Blogs from Vatican City, Europe - page 10

Ciao! Early Tuesday morning I took a stroll alone and stumbled across Via Vittorio Veneto. I walked down the grand avenue and noticed that it is lined with luxury hotels, shops and cafes. There is even a Harry’s Bar. I was thrilled, as the avenue was clean; there was no graffiti on the buildings and not a gypsy in sight. It reminded me of Santana Row back home. I also noticed that there were many good looking Italian men dressed in expensive suits. Yes! I couldn’t wait to get back and tell the rest of what I found, especially Skye. I would have to put off strolling back down Vittorio Veneto, as we had a tour planned for the Vatican Museum and Basilica of St. Peter’s both located in Vatican City. Vatican City is a small ... read more

Ciao ciao!! We (Leanne and I) have arrived in Roma and I shall pick up the story beginning last night (from what I hear anything older than that is too stale for some readers ;-) We decided (ok...um...I persuaded) to stay in Volterra (Tuscany) pool-side or wandering the village until the late afternoon, rather than having to check out at 7:30 in the morning and not only miss breakfast, but miss out on prime resting time too! I had spent 6 hours by the pool the day before (reading, napping, taking pictures, people watching, reading, napping), so I was not in the mood for a great deal of hurrying about or rushing here or going there. But....as always... when I leave a place thinking another will not be any better, it generally offers something spectacular and ... read more

We slept in per plan (and need!) until 9am then headed downstairs for breakfast. We returned to the room to process the outstanding blogs for 7/3 and 7/4 which gave us time to relax some more and think about the plans ahead; the rest of today, tomorrow's train travel to Florence around 2pm and an afternoon transfer to Venice the day after. We are officially global road warriors! There may be those who fly more often and to more places, but we have earned a spot on the "A" list for international travel. As a team, we are VERY good. One looks left while the other looks right; we are both aware of the details and and we trade off those moments when the dominant "gut feeling" leads and we generally find ourselves in the ... read more

With a low cost flight to Venice and out of Rome, and a hire car booked for the week, Venice, Florence, Piza and Rome were are long awaited destinations for me and my two son's. ... read more

So my friends and I were bored this morning around sunrise so we decided to take a taxi cab over to the Vatican to see if we could climb to the top of St. Peters Basilica. Turns out, this would turn into an adventure I won't ever forget. When we arrived, we were the first people in line for the opening of the square, which didn't open until 7 a.m. I went across the street and got a cappuccino because I hadn't slept the night before, so I needed a little energy boost. When I came back to the line, the gates had opened and we were the first people allowed to enter the square. It was absolutely gorgeous at sunrise. Anyways, as we meandered, we met a priest and some brothers from Australia, who ... read more