Two Guys & a Car in Italy (the final chapter)

As we continued our journey across southeast Italy we stopped to see a friend in the unique town of Taranto. As Joe was driving, I would ask where our next stop was going to take us. I kept saying “where? Toronto?” Joe came back with “yes. Taranto.” What? Toronto? Yes Taranto! I’ll spare you how long this went on in my head.

Anyway, Taranto is a huge commercial and military port with a population of 200,000. The city was colonized around 700 BC by the ancient Greeks as a Spartan Colony. It has a unique blend of architecture as well as some of the most beautiful beaches in Italy.

The next stop brought probably the most unusual and unexpected type of architecture I witnessed on this trip. The town of Alberobello in Italy’s Apulia region. It contains the greatest concentration of the very unique looking homes called trulli. What’s a trullo you ask?

The morning and afternoon in Alberobello were picture perfect. In fact, on the rooftop, where I took this last picture, I was greeted by a regular viewer and fan of Today In New York. Thousands of miles away from home it’s always heartwarming to run into a fan of the show.

Our next location, where we were going to stay overnight, was another example of the unique individual towns that pepper southern Italy. Often you feel as if you’re in a country other than Italy, as the towns varying culture plays out before you.

It was time to explore Matera. Matera is a city built on a very rocky region of Basilicata. The area we stayed in is known as Sassi. This is a location of caves used as dwellings carved into the mountains. They were evacuated in 1952 as they became unlivable. Just an incredible sight to see.

We stayed in one of the converted cave dwellings which was now a cool boutique B&B.

So long Matera! You were a feast for the senses. On to the next stop, Vietri sul Mare!

Vietri sul Mare sits just west of Salerno and is know for its beautiful ceramics.

Of course we needed one more taste of the sea……

With bellies full and over 900 miles of driving through Italy we head back toward Rome our departing city, but no. We are not done yet. One more overnight stop in the town of Castel Gandolfo.

This little town is one of the most scenic you will find. Little nooks and crannies make you feel like you’re walking through art work or a scene in an old beautiful foreign film. The population is less than 9000 and its located just 16 miles southeast of Rome. This town hosts the Pope for his summer retreats.

The final stop on our long journey led us back toward Rome. We had an early flight and I got to capture this peaceful sight out the window of my hotel room.

For those of you who have followed along I hope you enjoyed the journey. There is much more to say and show, but I wanted to give you a taste of the adventure in an easy to digest manner. I will share other fun and challenging adventures I’ve already taken and hope to share new ones as well.

To repeat myself, this trip put my heart and my soul back into the real living world. It allowed me to feel everything again. Yes, even some pain. However, at least feeling numb went away.

I’ll leave you with this last photo.

Found this on small cobblestone street. I like to believe it fell from the wings of a certain angel. Telling me everything will be OK, and it’s time to move on and enjoy the gift of life.

Thanks again for following. There’s much more on my mind to share and I hope you join me. Please feel free to leave feedback of what you liked or didn’t, and what you want to see more of from me.

Until next time…..sunshine always!!!