Traveling Home

It took us 23 1/2 hours door to door to get home. Our last meal in Rome happened at the Termini train station - breakfast of a pastry and a cappuccino at the Autostrade cafe.

Both flights were on time, but flying in an Airbus 333 is the most crowded and cramped I have been on a flight, and 9 1/2 hours on that one was about all I could take.

We made it home by 10:30, and I was soon in deep sleep.

Ruins

It wasn't much warmer today, but it was certainly sunnier with no chance of rain, so we knew we needed to spend our last day in Rome in the famous ruins. Claire's experience told us that we should go to the Forum first since our tickets there would get us into not only the Forum, but Palatine Hill and the Colosseum. She said the lines at the Colosseum to buy tickets are much longer.

The Forum could take quite a few hours to complete, including a walk up to Palatine Hill. So much to see, so much to wonder about. Before we got too famished, we took a long walk to the Travestere District (Rome's Bohemia) to find a little recommended restaurant. The food was only okay, the service not pleasant. I guess the wandering through that part of town was the highlight of that break.

On the way to the Colosseum, we ran into the museum which is running a special exhibit of Giotto works. Giotto is one of Claire's favorite artists, so handed her museum fare and headed to the Colosseum since she'd already been there in January. We planned to meet up in front of the Parthenon at the given time.

The Colosseum was all that I imagined, and I happily took lots of pictures. We met up with Claire at 5:00, but the Pantheon was closed again, this time for services. So we never got to go in.

Our final night included a bread and cheese picnic in the hotel with our final gelato cones for dessert.

Vatican City

Today the weather turned significantly colder, so we headed for an indoor venue, the Vatican. Claire had not seen the Sistine Chapel during her last visit, so we headed there first. We were not the only people with that in mind, as you can see from this line of people. At this point we had made it up the line and were snaking back. I think we were in line for well over an hour, almost two, in the windy, cloudy, cold weather.

Once inside the museum (your ticket gets you into all the museums), you are completely blown away by all the art there. Hordes of people keep pushing you through as you see rooms and rooms of sculptures, tapestries, art, etc. Signs keep pointing the way to the Sistine Chapel, and we were swept away with the tide of people toward the destination. I'm not sure how long it took, but we finally made it into the chapel, which was not at all what I imagined. It felt more like a vault with an amazingly high ceiling.

Of course, you could see the famous picture of Adam and God reaching towards each other, right in the middle of the ceiling, but every inch of the chapel is covered with art. We were supposed to be quiet and not take pictures, and the guards kept telling us that in about four languages, but people were paying no mind to the orders. I didn't take photos, and besides, they wouldn't have turned out very well, anyway. We must have staying in the crowded room for about 15 minutes before we felt we could move on.

We worked our way back to the hotel for a little nap before we struck out for the most delicious spaghetti dinner I have ever had, and I think it was my favorite meal during the trip.

Roma!

Saying good-bye to Tuscany and our great little B & B in Arezzo, we took off for Rome. We dropped off our little blue Fiat at the Rome Airport and took the Leonard Express into the main train station and walked the few blocks to our little hotel. By 3:00 we were ready for a stroll, so we did all the free things within easy walking distance of The Galatea Hotel. The Spanish Steps (and the church at the top of the steps), Trevi Fountain (with the obligatory throwing of the coins), and the Pantheon (which was having a concert, so we could only peek in the door a little).

We enjoyed a delicious pizza dinner at the recommended restaurant that was on the same block as our hotel.

Florence

Today we spent the day in Florence (Firenza) taking in the art. Most magnificent, of course, is Michelangelo's David, as well as the Duomo. We also enjoyed Claire's guidance through the Uffizzi Gallery - another "must see". We wandered over to the Ponte Vecchio (Old Bridge) and window shopped along the bridge. We weren't in the market for expensive jewelry.

After we wandered the city center, we drove up to Fiesole, a little hill town north of Florence to see the view. The view would have been much better if it wasn't so very hazy. We think that was due to to the burning of the fields throughout Tuscany.

Siena

Today was our day for Siena. Claire has two Goucher friends studying on an art program there this semester, so we met up with them while we explored the town. What's beautiful, to me, about Siena is the medieval architecture. The great Il Campo reminds me of a beach, with all kinds of people strolling around while many others just sit and enjoy the view.

Here we are at the doors of the Duomo.

Day Two in Toscana

Last night we were treated to a huge thunderstorm in the middle of the night. I know this because I couldn't fall asleep for hours, and because the thunder was very loud. So today was an easy day of sightseeing. We drove north to the Casentino region - mountains and forests.

First stop was Poppi, a small hill town with a castle on top. Castle closed on Mondays, but pretty pictures outside. Lots of driving through the National Forest with a lunch stop of leftover pizza in the car. It was a little too chilly to eat outside.

By afternoon we reached La Verne, home of the monestary that St. Francis founded. We didn't make it into the sanctuary because of the service going on, but we could hear the monks (or some group) singing. Plenty of opportunity for picture-taking, though.

Back to Arezzo, we promised Claire to stop at the Ipercoop where she had never been. Apparently, it is the Super Target equivalent. The exciting part of the shopping experience (more exciting than choosing what pasta we'll have tonight for dinner and the chocolate for afternoon treat) was the sensor I set off going into the store. The security guard had to come take me to a room and wand me (no common language for us here). Turns out I had not clipped my sensor in my new sweater, so he took a scissors to it immediately and then set me free to shop! It's frustrating to not speak the language, but we seem to manage, and grazie goes a long way with a smile.

Day One * Hill Towns

It's amazing what 12 hours of sleep will do for you. After our B&B breakfast (everything you need in the room), we took off for Cortona and Perugia. Cortona is the setting for the book and movie Under the Tuscan Sun. After we drove to the hilltop, we found the free parking lot and then continued our walk up steep hills for beautiful views and village charm. Lunch was a picnic of bread and cheese and tangerines overlooking the valley just outside the Etruscan walls of the city.

After lunch was a road trip to Perugia, a veritable city with the town center atop the hill. Wide streets, tony shopping, and, of course, a stop for gelato. Just a piccolo cone (little). I really enjoy listening to Italian being spoken. The language is so musical. I also love to see what the locals are wearing. Most are so fashionable.

Arrival in Italy!

After an uneventful, but most uncomfortable plane ride, we arrived in Rome only 2 hours late (okay, that was a little eventful). Successful in our navigation, we drove the Autostrada to Arezzo. Driving IN Arezzo, however, was a little tricky, but after 20 minutes of being lost in town, the nice gas station man drew us a map, and we found Claire's villa AND Claire!

Took a tour of the villa, a driving tour of Arezzo town center, checked into our very cute B&B, walking tour of Arezzo, stop at the grocery store (really a supermarket), and we were ready to crash. Claire cooked us up some great pasta and green beans, and by 8 p.m. we were snoozing.