Today we boarded a larger vaporetto and rode out to the Island of Murano where the famous glass factories and craftsmen are. We watched a glass blowing demonstration which resulted in a lovely vase with red swirling lines around it. There were several displays of glass product items to see. Then John and I walked into the small village of Murano (a fishing community). Of course there were many shops selling Murano Glass products. I was mostly interested in beads but John found a small Mille Fiore vase that we both liked, so we bought it. It was time for lunch so we had some pizza at one of the sidewalk restaurants there. I had a pizza with frutti de mare (seafood) on it. The muscles and clams came with the shells on and I had ... read more

We have buffet breakfast at our hotel. Each of our three hotels on this trip has had a buffet breakfast for us and other hotel guests. The first morning at a new hotel has always been a learning situation. One must first learn where the various foods are placed along the tables, then how to operate the coffee machine, then where the milk and other cold drinks are, and do we use plates or bowls or both? By now, our learning curve has improved at navigating the people, tables and chairs, utensils, and food. We start by taking the Vaporetto (public transportation system) along the famed Grand Canal to Piazza San Marko. Along the canal we notice the Patrician Palaces, with arches indicating near-Eastern influence. The ride lasts about 45 minutes. We meet our guide Giullana ... read more

This morning we began with a presentation on Medeval and Renaissance Art in preparation for our visit to the Uffizi Gallery. After lunch, we had a little free time to wander around the Piazza della Signoria so called because Savonarola was burned at the stake here. Then we started our visit to the Uffizi. The Uffizi Gallery is the most extensive collection of art, tracing the development from Gothic to Medieval to Renaissance to Mannerist paintings in the world. There were so many paintings we couldn't possibly take them all in---but we tried!! Some of our favorite artists were Sandro Botticelli, Michelangelo, Da Vinci, Titian, and Caravaggio. we stopped for a refreshment break at the coffee bar on the top of the Loggia with a wonderful view of the watch tower and Duomo. We walked back ... read more

We begin today with a visit to the Bargello Museum. Then we move on to the "workshop" of the Duomo and the famous Baptistry. Next, a much enjoyed stop for "refreshment " (gelatto), and we are museumed-out. We make our way back to Santa Maria Nouvella and our hotel around the corner.... read more

Today we visited the roman Forum and Colosseum. Both of these sites were very impressive. The Forum was mostly in ruins contrasting with the "modern" skyline in the background. We also saw many excavations and could see the many layers of building with the passage of time. The size of the Colosseum was impressive in itself. Silvio explained many construction situations to us. In the afternoon we went to the Gallery Borghese. Cardinal Scipio Borghese was an avid art collector and patron of the young Bernini. Borghese's art collection is housed in his former private pleasure and reception palace.... read more