Sarah your images are terrific! I have not enjoyed a gallery this much in a long time. You have an eye for beauty in the most unlikely places and a talent to capture it well.
I visited Italy in September, to see again some of my favorite places. My gallery Europe 2004
http://www.pbase.com/adaossi/europe_2004, has some images of spots you might recognize.
The weather was beautiful and with the exception of Venice the tourist where gone, what a blessing. One could shoot without people getting in the way.
Cheers and good light,
Oskar F. Neuhold