Italy
Venice, Italy
Marco Polo admits to Kublai Khan that all his descriptions of fabulous cities are but feeble attempts to capture one city -- Venice, a labyrinth poised over a lagoon. Truly a site to see (but hold your nose in the summer months, the waters tend to smell).
Florence, Italy
Florence is a beautiful city with a true cosmopolitan flavour and an endless array of museums, churches, restaurants, and shopping.
The Uffizi Museum is the absolute most impressive collection of art in the world. It houses the best of the Italian Renaissance (Botticelli, da Vinci, Michelangelo, Raphael, Rembrandt, etc.)
Even the ceilings in the hallways are each a piece of art.
All roads in Florence are said to lead to the Duomo, whose giant profile dominates the city and is an unmistakeable reference point. Begun in 1299, the octagonal dome which Brunelleschi built to span a crossing no one else could attempt, was a marvel of the fifteenth century.
Vatican City, Italy
Vatican City... WOW! Talk about impressive!!
St. Peter's was built on an early Christian site and is the product of centuries of confused and competing efforts. The dome was Michelangelo's final great achievement.
Inside the cathedral, the most impressive artistic expression that I had seen throughout this trip.
The first time since this trip started, I didn't have to buy water to drink... what a privelege!
Rome, Italy
In the heart of ancient Rome is the colusseum which was erected in 80 C.E. by Emperor Titus. Roads around it bring traffic jams etc. and exemplify the contrast of old and new world.
Hmmm... I remember my first impression of this tower spoken aloud involuntarily. "WOW! It really leans!"
Pompeii, Italy
Travelling from Rome to Pompeii on the floor of a bus somehow didn't phase us at all ... we have by now grown accustomed to the travelling conditions.
Mount Vesuvius erupted in 79 C.E. covering Pompeii in ashes.
Brindisi, Italy !!!
Five weeks later, the long trip through Europe comes to an end in Brindisi. We board the ferry that will take us to Corfu, Greece for a few days of rest and relaxation Greek style, before heading home to Kalamata for a home cooked meal and a soft bed to sleep on...
At the Brindisi Port, to catch the ferry to Greece