ITALY

BEAUTIFUL ITALY

Our trip began with a flight to Amsterdam where we had a seven hour layover. This was enough time for us to go into town for a few hours. Somewhat unbelievably there was no line whatsoever at Anne Frank Huis. We weren't planning on it, in fact we were saving it for my 40th birthday, but we went in. I'm not prepared to talk about it at length yet. There is still much more for me to read about it and process but it's hard to imagine living in there with the windows blacked out for two years. My heart aches a little over this story. I can't explain why, nor do I think it matters.
We were in a bit of a rush and didn't take very many pictures. I got disoriented and am not sure from what location, exactly, this picture was taken. But here is a picture of the church bells that could be heard from the canal house they lived in, and, as well, here is a canal in Amsterdam with typical houses along it.

Anne Frank's Church Bells Canal by Anne Frank House

VENICE -- VENEZIA

The first stop for us was Venice; a beautiful and unique place, but, well, a little transparent. Most of the city is a tourist trap. The features of it are backed up by history, giving it validity and authenticity, but underneath the veneer of romance and specialness, it's a commercial enterprise driven by tourism. However it is still a must see and worth a full day's visit.

Our flight from Amsterdam was delayed due to pouring rain. Amazingly the Sun began to shine during our water taxi ride from Marco Polo Airport to Venice. This is Saint Mark's Basilica with the sudden appearance of the Sun gracing it upon our arrival. Note the Horses on the terrace (they're copies, the real one's are inside the cathedral). The Sun has just come out a few minutes ago. You can see it shining in the square while the streets are still soaking wet. My Dad, Leslie, and her Mom Nancy standing on the terrace of St. Mark's Basilica, view toward the sea. Me on the Terrace of Saint Mark's Basilica. The horses are to my right. View toward the square.

Saint Mark's Square from the far side across from the cathedral. A smaller, regular canal running through the city like a side street. The Bridge of Sighs. So called because prisoners cross it on the way to their fate. They look out the windows, see their last look at the world outside, and sigh. Standing atop the Rialto Bridge looking at the Grand Canal

After Venice we had a train ride to Florence. Florence is a beautiful city that is brimming with Renaissance Art. We took three tours in one day. First up was a city walk, then the Uffizi Gallery, and then the Accademia to see Michelangelo's David. After all those tours we managed to walk the 460 steps to the top of the Duomo for a spectacular view.

The Rape of the Sabine Women (Rape means abduction), by Giambologna. Original displayed for free in the Piazza Della Signoria, Firenza Italy Ah, a return to gravesites, sort of. Marker in the middle of Piazza Della Signoria signifying the spot where Savonarola was burned. He preached against the Renaissance finding many aspects of it amoral. The term Bonfire of the Vanities comes from him and his followers who burned many paintings and books in this same Piazza including works by Michelangelo and Botticelli. Unfortunately for Savonarola they burned him a few months later. The front of the Cathedral, Basilica di Santa Maria del Fiori. This is an amazing sight. The dome (which sadly I do not have a great picture of, was an architechtural wonder designed by Brunelleschi by studying classical architecture. The best picture I have of the Dome.

Look at the dome in the previous picture. I'm bending backwards over it from above. View from atop the duomo My Dad and I atop the Duomo. A 460 step climb. The Ponte Vecchio. A famous bridge. You can google it for further info. We simply crossed it to get to Trattoria 4 Leoni the best restaurant we ate in in all of Italy. I had the Crespella alla Fiorentina. This picture was taken through a window from inside the Uffizi gallery where we saw the incredible paintings "The Birth of venus" and "Primavera" . Both Botticelli's.

The home of Dante Alighieri. This is rather disappointing as a museum but a must see for aficionados. I was going to buy a book here but, unbelievably, their bookstore didn't sell it. There is a church across the street, Chiesa di Santa Margherita, where his love (though they married other people) and muse Beatrice Portinari is entombed. We saw it but could take no photos. Michelangelo's original David stood here in this exact spot from 1504 until 1873 when it was moved to the Accademia Gallery. Leslie is standing next to the copy that eventually replaced it int he Piazza Della Signoria. Dad and Nancy standing in the Piazza Della Signoria, David behind them. Yes indeed, a Tomb. None other than Michelangelo located in the Basilica di Santa Croce in Florence. Also in this church are Galileo Galilei and Niccolo Machiavelli

Read on for more of Italy in the CINQUE TERRE

If you think your vacation is over, you can go HOME

Our flight from Amsterdam was delayed due to pouring rain. Amazingly the Sun began to shine during our water taxi ride from Marco Polo Airport to Venice. This is Saint Mark's Basilica with the sudden appearance of the Sun gracing it upon our arrival. Note the Horses on the terrace (they're copies, the real one's are inside the cathedral).	The Sun has just come out a few minutes ago. You can see it shining in the square while the streets are still soaking wet.	My Dad, Leslie, and her Mom Nancy standing on the terrace of St. Mark's Basilica, view toward the sea.	Me on the Terrace of Saint Mark's Basilica. The horses are to my right. View toward the square.

Saint Mark's Square from the far side across from the cathedral.	A smaller, regular canal running through the city like a side street.	The Bridge of Sighs. So called because prisoners cross it on the way to their fate. They look out the windows, see their last look at the world outside, and sigh.	Standing atop the Rialto Bridge looking at the Grand Canal

The Rape of the Sabine Women (Rape means abduction), by Giambologna. Original displayed for free in the Piazza Della Signoria, Firenza Italy	Ah, a return to gravesites, sort of. Marker in the middle of Piazza Della Signoria signifying the spot where Savonarola was burned. He preached against the Renaissance finding many aspects of it amoral. The term Bonfire of the Vanities comes from him and his followers who burned many paintings and books in this same Piazza including works by Michelangelo and Botticelli. Unfortunately for Savonarola they burned him a few months later.	The front of the Cathedral, Basilica di Santa Maria del Fiori. This is an amazing sight. The dome (which sadly I do not have a great picture of, was an architechtural wonder designed by Brunelleschi by studying classical architecture.	The best picture I have of the Dome.

Look at the dome in the previous picture. I'm bending backwards over it from above.	View from atop the duomo	My Dad and I atop the Duomo. A 460 step climb.	The Ponte Vecchio. A famous bridge. You can google it for further info. We simply crossed it to get to Trattoria 4 Leoni the best restaurant we ate in in all of Italy. I had the Crespella alla Fiorentina. This picture was taken through a window from inside the Uffizi gallery where we saw the incredible paintings "The Birth of venus" and "Primavera" . Both Botticelli's.

The home of Dante Alighieri. This is rather disappointing as a museum but a must see for aficionados. I was going to buy a book here but, unbelievably, their bookstore didn't sell it. There is a church across the street, Chiesa di Santa Margherita, where his love (though they married other people) and muse Beatrice Portinari is entombed. We saw it but could take no photos.	Michelangelo's original David stood here in this exact spot from 1504 until 1873 when it was moved to the Accademia Gallery. Leslie is standing next to the copy that eventually replaced it int he Piazza Della Signoria.	Dad and Nancy standing in the Piazza Della Signoria, David behind them.	Yes indeed, a Tomb. None other than Michelangelo located in the Basilica di Santa Croce in Florence. Also in this church are Galileo Galilei and Niccolo Machiavelli