We've decided

This is where we're going:

Venice - wander, get lost on purpose, see colourful houses on the lagoon islands, see (maybe ride) gondolas, eat pasta
Bologna - food tour, market tour, cooking classes, eat pasta
Florence - see David, Gelato Crawl (GTS!),  photography/walking tour, eat pasta
Cassino - bittersweet but necessary... short stop to pay respect to an uncle who died in WWII
Amalfi Coast - boat tour, check out where the olives and lemons grow (likely gone by the time we get there), eat pizza and pasta
Istanbul - to see if you're paying attention


You may notice that we'll be pretty light on some of the typical tourist attractions on this trip.  Ginny, my aunt, and I are eerily similar and we agree that we'd rather learn about the culture and see the scenery than to stand in line.  David is the exception, because his life-long residence on Ginny's bucket list is our reason for going to Italy.  We do want to learn all about Italian food, however.  And eat a lot of it.


Edited to add:
Isobel from IsobelandCat’s blog is remembering her kitty tonight.  She is asking that we all join in and light a candle today and tonight and put it in a window to remember the pets in our own lives and to remember Cat too. She suggests we all clink a glass of something of your choice. 
So, here's to you Winston & Clementine, Millie, Mourning, Oliver, Ellie, Mystery, Asparagus (Gussie), Raisin and Lulu.  I miss you all.