Italy Want to See Italy First Hand.

¶ … Italy want to see Italy first hand. I do not want an established tour. I do not like being told where to go. No, I do not want the usual show set up for tourists. I have my 'Fodor's: Exploring Italy, second edition' and that should be enough.

No, Italy represents many different worlds and 50 kilometers in any direction can make quite a difference in experiences. Sure, in the northern regions one can travel via tour to the grand canals of Venice or see the Alps leading into Switzerland. In the central regions, the bus can swoop you around to see the romantic city of Rome so every traveler can be exposed to the history of mankind or tour the Vatican. And in the southern regions there are so many tours of the many beautiful Art Museums, lemon tree groves, a smoking active Volcano, or the vast beaches of Naples and the Amalfi coast.

I want to see between those tourist trap regions. I want to see where the mountains and valleys dictate the culture. There are always local festivals in the many small towns. And each of those towns always has its own patron saint, church and unique culinary specialty. The locals have deep-rooted traditions and I want to see the craftsmen working the local handicrafts. I want to shop in the local markets to discover the mercatino and all of its prizes like antiques, fresh fruits and vegetables and bric-a-brac. Yes, I want to see Italy -- but not from a tour bus.

Well, I suppose I should make one exception to my non-tourism travel plans. I suppose I should take in the sights of Rome and the Vatican. There is a lot to see. "We expect a lot of Rome -- seat of empire, mother of civilization, head of the world. It is the city of the Caesars, of romance, the city of la dolce vita and languorous sunny days, the city of endless art, of churches and museums, of fountain-splashed piazzas and majestic monuments to its golden age of empire." (Jepson, 42)

Wow, Rome sounds great. I've been told that Rome's atmosphere is unforgettable as the flow of the Tiber eases through it's midst. I would love to see the open museums that have so many wonderful works of art. Even the ancient buildings' remains and monuments are exposed for all to see.

If I was to tour the Vatican Museums, then I would have first hand knowledge of some of the world's most amazing collections of art locked away in the Rooms of Raphael. I have always wanted to stand in the Belvedere Courtyard as the Pope presented a prayer. I would be a fool to pass up the Gallery of the Maps and the Gallery of the Tapestries. I guess a trip to Italy but foregoing Michelangelo's magnificent Sistine Chapel -- well, that would be foolish. And, what about Rome's and the Vatican's importance to Christianity. Okay, I will make one 'touristy' bypass through Rome and the Vatican.

Well, if I see Rome, I suppose an another tourist trap like Naples wouldn't bog me down too much. "Nowhere is quite like Naples. On first acquaintance it appears a sprawling, teeming city, the epitome of the urban nightmare. Many people leave at the earliest opportunity. The Neapolitans, however -- some of the wiliest and liveliest Italians going -- like to say that you hate the city after a day, love it after a week, and never want to leave after a year." (Jepson, 197) love the Neapolitan dishes like vermicelli with clams, mussels, ziti with Ragu meat sauce, and Italian style fritters. But, like every college kid should learn. Pizza is the symbol of Naples. Everyone loves Pizza. Pizza originated in Naples. But the Neapolitan pizza is unique. I've been told that when trying a Neapolitan pie, most are not sure if its the delicious odor in the air or the delicious flavor of fresh olive oil, but one thing is certain -- Naples "pizza" is great.

My uncle told me of his most invigorating driving experience of his life. He said that while he was visiting the southern region of Italy and having already seen Naples, he decided to rent a car and drive along the Amalfi Coast line. Amalfi. "Although it can dreadfully congested, it's hotels and restaurants are generally more affordable than many in the area. Poised romantically between the mountains and the sea, the town's narrow streets and dark passageways weave among monuments which testify to its former grandeur." (Jepson, 197)

My uncle told me he drove right by a volcano that was very active and rumor had it ready to blow. Of course he was referring to Pompeii. This ancient Roman town was buried by an eruption by Mount Vesuvius in 79 A.D. He also told me about the ruins and how he became acquainted with the life style of the people of Pompeii by walking through the ancient city's remains.