The stressful lead up to this trip was amazing. We needed to have a 48 hour precedent COVID negative test, plus a European Union passenger locator form, in addition to our vaccine records, to be able to even fly on United Airlines. Once we received approval to fly, oh my, the jet lag from 3 connecting flights to Naples (Napoli) over 26 hours was disabling.
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Our first night in Italy was spent in a nice hotel, the Grand Hotel Cesare Augusto in Sorrento, and it will be the hotel that we stay in for the next week. Sorrento is central to our next week’s activities, which include visits to the island Of Caprice, drives and boat rides along the Amalfi Coast, and visits to archeological sites such as Pompei, Herculaneum, and Paestum.
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Our grandson Mitch Graves and I barely made it to 8pm on our first day in Italy last night. Our balance was disturbed by sleep deprivation/jet lag, and we both walked like drunken sailors, without alcohol. I slept a personal record of 11 hours. Mitch and my wife Sharon somehow arose earlier. First full day in Sorrento, off on walking tour. Starting to feel closer to normal, though I called Mitch ” Brad” (his father’s name) on morning walk- –embarrassing! While awaiting the return to normal, we are all getting excited about rest of incredible trip.
Mitch is youngest tour group member, me 2nd, out of 22 total. Most tour group members are very successful people from various walks in life (I ignored the calling of success), and a great resource for grandson for further career inspiration.
A fun photo of when Mitch was a little younger is included. We have not seen much of Mitch since 1999, so this trip is a huge connection link for us.
His new name is archangel Miguel ( you will have to ask him the story)
Mitch and I when Mitch was two years old. We were in Spain in 1999, while he lived there, and we visited him.
Mitch is now 24 years old, and is 6′ 3″. Grandma Sharon is hanging in there at 5′ 7″
