Sunday, October 16, 2011

Saturday, October 15, 2011

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JOL on Cinque Terre footpath.
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Verraza, Cinque Terre.
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Friday, October 14, 2011

Thursday, October 13, 2011

Florence

We have walked tens of thousands of steps and untold miles across Florence (untold because I cannot figure out how to adjust the number of inches to my step on my pedometer- it is now set at 63). Florence is packed with Renaissance art and tourists (in October!). It is quite impressive, but not as charming as Siena. Siena is a beautifully preserved medieval city, left behind by the Renaissance. However, I may have enjoyed Siena because we stayed at a really nice hotel.
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Brunelleschi Dome, Florence.
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Florence Duomo.
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Florence Duomo and Campanile.
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Florence rooftops from the Campanile.
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Florence Baptistery
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Florence Babpistery Interior, 2.
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Interior, Florence Baptistery.
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Ponte Vecchio, Florence.
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Florence Baptistery
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No service

In Florence? Probably too many tourists sending pictures.
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Wednesday, October 12, 2011

Update

Since we left the Sparandaras in front of the Rome Termini at 11pm Sunday nite, we have taken a train and taxi to Assisi, 3 trains and 2 taxis to Siena and a bus to Florence. We are now waiting in line to see Michaelangelo's David.
I have accepted Jim's Italian eating pattern: a hearty breakfast, ice cream for lunch and a nice dinner.
Picture: roofs of Florence from Campanile.
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Tuesday, October 11, 2011

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Siena street.
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Pisano Pulpit, Duomo, Siena.
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Campo rooftops, Siena
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Michaelangelo, Duomo, Siena
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Duomo, Siena
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Courtyard, Siena
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Campo, Siena
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Gelato, Siena.
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Accommodating miscalculations

We have learned two things so far on this trip: how to read an Italian regional train schedule and that the Rome Metro stops running at 10 pm on Sunday night. We have managed to adjust for miscalculations 4 times so far by taking taxis. We circumnavigated an entire country on foot looking for a Metro entrance (that would be the Vatican City). Oh well. Lots of steps.

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Monday, October 10, 2011

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Courtyard, Basilica of St. Francis.
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Upper church, Basilica of St. Francis, Assisi.
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Dinner with Michael and Melanie.
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Sunday, October 9, 2011

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Baldacchino, designed by Bernini, St. Peter's Basilica, Vatican City.
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St. Theresa in Ecstasy

Bernini.
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Borghese Gallery

Up at 6:15, breakfast at 7, to get to the Borghese Gallery by 8:30 to pick up our tickets for the 9-11 entrance (previously ordered on line). Viewing of the Borghese is highly regimented, but no more than a Lacoco tour. It was worth it: Berninis and Caravaggios. Nothing more to say.
Picture: JOL and some pines of Rome at the Villa Borghese Gardens.
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Trevi Fountain
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Pantheon

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Night walking tour of Rome

The travel to Rome was exhausting but as expected. Easy Jet was efficient, although we had to exit and go back thru screening to get our luggage.
We met Sara's mother-in-law and brother-in-law as planned. A ride on the tourist/pickpocket bus to Campo de' Fiori.
After an excellent dinner at a restaurant recommended by Jo, we set off on a walk across Rome.
Piazza Navona (Bernini Four Rivers Fountain-pictured), Pantheon, Trevi Fountain, Spanish Steps.
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Saturday, October 8, 2011

The Splacos do Rome

Dinner at La Carbonara, Campo de' Fiori.

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4 am Chicago time

Arrive Milan.
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Midnight Chicago time

Arrive Frankfurt.
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Friday, October 7, 2011

Off we go

So- to Italy. Luftansa to Milan thru Frankfurt using United miles. Then Easyjet to Rome (34 Euros each).
We are traveling thru Italy by bus and train. So we are packed very lightly. Check out my luggage. No backpack!
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Tuesday, September 20, 2011