple?) bar and it will go into my trip report.

Babsadoodle,

Long as you're headed for Assisi, and not knowing how much time you may have in Umbria, see if you can fit Gubbio into your plans and of course Perugia, which is on the way to Assisi more or less.

If you want to look for pottery, theres Deruta, just south of Perugia - the upper (old town) part of the city is pretty slow, quiet and has many interesting shops that are loaded with local pottery and pottery-related items.

Hello and welcome!