Best of Italy, September 2023
I joined my friends (the thirty plus year variety), Donna and Tish, for this unforgettable trip. My new friends, Robin and Sissy, were part of our tight knit group. We enjoyed the company of all the others in our tour group. (Even the large contingency of Chicago Bears fans!)
These pics are outside at St. Peter’s Square and Basilica.
The above pics are of the Papal Basilica of Saint Peter in the Vatican, or simply Saint Peter's Basilica, is a church built in the Renaissance style located in Vatican City, the papal enclave that is within the city of Rome.
This location is part of Vatican City. Our tour guide provided information via these pics of the Sistine Chapel paintings. Since photos are not allowed in the Sistine Chapel, this is the best mini-view of this sight. This feat is one of mankind’s greatest artistic achievements located in the Sistine Chapel. In 1508, a young Michelangelo was commissioned by Pope Julius II to decorate the chapel’s ceiling – a request not welcomed by the 33-year-old sculptor. Michelangelo’s 4-year project was indeed one of physical pain and psychological distress, while painting from scaffolds high above the sanctuary floor. Nevertheless, he created what is considered the most famous ceiling in the world, depicting the Creation of Adam in striking fresco style.
The above pics are of the Vatican Museum. Every inch is covered with tapestries, paintings, beautiful marble floors, and jaw dropping ceiling art.
The above pics are of the Pantheon, the best preserved Roman temple. The pictures below are at the Colosseum. It's an overwhelming experience that makes you think of past movie experiences brought back to life.
The above pics are of Navona Square, the heart and soul of Rome’s social life; and beautiful Trevi Fountain, where legend says tossing a coin will ensure your return to Rome! All of these Rome sites were part of our 'Rome in One Day' marathon. Definitely sore feet and bodies at the end of this day.
The next day we visited Orvieto’s Cathedral that's perched atop a volcanic hill in stunning style that features a large rose window, golden mosaics, and massive bronze doors. Inside, its frescoed chapels are adorned with spectacular works such as the Judgement Day, the coronation of Mary, the Pietà created by the great artist Scalza, and a spectacular organ with 5,585 pipes. Here, a blood-stained relic cloth is stored in the Chapel of the Corporal, remembrance of the 1263 miracle of Bolsena – when a priest who doubted his faith witnessed the Communion Host begin to bleed onto the altar cloth.
The next day we traveled on to our hotel, Croce Di Malta in central, Italy. We joined an excursion to an olive farm for a dinner at this Tuscan farm. We were transported to the Tuscan countryside for a memorable outing to a traditional farmhouse. Savor a hearty dinner of regional specialties made with farm-grown ingredients. We enjoyed the live music and dancing--and oh yes, the unlimited wine.
The above pics are of our tour of Florence. We saw Michelangelo’s masterpiece, David, at the Academy of Fine Arts, Giotto’s Bell Tower, the Baptistry’s heavy bronze “Gates of Paradise,” and Signoria Square. There was so much beautiful art and architecture it was difficult to take it all in. We had to resort to gelato to sooth our dizzy experience. The designer and architect Bernardo Buontalenti invented gelato in 16th-century Florence. Created with less fat and less air than commercial ice cream, gelato is a dense, creamy, frozen confection served in a multitude of tastes.
Next, we motored on to Pisa. We saw architecture gone askew from the viewpoint of the Piazza dei Miracoli in Pisa. Then we checked in to our hotel, Carlton on the Grand Canal, in Venice. I was very surprised to have the only room with a balcony view of the Grand Canal. Very scenic, fun, and helpful to dry my mid-vacation laundry. The video below was my view as well as another canal view and St. Mark's square.
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We started our tour of Venice with a night out on the Grand Canal. This splendid dinner outing began with a ride by private water-taxi along the Grand Canal to one of the Floating City’s most celebrated restaurants. We had dinner of four mouthwatering courses of local specialties and wine. The next day we toured VENICE ISLAND by a private boat ride on the canals. Then a guided walking tour included St. Mark’s Square and Basilica, Doge’s Palace and the Bridge of Sighs followed by a glassblowing demonstration. Piazza San Marco “la piazza.” paired with the smaller Piazzetta, forms the social, religious, and political hub of Venice, which Napoleon called “the drawing room of Europe.” St. Mark’s Basilica also graces the square with Doge’s Palace – a masterpiece of Venetian Gothic architecture. We saw the Bridge of Sighs, that connects the palace with the prison, it's named for the prisoners breathing in their last view of the Rio di Palazzo on their walk to the prison’s interrogation rooms.
We later joined an excursion via Lagoon Cruise with a Meal in Burano. This popular half-day excursion offered a unique perspective of the floating city—from the water! We savored a scrumptious fish Italian meal.
The next day we checked out of our hotel. We had a scenic drive through the Apennine Mountains en route to Assisi. In Assisi we toured St. Clare’s Church and St. Francis’ Basilica. We walked in the footsteps of St. Francis of Assisi with a visit to the Basilica named after the deacon, friar, and mystic, who became one of the most venerated religious figures in Christianity. Revered for his love of the Eucharist and the Earth, Francis found communion with God through nature here in this Italian village where he lived and died. We saw the magnificent frescoes by Italian master Giotto that adorn the Basilica where the Saint is buried. This was of special interest to me as Francis was my husband's namesake middle name. We then checked in to Cenacolo, V.Le Patrono D’Italia in Assisi.
Next we visited the fascinating archaeological site of Pompeii, a treasured glimpse into Roman life near the Bay of Naples. This once thriving and sophisticated Roman city was consumed by the catastrophic eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 A.D., with its residents and structures buried beneath inescapable ash and stone. We saw the preserved site of excavated ruins that reveal remarkable frescoes, artwork, and artifacts within its streets and the dwellings of the people who perished here.
We embarked on a jetfoil ride to the island of Capri. In Capri we took a funicular ride from the harbor to Capri village. We later checked into our hotel Weber Ambassador, in Capri. We had a perfect day for an open-taxi ride to Anacapri takes you to stunning Villa San Michele perched high above the breathtaking Bay of Naples. Swedish physician Axel Munthe dedicated much of his life to the construction of the villa and surrounding gardens. His masterpiece, the Story of San Michele, recounts of his wish for a “house open to the sun and wind and the voice of the sea, like a Greek temple, and light, light, light everywhere!” We followed our visit to the villa with a spectacular cruise around the isle of Capri. Capri was so scenic and relaxing, it was hard to move on from there.
We took a large passenger ship from Capri to Sorrento. Like the sirens of Greek mythology that lured sailors to the rocky shores of Sorrento, we were drawn to its alluring panoramas, bistros, and boutiques. We sat in sidewalk cafes to peruse the picturesque panoramas on the Bay of Naples. I missed taking pics of Sorrento because I was too busy buying their goods. Lovely shopping. From Sorrento we reunited with our bus and driver to return to Rome. It was a wonderful and beautiful trip. It was a long flight home, but now I only remember the highlights of the trip and the company of good friends.