I wish you were here: a survey of Rome, leaf peeps in Maine – The Mercury News

Our readers’ vacation destinations have taken them through the whole map in recent months. They visited the opera in Sydney, saw the northern glow of Iceland, and passed cycling in Bali. And when they returned home, they shared their travel stories and practical advice with us.

Read about a visit to the Walnut Creek family in Rome and a group of friends from Fremont and Danville, whose autumn greenery hike took them to Maine. Then find more readership inspiration to travel at www.mercurynews.com/tag/wish-you-were-here/.

I wish you were here

Italy: The residents of Walnut Creek Diane and Neil Kelly met in Rome with their son Patrick Kelly, who lives in Marrekesh, for a trip that included an abundance of landmarks and walking – nine to 10 miles a day.

Travel Tips: “Three of our favorite restaurants were La Matriciana Dal 1870, Osteria La Quercia and Rocco Ristorante,” says Diane. Expect massive crowds in 2025, she adds: “This will be their anniversary. They prepared every monument and statue for the holiday. “

Maine: You know that a friend of a friend is tight when they have their own nickname. “The Green Group of Kase – Kelly, Arlin, Sue and Eileen – started 15 years ago in a Fremont of four mothers who met through their children at St. Joseph School, says Eileen’s husband, Steve. “The idea was to study, starting with New York in 2009, a different city every year with a group of great friends.”

The Kase group includes the residents of Fremont Kelly and John Mendoza and Arlin and Bill Dugoni, Sue and the residents of John Barton and the inhabitants of Danville Steve and Eileen Block. And their last trip was autumn greenery through New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts and Maine, where they climbed to the top of Mount Cadillak in Akadia National Park.

Travel Tips: “The season of autumn greenery lasts for several weeks, depending on where you are in New England. We recommend hiring a guide for your tour through Acadia National Park. Local knowledge is the best! Enjoy the beauty that offers a trip – we traveled over 700 miles by car! – And eat at all the restaurants that locals recommend. “