We kicked off in Roma and found ourselves treated to the best pizza, gelato, and weather. The Spanish steps lacked the magic associated with other parts of Roma but not much else did. We rose early one morning and lined up with the masses to take on the Vatican. This is a must do for all visitors to Roma and getting there before it even opened meant we still had to line for 2 hours. This was a small price to pay for what was inside.
The Vatican Museums are amazing and we ambled our way through the multiple collections gazing into lifelike sculptures, an amazing egyptian collection, tapestries, and paintings by Raphaelo, Michaelangelo, and other genius'. The Sistine Chapel was the jewel in the crown and we spent ages just gazing between Michaelangelo's Last Judgement and his biblical paintings on the roof. Words can't describe the feelings these works stirred. St Peter's Basilica is a massive beautiful work and the square surrounding in it huge.
From Roma we travelled to Naples in search of the home of pizza and a day trip out to Pompei. Naples is the roughest of cities in Italy that we visited and the only real time we had to be on guard. 7 people were killed in mafia related killings in the last week alone! Pompei was a trip back in time as we walked around this very well preserved ancient city. It took a whole day but was worth it as we imagined living in such a world that this citiy belonged to.
Florence was next and completely unexpected. We only had 2 nights but the time we spent here was magic. We spent the days walking through this beautiful city and were so at peace with this place we forgot that David was on exhibition here and didn't realize till we'd left! I guess we had to keep something for when we come back.
Next along this fantastic path was Deiva Marina, a little place a few kms from Cinque Terre, five little villages joined by a 12 km walk through National Park. This was an oustanding walk and staying in the area so peacefull. We also spent a day in Portofino, which was small and very tourist orientated but stunning.
Without knowing anything about it we ended up in a town, on Lake Garda in the north, called Lazise. This was such a special place! Three huge ancient walls surround the old town. The fourth side faces onto a clear lake. Every building inside seemed out of a fairytail and it was so well maintained. Many of the old towns here are walled and don't have roads for cars so much of the time it's a pedestrian's paridise.
From Lazise we headed on to Venice. Unfortunately the weather turned on us and we found ourselves braving the cold and rain to walk the little streets in this city built on water. Standing in St Mark's square you can feel the water move the stone! Unfortunatetely the place has gone to the tourists and very few Venetians were in evidence. The place was a bit dissapointing because of the loss of the Venetian culture but it was still one of the most photographic cities we're seen.
After venice we caught a ferry across the Croatia where a whole new adventure began. Check out our photos by clicking the links below.