Italy, June 2008

Carlyn and Cari's Web Page Carlyn and Cari's Guest book Venice in November Spain with Lin and Monica The Louvre and Monet's House and Garden, September 2009 Disneyland Paris- The end to my month long 50th birthday celebration London Skyride- September 20, 2009 ARRAY(0xa5757f4) Switzerland- July 2009 Carlyn's Birthweek 2009- Fun, Food and Henry VIII Sailing Trip on the Solent of the English Channel, June 2009 Istanbul, Turkey- May 2009 Aberdeen with Jacky and Steve The Loire Valley with Mom and Sheri Budapest, April 2009 The German Christmas Markets with Joyce, December 2008 The Lord Mayor Show, November 8, 2008 Madrid and Andalucia, October 2008 Krakow, Poland- September 2008 Cari's Birthweek- Germany Dinner at Muspatts Farm celebrating Carlyn's Italy, June 2008 The Lake District- May 2008 York- May Day Holiday Weekend 2008 Cornwall and Wales- Page 1 Cornwall and Wales- Page 2 Hever Castle Blemhein Palace Hastings and Battle- 1066 Country Brighton German Christmas Market Fall in Provence Paris in a Day Visitors at Parliament Square Amsterdam and Kuekenhof The South West "Jurassic" Coast Cambridge Christmas and Canterbury Normandy Austria Prague, Czech Republic Belgium break ARRAY(0xa5757f4) Blog

Rome and Beyond.........

Buongiorno!We began Carlyn’s Birthmonth with a trip to Italy and had an amazing time.  We tagged the trip “The Art” tour which was what we did from Milan to Rome with a few distractions along the way. 

Early Saturday we headed to Lake Como for an all day tour beginning in Como, taking a two hour cruise up the lake

Italian village along Lake Como. Home to the Rich and Famous (i.e. George Clooney)

Bellagio, Italy, at the Y in the lake that divides Como and Lecco and where the cruise stopped and shopping began

Swiss and Italian Alps from the Ferry

An exceptionally large and elaborate Gothic cathedral on the main square of Milan, the Duomo di Milano is one of the most famous buildings in Europe. It is the largest Gothic cathedral and the second largest Catholic cathedral in the world.

Carlyn heading for dinner along one of Milan’s Canals. The canal Naviglio Grande was constructed from 1177 to 1257 and is about 50 km long. In the past it was used as transporting way of goods, particularly for the blocks of marble that were used for building the Cathedral

Look closely! We are taking a break on the Spanish steps.With its characteristic butterfly plan, the Piazza di Spagna is one of the most famous images in the world, as well as being one of the most majestic urban monuments of Roman Baroque style. In the Renaissance period, the square was the most popular tourist attraction in the city: it attracted artists and writers alike and was full of elegant hotels, inns and residences

The Trevi Fountain is the most famous and arguably the most beautiful fountain in all of Rome. It is at the ending part of the Aqua Virgo, an aqueduct constructed in 19 BC. The water at the bottom of the fountain represents the sea. Legend has it you will return to Rome if you throw a coin into the water.

Carlyn and I at night in front of the Castel Sant Angelo, located on the banks of the river Tiber. The building was originally built as a mausoleum for the emperor Hadrian, and was completed after his death by his successor, Antoninus Pius. During the mid sixth century A.D. the building was converted into a fortress and became the military key to Rome for the next 1,000

The Colosseum.........duh...........which originally had about eighty entrances, was designed to hold approximately 50,000 spectators. The Roman emperor Vespasian started to build the amphitheatre in 72 A.D. although he died before its completion

The Pietà by Michelangelo inside St Peter's Basilica

Standing outside the Roman Forum, in front of the Arch of Setimius Severus. It was built in AD 203 to commemorate the victory over the Parthians

I’m having a lie down on a stone bed at Pomeii’s Lupanare, the ancient city's colorful whorehouse. The frescoes are like a list of offerings -- with a sexual position to satisfy everyone's preferences. "It's like a menu," our tour guild said. Value meal anyone?

Standing in the Forum of Ancient Pompeii

Carlyn looking into the crater of Vesuvious. Notice the only steam vent still active on Carlyn’s left. The crater is huge, nearly 2000 feet across and 650 feet deep

A view of Rome and St. Peter’s Basilica from the heights of Piazza Popolo

Enjoying the views of the coliseum

Enjoying the Roman Forum

St. Peter's square from atop St. Peter's Basilica (via 322 steps)

Carlyn and the Saints on St. Peter's

c. 1300, I touch the toes on this ancient bronze statue of St. Peter who has his right toes worn down by centuries of pilgrims who traditionally touch the foot

Old Rome with new poppies

Carlyn with an Roman ancient hand

the Etruscan bronze she-wolf nursing Romulus and Remus, the mythical founders of Rome in the Capitoline Museum

Having a wonderful Roman meal down an old Roman road

Looking down at the Alps from 30,000 feet

After being inspired, we came back and made fresh ravioli wit truffled honey sauce. Yum!