@ Frecce Tricolori Rowland begins his tour of "Central Italy" by downloading a map of specially chosen locations! Italy - Central The pets have a very varied tour taking in the magnificence of Rome and Vatican City, romantic Florence, and also Siena, and the vineyards of Tuscany. They will come across another very stylish icon of the Italian automobile industry! There will be opportunities to explore winding backstreets with a choice of Italian eateries! Other sights are Cinque Terre, with its colourful jumble of houses, and for sea-lovers, visits to coastal lighthouses, including one in Genoa. One exciting point will be viewing a flypast of the Frecce Tricolori, the Italian airforce aerobatic fleet! Frecce Tricolori The Frecce Tricolori is the aerobatic demonstration team of the Italian Air Force. The team flies the Aermacchi MB-339-A/PAN, a two-seat fighter-trainer craft capable of 898 km/h (558 mph) at sea level. With ten aircraft, nine in close formation and a soloist, they are the world's largest acrobatics patrol, and their flight schedule, comprising about twenty acrobatics in about half an hour, trailing plumes in green, white and red, made them the most famous in the world. It is one of national symbols of Italy.
While touring Italy, you met Cora.
Rowland shook paws with Cora the Corgi. They both received one silver mole!
@ Son Repos "Hey, it says in our tour guide that construction of the 8-storey Leaning Tower of Pisa started in 1173 and took 200 years to complete! It quite puts that two-week delay on your bathroom tiling project into perspective, doesn't it, Abergavenny?" remarked Rowland. "Also, the name of the architect has been lost in the sands of time. You sort of wonder whether he'd have wanted his name to be linked to a tower that leans so noticeably to one side!" Abergavenny leaned across to read the description of the famous Leaning Tower. "It's good in a way that we can celebrate such an apparent disaster," he said. "It says here that it's a very popular design for wedding cakes!" Son Repos This sleepy kitty has found the perfect spot for a snooze on this wide, sun-baked step!
While touring Italy, you met Abergavenny.
Rowland shook paws with Abergavenny the Welsh dragon. They both received one silver mole!
@ Dark Wood "Joe," gulped Rowland apprehensively, "Have you seen this item on the itinerary? We'll be going to see an active volcano, Mount Vesuvius, on the Naples leg!" "Don't worry, Rowland!" said Joe reassuringly. "It's not erupted since 79 CE. Admittedly, on that occasion, it did wipe out the Roman city of Pompeii and an estimated three million inhabitants, but today Mount Vesuvius is a large national park that attracts tourists wanting to hike up to the top and take a look inside. The brochure says the trail to the top is beginner-friendly and about a 2½ mile (4km) round trip." Dark Wood With the sun sinking like fire on the horizon, mind you don't get lost in this gloomy looking wood!
While touring Italy, you met Joe.
Rowland shook paws with Joe the Silver Fox. They both received one silver mole!
@ Lamborghini Experience "What does Benvenuti a tutti! mean, Icy?" queried Rowland, admiring the front of his travel itinerary. "It means 'Welcome, everypet!" replied Icy. Lamborghini Experience The Lamborghini Museum is now the Museum of Technologies, where fascinating history, the iconic models and tours of the production lines tell the story of over 50 years of innovation that project Lamborghini into the future. Mudetec (Via Modena, 12 40019 Sant'Agata Bologna, Italy) offers an interactive experience, also thanks to the new driving simulator that amplifies the thrills and the discovery of the vehicles on display. From the early visionary creations of the genius of Ferruccio Lamborghini like the Miura and Countach to the more recent and exclusive super sports cars like the hybrid concept Asterion, the few-off Centenario, the Huracán Performante and the Aventador SVJ. Experience the emotion with new augmented reality!
While touring Italy, you met Icy.
Rowland shook paws with Icy the Arctic Feisty Fox. They both received one silver mole!
@ Abruzzo Bougainvillea “Let’s pose with one of us each side of this attraction and I’ll set the self-timer to take a shot,” said Rowland to Suzy Q. “It’ll be a great souvenir of our time here!” Abruzzo Bougainvillea Abruzzo has a long history of pasta-making and has produced handmade spaghetti alla chitarra (guitar spaghetti) for more than 200 years. This variety of egg pasta is pushed through a wooden contraption that has stainless steel guitar-like strings.
While touring Italy, you met Suzy Q.
Rowland shook paws with Suzy Q the Brown Rustic Rabbit. They both received one silver mole!
@ Trastevere Bridge at Night "'Bella Italia!'" read out Snuggles from their tour brochure. " 'A country in which you will be swept off your paws by quaint seaside villages, pastoral countryside, idyllic islands, dramatic mountains and ancient historic cities. It's easy to understand why Bella Italia is one of the most romantic destinations in the world.'" Rowland settled back in his tour bus seat. "It's certainly been all that so far, Snuggles!" Trastevere Bridge at Night A beautiful Roman night scene of the Trastevere Bridge overlooking St Peter's Dome, with lights shimmeringly reflected in the River Tiber.
While touring Italy, you met Snuggles.
Rowland shook paws with Snuggles the Ragdoll Kitten. They both received one silver mole!
@ Via dei Coronari, Rome “Would you pass me the binoculars, Rowland?” said Fino. "I think that's an Alpine swift flitting around over there! They spend most of their lives in the air, you know." Via dei Coronari, Rome A detail of the architecture in the Via dei Coronari, which is situated near the River Tiber in Rome, close to several elegant Piazzas, museums, restaurants and bars.
While touring Italy, you met Fino.
Rowland shook paws with Fino the Black Lovable Labrador. They both received one silver mole!
@ Bridge over the River Tiber "A bit of trivia here, BUZZ!" remarked Rowland, reading from their tour brochure. "Can you name two films that popularised the Vespa as the ultimate way to explore Italy?" "I don't think I can, Rowland!" "Well, to be fair, they were both from before we were born. The 1953 film, Roman Holiday, and La Dolce Vita in 1960. It says the latter is a particularly good film." "We'll have to see if we can watch them when we get back," said BUZZ. Bridge over the River Tiber As the sun sets, the lights of the bridge spanning the Tiber are reflected in the waters, adding romance to the scene. A barge awaits its passengers eager for a sunset trip down the river.
While touring Italy, you met BUZZ.
Rowland shook paws with BUZZ the Bee. They both received one silver mole!
@ Roman Sunset "What are you doing, Mischief?" asked Rowland, coming across his friend in the hotel lounge, clutching a notebook and pen. "I'm keeping a diary of our experiences on this trip, Rowland. I don't want to forget anything!" responded Mischief. "Oh, and the tour guide taught me a lovely phrase just now—Dall'Italia, con amore!—'From Italy, with love'. I'm going to use it on my postcards home to my Mum." Roman Sunset The foundation for a great deal of Western culture comes from that of Ancient Rome, in particular in engineering, architecture, government, language and literature.
While touring Italy, you met Mischief.
Rowland shook paws with Mischief the Moondust Squirrel. They both received one silver mole!
@ Three Coins in the Trevi Fountain "The tour guide said we'll be visiting Il Duomo. I asked her what that was and she said it meant 'the cathedral' in Italian. But there are lots of cathedrals in Italy!" remarked Rowland. "When they say Il Duomo they most often mean the one in Florence, the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore. It says in our brochure it was first built in the 13th century, with the dome added in the 15th century. It has a pink, white and green exterior in a gothic style with a large dome on top. Sounds beautiful!" remarked Joker. Rowland mused for a minute. "I guess it's like when we were touring England last spring, everypet in London would talk about 'The Monument'—to the Great Fire of London of 1666—as if there were only one monument in the whole of London, instead of thousands!" Three Coins in the Trevi Fountain The Trevi Fountain is the largest, and most beautiful, fountain in Rome. Why are there always pets throwing coins into the water? A myth, originating in 1954 with the movie "Three Coins in the Fountain," goes like this: If you throw one coin: you will return to Rome. If you throw two coins: you will fall in love with an attractive Italian. If you throw three coins: you will marry the person that you met.
Around €1 m of coins are taken from the fountain each year. Since 2007 this money has been used to support good causes.
While touring Italy, you met Joker.
Rowland shook paws with Joker the Red Feisty Fox. They both received one silver mole!
@ Flag of Vatican City “Let's hope Foxy doesn't get as seasick as he did on the Irish Sea, Rowland!” said Dragoon, studying the future itinerary. "Can you get seasick on a lake?" asked Rowland. "Oh yes, indeedy," said Dragoon. Flag of Vatican City The Vatican is a city state independent of Italy, ruled by the Pope, the head of the Catholic Church. The coat of arms depicts the papal tiara and the two keys which represent the Keys of Heaven (according to the Gospel of Matthew 16:19) given by Jesus Christ to St Peter.
While touring Italy, you met Dragoon.
Rowland shook paws with Dragoon the Green Happy Dragon. They both received one silver mole!
@ Holy See Spiral "... the texture of fairy floss, the scent of fresh grapes and orange blossom and the mouthwatering flavour of lemon sherbet, green apples and juicy peaches. Sounds lovely, doesn't it, Cashmere?" remarked Rowland. "I'm sorry, I missed the first part of what you were saying. Is it a gelato flavour?" asked Cashmere. Rowland chuckled. "No, not gelato. That was a description of Asti Spumante, a delicious sparkling wine from Piedmont. Along with Lambrusco and Prosecco, it's a popular budget alternative to champagne." Holy See Spiral The modern 'Bramante' spiral stairs of the Vatican Museums, designed by Giuseppe Momo in 1932. The modern double helix staircase, also in the Pio-Clementine Museum, was inspired by the original Bramante Staircase. This staircase, like the original, is a double helix, having two staircases allowing people to ascend without meeting people descending; as with the original, the main purpose of this design is to allow uninterrupted traffic in each direction. It encircles the outer wall of a stairwell approximately 15m (45ft) wide and with a clear space at the centre. The balustrade around the ramp is of ornately worked metal. A canopy located above provides the necessary light to illuminate the stairs. The staircase is located at the end of the museum visit and all visitors leave by this route.
While touring Italy, you met Cashmere.
Rowland shook paws with Cashmere the Brown Rustic Rabbit. They both received one silver mole!
@ Villa d'Este “What have you got in your rucksack, Graham?” asked Rowland. “It looks very full!” “I’ve come prepared for anything, Rowland,” responded Graham. “There’s canvas deck shoes, tennis shoes, flip-flops, sandshoes, walking boots, sandals, loafers—you name it, I’ve got it!” Villa d'Este Overlooking one of the most romantic lakes in the world, Lake Como, Villa d’Este is surrounded by a wonderful 10-hectare private park. The rooms and suites, overlooking the lake or the park, are divided into two buildings: the Cardinal Building and the Queen’s Pavilion. Windows and terraces overlooking the lake, with exceptional views of the marina and boats quietly returning to shore in the evening. What a dream scenario!
While touring Italy, you met Graham.
Rowland shook paws with Graham the Majestic Monarch Butterfly. They both received one silver mole!
@ Montecastrilli "Milan is widely considered to be the fashion capital of the world. Many internationally renowned fashion brands are based in Milan, including Dolce & Gabbana, Armani and Prada. Quadrilatero della Moda is the high-end fashion district in Milan that contains luxury brands and exclusive fashion boutiques. It’s one of the most expensive shopping streets in the world," read out Bunnibuns from the itinerary. "We'll have to take care not to go too mad there, Bunnibuns!" responded Rowland. "Perhaps a designer T-shirt!" "Hmm—I think a designer bath cube will be more within my budget!" remarked Bunnibuns. Montecastrilli Montecastrilli is one of the more characteristic walled hilltop villages of Umbria. In the village, the structure of the city walls framed by a series of crenellated towers can be seen, with two gates opening in the walls.
While touring Italy, you met Bunnibuns.
Rowland shook paws with Bunnibuns the Brown Rustic Rabbit. They both received one silver mole!
@ Lake Trasimeno, Perugia Half way through Rowland's tour of "Central Italy", he finds a special prize! Arctic River The Arctic River shimmers brightly under the full moon, a guiding beacon to any pet in the night. Camp by its gentle waters, letting the soothing sound of the current lull you to sleep. Lake Trasimeno, Perugia Lake Trasimeno, Italy's fourth largest lake, is located in Umbria in the province of Perugia, near the border with Tuscany and the river Tiber. Lovers of the outdoors are sure to enjoy a trip to Lake Trasimeno. Its waters are good for swimming; its surrounding valleys and the three islands within the lake feature pristine environments. A 50-km bicycle path circling the lake was opened in 2003, providing a fun, environmental-friendly way to explore the lake. Mountain bikers can take advantage of the cross-country paths, especially over the hills on the eastern side. Sailing and windsurfing are also popular sports here. Half of Trasimeno is surrounded by hills, planted with olive trees. Vineyards dot the western shore, near the border with Tuscany.
While touring Italy, you met Dai.
Rowland shook paws with Dai the Midnight Happy Dragon. They both received one silver mole!
@ Mediaeval Montepulciano "I'm going to have me a hazelnut gelato at the hotel tonight, Brujula!" announced Rowland. "I can never decide what my favourite flavour is! I love the pistachio, also the chocolate mint, and the vanilla is fabulous, too!" responded Brujula. Mediaeval Montepulciano Montepulciano is a mediaeval town of rare beauty highly recommended visiting in Tuscany. The city, full of elegant Renaissance palaces, ancient churches, charming squares and hidden corners, boasts vast panoramas all over the wonderful Val d'Orcia and Val di Chiana valleys that surround it. Montepulciano has received great attention following the filming of the vampire saga Twilight sequel New Moon here and has seen a notable increase in visitors.
While touring Italy, you met Brujula.
Rowland shook paws with Brujula the Green Beautiful Unicorn. They both received one silver mole!
@ Tutti Frutti Rowland was listening enraptured to strains of music reaching them from a street violin player. “My mum used to sing this, PluttiPott!” he exclaimed happily. "O Sole Mio or My Own Sun. This takes me back!" Tutti Frutti This tiny Tuscan fruiterer's shop offers fresh local produce and perhaps some delicious additions to your pet's picnic lunch!
While touring Italy, you met PluttiPott.
Rowland shook paws with PluttiPott the Playful Penguin. They both received one silver mole!
@ Tuscan Coastal Town “Let's practise some Italian phrases, Rowland!" said MotoMoto. "Tell you what, hand me that postcard, will you? Grazie!” Clutching the postcard, it looked at its friend expectantly. “That's your cue to say Prego—which means ‛you're welcome!'” Rowland looked puzzled. "Why do I have to say anything at all, MotoMoto? If I've performed a very minor service and you've said 'Thank you', do I need to say anything back? It's not like I made you a cake or mowed your lawn. I just handed you a postcard. You said 'thank you'. Couldn't I just smile slightly or something?" MotoMoto mused for some minutes. "The English language lacks the exact equivalent of prego or bitte schön and similar phrases in use in Continental Europe. Still, when in Rome ...!" Tuscan Coastal Town Piombino is located in the final stretch of the Etruscan Coast, which begins at the height of Livorno, 100 km further north. In the early 1800s, Napoleon Bonaparte assigned Piombino to his sister who became regent of the Principality of Lucca and Piombino. The Princess of Piombino used to call the city "my little Paris" and during her reign the town had a period of great splendour. Built over the sea, Piombino has always been a naval base. Today, the city’s port is used for freight transport, but also as a marina. From the port of Piombino you can catch one of the many ferries that go direct to the islands of the Tuscan Archipelago (Elba Island is just 10km from the coast!), as well as those to Sardinia and Corsica.
While touring Italy, you met MotoMoto.
Rowland shook paws with MotoMoto the Multi-Functional Robot. They both received one silver mole!
@ Sun-baked Terrace “Would you pass me the binoculars, Rowland?” said Penelope. "I think that's an Alpine swift flitting around over there! They spend most of their lives in the air, you know." Sun-baked Terrace A delightful little green-shuttered restaurant, where you can sit outside with a meal and cold drink, shaded from the sun by the ample tree foliage.
While touring Italy, you met Penelope.
Rowland shook paws with Penelope the City Rat. They both received one silver mole!
@ Florentine Pizzeria “Buongiorno, Rowland!” said Daphne Fluffster Tinklehoof. "That means 'good morning', you know!" Rowland sniffed. "So—can I say it back, or do I have to say a different form of it, or say prego, or something?" “Just say it back, Rowland!" "Well, buongiorno to you too, then," said Rowland. Florentine Pizzeria The Rooster and the Fox is the name of this pizzeria in Florence, and it looks just the place to relax over your favourite pasta dish after a hard day's sightseeing!
While touring Italy, you met Daphne Fluffster Tinklehoof.
Rowland shook paws with Daphne Fluffster Tinklehoof the Midnight Mauve Unicorn. They both received one silver mole!
Daphne Fluffster Tinklehoof and you found 75 Travel Tokens!
@ Florentine Sunrise Rowland and Finn were entranced on reaching this Mediterranean viewpoint and eagerly posed for a picture standing on either side! Florentine Sunrise As the sun rises palely pink, shining on the Renaissance domes of Florence, the city wakes up and the pets have another day of sightseeing amongst beautiful buildings.
While touring Italy, you met Finn.
Rowland shook paws with Finn the Red Feisty Fox. They both received one silver mole!
@ Florentine Panorama “Oh wow, Rowland, there's a butterfly!” Lucky cried out. “It looks like a Mazarine Blue," replied Rowland knowledgeably. Florentine Panorama A panorama of Florence, taking in its historic and beautiful bridges, architecture and church and cathedral domes.
While touring Italy, you met Lucky.
Rowland shook paws with Lucky the Blue Beautiful Unicorn. They both received one silver mole!
@ Cinque Terre, Italy "Hey, it says in our tour guide that construction of the 8-storey Leaning Tower of Pisa started in 1173 and took 200 years to complete! It quite puts that two-week delay on your bathroom tiling project into perspective, doesn't it, Dong Dong?" remarked Rowland. "Also, the name of the architect has been lost in the sands of time. You sort of wonder whether he'd have wanted his name to be linked to a tower that leans so noticeably to one side!" Dong Dong leaned across to read the description of the famous Leaning Tower. "It's good in a way that we can celebrate such an apparent disaster," he said. "It says here that it's a very popular design for wedding cakes!" Cinque Terre, Italy A beautiful mix of colourful houses are a Mediterranean delight!
While touring Italy, you met Dong Dong.
Rowland shook paws with Dong Dong the Grey Playful Kitten. They both received one silver mole!
@ Italian Vineyard "That was a lovely risotto we had for supper last night, wasn't it, tails?" remarked Rowland. "On our table the waiter explained that risotto is a rice dish with origins in Lombardy. It’s cooked in a broth to make it creamy. It must be made with a short-grain variant of Italian rice, usually Arborio, as this absorbs less water and gives the risotto a sticky texture," said tails. Italian Vineyard Some luscious grapes ripening in the Tuscan sun ready to be turned into wine.
While touring Italy, you met tails.
Rowland shook paws with tails the Grey Playful Kitten. They both received one silver mole!
@ Tuscan Sunset “Hey, have you seen what the next stop is, Rowland?” said Cotton Tail. "It looks fantastic!" "I'll get my camera ready," said Rowland. Tuscan Sunset The sun sinks after another grape-ripening hot day in Tuscany.
While touring Italy, you met Cotton Tail.
Rowland shook paws with Cotton Tail the Stormy Sky Bunny. They both received one silver mole!
@ Florentine Wine Country "Milan is widely considered to be the fashion capital of the world. Many internationally renowned fashion brands are based in Milan, including Dolce & Gabbana, Armani and Prada. Quadrilatero della Moda is the high-end fashion district in Milan that contains luxury brands and exclusive fashion boutiques. It’s one of the most expensive shopping streets in the world," read out Suklaa from the itinerary. "We'll have to take care not to go too mad there, Suklaa!" responded Rowland. "Perhaps a designer T-shirt!" "Hmm—I think a designer bath cube will be more within my budget!" remarked Suklaa. Florentine Wine Country Welcome to the forests, hills and lush green valleys of Florence's wine-producing region.
While touring Italy, you met Suklaa.
Rowland shook paws with Suklaa the Chocolate Milky Moo Cow. They both received one silver mole!
@ Tuscan Wine Cellar "It says in our brochure that Italy has produced many luxury sports cars, such as Ferrari, Lamborghini, Alfa Romeo and Maserati. That's impressive, isn't it, Swish?" remarked Rowland. "Well, they certainly are amazing, Rowland," responded Swish. "But I'd rather own a little Fiat 500! They are terminally cute!" Tuscan Wine Cellar When planning your Italian food and wine tour, you must include at least one Tuscan winery! Perhaps it will be a legendary Chianti estate or a tasting at a Super-Tuscan vineyard.
While touring Italy, you met Swish.
Rowland shook paws with Swish the Short Haired Guinea Pig. They both received one silver mole!
@ Siena Dwellings Rowland and Tiana shook paws, said “How do you do?” and posed for a souvenir photo. “Why am I always on the left?” grumbled Rowland. “Let’s change sides.” “No,” said Tiana. “This is my best side.” Siena Dwellings Siena is a medieval city in the region of Tuscany, located in the north of Italy some 70 km (43 miles) south of Florence.
While touring Italy, you met Tiana.
Rowland shook paws with Tiana the Ragdoll Kitten. They both received one silver mole!
@ Camogli Lighthouse "What does Benvenuti a tutti! mean, Wyatt?" queried Rowland, admiring the front of his travel itinerary. "It means 'Welcome, everypet!" replied Wyatt. Camogli Lighthouse For sea history enthusiasts, Camogli’s Marine Museum is worth a visit. Scuba-diving pets should don flippers and check out some of the numerous grottoes here.
While touring Italy, you met Wyatt.
Rowland shook paws with Wyatt the Green Beautiful Unicorn. They both received one silver mole!
@ Tuscan Vineyard As Rowland's tour of "Central Italy" comes to an end, he rests under a shady tree and looks back on a perfect day. Soft Azure Sloped Waterfall Tall and intimidating, this waterfall flows a gorgeous azure over its rounded rocks, falling into the shallow basin below. Tuscan Vineyard One of the many vineyards in the famous wine-producing region of Tuscany. The grapes require constant care as the ripen, ready for picking and turning into wine. Rowland has completed their tour of "Central Italy"! Please select another pet as visitor, so it can also tour part of Italy!
While touring Italy, you met MooBerry.
Rowland shook paws with MooBerry the Strawberry Milky Moo Cow. They both received one silver mole!
Rowland has completed the quest of
