ROME

This is what was right outside of our hotel:  The Pantheon

Trevi fountain:

The Collosium:

Caesar was killed:

Roman Forum:

Bath made out of marble from Nero's garden

We gained a new appreciation for the amazing sculptures created by Michelangelo.  The Peita is the only sculpture signed by him (1499).  It is inside St. Peter's Basilica in Vatican City.

Outside the Vatican:

A few evenings, after a long day of sight seeing, we would sit out on the rooftop of our hotel and watch the sunset, watch the happening in the piazza down below and play cards.

Italy part 1: Venice, Florence and San Gimignano Oct. 2011

It's overwhelming to think about posting about Italy......  We had a wonderful 10 days with Julie and Allen in Venice, Florence and Rome.  The weather was beautiful, all our tour guides were fantastic, loved our hotels even the flights weren't too bad.  A big thanks to the many who helped with the kids so we could go on this one in a lifetime trip.  We will never forget it!


VENICE:  Enjoyed walking through the whole city.  We were surprised at how many houses were abandoned and the amount of graffiti.

We took a train to FLORENCE.  Loved the open markets and the statue of David.

FLORENCE:

On our way to Rome we stopped in 

San Gimignano (small walled medieval town in Tuscany):