Geo: 41.8947, 12.4839Caio,What an action packed day! We started off using public transportation instead of walking. Campo dei Fiori was our first stop of the morning. It's one of Rome's prettiest piazzas. It is the sight of a wonderful outdoor market, with palaces and houses providing the backdrop for a medley of stalls selling fruit, flowers, fish, spices, oils and vegetables. The square is also full of small cafes and restaurants.We moved on to Piazza Navona. This magnificent piazza is dominated by three fountains, a ring of buildings, many hung with flowers at this time of year and throngs of visitors, artists and stallholders selling their wares. It's a great place for people watching at all times of night and day.There is the Church of Sant'Agnese in Agone on the spot where she was martyred in ... read more

Geo: 43.7687, 11.2569Our plan for today was to do a bike ride into the country to visit Greve and see some of the wine country. With temperatures soaring above 97 degrees we opted for Plan B which was to cover the same territory and more by a van tour. So this morning we went in search of the ticket office. We were first told, "Sorry, that tour is full." As the woman was explaining an alternative bus tour not quite as extensive, some guy came up and said, "This is your lucky day. We'll add a second tour and so far it's just you two on it." So we purchased our tickets and would later be picked up at our hotel.We continued to walk through the streets to view morning activity and revisited Palazzo Vecchio. There ... read more

Geo: 43.7687, 11.2569Yea! We got to sleep in this morning and got up at 5:45. We rode the water taxi back to the train station. It was beautiful on the water in the early morning. We were among other vacationers but also many local people on the way to their jobs. Once at the station we had time for hot tea and croissants. These were so light and flaky with a tasty apricot filling!We rode a fancy high speed train this morning. It had adjustable cushioned seats, individual reading lamps with magazines provided, jacks for headphones with piped in music, electric outlets and wifi capability. They also passed out complimentary newspapers, beverages and cookies. It was a very enjoyable journey that went direct to Florence.Another observation-Cell phone service here must be better than at home. People ... read more

Geo: 44.1464, 9.65572Surprise! We're off again. We are on a train headed to Cinque Terre. It's only a day trip, then back to Genoa for the night. The name means "five villages" and is a National Park. This monument in landscape architecture is represented by the steep terraces sloping down to the sea. The terraced vineyards alternate with strips of olive trees. We visited two of the villages, the first being Vernazza. Earlier this year much of this village was destroyed by a huge mudslide. It is now in stages of reconstruction. You can see evidence of the mud line on the buildings and the lower levels of the residences are vacant and being repaired, cleaned, and painted. There are also passageways that are still blocked by the mud. The actual village consists of one main ... read more

Geo: 43.7034, 7.2662On our final day in Nice we still had things we wanted to see and do. After a quick breakfast Place Rosetti was our first stop. It is considered one of the most picturesque in Old Nice with fountains, flower-decked balconies, a cathedral and café terraces. In that square the Cathedral of Sainte-Reparate is located. This church, which became a Cathedral in the 16th century, is the largest sanctuary in Old Nice. Unfortunately it was closed but is said to have an interior that reflects the influence of Saint Peter's of Rome.While in Old Nice we saw one of the few remaining examples of the decorated facades in this area. It is dated 1584 and shows Adam and Eve naked in the Garden of Eden, threatening each other with clubs. This house is famous ... read more