Ducati.Net Photo Gallery - Vicki's View
Each year Ducati.net travels to Italy in the off season. Italy in November is very different than in the summer high season - different weather is just the beginning, the unique foods in season , the Christmas displays, the winter fashions, and the smaller crowds all add up to a vacation quite unlike what you get in summer. So, after the EICMA motorcycle show we took some time to enjoy Italy in winter. This years trip was a group of 15, started in Milan, moved to Florence and ended in Rome. For me, one of best things is the completely different light, the photos look nothing like summer which is what most people think of when they think of Italy. Photos and captions by Vicki Smith
Birdie and the Bridge
Some of the many, many items sold by artists along the sidewalks of the city
A shop in front of the Ponte Vecchia
I had to snap this shot while the seller looked elsewhere - items like this are sold by illegal street venders and they can be overwhelming if they think you have the slightest interest in their wares
Gates on the Piazza Signoria
In Flornce, this is a typical entrance. In this case it's the one to my rented apartment.
A Christmas shop window near the Ponte Vecchio
This was a ceiling in a room I could see from the street. While obviously not typical, this sort of thing is not that unusual either. I can't imagine getting to look at something like this before falling asleep each night.
No trip to Italy would be complete without a quick trip to the factory and a stop to pay my respects to Rino Caracchi at the NCR workshop. Since this was a quick day trip Reno Leone met us at Rino's shop. That's Stefano Caracchi (owner of the SC NCR WSBK team, Rino Caracchi, me, Reno Leone. A glass of homemade prosecco or two, a quick inspection of Vicki 6 (the all ready to go already! Motogiro Sicily 2007 Ducati 175SS Rino prepares for me to ride) much hugging and we were back on the train to Florence to meet friends for dinner.
Rich Lambrechts Photo
Rich Lambrechts Photo
