Friday, September 17, 2010

Florence and Rome, Italy

Sept 17

Accommodations:  Stayed in a BEAUTIFUL hotel in Florence that was in a building built in the 1600's.  Very elegant and even affordable!   Our flat in Rome for 2 nights is modern but also in a very old building.  Lot's of character.  : )
Food Highlights: More panna cotta for dessert... two more times!!! This stuff is addictive! Great lasagna, and lots of pizza. This is Italy isn't it?  Have we mentioned the PESTO in Italy????  Wow!!
Adventure:  Kelley has realized three instances when we were being short changed or overcharged(so far) price wise on something, and caught em on it, and got our money back!!! She rules.
Rest: Not much rest, explored Florence and Rome by foot.
Humor: Kelley was glad to see that even nuns get to go shopping too in Rome!



Florence.   Hands down our favorite thing was seeing the sculpture of David by Michelangelo.  Kelley and I were both speechless when we walked around the corner and saw this amazing piece.  David stands over 17 feet tall, on top of a 6 foot base.  What's incredible is that Michelangelo did this in solid marble at the age of 26.  Completed in 1504, it's unreal that is stands the same today.  It is so life like, your eyes fool you and it seems he is breathing.   We stayed in that chamber for over an hour.  I made multiple sketches. They don't do it any justice at all, but it was great to just appreciate this in person.


Rome.   Day 1,  we walked to the Colisseum -  unreal!   We took a tour and stood in awe as we considered the events that took place in this stadium that held nearly 87,000 spectators.  






























We also visited the Pantheon and ate outside at a great Italian restaurant. (You can see the Pantheon just in the right side of the photo and panna cotta for dessert in the center of photo.)  













We took a night time stroll to the Trevi fountain to toss in a few coins and then to the Spanish steps in the Piazza de Spagna.    


We were so tired, we splurged for a cab ride home.



Off to see the Vatican today!  We'll tour Rome a little tomorrow and then off to the Greek islands tomorrow evening.
Love you all!!!

3 comments:

  1. Hey guys........looks like you are having an awesome adventure. Wasn't Florence the bomb??? We loved it! The David...'nuff said. Remember me telling you that my fav place in Rome (museums) was the Borgese Gallery? It is because of exactly what you felt about The David - like he was breathing....the marble statutes there are like that and it is breathtaking and amazing. Miss you guys, can't wait to hear more about it when you return. Blessings.......

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  2. well, Im not toooo convinced that Wayne drew that picture. hmmmmm. Are you really that good and I missed it?! I am just amazed every time I look at your blog. This is such an amazing adventure! Awesome pictures! Love you both oodles. Remember, T-Shirt...small and petite. One from each town. hahaha Becca

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  3. So glad you made it to Italy. Its fun following the blog.

    Caio, Bella! Grazie! Haha, that's it for my Italian. :)

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