Venice

Okay so Yesterday we took an early train that took 3 hours to get to Venice. We had to take a water taxi to get to a hotel in Venice Proper where we had lunch and locked up our carry-ons. We visited Doges' Palace, Bridge of Sighs, the prison, and St. Mark's Square with the working clock/bell tower. We rode on a gondola while musicians serenaded the whole group in a large break in the narrow canals. Val, you would have freaked at the birds in St. Mark's Square. They were flying onto people's arms, shoulders, backs, legs, and even heads. I took a picture of a random guy so that you could see what I was talking about. I told Jacques and Kathy that you probably wouldn't even be able to walk through the square, but only walk around. Hahaha! We are actually staying at a very nice hotel on the island of Lido so we had to get our carry-ons from the other hotel and take another water taxi to get to our beach resort. Kathy was not too pleased about all the boat riding, but she has been a great sport!! Our hotel is right on the water so Jacques, Kathy, and I went for a dip in the Adriatic before a casual dinner at yet another sinfully delicious restaurant. I had Gilthead (a kind of fish), which was extremely salty, but I wanted to try something new! Jacques ordered donkey (yes I said donkey) meat with noodles, which was nothing compared to when he ordered tripe (a cow's 4th stomach). We took the free shuttle boat from our hotel to Venice Proper in order to see St. Mark's Square lit up at night and hear the competing musicians at restaurants from both sides of the square. We had world famous bellini's at Harry's bar, and traveled back to our beautiful hotel for some sleep. This morning, Kathy and I took the first shuttle boat out to Venice to do some shopping and have drinks in St. Marks Square. Jacques went to Murano at one of the glass making factories and had a fabulous time. Jacques, Kathy, and I ended up on the same shuttle boat back to our hotel and went to a casual eatery on the beach for lunch. We walked along the beach, hung out by the pool, and ate even more gelato. Tonight we will have a farewell dinner at 7 pm with the rest of the tour group and I have to leave at 5am tomorrow morning in order to get on a water taxi to Venice and catch my flight to Rome. My flight to Greece should make it there by 2pm tomorrow, where I will meet up with Mom. If Greece is as good as Italy, I might just stay! Haha! I will miss traveling with Jacques and Kathy because we have had a blast and yes, Paul, they are cool.

Last Day in Florence

Yesterday I decided I wanted to climb to the very top of the famous dome in Florence. Jacques, Kathy, and I got there at 8:00 to ensure to be one of the first in line when it opened at 8:30. It was 463 steps, but we all made it and boy was it worth it! The view was spectacular and I will be posting only one of the pictures that I took. I walked around in the circle at the top trying to capture every angle on film. The pictures don't really translate the beauty. This morning we went to the Uffizi Gallery, which is a famous museum with works of Botticello, Da vinci, Michelangelo, and many others. My favorite was Venus on the half shell telling the story of how she was born (painted by Botticello). I was not allowed to take any pictures once again. Our tour guide, Tanya, was so knowledgeable, engaging, and funny. She is definitely one of my favorites so far. We also went to and walked along the famed bridge, Ponte Vecchio, which has gold shops all along it. The other picture is of this bridge. Kathy and I did a little shopping in the afternoon for others and ourselves while Jacques decided to do a little laundry at a local laundromat. Tonight we got to go to a local Pizzeria by Sante Croce and see the chefs making our pizzas before devouring them. I got the eggplant pizza with mozzarella and parmesan. Yum! We walked to a gelato place and on to our hotel where we ended with sitting out on the roof terrace with others from the tour group just chatting and enjoying one another's company. What a pleasant way to spend the evening. I love Italy.

Florence & Pisa

Well this morning we started off with an art history presentation at our hotel by a young college professor who teaches at Syracruse. He was funny, engaging, andyou could definitely tell that he taught college kids (made me happy!). After we went on a walking tour with a guide around Florence. We saw town hall, the cupola, the cathedral (the duomo), and other historical or really really old buildings. We got to go to the Galleria dell'Academia and see David. He took my breath away. Amazing. We had a delicious light lunch at a small Italian restaurant down one of the many small streets, followed by some ridiculously delicious white chocolate gelato from Perche No. After lunch, we took a little over an hour bus ride to Pisa to see the famous Leaning Tower, Baptistry, and Church. We had a local guide who provided us with humor and all the nitty-gritty details. I swear she looked and sounded just like Mom's cousin, Denise, in Canada!! It worked out well for me because I had no problem understanding anything she said :) We ended with a late dinner at a different Florentine ristorante, which was authentic and fun. It's now around 10:00 pm and my guess is we will take a nice walk and hit the sack to start another day...

P.S. - I hope all is well with you readers!

Rome and on to Florence!

Today, we started out at the Vatican. Wow. Seriously. The Sistine Chapel is b-r-e-a-t-h-t-a-k-i-n-g!!!!! The ceiling and the Last Judgment...man, too bad you cannot take any pictures. It was kind of funny because the guards were telling all the people in english not to take pictures. Guess it is all the stupid Americans...(I totally tried to sneak a picture and one turned out blurry and the next resulted in a chew-out from the guard!) The church was amazing too and just the whole area. We then took a high speed train to Florence, which provided pretty scenery on our way. I tried to take pictures and I will post one, but there will be a glare since it was taken through a window going at high speed! Then, Kathy and I walked around the Florence neighborhood a bit, and joined with Jacques for an Italian dinner at the hotel. This hotel is not as elegant, but is soooo worth it for the location. We are right in the heart of Florence. AMAZING! We are set to go see an art presentation tomorrow, David, a walking tour, Pisa, and more! Thanks for all the comments. I love reading them! Ciao!

When in Rome...

Okay, so we just went out to dinner at this restaurant on the hotel's recommendation. We got a waiter that would have fit in perfectly in New York; along with flirting, sarcasm, basically ordering for us, and directing me the wrong way to the "TOILET" (loud enough for everyone to hear), just to see what I would do. Then, on the way back to the hotel a bird pooped on me. Who thinks this is good luck??

Day 1...Continued

We saw so much today! We started out driving through some of Rome on a motor coach seeing some things along the way to the Forum and Coliseum. It was great to be part of a tour group (ours is like 28 people) because you get to buy group tickets and pretty much just cut through the rest of the lines. We got this ear pieces and battery packs and our tour guide, Barbara, had one with a microphone so we could hear what she said no matter where she was. I learned so much history and took so many pictures that I cannot even remember half of it! The Coliseum is actually called the Flavian Amphitheatre by Romans. They also did not kill Christians here, but in the Circus Maximus. It was crazy hearing all the history of things built and done in 4th century and 6th century BC. We went back to the hotel by motorcoach and then this afternoon Jacques, Kathy, and I went off on our own to recreate what I missed yesterday. We walked down the 132 Spanish Steps (which are actually French steps??!!) and yes, we counted. We walked through the little side streets of Rome and ate a light lunch at a outside bar on a random street. We threw coins in the Trevi Fountain, ate gelato, saw the Pantheon, went inside the Pantheon, laughed at the King's guard, and then walked back to and up the 132 Spanish Steps. We walked through a park that contains the Bourgeoisie Museum to get back to our elegant hotel. It is about 5:30 now and we are taking some rest time before dinner. It was a busy day and we walked several miles, but is was absolutely worth every minute of it!

Day 1 - Rome

Well, the trip sort of started out rough. Our flight from Philadelphia to Rome was miserable for me. I was very sick and had to spend the rest of the afternoon and night sleeping when we finally got to Rome. I missed the afternoon tour, welcome reception, and dinner, but we will make up for it today. The good news is…it can only get better from here!

P.S. - Our hotel is absolutely fabulous!

Baby Love

For those of you who have not met this little beauty, Sahai, you are missing out! I have had so much fun this last day and a half in Connecticut hanging out with my little cousins. I've seen Jacob, Charlie, Maya, Eve, Imani, and Sahai. When I come back from my excursion, I will post more pictures of all!

Chapter 1

Once upon a time there was a college graduate named Stephanie. As part of a graduation celebration, Stephanie will travel across the big pond to far off lands with her beloved godparents and un-wicked mother. The strange lands of Italy and Greece seem appealing to the innocent, curious young woman. Tomorrow morn she will begin the first leg of her journey and fly to Connecticut to meet up with her beloved Godparents...Please keep checking for further updates.

*footnote: There is no way I will continue writing in 3rd person but I thought it would be fun for chapter one!