Croatia via Caves

We left Venice early on Sunday and set off for Pag Island, Croatia. On the way, we stopped at Postonia Caves in Slovenia for lunch. The caves were awesome. We boarded an open train that whisked us through huge caverns and tight tunnels down into the caves. 

The caves were created by sub-terrenial water that flowed billions of years ago. There are three levels to the caves. We got to explore the first two levels, the lowest level still has flowing water. 

It's incredible that nature can create such beautiful formations:

After the cave tour we had a quick picnic lunch and got back onto the coach for our ride into Croatia and down the Dalmation Coast toward the ferry for Pag Island. 

Once across it was time to find our way toward the hotel in Pag for much needed dinner, showers, and sleep. 

Venetian Rain

We arrived in Venice and had a nice dinner in the TopDeck tent. I was glad to have a chance to do some laundry and relax in the bungalow. 

The next morning was overcast as we headed into the city. Dark rain clouds were threatening on the people mover, but once we actually got into the city the thunder began and the skies opened up and started pouring. Even through the rain Venice was beautiful. 

We walked through the city to St. Marks square where we ducked out of the rain for lace and glass demonstrations. 

Both of the crafts were beautiful. Back outside the thunder storms had not let up and most of us decided against gondola rides. Instead, we trudged through puddles and across slippery marble walkways to find some lunch as see as much of the city as we could. 

Venice was towards the top of my list of places that I wanted to see. The rain was so torrential that we just couldn't continue to walk around. I was pretty disappointed so I guess I'll just have to come back and have a do-over! 

Who wants to join me?!

Vatican or BUST!

This morning we got an early start in order to meet up with our Vatican tour guide. I was surprised at how dodgy the area around Vatican City is. Guido was our guide (seriously). He outfitted us with headsets and we were on out way. 

The Vatican Museum is enormous. It was a shame that we had to pass through the hot, crowded galleries so quickly, but I don't know how you'd possibly see everything unless you had the place to yourself. 

After winding our way through the museum we made it to the Sistine Chapel. I was so excited to see Michaelangelo's famous ceiling frescos. There was, of course, a strict no photography rule... But I couldn't help myself and snapped this gem:

The paintings were absolutely gorgeous, but the ceilings were SO high that they all looked small. It's incredible to think of Michaelangelo laying on his back and taking 5 years to paint the ceiling. 

The final stop was St. Peter's Basilica which is the largest Catholic Church in the world. It was amazing. The sheer size was unbelievable not to mention the marble floors, intricate architectural detains, and Renaissance sculpture everywhere you looked. 

There was a huge area set up for penance. Maybe I should have confessed the sins I had just committed in the Sistene Chapel....

After a bite to eat and some shopping around Vatican City we hit the coach for the trek to venice!

Next stop, gondolas and Murano glass!

Roma!

We took the subway from our bungalow accommodations strait to the colosseum this morning. We qued up at the Imperial Forum to get a combo ticket and did the Forum first. The Forum was absolutely fascinating. You could see from the ruins how important the area was to the city. The Forum covers a huge area and was once a center for social, commercial, and political needs. 

There was even an archeological dig in process:

There was so much to see at the forum and we spent quite a bit of time there before heading to the colosseum. The colosseum was excellent. The attention to detail and unique archetectual features that the Romans used to built this multi-purpose space and efficiently move people, nobility, animals, and equipment in and out of it were impressive. 

After spending so much time at these two ruins, we just had time for a fresh pasta lunch, some shopping, and a run down the Spanish Steps before catching the train back. Looking forward to the Vatican in the morning!

All Roads Lead to Rome

After saying arrivederci to Florence we got on the road for the short drive to Rome. We stopped for lunch in the beautiful town of Orvieto. Orvieto is a town built in the hills. We rode a funiculore to the quaint, winding roads of the town.

The town is well known for the impressive Duomo built on the summit of the volcanic (dormant) hill. 

The detailing of the duomo was incredible. 

They are also known for the delicacy of the region- wild boar. Many people got boar sandwiches, but I abstained since I had had it the day before (silly me I guess). 

The pottery, cheeses, and charcuterie were beautiful. 

We left Orvieto and it was just a couple more hours on the coach before arriving in Rome and jumping head first into a 5 hour walking tour! 

The walking tour was excellent. We got to see all of the highlights of Rome. The Parthenon was incredible. To think that the Romans were able to construct it over 2000 years ago with the tools of that era is amazing. 

UNFORTUNATELY for us, Rome will be hosting the worlds fair next year, so nearly everything we wanted to see was under construction :-(. Here's the beautiful Trevi Fountain! 

We saw the other sites of Rome before ending at the colosseum.

The walking tour gave us a great idea of things to see the next day! 

Firenze!

Beautiful Florence may have been my favorite city so far. It is quintessentially Italian in the best ways.

Our day started out with a brief walking tour of this small city. We started on quaint Ponte Vecchio with it's many jewelry shops and river views

From there we made our way through town to the Duomo or Florence Cathedral. The architecture and detailing of the church was absolutely incredible. It's one of the largest churches in Italy. 

After the walking tour we stopped for lunch at a restaurant that made beautiful handmade pasta dishes. I had parpadelle with a wild boar ragu. Delizioso!

After lunch we strolled to the Palazzo del Signoria to see the original statuary housed there along with this very famous imposter: 

The other sculptures were really impressive

We wandered and shopped around a bit. Walking through the streets in Florence you can smell leather everywhere. The bags and belts were beautiful and in some cases you can watch the items being made by the craftsman in the shop. 

Once the temperature got to around 90 we decided it would be a great time to climb to the Piazzale Michaelangelo. If you're ever in Florence, DO THIS. but maybe choose a time when the sun is not so high. 

The incline was steep with varying asphalt and stairs

In the end, we reached the top sweaty and dehydrated; but turning around and seeing this view made it all worthwhile:

Coming down was a piece of cake and I parted ways with my friends as they went home to shower and I hit up the Uffizi Gallery. The museum had some famous paintings:

But the museum itself was gorgeous with really intricate domes and ceilings

The Uffizi also had tons of Renaissance sculpture: 

I had to hurry a bit through the gallery in order to make it to dinner on time. Dinner (for some) were HUGE florentine steaks. 

Bellissimo!