Time to celebrate! When this father-son team came to EIS asking for help in arranging their whirlwind graduation celebration/birthday tour across Italy, we were pleased to take the wheel and put them behind some interesting wheels of their own! Then, hearing their excitement and rave reviews while they were here really made us feel like we were part of the party! In 5 days, they saw Rome, Florence and Venice and even had time for drinks! They had such a fun time, we just had to publish their wonderful trip diary online. Thanks for the photos and the stories, guys! This is how the Costleys roll:

THE COSTLEY'S EXCELLENT ADVENTURE - May 4-9, 2008

Ah, Italy.

Land of the ancient, the religious, the unique and the supercharged!

What a way to experience our Excellent Adventure, under the tutelage of the EIS-supplied watchful eyes that guided us through Rome, into Florence and on to the waters of Venice.

Our first stop: The Vatican. Museum, Sistine Chapel, St. Peter’s Basilica.

Even more impressive than the tour of the outside of the Vatican’s buildings was our guide Luca’s knowledge of the inside items, including this wonderful hall in the Museum.
This is just one of the halls/rooms where Luca’s intimate understanding of all-things Vatican shone through.

After a morning viewing religious antiquities, what better way to spend the afternoon learning of the Romans’ society, government and architecture; with a modern flare coming from dropping Roman Chariots and mounting Modern Segways!

Under Marcello’s guiding eye we toured the sites on the Segways, from the Coliseum, above, to the Forum, below.

Having seen the Coliseum from the Segways, why not kick it up a notch and go from a few horsepower to over 400 horsepower--- Ferrari style!

What was more impressive, the looks from the passers-by, or our weak attempts, shown below, to conceal the Ferrari glee???

In addition to the admirer checking out the rocket, our friends Dominic and Fabio are in the background. Dominic is telling Fabio, “I told you he was going to lean on the car if we left him alone!”
Here he's using his Ferrari for a Pilates stretching bar. Nice!
What a great way to have seen Rome: by foot, by Segway and by Monster Car!

After the time of our life in Rome, and a brief stop in Florence, we were on to Venice.

Here we are in San Mark’s Square, with the orchestra playing Happy Birthday to the two of us. Cheers!

Barbara took us on a private tour of one of the region’s premier glass-blowing firms.
Here he's trying to not melt standing close to the furnace that is melting the glass.

Having had a wonderful time in Venice, we wrapped up our time in Italy. The trip of five lifetimes!

- Photography & Text credit goes to Father and Son Costley.
Grazie mille, and come back soon!