Whether we were stumbling across Michelangelo's River God being restored or bumping into a filming of Italy's got talent, the best part of our time in Italy was just being in the moment. I've tried to spare you from our hundreds of pictures of Renaissance art and share some of those "in the moments" with you--the Dolce Vita. I've been to Italy twice before on what could only be described as survey trips. This trip was a meander through only a few exceptionally well know Italian cities: Florence (8 days with a side trip to Pisa), Assisi (3 days), Rome (11 days). Recommendations: Travel Book:
Trains between cities and all transportation within Rome were very easy to manage. High speed trains make for a quick journey north to south. Accommodation: We used VRBO in Florence and Rome. Both were well located but the one in Florence was exceptional. In Assisi we stayed with the sisters at St. Anthony's guest house (this is a must do!) Our Review of Firenze (Florence) VRBO Listing #1146328ha As we settled into our well located apartment we gathered ingredients from our treat basket to assemble our first pasta dinner in Florence. Now that our bellies were full we loaded up the washing machine and headed around the corner to purchase our gelato at Gelateria dei Neri. Moments later we were enjoying people watching, along with our tasty treats and David, on the Piazza della Signoria. During our eight day stay we fell in love with our Firenze apartment. Absolutely everything was within walking distance including the train station for day trips. We would like to express our appreciation to our friendly and helpful hosts. You are a blessing. General Hints:
1. Eat gelato every day 2. Splurge for dinner on a piazza 3. Look for seasonal opportunities (olive oil festival, All Saints Day, etc. ) 4. Enjoy local markets off the tourist path 5. Don't try to see everything in a museum/gallery--you will get art indigestion--know which highlights you want to see before you go 6. Seek out art in situ 7. Buy the three day Firenze pass (with some smart planning you can get six days of activity out of it) 8. But a transportation pass in Rome--it is a really big city! Oh, and finally, plan to go back some day because you will fall in love with Italy!
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Twenty-two Maple Leaves on Marble--Twenty-two Canadian Young Men Taken Too Soon--Today at the Rome War Cemetery we Remembered Them.
A friend emailed me today and commented on how "Canadian" it makes you feel to see fallen soldiers with a maple leaf on their gravestones in a far away land. Well, he is absolutely right. Not only does it remind you of our Canadian freedoms it makes you feel proud to be Canadian. Today twenty-seven embassies placed wreaths on the commonwealth memorial monument. If even the peoples of those twenty-seven countries would unite to pray for peace in our time -- Lord make it so. Lord, make me an instrument of Your peace; Where there is hatred, let me sow love; Where there is injury, pardon; Where there is discord, harmony; Where there is error, truth; Where there is doubt, faith; Where there is despair, hope; Where there is darkness, light; And where there is sadness, joy. ~St Francis You Are Always in Our Prayers. Love Mom. We started our morning in the Christian Catacombs of Priscilla and ended the day at Santa Maria della Vittoria reflecting on the sculpture of the ecstasy of St. Teresa. What a contrast! The dank catacombs spoke of sacrifice and martyrdom. Bernini's statue of Teresa captures the joy she experienced when an angel pierced her heart with the fire of the Lord and she realized that only God could satisfy. That is the joy I wish for each of you. Let nothing disturb thee, nothing affright thee All things are passing; God never changeth; Patient endurance attaineth to all things; Who God possesseth in nothing is wanting; Alone God sufficeth. ~ St. Teresa of Avila You are Always in my Prayers. Love Mom. Because I have been bragging about our perfect weather I feel compelled to admit we have had a wee bit of rain in the last couple of days. Here is an excerpt from the local news:
Rome was placed on heightened alert as torrential rain spread from northern Italy. Mayor Ignazio Marino advised residents to stay at home. Well, in spite of Mayor Marino's sage advice we decided to head off to the Borghese Gallery on foot. After all, those tickets are hard to get. I can't say we arrived dry, but after Dad removed his socks and rung them out in the gallery bathroom we were good to go. Being the only ones there for the guided tour we were able to enjoy the private attention of an art historian as she explained the incredible sculptures of Bernini. As you can see we, and Rome, have recovered from the weather. We decided it was a good day to take the bus over to church of Santa Maria in Cosmedin and tempt the Bocca della Verità. Did Dad tell the truth? Well, he managed to cook ravioli with ricotta and spinach with fresh pesto for super. But, did he make that amazing meal with one hand or two? You are Always in my Prayers. Love Mom. Fides et Veritas--faith and truth--Dolce Vita |
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Ray & Diane
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