I am heading to Italy for vacation. I know, I know. I was just there, and it seems like I never go elsewhere. I have an Italy problem–I can’t see and experience enough of it.

This trip will start with two nights in Milan to get over jet lag, then a week long course described as the language and culture of Siena–in Siena, of course.

Then I am joining a group to look at the works of the early Renaissance artist, mathematician and all-around Renaissance man, Piero della Francesca. The tour will be based in Città di Castello, Perugia and Urbino. It includes a brief visit to Rimini, where I did not get to in 2023 because of flooding.

Then I will meet up with Scott and the two of us will head to Rapallo on the Italian Riviera for a week long art and creativity workshop described as daily walks, art class and free time.

On our own, we will go to Genova (Genoa in English) and then Torino (Turin in English), two cities neither of us have visited. Our son and daughter-in-law will join us for a weekend in Torino–I hope. Past plans to meet up have not always worked out.

We are returning via London. Direct flights from Italy to Canada seem to be non-existent outside of summer high tourism season. Since we will be in London, we will take in some theatres and museums.

Before returning to Calgary, we will stop in Ottawa to visit our older daughter and her partner.