Beata: Spanish Steps & Trevi Fountain

Lunch in Capri, Positano

Anchovies?

Positano and Capri

Back in Rome. Positano was fabulous. Again, no WiFi.

The room with a view in Sorrento...

Sorrento

We arrived on Sorrento. The room is fantastic, with a view of the bay from a private veranda. We were lucky to end up with a 2010 E class Mercedes turbo diesel sedan with navigation. What a joy to drive. We stopped in Napoli for lunch and honestly had the best pizza we've ever had...how cliche is that? Don't care, its a fact. See for yourself...ah, but only if you could just taste it.

More pics...

We have so many fantastic pics and thoughts to share, but have so little time (not to mention rediculously limited WiFi access). So I'll just choose a few pics from Napoli.

More pics from around Rome

The pasta dish is called Cecia de Pepe...the same dish featured on Anthony Bordain's show "No Reservations". It was better than expected.

"When in Rome..."

We made it to Rome....but wow, talk about a of couple long days! 180kms into Munich from Innsbruck on the bike to start the day on Friday followed by a train, a plane, a layover, another train, a bus and a long walk...10 hrs or so of travel to reach Rome. We had a fabulous dinner (bottle of wine) and dropped dead around 1am. 730am rise this morning for breakfast and off to the Vatican for a guided tour. MAGNEFICO! The Colesseo, ancient ruins, the Roman forum, Trevi fountain...on and on. An 18 hr day on our feet, and well worth it. We depart tomorrow for Pompeii and Sorrento, Amalfi coast, Portofino. Its 119am so I'll upload a few pics and get some sleep.

From Cortina to Bolzano

At least a couple times each day I would think to myself that it couldn't get any better, and that I had better enjoy the moment to the fullest. But it kept getting better. The weather, the terrain, the views.

If I had to choose a highlight of highlights it would be riding into the mountains west of Cortina. The sun came out and the air felt southern...damp and warm but fresh, as if there was a sea nearby. Oh, if only I could capture the views on camera if not the sensations.

The roads into Cortina from Grossglockner

We were cold and wet, but Beata is smiling. Whaaaa? Yeah, that's just how magical this place is. Pristine, lush forests. Pure mountain air.

Austrian made KTM sportbikes

Oh, I must admit I would be really tempted to have Beata find her own way into Cortina if I could swap my two-wheeled tank for one for one of these! It was made with these Austrian alpine roads in mind.

Zell Am See

Beata kept talking about how much Brigita would like this or love that. It started in Zell...

The Grossglockner glacier and some resident wildlife:

A marmot ready for winter a month or two early...fattened up on whatever people throw to it...and a very heavily feathered bird equipped for high altitude.

Grossglockner Pass

The ride over the grossglockner pass was flash of breathtaking views...

Lasagna and pasta with mushrooms.

Nothing special? Simple, yes...but good enough to make you melt with pleasure. It's that good.

Cortina d'Ampezzo

Beata characterizes cortina d'ampezzo as  a "sexy" town. I would have to agree that about covers it. I didnt think any place could top Sell Am See, but Cortina just had that extra something you can't get anywhere else. You have to go there when that's what you want...and who wouldn't want it? The setting is dreamy. It was also raining lightly in the morning when we road out of town, but the sun was shining bright...views if the majestic Dolomites in every direction. The food! Divine...

A few shots from around Innsbruck...