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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. 4706. arkymalarky - 3/20/2012 8:30:43 PM Yay for you Jen!! 4707. vonKreedon - 3/20/2012 8:39:23 PM Oh man Jen, I am seriously envious of your time in the Sistine Chapel. How was the Vasari Corridor? Did you go up to the top of the Duomo in Florence? What was your favorite meal?
I so want to go back. 4708. Jenerator - 3/20/2012 9:45:18 PM It was wonderful, Arky. :) 4709. Jenerator - 3/20/2012 10:13:21 PM VonK,
The Vasari Corridor was great! I had art/historian guide and looked at select works throughout the Uffizi (Giotto, Botticelli, Michelangelo, etc.) and then worked our way to the private/secret entrance. This corridor was made for the Medici family for a few reasons. (1) They knew that the papal corridor (the Passetto di Borgo) was used successfully by the Pope when the Germans tried to attack and kill him. (2) They knew that it would provide a way for the Medicis to move about unnoticed. And, (3) it would be a way for them to store more of their extensive art collection. The guide said that it housed works that inspired Cosimo I and later generations (Leopold is who had it had built). Vasari had the unique challenge of building between homes that were already located where the corridor went, and he was able to build it quickly - five months!
Unfortunately, a terrorist attack in 1993 destroyed some of the paintings (Carravagio), but the portrait gallery is nearly intact. I saw self-portaits made by virtually every famous Italian painter known, and some others as well. Albrecht Durer, DaVinci, Rubens and Bernini were my favorite.
The next day I went to the Palazzo Vecchio and toured it extensively as well.
I did not climb to the top of the Duomo in Florence. I ran out of time. I did go inside it and the Medici chapel as well.
As for food - it was delicious every single day, every single meal. I did some research on food places I wanted to try before I visited. Probably the best meal I had was a tie between the lunch I had in Florence at dei Frescobaldi (http://www.deifrescobaldi.it/ristorante-wine-bar-firenze/home.html)
and the dinner at l'Osteria di Memmo in Rome (http://www.osteriadememmo.it)
I had fantastic cacio e pepe at other places, and was decadently indulged by the owner of a family run deli/salami shop - Volpetti. Not to mention the market I shopped in and all of the gelato I tried. I could go on and on!
Thankfully I walked for ten hours every day. 4710. judithathome - 3/21/2012 6:18:41 PM Your trip sounds great and well-rounded...I agree about Milan.
I had a little pang when you said a Carravagio had been destroyed...we went twice to the exhibit of his paintings that was here at the Kimball in Dec/Jan. He was amazing and his work is so unique, it can be identified as soon as you enter a room.
You need to spend your entire summer there next!! 4711. thoughtful - 3/21/2012 9:48:12 PM Rec'd an Xmas card from high school gf who won a fellowship which included living in Italy for 11 mos. not bad.... 4712. Jenerator - 3/22/2012 7:40:16 PM Judith,
Milan was dirty, in my opinion. The people were incredibly snobby and put off by anything. In fact, I don't recall a single 'thank you' for anything. Yes it's Milan - the fashion capital of the world. But honestly, if I want to buy a Louis Vuitton bag, I can drive to Northpark Mall in Dallas and buy one - and I will get better service. The thing about shopping, for me, is that the world has become a smaller place. Designers are not localized anymore. Armani, Prada and Fendi aren't solely located in Italy - they're everywhere.
That said, I loved the Last Supper exhibit and the hotel I stayed in was excellent. 4713. Jenerator - 3/22/2012 7:41:17 PM For me, Rome is where I would gladly move. Florence is a very close second. And you know, I thought it (Florence) had *excellent* shopping. 4714. Jenerator - 3/22/2012 7:43:34 PM And for you coffee loves like me, I found the best coffee I have EVER had in Rome (another reason I love the place). Plus it's right around the corner from the Pantheon, and not that far from a Bernini fountain.
Sant Eustachio
Hands down, the very best, most voluptuous espresso I have ever had.
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