A trip to Italy is unlike any other trip imaginable. A beautiful, confounding, exciting, educational experience that will be remembered for a lifetime. Italy is cluttered with beautiful old towns and buildings, but more important, Italy is crowded with beautiful, friendly, congenial people. After 112 wonderful nights in 63 different places during eight trips to Italy, beautiful Italy, we don't remember anything that wasn't a few hundred, or even a couple of thousand years old.
The purpose of our book is neither to boast about, nor to celebrate our travels. Whether traveling in a car, a train, or in an arm-chair, the reader will become acquainted with the wonderful people they will meet, and the fascinating places they may visit as they travel through the enchanting country of Italy.
The title, Invitation to Italy was carefully selected. A vacation should not be a destination, it should be the journey. We have been able to travel with the idea that "it has been here for many years, and if we miss it this time, it will still be here the next time we are in the area." Relax and Enjoy. This book suggests "Why Not Travel" thousands of other books try to tell you "How to Travel."
About the Author
We are experienced travelers. Jim's years (starting in the late 1940's) in the computer business (sales, consulting, technical writing, training) included about 1,500 airplane flights to 70 cities in 37 of the United States.
During nine trips we visited Europe for nearly 1,000 days, and spent at least one night in 452 different places in about 30 countries. Years of travel have taken us to nearly 75 countries and major islands. Included are 49 of the United States, Mexico, 9 Canadian Provinces, most European countries, 10 islands in the Pacific, 11 in the Mediterranean, and 7 islands in the Caribbean Sea, plus stops in Asia, Africa, and South America.
Cruise ships and ferry boats, with us aboard, have departed or arrived at 123 different cities on 5 Continents, on about 50 countries or major islands (including a 7 week freighter trip to the South Pacific). As Emmy often says, "No wonder I'm tired!"
