Destination - Venice, Italy

"I will never forget experiencing Venice for the first time. It feels like you are transported to another time - the art, music, food and pure romance in the air is like no other place."

Elizabeth Berkley

 

 "Venice is like eating an entire box of chocolate liqueurs in one go."

Truman Capote

 

Venice

Today is my husband and my 46th wedding anniversary.  Seems like just yesterday, sometimes.  The reason I mention our anniversary, is because we visited Italy to celebrate our 25th anniversary and plan to go back to Italy in 2017 to celebrate our 50th.  One of my favorite places when we visited on that trip, was Venice.  There was just something about the atmosphere of the city that I loved.  Maybe it is all that water, since I am definitely a water person.  Or maybe it was all the colorful crumbling palazzos that line the Grand Canal, which I found to be charming and added such character to the place.  Or maybe it was St. Mark's Square or Harry's Bar, which I loved.  Whatever the reason, I plan to make it a definite stop on our return trip.



Some of the crumbling walls of Venice
I loved the textures and the atmosphere.

Venice is a city in northern Italy, the capital of the region Veneto and is world famous for its canals.  It is made up of 118 islands formed by approximately 150 canals in a shallow lagoon.  The islands are connect by around 400 bridges.  Transportation within the city is by foot or by water.  It is considered by many to be one of the most beautiful cities in the world.  The classical Venetian boat is the gondola, although now it is mostly used by tourists.  Most Venetians now travel by motorized waterbuses known as vaporetti.

If you go to Venice you will arrive on the mainland and will probably take a water bus over to the old city.  You will cross the Grand Canal, which is the main waterway of the city, to do this.  There are many things to see and do while visiting this city.  Below is my list of things.

Gondola on the Grand Canal

The Grand Canal is an ancient waterway, lined with buildings that were mostly built from the 13th to the 18th centuries.  It forms one of the major water-traffic corridors in the city.  The two mile trip from the railway station on the mainland to St. Marks Square provides a suberb introduction to the city.  Public transport is provided by water buses (vaporetto) and private water taxis, and many tourists explore the canal by gondola.  Whatever form of public transportation you decide on, make sure you tour the Grand Canal.

The glorious past of Venice returns once a year to the Grand Canal during the Regata Storica (historical regatta) on the first Sunday of September. The first of these regattas - boat races - were held in the 14th century. The races are proceeded by a spectacular boat parade, led by the Serenissima, a sumptuously decorated boat.

St. Mark's Square and the famous pigeons

Piazza San Marco (Saint Mark's Square), is the principal public square of Venice, where it is generally known just as "the Piazza".  A remark usually attributed to  Napoleon calls the Piazza San Marco "the drawing room of Europe."  It is one of the few remaining great urban spaces in Europe where human voices prevail over the sounds or motorized traffic. The Piazza is dominated at its eastern end by the Basilica of Saint Mark.  Towering over the square is the Campanile, which is the bell tower for the church.  It is famous for it massive amounts of pigeons.  At night there are cafes where you can eat or just have a drink and listen to the music.  The piazza is a great place to stroll around and do some people-watching.

Basilica St. Mark

The Cathedral Basilica of Saint Mark is the cathedral church of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Venice.  It is the most famous of the city's churches and one of the best known examples of Byzantine architecture.   It lies at the eastern end of  Saint Mark's Square, adjacent and connected to the Doge's Palace. The church is beautiful and well worth a visit, but make sure you dress appropriately, no shorts or bare shoulders even for children - you will be turned away if you ignore the rules. 

The Doge's Palace is a palace built in Venetian Gothic style, and one of the main landmarks of the city of Venice.  The palace was the residence of the Doges of Venice. A Doge is the elected-for-life Duke, the supreme authority of the Republic of Venice.  This was the most powerful half-acre in Europe for 400 years.  It was built to show off the power and wealth of Venice, and to remind all visitors that Venice was number one. It opened as a museum in 1923.  You can now tour the palace and see how the Doge's lived.  The tour includes the Bridge of Sighs and the prison.

The Campanile is St. Mark's Square

The Campanile is the bell tower of Saint Mark's Basilica.  It stands separate from the church in St. Mark's Square.  It is the highest structure in the city, offering a pigeon's-eye view that includes the lagoon, its neighboring islands, and the red rooftops and church domes and bell towers of Venice -- and, oddly, not a single canal. On a clear day, you may even see the outline of the distant snowcapped Dolomite Mountains. You can ride the elevator 318 feet to the top for the best view in Venice. For an ear-shattering experience, be on top when the bells ring.

Rialto Bridge at night

The Rialto Bridge is one of the four bridges spanning the Grand Canal in Venice. It is the oldest bridge across the canal, and was the dividing line for the districts of San Marco and San Polo. 
The Rialto Bridge is an elegant, arched stone bridge lined with arcades on each side. The central archway at its pinnacle, accessed via the wide stairs that rise from either side of the bridge, serves as a lookout perch. Under the arcades are numerous shops, many of which cater to the tourists who flock here to see this famous bridge and its views of the gondola-filled waterway of the Grand Canal.

Bridge of Sighs

The Bridge of Sighs is a bridge located in which is actually part of the Doge Palace. The enclosed bridge is made of white limestone and has windows with stone bars.   It passes over the Rio di Palazzo and connects the New Prison to the interrogation rooms in the Doge's Palace. It was built in 1602, and was the last view of Venice that convicts saw before their imprisonment.  The bridge name, given by the poet Lord Byron in the 19th century, comes from the suggestion that prisoners would sigh at their final view of beautiful Venice through the window before being taken down to their cells. In reality, the days of inquisitions and summary executions were over by the time the bridge was built and the cells under the palace roof were occupied mostly by small-time criminals. In addition, little could be seen from inside the Bridge due to the stone grills covering the windows.
A local legend says that lovers will be granted eternal love if they kiss on a gondola at sunset under the bridge as the bells of  St. Mark's Campanile toll.

Murano

Murano is a series of islands linked by bridges in the Venetian Lagoon. It lies about north of Venice and has a population of just over 5,000. It is famous for its glassmaking. This Venetian island has been world-renowned for centuries for its blown glass creations, from jewelry to tableware to sculptures. Visits here often include a tour of one of its fascinating glass factories, demonstrations of how it’s done—and of course, a visit to at least one of the affiliated showrooms and shops.  You can get to the island on your own by taking a water taxi, or you can sign up for a tour which will take you to the glass factory for a demonstration.  Be prepared to also be taken to a showroom, for purchases.  We came home with some beautiful Venetian glass, which was expensive, but will become a family heirloom.


Lido de Venezia - The Lido is an island located in Venice, home to about 20,000 residents. The Venice Film Festival takes place at the Lido every September.  The Lido di Venezia is one of the Venetians’ favorite destinations during summer time. Its beaches are extremely charming and elegant, the seabed forms a gentle slope that allows even the smallest children to bathe safely.  There are many establishments that will rent you a hut for the day, or a chaise lounge to enjoy your day of relaxing by the water.



Picture I took while wandering across bridges and down alleyways

So those are the main sights to see while in Venice.  But don't get to hung up on the sights.  Yes, you should see those things, but the main thing about Venice is the atmosphere of the place.  Take time to wander aimlessly about the alleys and across bridges, into the side-streets.  See where the people live.  Get lost.  We did our second day there, and it was the best part of our visit.  We wandered through little courtyards, watched people hanging their clothes on the lines, and had some gelato. We got a feel for what it would be like to live there. 

Gondola

And take a gondola ride.  Yes, its touristy, but its worth it.  Go under the Bridge of Sighs and if you are with someone you love, than kiss under the bridge - why not!  Take a tour of the Grand Canal, either by gondola, or by water taxi. 

Enjoy the local cuisine, have a glass of wine.  Enjoy the atmosphere of dining in Saint Mark's Square and listening to the orchestras play.  Watch the people, other tourists like yourself and the locals.  And you just have to try the gelato while anywhere in Italy.  I have been told that the best gelato in Venice is at the Boutique del Gelato, a tiny outlet on busy salizzada San Lio.  Be prepared to be patient though, I'm also told there is usually a line.          

Shop for a few souvenirs to take home, or gifts for those loved ones.  Venice is famous tor its Venetian glass, for wonderful Carnivale masks, and for its lace and its jewelery.  When we were there I bought our daughter a wonderful Carnivale mask which was made of plaster and had lace on it.  It is beautiful, and she has it mounted on a wall in her home.

My last suggestion may not be valid anymore.  I would have said to go and have a Bellini (a drink made of white peach juice and Prosecco) at Harry's Bar.  I would have also suggested dinner there.  However, I understand that Harry's Bar in Venice is having financial troubles and it undergoing some management changes.  The ratings on it have dropped, and it may even close, which would be a shame.  It is an institution in Venice and has such an interesting story.  I loved the bar when we were there before, and if it is still around when we return, I will certainly visit it.  I do remember that we had a horrible time finding it.  It is just off St. Mark's Square, but it does not have signs above its door.  The only signage is a side window.  We probably walked past it several times before a local pointed it out to us.  I have posted the story of Harry's Bar below.

History of Harry's Bar
^{Giuseppe Cipriani may never have had his own bar if he had not met a 'sad' young American, Harry Pickering.  And even if he had somehow got the money, it certainly would have been called something else.  While working as a barman at Hotel Europa in Venice, Cipriani struck up a friendship with Pickering, a student who was staying in Europe with his aunt.  After she left him alone in a foreign country with no money, Cipriani offered to lend his new friend, who he called 'such a fine young man', 10,000 lira so that he could return home.  He was not at all sure he would ever see the money again.  Two years later, after he had given up hope, Pickering walked in and said thanks for the money and gave him back his original 10,000 lira plus 40,000 lira so he could open his own bar. Cipriani recalled his friend saying: 'I think they'll call it Harry's Bar. Not a bad name.'  He rented a nearby warehouse and transformed it into one of the most chic bars in town.  He had many famous patrons, including Charlie Chaplin,  Ernest Hemingway, Truman Capote, Orson Wells, Barbara Hutton and many more.}  

My Favorite Places

"Laugh at yourself, but don't ever aim your doubt at yourself.  Be bold.  When you embark for strange places, don't leave any of yourself safely on shore.  Have the nerve to go into unexplored territory." 

Alan Alda

Probably everyone has heard of the book 1000 Places To See Before You Die.  Most of us will only see a few of those places in our lifetime.  There isn't enough time or money to visit them all.  I keep a list of only 10 places I want to see, but as I see them I cross them off and add new ones, because there are certainly more than 10 places in the world I want to see.

Quite often people ask me what is the place you have enjoyed the most.  For me that is always very difficult to answer.  I have enjoyed every place that I have been - really.  Whenever I go someplace new, I enjoy exploring that place and I find things I like about it.  But obviously some places I have liked better than other places.  I do have some favorites, but I can't really say that one place is my very favorite.  I can tell you my top 8 and why.

In no particular order, my top 8 are:
Venice, Italy
Crete, Greece
Moorea, French Polynesia
Paris, France
Great Britain
Beijing, China
Tenerife, Canary Islands
Philippines

Venice

Venice, Italy - The first trip to Europe that my husband and I took together was to Italy.  It was the one place I had always said that I just had to go to.  When we were finally able to go I was so excited.  It was our 25th anniversary trip.  I was almost afraid that it wouldn't live up to my excitement about going, but it did.  Everything about that trip was very special.  I loved Rome, and all the ruins.  The Forum and The Colisseum.  And then we went to Venice, and I really fell in love with that city.  I loved all the peeling paint on the buildings sitting in water.  I loved the boats and all the little alleyways between the buildings, and the bridges over the canals.  We also went down and spent a week in Sorrento, and visited Pompei and Capri, and enjoyed the beautiful town of Sorrento.  It was beautiful.  I loved every minute of that trip.

Crete, Greece - I actually loved all of Greece, and should maybe just put the whole country of Greece on the list.  But if I think about my favorite part of our trip to Greece, then Crete stands out. Maybe because we spent a week on the island and had more time to really explore it.  We did spend several days in Athens, and though it is a big city, I absolutely loved it.  I love the Plaka district, which is the old city, and I loved the Parthenon up on the hill.  And the people in Athens were all so nice.  And we took a tour over to Delphi and Meteora, both of which were wonderful, and not to be missed if you go to Greece.  I also loved the island of Santorini, where we spent 2 nights.  It is really lovely. 



Rethymno Harbor

But our week on Crete was fascinating.  We stayed in a condo near Rethymno, and our friends from Scotland joined us for that week.  I loved wandering around Rethymno's streets, looking in the shops and especially loved having lunch down by their harbor.  We drove all over the island, even went over and hiked the Samaria Gorge.  I did have blisters after doing that!  And we visited Knossos, which is a Bronze Age archaeological site.  We also had probably the best meal I have ever had in my life, at a farm in the hills above Rethymno.  They grow everything they serve on the farm, and we had a 10 course meal, on a hill overlooking the town, at sunset.  Even the feta cheese they served and the olive oil was made on the farm.  We swam in the sea and we explored the island, and it has to rank as one of the best weeks of vacation I have had.

Moorea, French Polynesia - We have a timeshare, and had to use the week we had deposited, or we would lose it.  I started looking online at places that were available.  A week in Moorea came up.  I had always wanted to visit Tahiti, so this seemed ideal.  I decided to go for it.  Since I worked at AAA at the time, I actually had some benefits that I could use towards the trip.  Air Tahiti Nui offers half price air to Tahiti for travel agents and I was able to take advantage of that.  And because I had sold a lot of Pleasant Packages, I had points with them that I could use for free inter-island flights and a free night on the island of Tahiti and 2 nights in an over-water bungalow on Bora Bora.  So we booked it and off we went. 

Cook's Bay, Moorea, French Polynesia

We spent our first night on Tahiti then flew to Moorea where we spent our week in our timeshare.  We had a condo with a balcony overlooking Cook's Bay.  We spent the week swimming, snorkeling and exploring the isalnd.  It was a relaxing fun-filled week on the beach.  The waters are sparkling clear, with lots of beautiful fish.  We took a catamarran trip to a motu - which is a small island, where we had a picnic lunch and did more snorkeling.  I thought Moorea was beautiful.  I had been told by others that while Moorea was beautiful, everyone usually liked Bora Bora the best, so we did 2 nights there at the end of our trip.  But for me Moorea was prettier, and there is more to do there.  I liked Bora Bora, but I loved Moorea.


Paris, France - Paris - the city of lights, the city of love.  Who could not love it.  My daughter and I breifly visited Paris back in 1989.  My husband and I went back in 2003.  I have not seen much else of France, but I do love Paris.  The city is beautiful, and vibrant.  Regardless of what people may tell you, I think the people are mostly charming.  There is so much to see and do.  I think I could live in Paris for a year or two and be quite happy.  As my husband says, "we'll always have Paris." 





Great Britain - England is the first country in Europe that I visited.  My daughter spent one semester of her sophomore year in London, and at the end of her semester I flew over and visited her, and we traveled around England, Scotland and Ireland, and even took a quick excursion over to Paris.  I have very fond memories of that trip.  And because it was my first European country to visit, it holds a special place in my heart.  I have visited Great Britain since that first trip.  I can't really name one place in Great Britain that I love more than others, although certain places stand out more than others.  


Crail Harbor, Scotland

I loved Cambridge, I found it to be charming.  And Penzance was a fun place to visit. And who could not love London, there is so much to see and do there.  I particularly loved Scotland, and we went back to Scotland this year.  We saw some new places, and re-visited a few places I had been.  I love the Highland cows, and all of the castles.  The harbour towns are very picturesque.  And the Scottish people are some of our favorites - we do have good friends there, so that helps.

The Great Wall
Just outside of Beijing, China

Beijing, China - I had been to Hong Kong years ago when we lived in the Philippines, it was a short hop away and a good place to get away for a weekend, but it was under British rule when we were there.  So a few years ago I suggested to a girl friend that a trip to China would be fun.  We went for a 12 day tour.  It was an adventure.  I knew I wanted to walk on the Great Wall, and we did that.  But I found all of China to be wonderful.  It certainly was one of the best trips I have ever taken.  We had a wonderful tour guide in Beijing.  His name was Tony, and we got to know him fairly well in the few days we were with him.  He took great pride in showing us around Beijing, and he was proud of the history of his country, and the sights he showed us.  He acknowledged that his country had problems, and he envied us our freedoms, but he was still quite proud to be Chinese.  I particularly enjoyed getting to know him.  And I loved all of China.  We went to Xian and Shanghai, and a cruise on the Yangtze, and re-visited Hong Kong.  But my favorite place was Beijing, and getting to know Tony, and learning about China through his eyes.  And of course walking on the Great Wall.

Tenerife, Canary Islands

Tenerife, Canary Islands - In 2003 our friends from Scotland invited us to join them in the Canary Islands for 10 days.  There are several islands that make up the Canaries, Tenerife is the largest, and that is the island that we went to.  They had a timeshare which was a 3 bedroom condo, so we had basically a full-size house, with a lovely patio, that we lived in for those 10 days.  We rented a car and we explored the island.  That was the first trip that we took with those friends, we have traveled with them since, but there was something special about our new friendship and the fun we had together on that trip.  I had never even thought about going to the Canary Islands, and I don't know if they ever would have showed up on a list of places to go to, but they invited us, and we went.  I absolutely loved everything about the place.  It is part of Spain, but actually closer to Africa, so it had a different feel about it then when we were in Spain.  We were close to a small village, and stumbled across one of their local celebrations, which we joined in on.  We swam in the ocean and enjoyed the beaches, and we explored the towns.  We had some wonderful meals also.



Banca boat on Capone Islands,
Philippines

Philippines - My husband spent 26 years in the Navy, so we moved around quite a bit.  Most of the times we were in the states, and quite a few of those times my husband was gone, to places where we could not go as a family.  We were only stationed overseas together as a family once.  That was the 2 years we spent in the Philippines - from Dec. 1978 to Dec. 1980.  We lived on a small base about an hour from Subic Bay. The base was called San Miguel.  One of the gates from the base led straight out onto the beach, where we could go and enjoy the warm waters of the South China Sea.  There were small boats - called bancas that we could get into and be taken out to the Capone Islands, where we could snorkel, or we could just stay at the beach and swim from there. 


In the two years we lived in the PI, we explored as much of the country as we could, taking trips to different areas, and seeing the sights.  The people near where we lived were all very nice.  We got to know some of them, and spent time in their villages, and their homes.  We were invited to celebrations as their guest of honor.  It was a wonderful two years, where we learned a lot about the country and the people.  Those 2 years hold wonderful memories for myself and my family.  I am so glad we were given that experience.

But even though these places stand out most in my mind when I think of the places I have traveled, I really have enjoyed every trip I have taken, and I have fond memories of them all.  And I know that with my future travels, some of those places will probably bump some of these places off my favorites list.  We are planning a trip to Africa for this coming year, and who knows, that trip may move onto my favorites list in the future.

Destination - Rome

"While stands the Coliseum, Rome shall stand.  When falls the Coliseum, Rome shall fall.  And when Rome falls - the World." 

 Lord Bryon

Rome, Italy

When I was a child I knew I wanted to travel and see the world.  I knew there had to be more out there then this little town I lived in.  I hungered for the city, and whenever I could I would talk my parents into trips to the city near us, Portland.  But I read about other places in the world, and I told everyone when I grew up I was going to see those other places.  Top on my list was always Italy.  And for me, when I thought of Italy, I thought of Rome.  It seemed like one of the most exotic wonderful cities in the world. 

The Coliseum

I finally made it to Italy when I was in my 40’s.  It took me awhile, but we were finally able to put away some money and start traveling.  It was a wonderful trip, one I will never forget.  We did get to other places in Italy besides just Rome, and for anyone planning to go to Italy, I certainly recommend exploring other areas.  But we started our trip in Rome, and many people who do travel to Italy spend at least a few days in this city.  And there are so many things to do and see in Rome, it is certainly worth the time to explore it.  Make sure you schedule several days in Rome, you can’t see it in just one day.  Remember Rome wasn’t built in a day and shouldn’t be visited in a day either.   I would like to talk about some of my favorite things to see, and I will also talk about side trips one can take from Rome.

Inside the Coliseum
 

Coliseum  - It is the most extraordinary of all Rome’s monuments.  When I saw it the first time I knew I was really in Italy.  To me, it is Italy.  It is not just its size, or its amazing completeness after all the years, or the history of the place.   There is just something about seeing it, in person. This is where gladiators met in mortal combat and fought off hungry lions, two thousand years ago. 



 

The Vatican, St. Peter’s Basillica and the Sistine Chapel – The Vatican is the smallest sovereign state in the world.   Its 108 1/2 acres make it one-third the size of Monaco.  It has its own currency, postal service, passport, newspapers, radio station and railroad system.  Its population of less than 1000 consists almost entirely of Church personnel, Vatican administrators and representatives of international organizations. 

Outside St. Peter's Basillica

St. Peter’s Basillica, officially known in Italian as Basilica Papale di San Pietro in Vaticano and commonly known as Saint Peter's Basilica, is a Late Renaissance church located within Vatican City.  It was constructed in 1506.  I have been in some of the great churches in the world, and I have to say that this church out dazzles them all.  The exterior and the interior of the church are spectacular.  It is a must see.  You can climb to the top of St. Peter's, it is not for the weak of heart.  When we were there it was a very hot day.  We made the climb, but we were very hot and tired when we got to the top.  You can see all of Rome from up there, and I do think it was worth the climb.

**The Dress Code is strictly enforced at St. Peter's Basilica and the Vatican. No shorts, bare shoulders or miniskirts. This applies to both men and women. Even if you get through security, you will be turned away by the attendants at the door. 

 

Probably the most famous painting
 of the Sistine Chapel ceiling

Vatican Museums and the Sistine Chapel.   If you are going to go to the Vatican you should definitely see the museums and especially the Sistine Chapel.  You will need to purchase tickets to go inside, and there can be long lines.  There are tours available, or you can do it on your own, depending on how much time you want to spend.  The highlight is the wonderful Sistine Chapel ceiling.  The Sistine Chapel ceiling, painted by Michelangelo between 1508 and 1512, is a cornerstone work of High Renaissance art.   You are not allowed to take pictures of any kind inside the Sistine Chapel.



Trevi Fountain

Fontana di Trevi - The Trevi Fountain is Rome’s largest and most famous fountain.  The flamboyant baroque ensemble was designed by Nicola Salvi in 1732 and depicts Neptune’s chariot being led by Tritons with sea horses – one wild, one docile – representing the moods of the sea. The water comes from the aqua virgo, a 1st-century-BC underground aqueduct, and the name Trevi refers to the tre vie (three roads) that converge at the fountain. The famous custom is to throw a coin into the fountain, thus ensuring your return to the Eternal City. According to the same tradition if you throw in a second coin you’ll fall in love with an Italian, while a third will have you marrying him or her. And in case you were wondering, the €3000 or so that is thrown away on an average day is collected and donated to charity.



The Spanish Steps, where everyone goes to meet

Piazza di Spagna and the Spanish Steps – This area has been a magnet for foreigners since the 18^th century.  The piazza was named after the Spanish Embassy.  At the foot of the steps, the fountain of a sinking boat, the Barcaccia, is believed to be by Pietro Bernini.  I loved climbing to the top of the steps and seeing Rome from the top, and the steps are certainly a place to people-watch, as everyone gathers there.  A little disappointing to me was the McDonalds right next door, and the trash people leave all over the steps.
 

The inside of the Pantheon

Pantheon – I was probably most impressed with this building.  It has to be ancient Rome’s most astonishing building. The Pantheon is widely praised for its feats of architecture and concept of space.  This Roman temple has been standing for over 2000 years, and it is a unique, unparalleled experience to enter its great doors and have your vision directed upwards, just as it would have been for the ancient Romans.  The dome was made of a single pouring of concrete over a wooden frame.  It is a perfect hemisphere and rests on the cylinder formed by the 20 ft. thick walls of brick-faced concrete.  The only source of natural light in the Pantheon, is a round opening in the center of the dome. It is 27 feet in diameter and open to the sky (the floor is gently sloped to allow for runoff of rainwater).   Once you start to look around you, you are taken in by the opulence. Monumental tombs are set into the walls of the Pantheon.  In the Pantheon are buried the kings of Italy as well as that of the artist Raphael.

Piazza Navona and the Four Rivers Fountain
at night

Piazza Navona – This piazza is near the Pantheon.  Our first night in Rome was spent in the Piazza Navona.  I remember walking around the piazza, watching people and looking at chalk drawings on the cement ground, as well as lots of art for sell.  In the center of the pizazza is Bernini’s most spectacular fountain, la Fontana dei Fiumi (Four Rivers Fountain), which is considered to be the most complex of all the fountains in Rome. It was created by Bernini in the early 1650s and was so expensive that the bread tax was raised in order to cover its high cost. It represents four rivers - the Danube, the Ganges, the Nile, and the Rio de la Plata, each identifiable by the flora and fauna.   There are 2 other fountains in the square as well.  This is a great place to come in the evening and wander the atmospheric narrow lanes and discover places to eat, or to people-watch. 

 

Roman Forum

Roman Forum – This was for centuries the center of Roman public life around which ancient Rome developed.  Here statues and monuments commemorated the city’s great men.  It has been called the most celebrated meeting place in the world, and in all history.  Today the Forum is a sprawling ruin of architectural fragments and intermittent archeological excavations attracting thousands of sightseers.  Many of the oldest and most important structures of the ancient city are located on or near the Forum.   The main sights of the Forum are the Arch of Titus, the Temple of Saturn, Temple of Vesta, and the church of San Luca e Martina.  These are all linked by the Sacra Via (the main road through the Forum).  I remember walking through this place and feeling like I was really walking in the footsteps of Julius Caesar, Brutus and other characters that I had read about from history. 

More of the Roman Forum

**We bought a great book from a vendor in the Forum, and if you are visiting and find this book, I suggest you purchase it.  The book was titled "Rome – Then and Now".  It had pictures of all the buildings that are in partial ruins now, and it shows how the building would have looked then.  The then part is plastic overlays which you can put over the ruins picture and it brings it to life.



 

Statue on Capitoline Hill

 Capitoline Hill – This is the shortest of the seven hills that constitute the ancient city of Rome, but it is the most sacred because of the Jupiter Temple and the temple of the Capitoline Triad, Jupiter and Juno and their daughter Minerva.   As you climb up the sloping steps to the top of the hill you will probably encounter a few Roman soldiers, dressed as they would have quite a few centruies ago.  At the top are many statues including Castor and Pollux and their horses.  The Piazza del Campidoglio is located on top of the Capitol Hill in Rome, where Roman Divinities were once praised and nowadays it is the headquarters of the Italian Government.  Also worth visiting are the three Capitoline Museums. 

My memory of Capitoline Hill is of brides.  The day we were there 3 buses pulled up and the buses were full of women in brides dresses.  There must have been a hundred brides.  I never found out what they were doing there, but they all got out and were walking around the area.  You never know what you will see sometimes.



Villa Borghese park

Gardens of the Villa Borghese – When all the sightseeing gets too much, or the history of the place overwhelms you, find serenity in the gardens of the Villa Borghese, the city's most central public park. It's popular with joggers, dog-walkers and pleasure seekers.   It is a good place to get away from the hustle and bustle of the city, do some people-watching and just relax and enjoy the lovely park.  We spent several hours in the park our last day in Italy.  It was a nice way to end out trip. 

Castel Sant'Angelo

Castel Sant’ Angelo - The Mausoleum of Hadrian, usually known as the Castel Sant'Angelo (Castle of the Holy Angel), is a towering cylindrical building on the right bank of the Tiber in Rome. It was initially commissioned by the Roman Emperor Hadrian as a mausoleum for himself and his family. The building was later used by the popes as a fortress and castle, and is now a museum.

 

Appian Way

Appian Way - The Via Appia Antica or ancient Rome's "Queen of Roads," is the reason we say all roads lead to Rome. Engineered in the 5th century B.C., it was the widest and largest road of its time. In its heyday this avenue spanned some 330 miles, running from Rome to the port of Brindisi, on the Adriatic coast, where boats left for Egypt, Greece, and North Africa.  The road today is remarkably well preserved, flanked on both sides by fields punctuated with ruins and other vestiges of Roman history, its large flat paving stones polished by millennia of use and weathering.  There is a walking tour that national geographic suggests that you can do on this road, for more information go to: http://travel.nationalgeographic.com/travel/city-guides/rome-walking-tour-3/
 

Lion Fountain in
Piazza del Popolo

Piazza del Popolo is a large urban square in Rome. The name literally means "People's Square.  Piazza del Popolo is one of Rome's grand piazzas with a vast and elegant Neoclassical design. A great obelisk stands in the center surrounded by lion fountains. Two ornate fountain groups are opposite each other; one end of the piazza has the beautiful "twin" Baroque fountains of Santa Maria dei Miracoli and Santa Maria in Montesanto. On the other end is one of the gates of Rome, the Porto del Popolo, and the lovely church of Santa Maria del Popolo.  The square is a lively meeting place and a great place for people-watching.

Vittoriano

Vittoriano -  This monument was built as a tribute to the first king of a united Italy Victor Emmanuel II.  The monument, also known as 'Il Vittoriano' consists of a large flight of stairs leading to the Altar of the Nation, dominated by a colossal equestrian statue of the King. At the foot of the statue is the tomb of the unknown soldier, guarded by two sentries of honor. The monument is rounded off with a long corridor featuring 50ft high columns.  The building is one you will definitly see, it is very large, and although it is not popular with the locals and is a more modern building, I thought it was quite attractive.  I took several pictures of it when I was there, but we didn't go in, which now I realize we should have. They say the  monument is well worth the visit, if only for the great views from the top. The top of the Il Vittoriano is also connected to the Campidoglio Square, saving you the climb of Capitoline Hill.
                   

 

Me having my daily gelato

Gelato - Gelato is not a destination, but it should certainly be on your list of things to do.  When we were in Italy, we made a point of stopping sometime everyday for a gelato cone.  Gelato is Italy’s ice cream, but it is better than anything you will ever find here in the states.  Our favorite was the lemon gelato, but we did try almost all of the flavors at some point, after all, we were in Italy for 3 weeks, so we did have some time to try them.  I recommend stopping for the gelato, whenever you can.



There are many other things to see while in Rome.  There are many museums, and if you have time you should definitly check some of them out.  And everywhere you look there are ancient ruins, besides the famous ones I've mentioned.  I remember we were walking along near some modern buildings and saw an area that was preserved under the modern building with a glass window looking into the ruins that were underneath. Everywhere they excavate they find ruins.  But whatever you do, make sure you take the time to relax, have some good Italian food, a bottle of wine, and do some people-watching.   
 

View from the top of Vittoriano

Your stay in Rome is all about your state of mind. Making every hour count means letting the timeless grandeur and beauty of the place seep into your blood. So, keep your eyes open for the little things that aren't on any list, the nooks and nuances of this ancient city.  The best way to see the city is to walk. In Rome, where you can usually count on good weather and unreliable transportation, you're best off doing as much as possible by foot. On the street is also where you'll unearth those unexpected finds. The warm aroma of a bakery. The handmade leather of a local craftsman. The tucked-away piazza that seems stuck in the 16th century, with grandma hanging the clothes out the window and six-year-olds chasing each other across the cobblestones. Even if it doesn't ever really change, Rome always has the power to surprise.

Ruins of Pompeii - a nice day trip from Rome

And after you have spent a few days in Rome, then it is time to go out and explore the rest of Italy.  If you are doing Rome at the start of a tour or cruise, then you are heading off on that, but it you are on your own then you can rent a car and drive, or take the train.  If you decide to take the train, then you should look into purchasing your Eurail pass before you go, either from your travel agent or online.  You'll save money by purchasing it in the states before your trip.  

Italy has some wonderful areas to visit.  We took an excursion up to Venice, Siena, Florence and the Tuscany area, which was quite nice, and then we came back to Rome and headed south to the Amalfi Coast area.  We made Sorrento our home base there because it was close to Pompeii and Capri.  We spent the last 5 days of our three weeks in that area, which was quite nice.  



Me at the Trevi Fountain
tossing my coin so I can return

If you are in Rome and only have a day to explore outside of Rome, then I would recommend taking the train down to Pompeii, which was quite interesting and worth exploring.  The ruins of Pompeii are just at the base of Mount Vesuvius, which erupted and buried the town.  It is very well preserved and will take a full day from Rome to go down and explore.  Or if you don't want to go quite so far, then an excursion to Tivoli Gardens might interest you.  They are a short drive outside of Rome and are beautiful. 

I did throw my coin into the Trevi Fountain when I was in Rome in 1992, and we do plan on making a trip back to Italy.  My husband and I originally visited Italy to celebrate our 25th anniversary, because it had been my dream to go there.  So now we have decided that in 2017 we will go back and celebrate our 50th anniversary in Italy.  Hopefully we will both still be in good enough health to do that.  If you want to read about our original trip, go to the column on the side and click on Anniversary Trip to Italy.  I kept a journal on the trip, and I typed it up to put into my trips column.  And if you are going to Italy soon, and reading this to get ideas of what to do, I hope I have been of some help.  Enjoy your trip, there is nothing quite like Italy, and Rome is the heart of Italy.

 

Why Do We Travel, And How Do We Decide Where We Want To Go?

"To get away from one's working environment is, in a sense, to get away from one's self; and this is often the chief advantage of travel and change."
Charles Horton Cooley

I travel because I am curious. I have a desire to see new things, experience new tastes, and meet new people. But I also travel for the chance to broaden my mind. We learn more about ourselves, when we learn more about the world and its people.

A mother and daughter in Bejing, China



I also think that the more of the world you see, the more you understand the differences in people, and you become more accepting. There is so much bigotry in the world, but traveling helps to open your mind to people who are different, and to ideas that are different. You realize that really we are still very much alike.

But of course, there are many reasons to travel.  Business takes people to other places all the time.  Some people have to travel, even if they don't enjoy it.  And I do know people who would never go anywhere, they are happy staying at home.  That is fine for them.  I love my home, but would be bored to death if I just stayed here all the time.  Even when we are home, we are on the go, quite often to the beach.

Halong Bay, Viet Nam

For me, deciding where to go next is not a problem, it is anywhere I haven't been yet.  My husband pretty much leaves it up to me, he'll go anywhere, but he wants me to make the plans, which is fine.  It is what I did for a living for many years, and I enjoy it.  He occassionally will say something about wanting to go somewhere.  For instance, he spent a year in Viet Nam during the war.  Now a lot of people would not want to go back to Viet Nam, it has bad memories for some.  But like George says, "everyone's war was different".  He was on land, with a medical team, providing medical care to the local people in the city of Hue.  He would love to go back and show me the beautiful countryside that he saw while there.  And now, Viet Nam is a tourist destination.  I got excited about it when I watched a special on TV that showed Halong Bay.  So now that is on our list, and it is something that we will definitly do in the next couple of years.

I'm forever watching the Travel Channel, and shows such as Samantha Brown and Rick Steves.  I get ideas for places I want to go from seeing things on the shows.  And I get travel magazines and buy travel books whenever I can. 

Venice, Italy

I seldom plan a trip back to an area that I have already been, although some areas do overlap, so I may end up back in a city I have been to before, just because it is there in the same area and it makes sense to use it as a base to fly into or out of.  The exception to my not returning to the same place will come in 5 years.  For our 25th wedding anniversary George surprised me with a trip to Italy, a place I had always wanted to go.  We have decided that for our 50th anniversary we will return to Italy.  We may cover some new territory in Italy, but we most definitly will return to both Rome and Venice.  We have some wonderful memories of that first trip, and we plan to create some new ones on the new trip. 

Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe, Africa

I would also like to be able to say that I have visited every continenet, but I haven't.  We have of course visited Europe and Asia, and North America.  We have covered those 3 pretty extensively.  I can say I have been on the continent of Africa, because I have been to Morocco, but that hardly counts.  Next year we will be able to really claim that continent, as we plan to visit Kenya, Tanzania, Zanzibar, South Africa and Zimbabwe, all in one trip.  I have not yet visited South America, although I have things on my list that would take me there, I just haven't made it yet.  I have been to Belize in Central America, but very briefly.   I also have not been to Australia and New Zealand, both places my husband has been.  He went to those places when he was in the Navy, and again, he says he'd really like to return and show me those places.  They are on the list.  I may never make it to the continent of Antartica, but my husband has also been there.  He did a year in the navy, stationed at McMurdo Sound on Antartica.  It was a long year of separation for us, when our daughter was quite young.  There are cruises that do make a stop in Antartica, so who knows, maybe someday we will do that.

In the meantime, I do have enough things on my list to keep me occupied for a few years, and I already have some new things to add to the list as I cross things off.

So, why do you travel and where do you want to go?

 

Our day in Pompeii

" A journey is like marriage.  The certain way to be wrong is to think you control it." 

 John Steinbeck

Isle of Capri

We went to Italy for our anniversary. Part of that trip we did as a tour, Rome, Venice, Florence. We spent the last week of our trip in Sorrento, which is across the bay from Naples. We spent one day on the isle of Capri, which was wonderful. We wandered the streets of Sorrento, explored the Amalfi area, and drank lemoncello. We only had one day left, and we had planned to go to Pompeii that day and see the ruins.

We got up early and started walking down the hill from our hotel to catch the train. About half way there the sky opened up and the rains came down. Now, I grew up in Washington state, so a light rain would not have stopped my plans, but believe me when I say – IT RAINED! We were drenched in seconds and headed back up the hill to the hotel. We got dried off and sat on our balcony and watched the rains over the bay of Naples.

Pompeii & Mt. Vesuvias

Around 2PM the rain finally stopped and the sun actually came out. I said to George that maybe we should still try to go to Pompeii, it was our only chance to see it. So we headed back down the hill, caught the train and went to Pompeii. I understand that usually Pompeii is packed with tourists. The lot is usually full of tourist buses and it is a crowded spot. But because of the rain that day, the lot was empty and the ruins were also empty. It was an eerie feeling, walking around the ruins with no one else there.

plaster casts in Pompeii

If you have never been to Pompeii, you might not realize that they have plaster casts of people. When the ash came down the people of Pompeii huddled down and put there arms over their heads, and they were buried in ash. When excavating the place they found holes and pored plaster down into them and they came of with the shapes of people huddling down to avoid the ash. So some of those plaster images are there to see. You can feel the horror of those people by looking at those casts.

So we are walking around Pompeii, and we are feeling a bit eerie, because we are all alone, not another soul in sight. Then we hear music, children singing. It is sweet, and it is floating on the air. We feel like we are hearing ghosts from the past. We followed the sound of the music and discovered a group of children. A school bus had just arrived and the children were going to tour Pompeii, but they stopped to sing some songs first. We were glad to see that it wasn't ghosts, but children of the present.

I will always remember that day in Pompeii, and the voices of the children floating on the air.