12-15 November 2008 - Venice, Florence and Rome, Italy

So this was our first major trip to Italy and I was really excited.  It was going to be another whirlwind, but we knew we could knock out three major cities in one go.

We flew into Venice first.  Took the shuttle from the Airport to Venice and experience a world where all the roads are water.  I also got to see the production of Murano Glass.  I love colored glass and it has been a dream of mine to see the production of Murano Glass and I got to do it!  What a blessing for us!  Here are the pictures from this portion of the trip.

Pictures from Venice

Next we took the train from Venice to Florence.  Once again... you gotta love those high speed trains.  So within a couple hours we were in Florence.  I wasn't too sure about Florence.  I knew it was the land of leather, but that's about it.  Florence ended up becoming Miranda's real life lesson on Italian art.  I have really never been a fan of Italian art, but after what I saw, and the tours I got to experience, my eyes have been open.  I'm still not a fan of all the pictures of Jesus all bloody all over the place.... but I now understand how it's an expression of a person's faith.

Pictures from Florence

And finally we ended up in Rome.  By this point, we had walked and walked and walked.... but Rome was just overwhelming.  Everywhere you when was a monument or something historic.  But as a result of the whirlwind... we made a huge error.....We saw tons of churches, got a tour of central Rome, saw the Vatican... but can you believe that the Katters did not make it to the Coliseum???  Yep... we went to Rome and didn't see the Coliseum or any of the ancient Roman ruins.  I can't believe it either.  So now we need to make one more trip there.....  But we never anticipated it would take a full day to see the Vatican... so let's just chalk it up to poor planning.

But we got to experience pizza by the kilo.  Something super cool in Rome are these pizza places that have tons of varieties of pizza.  You go to the counter and tell them to cut as much or as little of each pizza that you want.  They then cook it in a pizza oven for you, and you pay for the weight of the pizza.  It was so delicious and such a good deal.

The best part of this trip was during our tour... we had paid for a 1/2 day private tour of Rome, and then a group tour of the Vatican.  As we transitioned from the private tour to the group tour, our guide gave us a little time to ourselves and asked us to meet at a spot.  So we thought we would run into a bank and pick up a little cash.  Unfortunately, the machine took Jim's ATM card but would not kick it back out or give us money.  So we had to call the bank and cancel the card.  In the middle of this mess we lost track of time and realized we were running late for the next part of the tour.  So Jim sent me ahead to track down the guide and the group and explain what happened.  As I wandered around St. Peter's square at the Vatican, the guide spotted me called out my name.  So I joined the group and explained that Jim was coming.  The guide continued with the explaination of the plaza as we waited for Jim.... then as Jim joined us... a voice out of the tour group goes... "Miranda... is that you???"  Next thing you know, I see my good college friend Nadia and her new husband Russ.  They were on their honeymoon and were on the same tour!  I had not seen her for over 5 years and it was just so great to see such an old friend!  What a small world!

But here is a panoramic view of the Vatican

A panoramic of the Trevi Fountain

 

And though you were not allowed to take pictures in the Sistine Chapel... I snuck in a quick video.  Yes... I was a bad kid.  Double click on the video to see what I did...

And down below is a link to our pictures

 

11_1_2008 Italy for the Blog

 

Pictures from Rome

Comments

[Vickie Lee]

You and Jim are so smart to take advantage of going and seeing all the beautiful history while you are in the U.K. The sites are amazing. Oh - Venice. I love my Murano glass piece. I want to see your chandelier (sp)? Love the music with your illegal video!

[Rina Piga]

Miranda and Jim,

Love your pictures of Italy, it brought back memories of the places you visited. I have been all those places. I am glad you got to go, I love your blogs and check from time to time.