Venice
Venice
We arrived in Venice on Day 8 and did a gondola ride at sunset - the whole group (Jody did all the work) hired about 5 boats from the Bacino Orseolo gondola company across from the Hard Rock Cafe. One had a few musicians to serenade us on our journey. We had an orientation walking tour and dinner together as a group. This is the one place I had wished I had planned a little. I would have liked to have gone into the church in St. Mark's but you need reservations. We did go up in the bell tower - there is an elevator! We found some yummy gelato and some meh food and some amazing food. It was an exciting and exotic place to visit. Getting lost while wandering around is a must when visiting but I was quite surprised how well google maps worked.
"Venice is a city of romance, a place where you lose yourselves in the labyrinthine streets and canals, serenaded by the soft lapping of water and the echoes of past glories."
- Unknown
Florence
For me, Florence was all about the art - the Academia for David and the Uffizi for Renaissance art. And let me tell you, I was not disappointed. There was another couple on the trip with us who shared the same passion for art - the husband was an oil painter, and his wife appreciated and loved all kinds of art. We teamed up after the Uffizi tour and explored more together. We had a lovely dinner at a family-owned restaurant, where the owner reminded me so much of my own Italian family. If you want to see the Duomo or climb the bell tower, you need advanced reservations.
"Art is not what you see, but what you make others see."
- Edgar Degas
This quote reminds me of Florence, where art is not just something you observe, but something that surrounds you and makes you feel. In Florence, art is a conversation between the artist and the viewer, a dialogue that transcends time and space. It is a city that celebrates creativity and inspires it in others.
Rome
During our time in Rome, we walked and walked and walked. We walked during the day and at night, taking in all the sights the city had to offer - the Vatican, Pantheon, Colosseum, the Forum, Trevi Fountain, Spanish Steps, and so much more. We indulged in lots of gelato, wine, pasta, and other delicious Italian food, which was a welcome change from the bland food we had in Germany.
Our hotel was just a few steps away from the Vatican. We explored the Vatican Museums on our own. The crowds were too overwhelming to try and follow a tour group, but we didn't mind. There was so much to do and see in Rome, and the food was both amazing and inexpensive. Being of Italian descent, the city felt very familiar to me, and I enjoyed the feeling of connecting with my roots.
"Rome is like a lasagna, it's made up of layers, and the deeper you go, the more flavorful it gets."
- Chef Marco Gallotta
This quote beautifully describes the city of Rome, which is steeped in history and culture. Like a lasagna, Rome is made up of layers that have been built up over thousands of years, each adding to the richness and complexity of the city. The deeper you delve into its history, architecture, and art, the more you discover and appreciate its depth and flavor.
Orvieto, Hilltop Town
On the way to Cinque Terre we stopped for lunch in a hilltop town called Orvieto. There are many of these towns in the hills in Italy. We toured the church and were on our own for lunch. It was a fun stop and something different and we never would have done something like this if we were traveling on our own. These little extra stops really made the trip special.
We stayed in Monterosso al Mare and this was our "vacation from our vacation". The first night we enjoyed a group dinner with some amazing seafood that was cooked in a cermaic vase. We had the next day to ourselves. Chuck chose to hike to Vernazza. I took the train and we enjoyed lunch overlooking the ocean. Back to Monterosso for a climb to a winery and exploring a cemetery.
