@ Frecce Tricolori Spike 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 Sweetie.
Spike shook paws with Sweetie the Chocolate Milky Moo Cow. They both received one silver mole!
@ Son Repos "What does Benvenuti a tutti! mean, Bahama?" queried Spike, admiring the front of his travel itinerary. "It means 'Welcome, everypet!" replied Bahama. Son Repos This sleepy kitty has found the perfect spot for a snooze on this wide, sun-baked step!
While touring Italy, you met Bahama.
Spike shook paws with Bahama the Luscious Lilac Dolphin. They both received one silver mole!
@ Dark Wood “Wouldn't it be lovely to live in a lighthouse like this one pictured in our itinerary in Genoa? So romantic!" mused Spike, sipping a leisurely espresso. "Well, I don't know," said Matilda. "It's not all about drinking coffee and gazing at the sea. You have run up and down stairs to operate the light and the foghorn, and there may be no running water or electricity apart from a generator." Spike considered this. "Mine would be a luxurious, converted, non-operational lighthouse, then." 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 Matilda.
Spike shook paws with Matilda the Multi-Functional Robot. They both received one silver mole!
@ Lamborghini Experience “Let's just drink in this scene, shall we, Spike?” suggested Smoothie, sinking down on a convenient tree stump. Spike agreed it was well worth spending some time there! 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 Smoothie.
Spike shook paws with Smoothie the Golden retriever. They both received one silver mole!
@ Abruzzo Bougainvillea "I've bought so many souvenirs already my backpack's almost full!" said Adept Sanitation Juggernaut. "Me too!" said Spike. "It's great on this tour, isn't it?" 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 Adept Sanitation Juggernaut.
Spike shook paws with Adept Sanitation Juggernaut the Multi-Functional Robot. They both received one silver mole!
Adept Sanitation Juggernaut and you found 75 Travel Tokens!
@ Trastevere Bridge at Night "We'll be spending at least three days in Venice, as there's so much to see, Spike!" remarked Boycee. "It says in our brochure it's one of the most recognisable destinations in the world thanks to its unique construction of canals and bridges. It says the main city of Venice is made up of 118 islands connected only by 400 bridges and 170 canals. It’s renowned for its gondolas, flat bottomed Venetian rowing boats that are the equivalent to taxis. Becoming a gondolier is no easy feat as you need a professional licence that’s only granted after 400 hours of training." "It doesn't sound as bad as London black cab drivers having to take The Knowledge before being granted a licence. That can take three or four years!" remarked Spike. 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 Boycee.
Spike shook paws with Boycee the Screech Owl. They both received one silver mole!
@ Via dei Coronari, Rome "Here's another bit of trivia for you, Choose a name!" called out Spike. "The Villa del Balbianello on Lake Como has featured in which two well-known films?" "I don't know, Spike. Which films were they?" "The James Bond film Casino Royale and Star Wars II: Attack of the Clones," responded Spike. 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 Choose a name.
Spike shook paws with Choose a name the Tabby Cat. They both received one silver mole!
@ Bridge Over the River Tiber "That was a lovely risotto we had for supper last night, wasn't it, Gentle?" remarked Spike. "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 Gentle. 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 Gentle.
Spike shook paws with Gentle the Silver Fox. They both received one silver mole!
@ Roman Sunset Chessie was distracted by the sounds of loud rustling as Spike unfolded a very large tourist map, in the course of which he succeeded in knocking Chessie’s hat off. “Put that away, do!” said Chessie, irritated. “We’re about to pose on either side of this amazing scene—the picture will all be of your map if you don’t fold it up pronto!” 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 Chessie.
Spike shook paws with Chessie the Manatee (Blue). They both received one silver mole!
@ Three Coins in the Trevi Fountain "It would be great to live on a houseboat in Italy!" said Sweetie pie enthusiastically. "You can sail round most of the country, and when you get tired, just moor the boat and hop in a bunk!" Spike considered this carefully. "I don’t think houseboats are designed to go on the sea, Sweetie pie. You’d have to get a proper yacht, or something.” 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 Sweetie pie.
Spike shook paws with Sweetie pie the Little Pink Monster. They both received one silver mole!
@ Flag of Vatican City "It would be great to live on a houseboat in Italy!" said Pony Pony enthusiastically. "You can sail round most of the country, and when you get tired, just moor the boat and hop in a bunk!" Spike considered this carefully. "I don’t think houseboats are designed to go on the sea, Pony Pony. You’d have to get a proper yacht, or something.” 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 Pony Pony.
Spike shook paws with Pony Pony the Yellow Maned Pony. They both received one silver mole!
@ Holy See Spiral “You know, I'd like to spend a whole week in this region here, Spike!” said Choose a name. "It's very pleasant indeed—but you never know, the next part of the tour might be even better!" replied Spike. 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 Choose a name.
Spike shook paws with Choose a name the Tabby Cat. They both received one silver mole!
@ Villa d'Este "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 frosty from the itinerary. "We'll have to take care not to go too mad there, frosty!" responded Spike. "Perhaps a designer T-shirt!" "Hmm—I think a designer bath cube will be more within my budget!" remarked frosty. 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 frosty.
Spike shook paws with frosty the Arctic Feisty Fox. They both received one silver mole!
@ Montecastrilli “Let's practise saying 'hello' in Italian," said Casper. "That's an easy one—Ciao!” said Spike, beaming happily. "Mm—yes, and mmm—no," replied Casper. "You should only say Ciao to pets you know very well. You mustn't say it to somepet's grandmother who you haven't met before, and you shouldn't walk into a shop and say it. It's far too informal." “So what do you say then?" queried Spike, somewhat grumpily. "The simplest thing to say to friends or strangers to greet them is Salve!" replied Casper. 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 Casper.
Spike shook paws with Casper the Blue Beautiful Unicorn. They both received one silver mole!
@ Lake Trasimeno, Perugia Half way through Spike'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 Sparkle.
Spike shook paws with Sparkle the Glittering Violet Fish. They both received one silver mole!
@ Mediaeval Montepulciano "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 Sabre from the itinerary. "We'll have to take care not to go too mad there, Sabre!" responded Spike. "Perhaps a designer T-shirt!" "Hmm—I think a designer bath cube will be more within my budget!" remarked Sabre. 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 Sabre.
Spike shook paws with Sabre the Corgi. They both received one silver mole!
@ Tutti Frutti “Let's practise some Italian phrases, Spike!" said Chester. "Tell you what, hand me that postcard, will you? Grazie!” Clutching the postcard, he looked at his friend expectantly. “That's your cue to say Prego—which means ‛you're welcome!'” Spike looked puzzled. "Why do I have to say anything at all, Chester? 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?" Chester 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 ...!" 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 Chester.
Spike shook paws with Chester the House Mouse. They both received one silver mole!
@ Tuscan Coastal Town "I'm going to have me a hazelnut gelato at the hotel tonight, Maxwell!" announced Spike. "I can never decide what my favourite flavour is! I love the pistachio, also the chocolate mint, and the vanilla is fabulous, too!" responded Maxwell. 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 Maxwell.
Spike shook paws with Maxwell the Garter snake. They both received one silver mole!
@ Sun-baked Terrace "I've bought so many souvenirs already my backpack's almost full!" said Toby. "Me too!" said Spike. "It's great on this tour, isn't it?" 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 Toby.
Spike shook paws with Toby the Black Great Dane. They both received one silver mole!
@ Florentine Pizzeria "What are you doing, Ali Haider?" asked Spike, coming across his friend in the hotel lounge, clutching a notebook and pen. "I'm keeping a diary of our experiences on this trip, Spike. I don't want to forget anything!" responded Ali Haider. "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." 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 Ali Haider.
Spike shook paws with Ali Haider the Snow Leopard. They both received one silver mole!
@ Florentine Sunrise “Let's practise some Italian phrases, Spike!" said Clover. "Tell you what, hand me that postcard, will you? Grazie!” Clutching the postcard, he looked at his friend expectantly. “That's your cue to say Prego—which means ‛you're welcome!'” Spike looked puzzled. "Why do I have to say anything at all, Clover? 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?" Clover 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 ...!" 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 Clover.
Spike shook paws with Clover the Green Happy Dragon. They both received one silver mole!
@ Florentine Panorama “Buongiorno, Spike!” said Jillie. "That means 'good morning', you know!" Spike 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, Spike!" "Well, buongiorno to you too, then," said Spike. Florentine Panorama A panorama of Florence, taking in its historic and beautiful bridges, architecture and church and cathedral domes.
While touring Italy, you met Jillie.
Spike shook paws with Jillie the Green Beautiful Unicorn. They both received one silver mole!
@ Cinque Terre, Italy “If there's time at the end when we get back to the hotel, I might do some initial sketches for a watercolour painting," Specks said, offering Spike a chestnut biscotto from the bag and then unwrapping one for herself. “That sounds like a good plan, Specks!" said Spike. Cinque Terre, Italy A beautiful mix of colourful houses are a Mediterranean delight!
While touring Italy, you met Specks.
Spike shook paws with Specks the Merry Mole. They both received one silver mole!
@ Italian Vineyard "It must be so romantic working on a vineyard, Spike," said Jojo contentedly sipping grape juice after a hard day’s sightseeing. "Imagine picking the ripe grapes while the sun sets and seeing them turned into wine!" "Hmm—now imagine being up at dawn in the cold of January and February pruning the woody stalks by hand and crushing them up for compost,” said Spike. “Then more work throughout spring, leaf pruning later in the year, followed by grape pruning. It doesn’t stop.” Jojo waved her glass. “I’ll have staff to do all that,” she said. Italian Vineyard Some luscious grapes ripening in the Tuscan sun ready to be turned into wine.
While touring Italy, you met Jojo.
Spike shook paws with Jojo the Purple Happy Penguin. They both received one silver mole!
@ Tuscan Sunset “Buongiorno, Spike!” said Swish. "That means 'good morning', you know!" Spike 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, Spike!" "Well, buongiorno to you too, then," said Spike. Tuscan Sunset The sun sinks after another grape-ripening hot day in Tuscany.
While touring Italy, you met Swish.
Spike shook paws with Swish the Short Haired Guinea Pig. They both received one silver mole!
@ Florentine Wine Country "I'm going to have me a hazelnut gelato at the hotel tonight, Choose a name!" announced Spike. "I can never decide what my favourite flavour is! I love the pistachio, also the chocolate mint, and the vanilla is fabulous, too!" responded Choose a name. Florentine Wine Country Welcome to the forests, hills and lush green valleys of Florence's wine-producing region.
While touring Italy, you met Choose a name.
Spike shook paws with Choose a name the Tabby Cat. They both received one silver mole!
@ Tuscan Wine Cellar "A bit of trivia here, Seth!" remarked Spike, 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, Spike!" "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 Seth. 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 Seth.
Spike shook paws with Seth the Blue Beautiful Unicorn. They both received one silver mole!
@ Siena Dwellings “Where are we now, Spike?” asked Aria. "If it's Tuesday this must be Tuscany!" joked Spike. "Only kidding—let me check the map!" 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 Aria.
Spike shook paws with Aria the Bashful Badger. They both received one silver mole!
@ Camogli Lighthouse “Let's practise some Italian phrases, Spike!" said Allie Kat. "Tell you what, hand me that postcard, will you? Grazie!” Clutching the postcard, she looked at her friend expectantly. “That's your cue to say Prego—which means ‛you're welcome!'” Spike looked puzzled. "Why do I have to say anything at all, Allie Kat? 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?" Allie Kat 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 ...!" 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 Allie Kat.
Spike shook paws with Allie Kat the Grey Playful Kitten. They both received one silver mole!
@ Tuscan Vineyard As Spike'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. Spike has completed their tour of "Central Italy"! Your PnF tour of Italy is now over, but PnF will hold a new event again soon!
While touring Italy, you met Fyzbana.
Spike shook paws with Fyzbana the Green Happy Dragon. They both received one silver mole!
Spike has completed the quest of
