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4686. iiibbb - 3/4/2012 12:36:43 AM I like Mark Twain's accounts... 4687. Jenerator - 3/5/2012 5:45:30 PM I will take lots of pictures, and I love all of the recommendations you all have!
I picked up Vasari's Lives of the Artists so that I will really be able to appreciate the collection in the corridor and the Uffizi.
I have mapped out places to go and see and eat it. It's a good thing I am walking so much.
I am very excited about Rome, too. The biggest splurge is the private tour of the Sistine Chapel. I simply cannot wait.
Another place I am excited to see is the pub called Ma che Siete Venuti a Fà. It features some of the best (and hardest to find) beers - Pannepot Riserva being my favorite holy grail type ale.
Just a few more days. 4688. thoughtful - 3/5/2012 5:52:43 PM My memories of Rome...be sure to find a dive of a deli around the corn somewhere and get yourself caprese...it is so delish...a little bit of heaven on each...crusty Italian bread drizzled with olive oil and then slices of fresh tomato, mozzarella and basil with a touch of sal e pepe...yummo!
My other memory of Rome was, by that time in our tour, my country dogs needed to leave pavement and get some grass under them, so we went to Borghese Park which was lovely. There was a wonderful overlook of Rome and just as we were looking out, Italy scored a goal during the soccer tournament, and literally we heard the entire city erupt in cheers, horn blowing, etc. Quite a moment! 4689. vonKreedon - 3/5/2012 8:46:45 PM We were in Florence during the 2000 European Football Championships when Italy won it's semi-final game. As Jen says, the whole city went from very quiet to raucous in moments. Overloaded scooters suddenly appeared racing down the narrow streets honking their horns while people shot bottle rockets out of upper story windows. 4690. vonKreedon - 3/5/2012 8:47:19 PM Oops, as Thoughtful says, not Jen. Sorry Thoughtful, that was thoughtless. 4691. bhelpuri - 3/8/2012 7:42:27 AM The Pantheon in Rome is 500 times more interesting and impressive than the Vatican. 4692. Jenerator - 3/8/2012 8:54:34 PM I can't wait to see the Pantheon, either. It looks the weather has cleared up. I was nervous a few weeks ago when Italy was suffering the 'worst winter' in 27 years.
I have to admit that I have been looking at homes in the Abruzzo region and seriously considering buying a shack.
Other advice I have been given is to eat gelato wherever I see it. Evidently there is no bad gelato in Rome.
I'm spending time in Milan, too. I have a few places mapped out there as well.
4693. thoughtful - 3/9/2012 6:02:35 PM Will you be doing Venice as well? It was by far my favorite. Best walking city ever. Even the way the buildings decay is artistic. 4694. Wombat - 3/9/2012 6:26:54 PM The roof of the Duomo in Milan is the best vantage point for the cathedral's amazing collection of carvings and gargoyles. 4695. judithathome - 3/9/2012 8:54:39 PM Agree with Thoughtful...Venice is fabulous for the walking. You can't get lost!
And there IS no bad gelato in Italy, period.
Don't worry about gaining weight...you'll walk it all off.
4696. vonKreedon - 3/9/2012 9:49:57 PM +3 on walking in Venice, though I found that you can get lost, particularly in the Jewish Quarter, but that's fun also. 4697. thoughtful - 3/9/2012 10:07:20 PM Note the size of the servings of gelato or granita...it's why Europeans are so slim...portion control. 4698. judithathome - 3/9/2012 10:57:35 PM Well, VK, I meant getting lost in the way you can do in Paris or Berlin...face it, you walk long enough in Venice and you'll eventually be back at St. Peter's...or at least the Grand Canal. 4699. vonKreedon - 3/9/2012 11:37:40 PM You're right Judith, that's what makes getting lost in Venice fun vs. really aggrevating (sp?). 4700. Jenerator - 3/10/2012 12:01:27 AM I'm not going to Venice this time around - just Rome, Florence and Milan. 4701. thoughtful - 3/10/2012 12:04:33 AM A nice trip. When we were in Milan we were not able to see the Last Supper as it was being restored...maybe you'll get to see it. 4702. Jenerator - 3/10/2012 12:18:37 AM That's the plan. Supposedly it's finished. 4703. judithathome - 3/10/2012 2:49:37 AM Jen, you'll go back...trust me. 4704. Jenerator - 3/20/2012 7:29:06 PM Well, it was the time of my life. I seriously want to move to Rome or Florence (I didn't care for Milan at all).
I shot over 1,200 pictures. I will sort through them and post some highlights.
I've only gotten two hours of sleep in the last 36 hours, so I am pooped. 4705. Jenerator - 3/20/2012 7:35:38 PM Bhel puri,
I spent a couple of hours in the Pantheon with a local historian. It's a true marvel of engineering and Roman ingenuity. I took dozens of pictures.
That said, the Vatican is equally impressive and holds more art and works. For me, the Vatican wins. One of the best parts of the trip, and of my life, was sitting in the Sistine Chapel with only five other people and enjoying the ceiling and the Last Judgment of Christ.
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