Here are some photos from my last day in Venice, Italy and of my vacation. Such a beautiful city. It was a bit chilly today, though, because the sun never came out. As a result, I didn't have a great sky to work with for photos but my day was going to be spent mainly indoors so it was ok. I started out by walking over to the Ca d' Oro which is a former private art collection of Baron Giogio Franchetti. The collection is mainly made up of items from churches and covenants which were closed during the Napoleonic and [View Full Entry]

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Beautiful day here in Venice. A little chilly but pretty comfortable sweatshirt weather. I thought for awhile it might rain but then blew over so that was good. Started out the day meandering my way down to St. Mark’s. There were some bridges I wanted some photos of so made my way that route. I found Venice’s version of a leaning tower and snapped a couple of photos. (Actually, they have several leaning towers as a result of the sinking of the islands over the centuries.) I had purchased a Church pass which allowed me to get into a number of [View Full Entry]

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Am going to be posting my blogs a little out of order until I get caught up from a few days without internet. I have arrived in Venice. Grabbed the 10:37 train this morning and arrived a bit past one. It was a very pleasant ride especially as we made our way through some of the mountains. We made quick stops in Bologna, Ferrara and a few other towns alone the way as well. Packed train most of the trip. I really enjoy traveling by train. Got to the Venice train station and what a view. Caught a waterbus to the [View Full Entry]

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There was another forecast of a lot of rain for today so decided it was time to see a lot of museums. Started out with the Uffizi which is the most famous of Florence’s museums. Home of several original paintings from the Renaissance period. We were not allowed to take pictures so you’ll have to take my word on what I saw! I am definitely a fan of the Renaissance period. I really enjoy looking at it and marveling at the artist’s abilities. I wouldn’t want to decorate my house with it but I do enjoy looking at it. At the [View Full Entry]

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The forecast was for rain today so I planned my agenda to be full of museums. Started out to see Michelangelo's David. I had seen a replica before but wanted to see the real thing. I thought there was going to be line so got to the Academy entrance by 8 am (opens at 8:15) and I was actually the first in line who didn't have reserved tickets (which amounted to maybe 20). As a result, I got in shortly after 8:15 am. You start out by walking through several unfinished works of Michelangelo's. The unfinished Pieta is there (not sure [View Full Entry]

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Left Rome this morning via train and arrived in Florence early afternoon. The train is an absolutely delightful way to travel! Loved it. Nice, big comfy chairs with leg room and you get served a beverage and small snack. Saw some views of the countryside as I made my way by train. Very peaceful way to travel. Arrived in Florence and my hotel is located within 50 yards of the train station and to the west of all the sites. Very, very convenient. It had apparently been raining most of the day because everything was wet but no more rain while [View Full Entry]

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Today was my last day in Rome. It was also a day about going really, really far back in time. Started out my morning at the Colessium. There was hardly anyone around so a few of us had it to ourselves. You climb a few levels of stairs which slope downward so are a bit disconcerting. My feet have been reinvigorated by a night’s sleep but I can feel my thighs with each step from yesterday! The Colessium is pretty amazing. Its sheer size is incredibly intimidating and it’s amazing it’s still standing. It and the Forum are both victims of [View Full Entry]

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Am loading up a bunch of pictures. Too bad it was such an overcast day or the pictures would have been perfect. Today was a day mainly spent at the Vatican. I had just read the book, Basilica, which had gone over the controversial history of the building of St. Peter’s and was curious to see what all the fuss was about. I hooked up with a small tour of only 10 people which allowed me to get right into the Vatican Museums instead of having to wait in line. We started out the tour in what is known as the [View Full Entry]

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I made it to Rome today. Everything was on schedule which has been a rare first for me lately in my love/hate relationship with Northwest Airlines. Was a long day of traveling with the overnight flight out of Minneapolis. Watched a couple movies on the flight in the very convenient personal monitors in the seats and otherwise napped. They even fed us dinner and breakfast. Had a stopover for a couple hours in Amsterdam (got another passport stamp when I cleared Customs) and then the flight to Rome. It was raining the entire time I was in Amsterdam but Rome was [View Full Entry]

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Capitol Reef National Park was the last of the national parks I was able to visit on my mini vaction to Utah. Capitol Reef was a very nice surprise. It has some wonderful red and white rock features. The Chimney is quite a site standing all alone rising from the floor. Also present is a formation named the Castle and a massive white rock the Capitol Reef Park is named for which early discoverers named the Capitol because it reminded them of the Capitol Dome. Also near Capitol Reef is the Grand Staircase National Monument which is a new Monument having [View Full Entry]

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