Our year in Florence still holds a significant spot in my heart and led to deep friendships that have lasted for… well, 50 years!

I’ve been back to Italy a few times and feel so blessed to have had the seed of travel-love and adventure planted in my heart.

Tim and I are walking part of the Via Francigena (tiny part) next month! Siena to Rome.

Too many to count! Of course, Firenze, Assisi and Cinque Terre remain very special venues holding tons of memories of good people, amazing vistas, gorgeous art and delicious food and drink. I still am astounded at how our Jesuit spiritual guides, Tony and Steckler, were such total opposites (it seemed to me!) and yet I loved them both… and learned much! And then there was gelato and bomboloni. Oh wow! And the Gonzaghini, all!