VENICE - At one time the world's richest city

The view from our hotel in the old section of Venice

Il Canal Grande- The Grand Canal

Ponte di Rialto -Rialto Bridge built in the mid 1500's by a man appropriately named Antonio da Ponte

Typical side canals

Piazza San Marco with its cafes and orchestra music playing everywhere

Basilica di San Marco - a combination of   Byzantine and Romanesque styles

Palazzo Ducale ( Doge's Palace). A Gothic - Renaissance fantasia of pink and white marble. Much more than a residence this was Venice's White House, Senate, torture chamber, and prison all rolled into one.

Laura hoping the gondola will give here a lift

Some palaces that were once homes along the Grand Canal

St Mark's and Doges Palace - view from the vaporetto on the Grand Canal

No cars, no bikes but I feel bad for the ladies with baby carriages

Top of the domes of St Mark's Basilica

Laura and Jacqui soaking in the sun on the Grand Canal

Just another small summer house - currently The Museum of Natural History

Venice's Grand Canal is one of the world's greatest thoroughfares with 200 palazoos born of a culture obsessed with opulence and fantasy. The palaces were built from the 12th to the 18th centuries by the cities richest families. The architectural styles along the Grand Canal are of Byzantine, Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque designs. Many have been converted to museums, hotels and government buildings but some are still private residences.  This is one of the most romantic cities in the world.

CINQUE TERRE (five lands all fishing villlages) -Monterosso,Vernazza,Corniglia,Manarola and Riomaggiore

One hot Italian

Two hot Italian

Monterosso- the most resort-like of the villages, with beautiful beaches, rugged cliffs and crystal clear turquoise waters.

Laura and Jacqui in cerca di pranzo - seeking lunch

Festa del Limone  - Lemon Festival

Le strade della Vernazza - the streets of Vernazza

Corniglia is the only town perched up on the rugged cliffs

Manorola- piu bella - most photogenic of the five villages

Jacqui and Laura taking the walk between Manarola and Riomaggiore known as the Via dell'Amore (Lovers Lane).

Le barche da pesca - The fishing boats of Riomaggiore

Riomaggiore- built into a river gorge thus the name which means "river major".

Pescatori arrivano dopo una lunga giornata. Cinque Terre fishermen coming in after a long day

 

                                                 


Cinque Terre is both charming and breathtaking. The area is made up of 5 tiny villages clinging to the cliffs along a gorgeous stretch of the Ligurian coast. The terrain is so steep that for centuries footpaths were the only way to get from place to place. The paths provide beautiful views of the rocky coast tumbling into the sea. Today these trails attract hikers from all over the world.

SIENA, SAN GIMIGNANO AND PISA

Siena, Piazza del Campo - where the famous Palio horserace takes place every year for the last 500 years

Siena's Duomo is one of the finest Gothic cathedrals in Italy

A piazza in medievil  San Gimignanano- home of the famous white wine Vernaccia

Vista da San Gimignano

Strada di San Gimignano

Campo dei Miracoli- the Field of Miracles where the Leaning Tower, the Duomo, the Camposanto and the Baptistery are located- is one of the most dramatic and beautiful architectural complexes in Italy

 The lower four levels are leaning to the right -looking closely you can see the upper 3 levels were added on in a more upright position

Laura doing her best to keep the tower from falling

Jacqui steps in to lend a hand

A closer look at the foundation area that is sinking

Steak Tuscan Style is fit for both man and beast

Laura and Jacqui's introduction to Florence near the Ponte Vecchio

ROMA- LA CITTA 'ETERNA

LAURA AND JACQUI AT THE SPANISH STEPS- PIAZZA DE SPAGNA

SWISS GUARDS AT ST PETER'S  BASILICA

LA PIETA - words cannot describe

INSIDE ST PETER'S BASILICA - MARBLE MARBLE AND MORE MARBLE

And his light shined upon them

THE MAIN ALTAR

THE MOLDING IS ALMOST AS HIGH AS LAURA AND JACQUI

THE SQUARE OF ST PETER'S BASILICA

COLOSSEO- legend has it as long as the Colosseum stands, Rome will stand

ALL'INTERNO DEL COLOSSEO

80 AD

ROMAN FORUM - 500 BC TO AD400

PIAZZA NAVONA

THE PANTHEON - REBUILT IN 100AD  BY EMPEROR HADRIAN- 141 FEET HIGH BY 141 FEET WIDE WHICH HAD THE LARGEST DOME EVER DESIGNED UNTIL THE 20TH CENTURY

INSIDE THE PANTHEON

LA LUCE SPLENDENTE

JACQUI SMILING WHILE LAURA IS TAKING PICUTRES

FUORI DEL PANTHEON

FONTANA DI TREVI 

LIFE IS A PIAZZA -  for Italians, la piazza serves as a punto d'incontro- a meeting place - for dinner plans, drinks, people-watching,catching up with friends and, as Romans would say, exchanging due chiacchiere (two words). As dinner approaches at 9, the big question is : Are you "in" or "out"(inside table or outside table). No matter: the people watching is unrivaled anywhere you sit.