Home!

 

Posted with Blogsy

Rome, Italy

Spent the last six days in Rome. Tried to arrange a personal audience with the Pope, but he was on vacation. St. Peter's Basilica was truly awesome, and the Sistine Chapel was amazing! The ceiling painted by Michelangelo may well be the greatest single artistic endeavor by any human being. Stunning!

We are on our way home tomorrow. After nearly four months, we are ready!

Posted with Blogsy

Sorrento, Italy

We toured Pompeii on August 24, the 1933rd anniversary of the eruption of Mt. Vesuvius and then went to Naples to the archeological museum to view the frescoes and mosaics of Pompeii. Yesterday we visited Positano, touring the Amalfi Coast by bus and boat - very scenic! Sorrento is supposed to be a more laid-back resort city, but we found it very busy and touristy. We are off to Rome this morning on the final leg of our trip.

Posted with Blogsy

Assisi, Italy

We have been walking in the footsteps of St. Francis and St. Clare. Assisi is a beautiful hilltop town in Umbria.

 

Posted with Blogsy

Siena, Italy

Florence has more art, but Siena has better atmosphere. Il Campo - the best town square in Europe:

 

 

 

The Palio - horse races- are held in the town square twice a year. Horses and their jockies make three laps and the whole thing is over in a minute. Imagine thousands of people in this town square watching. It is a big deal:

 

 

 

The medieval core of the city is very well preserved:

 

 

The cathedral is spectacular::

 

 

 

Posted with Blogsy

Siena, Italy

Before arriving in Siena, we had to stop in Pisa to see the Leaning Tower:

 

 

The cathedral is pretty spectacular as well:

 

 

 

Posted with Blogsy

Florence, Italy

We have been soaking up the art and history of Florence:

 

 

Moving on to Siena, Assisi, Sorrento and Rome.

Posted with Blogsy