Italy vacation

April was a time to relax on spring break, when I strolled through Italy, ending up on the island of Elba with a good friend. On my way there I had an all-day stopover in Athens, so I toured around a bit, happening on the Acropolis after lunch.

On arrival in Italy, I started in Rome for two days, touring the sites outside the city such as the Villa d’Este in Tivoli and the Castelli region with “summer homes” of the rich and famous (like the pope). Heading north on bus and train, I stopped at Lake Bracciano and then in the Tuscan hill town of Orvieto. Both are quaint towns, but very quiet before the onset of tourist season. Orvieto at least had shops and a duomo (cathedral) to visit, as well as a great little hotel (Valentino). Four days later, a long and winding train trip west landed me at the port of Piombino, and the ferry across to Elba, where Napoleon was waiting for me.