V. Les Rogers — VILK

ROAD TRIP ITALY

ROAD TRIP

Oil on Canvas 36" × 44"

Road Trip — Oil on Canvas by V. Les Rogers
Road Trip sketch — colored pencil studyRoad Trip sketch on desk with drawing supplies

MAY 2025 - I surprised my wife Daren with a 21 day trip to Italy. The painting to the left is for her and will remain in the Family Archive.

Our trip began in Milano then to Lake Como, Verona, Lake Garda, Venice (birthday), Bologna, Florence, Sienna, San Gimignano and Livorno. The hotels were spectacular.

The reason it is called "ROAD TRIP" is because we rented a new black sleek Mercedes Benz convertible to be our charriot ! Enjoy!

Italy road trip route map — Milan, Lake Como, Verona, Venice, Bologna, Florence, Siena, San Gimignano, Livorno

LAKE COMO

Hotel Aurora at Lake Como waterfrontNorthern mountains from Lake ComoBellagio Lake Como from the boatV. Les Rogers on boat at Lake ComoCastle at Lake ComoDining at Hotel Aurora Lake ComoMountain lake view from hotel windowLezzeno village on Lake ComoCity of Como street scene with lake and mountainsLake Como map on boat

LAKE GARDA/VERONA

Hotel Sirmione Terme lakeside resortLake Garda waterfront village from boatDaren walking medieval castle waterfrontBoating on Lake GardaMedieval castle at Lake GardaBardolino town on Lake GardaV. Les Rogers enjoying lunch at Lake GardaOverlooking Verona Italy cityscapeDaren posing with winged statue at Verona cathedral entranceDaren posing with stone lion sculptures VeronaOrnate library interior golden lighting VeronaWine tasting at Ortella vineyard VeronaDaren posing by the Adige River VeronaVerona Italy aerial cityscape Adige River bridgeDaren at Speed Queen self-service laundry Verona

VENICE

Gondola on Venice canal historic buildingsGondola canal bridge colorful Venice buildingsDoge's Palace Venice waterfront gondolasGondola bow Venice canal waterfrontCouple on gondola sunny Venice dayGondola under arched bridge Venice ItalyGondola passing under Venetian bridge canalVenetian canal view from hotel windowV. Les Rogers arms spread Venice courtyardGondolas on Venetian canal waterwayDaren posing in luxury Venice hotel bedroomCouple dining at elegant Venetian restaurant Daren's birthdayMozart's home Venice canal

BOLOGNA

Lunch in BolognaBologna marketStreet musician in BolognaDriving through Bologna vineyardBologna vineyard grapesWine barrel at Bologna vineyardDaren in barrel room at vineyardDaren among the vinesVineyard estate groundsVineyard estate entrancePalazzona di Maggio vineyardOwners of Palazzona Di Maggio vineyard BolognaVintner wine maker at Palazzona Di Maggio Bologna

FLORENCE

Classical arcade arched colonnade Centro Storico FlorenceHorse-drawn carriage historic Italian piazza FlorenceV. Les Rogers posing at Santa Maria Novella FlorenceCouple toasting wine at steak dinner FlorenceV. Les Rogers tasting wine at Florence restaurant

SIENA

Daren behind metal gate playful pose SienaCouple enjoying wine Tuscan countryside hotel balcony SienaTwo people in hat shop surrounded by hats SienaDaren posing Piazza del Campo Siena ItalyV. Les Rogers at wine shop counter Siena lunch

SAN GIMIGNANO

V. Les Rogers and Daren at San Gimignano culinary schoolWoman walking historic castle grounds San GimignanoChef demonstrating Italian cooking class San GimignanoGroup cooking class rustic kitchen San GimignanoDaren at outdoor cooking class San GimignanoCouple displaying homemade pie cooking class San GimignanoShopkeeper displaying pasta outside Italian store San Gimignano