Thank you Anna for your kind words! I am sorry it has taken me so long to write back to you...inexcusable if you ask me. Please forgive me!! Yes, I think you need to return for a second visit and be sure to take your time and smell the roses, so to speak. I learned that valuable lesson after my first visit. Hopefully soon, I will return to writing in this blog....Take care my friend!
What lovely descriptions of the Sistine Chapel you give - makes me long for a return visit. I visited Rome briefly, and had maybe an hour or two in Vatican City. I was desperate to see the Sistine Chapel so paid to go in the Vatican and then more or less marched straight to the Sistine Chapel as fast as my legs would take me and spent a few minutes squashed between other tourists trying to pinpoint the famous Creation of Man on that huge ceiling. Not quite the awe inspiring experience you seem to have had. *Sigh* I think a return visit to Italy needs to make it onto my future travel itinerary! Thanks for the detailed, enjoyable blog. Keep writing!
How wonderful! Jeff, you outdid yourself here. Thank you so much for sharing this wonderful piece (or pieces) of information. I never knew about the 8th day, and your take about Michelangelo's "Gates of Paradise" is simply so appropriate, it just couldn't be anything else!
Feeling guilty here......... I feel guilty having visited the Duomo and not paying as much attention as you did! I must have been awed and simply and happily snapped away with my cam. Thank God for your blog, I can relive the memories and appreciate the history.
I'm Green with Envy! What a great blog. No wonder you want to live in Tuscany. You obviously love it there and knew how to express it in writing. Tastes of Tuscany tour sounds yummy, really traveling in style! good for you, my friend. Enjoyed reading your blog esp since I'm upset about the cancelled Meteora tour . Guess we just have to find another place in Greece after the cruise of the islands. Or maybe we'd be too tired to venture out of the hotel! Stay well.....
Like the history.......... Btw, I like it when you put your experiences in their historical perspective. I certainly need to brush up on history and art, which explains why I follow your blogs! Nice to read travelogues tied in with historical trivia.
Fell in love with David too! Back in 1986 when i first saw David, I sent my dad a postcard with just this written on the back: "I fell in love with David". When I returned in 2000 and 2006, I knew it was true love. Never fading, never waning. As for the prisoner sculptures, my take is M left them as such. Prisoners "struggling to free themselves". The same style I sensed viewing Pieta Rondanini in Milan (Mary "struggling to lift Jesus") and Crouching Boy in St. Petersburg's Hermitage Museum. I am no expert, but I do like the "struggling" style of M in these pieces. As for your shopping.......way to go Jeff! LOL. We sure know how to keep ourselves happy. We deserve it!
Thanks, Jeff......... This is truly very educational. I'm sure to read this more than a couple of times, to refresh my memory. Thanks for the tips too. And hey, i so love that picture of Matthew with cupid! Keep writing, Jeff!
Keep writing! Hey, here's from your #1 fan. Just got back from Hongkong and enjoyed reading your latest blog. Looking forward to more esp on Montepulciano and Fiesole which I missed last time I was in Firenze. Lovely hotel too. Bet your cappucino tasted better in that balcony!
love the story! There is always a child in each one of us who loves a good story, especially on Santa Claus! After all, he brightened up many our Christmas mornings with hopes of a grand loot!
you write so well........... I have been to the places you have visited, but I can't seem to read enough of your travels. I have subscribed, by the way, and kudos to you for all the finely written blogs! You've got talent, my friend!
I am an aspiring world traveler who hopes to experience the many cultures of Europe. As I travel, I love to take pictures and journal my experiences so I never forget a memory. These postings are tales from memorable European adventures thus far. Enjoy reading about the exciting places we visited, the hotels and villas we stayed in and finally, the amazing food we enjoyed. Also, be sure to visit theeurotraveler.com and check out the various links and resources to help you plan your next European holiday. Our adventures began a few years ago and will continue long into th... full info
EuroTraveler
Jeff Titelius
Thank you Anna for your kind words!
I am sorry it has taken me so long to write back to you...inexcusable if you ask me. Please forgive me!! Yes, I think you need to return for a second visit and be sure to take your time and smell the roses, so to speak. I learned that valuable lesson after my first visit. Hopefully soon, I will return to writing in this blog....Take care my friend!