esidents Ron Denton, along with his wife Karen, her childhood best friend Shannon Bednarova and another couple Ken and Tricia Brown, recently vacationed in Italy. Having studied in Italy during graduate school, Denton hoped to revisit some of his favorite spots in Tuscany and was excited to explore the Amalfi Coast in a more leisurely way than previous visits. Their journey began in Praiano, a charming village on the Amalfi Coast with stunning views. Praiano 27 IslandVibesIOP.com R TRAVEL Veni, vidi, vici A conquest of Italy’s luxuries and leisures By Isabel Alvarez Arata lies between Almafi and Positano and boasts a relaxed atmosphere, especially compared to touristy and crowded Positano. The group stayed in a villa with a beautiful garden, complete with lemon and lime trees, a perfect addition to their evening drinks. “We visited up and down the coast, but a highlight was chartering a private boat to take us to the island of Capri,” said Denton. “Of course we are accustomed to boating in the states, but these old Italian boats were beautiful and expertly piloted by the captain. He showed us along the coast of Capri and maneuvered into several tight and crowded grotto coves without bumping into other boats. We took a taxi to the top of the town of Anacapri and had a wonderful lunch overlooking Mount Vesuvius and the island of Ischia.” The group then traveled from the shores of the Tyrrhenian Sea to Siena by train. “Siena is my favorite Tuscan town, a smaller, yet vibrant version of Florence,” explained Denton. This lively town features a central square called Piazza del Campo, where horse races take place twice a year. Piazza del Campo is lined with restaurants serving Florentine steak and a local favorite, white beans in oil. After dinner, they joined locals for a leisurely stroll around the square to walk off a delightful dinner and socialize. Day trips allowed the group to explore the picturesque hill towns around Siena including Pienza, Montepulciano and San Gimignano. A stop in San Gimignano was a must — the town is said to have the best gelato in Italy. They of course had to visit Florence, a city rich in Renaissance architecture and sculptures by Michelangelo. Unfortunately, the line for the Accademia Gallery, which houses Michelangelo's “David” and his four unfinished sculptures of “Prisoners” — commonly translated to slaves in English — who appear to wrestle their way out of the stone, was too long. They instead found solace in the Medici Chapel with its equally impressive sculptures of “Dawn” and “Dusk” by the same artist. “There is never a bad time to go to Italy,” added Denton. “I've often taken my wife in the winter to her dismay. The benefit (of a winter visit) is that the crowds are less and there is a better chance to get in all the museums, which often close at 1 p.m. This time was later summer, early fall and the weather was perfect. We got to swim at the island of Capri and then later at the villa in Siena. The weather was perfect for walking and hill climbing.” San Gimignano Isle of Capri Piazza del Campo The Duomo
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