ITALY DREAMSCAPE: This trip really was like a dream. I kept thinking that I have been here before and in fact, I have in the many many books, movies and art of Italy. I can not believe I waited so long to experience this beautiful country. It is every bit as glorious as I had imagined. Each city is so different in character. Thank you Prof. Christine Rai and Prof. Tiziana Cavinato of FCC and our wonderful guide Nancy from Explorica and a special thanks to my daughter Kelli Summers for making this trip happen. Today is my 70th birthday and I can honestly say I do not feel the age but I did feel my old bones not being able to keep up with the young collegiate group from Frederick Community College who we were with on the trip. The pace was hard to maintain and actually not preferable for an artist, as there literally was no block of real time for painting. I did manage to sketch though and enjoyed recording my sensations in a small sketchbook. A typical day jampacked with every ounce of touring you can think of. ROME: today we saw The Sistene Chapel, St. Peter’s Basilica, St.Peters Square, the Coliseum, the Forum. Yesterday The Pantheon, Spanish steps, Trevi fountain. Wayyyyyy too much walking but sure got my money’s worth. No waiting in long lines either.January was a very good time to visit because the crowds were fewer albeit a little chilly. I loved it all….Venice, Florence, Rome, Assisi, Sorrento, Verona, Pompeii and Capri. Bellissimo! Will return someday.

Here are a few highlights of the trip.

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