ITALY, Venice

 September 16, 2006

I just arrived in Venice after spending the night traveling on the train in a sleeper car from Monaco. Venice was beautiful but after 4-5 hours you pretty much have seen almost everything. I was supposed to stay 2 nights but only stayed one. It is very expensive and truly can be seen in 1 day if short on travel time. Many backpackers arrive early in morning, check their backpack at train station, and spend the day in Venice. Then back on the train to another place. The streets are narrow, not straight and change names every 50 feet. Everyone is lost. The Piazza San Marco {St. Mark's Square} is impressive as is St. Mark's Basilica. Watch out for the pigeons. lol

ITALY, Florence, Statute of David

 September 21, 2006

My overnight train arrived in Florence at 9:30 am. My hotel was only 1 block from the train station which is very convenient and close to tourist attractions. After checking in, I went to the Academia and waited for 2 hours in line. 

The Statute of David picture was taken in the Academia. You are not allowed to take pictures but I carefully snapped a few pictures without being noticed. The other statutes were in various piazzas. Afterwards I went to the Uffizi Gallery to see the "Old Masters" paintings which is not my thing. Another 1.5 hours in line for the ticket. At night I visited the various Piazzas and watched various street artists perform and do my favorite thing, PEOPLE WATCH. 

ITALY, Florence, Piazzale de Michelangelo Views

 September 22, 2006

This morning I did a hop on hop off bus tour but wasn't a great idea. Florence is very walkable and best way to see most sights. That evening I went to Piazzale de Michelangelo which overlooks Florence and has amazing views at sunset. My favorite thing so far on this trip. Florence looked magical as we sat on the steps sipping wine, eating pizza and watching the sunset. 

Florence was my favorite city in all of Europe. My favorite thing was sitting in the piazzas, grabbing a bite to eat, having a glass of wine and watching the people go through their every day lives. I especially love the Piazzale de Michelangelo which overlooks Florence from a high hill. Many tour buses go there especially at sunset. There is also a copy of the Statute of David there. It is just a very beautiful city and the piazzas are washed with soap from street machines every night. There is also great music and street performers in the piazzas and in front of the Uffizi at night.

ITALY, Florence, Duomo

September 21, 2006

The Il Duomo {The Cathedral of Santa Maria Del Fiori} boasts an enormous octagonal dome which was the largest in the world when built. The bronze doors at the baptistry in the piazza are called the Doors of Paradise. Eating gelato was my favorite thing to do in Italy. It is said that you are never more than 20 feet from a shop selling gelato at any time in Italy.

ITALY, Leaning Tower of Pisa and Riomaggiore, Cinque Terre

 Saturday , September 23, 2006

I left Florence early this morning to go to Cinque Terre. On the way I stopped in the town of Pisa to take pictures of the Leaning Tower of Pisa. The Tower was my only reason to visit here so my entire trip lasted one hour. 20 minutes to the tower, 20 minutes at the tower, and 20 minutes back to the train station. Then to Riomaggiore,  one of the 5 villages that are called Cinque Terre. 

In my RICK STEVES guidebook he mentioned Cinque Terre and that he was reluctant to mention this jewel on the Mediterranean which was mostly unknown in 2006. Upon arrival I fell in love with these colorful villages. Trains run to all the villages which are only minutes apart. There is also hiking between the villages.

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ITALY, Cinque Terre, Vernazza

September 25, 2006

Visited Vernazza and enjoyed the coast. Last day here, this trip. Living "la dolce vita", the sweet life.

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ITALY, Cinque Terre, Riomaggiore, hiking

 Sunday, September 24, 2006

Today I began hiking the trails between the villages. A lot of up and down on the cliffs along the Mediterranean. The views made it all worthwhile. Unfortunately I did not spend enough time in the other 4 villages.

ITALY, San Gimignano , Monterigioni Castle and Tuscany

September 26th and 27th,  2006

I caught the train from Riomaggiore to Siena and then caught a bus to San Gimignano for the 2 day walk through Tuscany. San Gimignanno has 14 medieval towers dating back to the 12th century. At one time there were 70 towers. No one seemed to know about a walking route so the next morning,  I started walking along the highway on my way through the beautiful Tuscan landscape. Beautiful rolling hills, grape vines and olive trees decorate the countryside. I finished the 19 kilometer walk in one day rather than two.