Albachiara Mestre

... Ages through the Renaissance, and connects the works on canvas to the sculptural works that preceded them. We were glad that we visited here last , because it tied together everything that had come before. (The Rick Steeves audio guides helped tremendously!)

Tomorrow, we set out for our road trip through Tuscany and, hopefully, a couple of days at a less hectic pace, visiting the hill towns on our way back to Rome.

Can't believe we only have two days left!

... man in order to attempt to salvage his dead father’s soul. Regardless of the intent, it is an amazing site for both artistic and religious reasons.
The rest of the day was spent driving the Autostrada from Padua to Florence. Up and down mountain with gigantic trucks weaving across the lane lines, everyone at maximum speed and tailgaiting like nothing you would ever see in the U. S. And, yet,

... they no longer swarm the tourists. But it you still have to watch out for the Pigeon Poop! The Basillica was another feast for the eyes - and ears! As we approached the central altar, imagine our surprise as the “theme” from Phantom of the Opera suddenly blasted from the organ!
Next, we toured the Peggy Guggenheim Museum. This wealthy American woman, who lived in an palatial home on the Grand Canal, had two great loves: her dogs and modern art. After her death, her ...

... What a magical place this is: unique beyond description. Our first stop was the Accademia Museum, home to a nearly overwhelming array of Venetian Renaissance Art. Next, we headed to the Basilica Santa Maria Gloriosa dei Frari. This church, built over two centuries, is typically Gothic in architecture style, but inside the aisles and every nook and cranny hold a succession of art treasures, each more surprising than the last. It is one of the ...

... of fruit, and waited until we could check in.

When the owner got there, he informed us that the hostel had been shut down for winter, so he was housing us in hotel rooms. He gave a 3 person room to the girls, and Steve had to stay in a room with another guy, but he was only staying for one night so he didn’t really care. We were all very pleased with our rooms, but so tired from the ...

... 2.20 Euro each, so we got one each - it was a bargain - well, for Venice, anyway!! After lunch, we caught the vaporetto to the Rialto Markets where they sell fruit & veggies, as well as fresh seafood.. I guess the main reason for going here was that there was a traghetto stop nearby. A traghetto is a gondola which ferries people from one side of the canal to the other, so we paid our 0.50 Euro for the 30 second ride across.. it was definitely ...

After a bit of a rough night with our jet lag, we woke in London to an amazing breakfast-in-bed. The Parkcity really is one of the best hotel values in London and the breakfast is the best part of all. (Just watch out for the showers and the stairs to the bathroom in the middle of the night, Lisa tried to end their honeymoon before it had even started by falling on both.) We only had a short Tube ride to the Gatwick Express train to the airport and a ...

... use my bloody imagination. We did, however, enjoy a free trip on a casino ferry, but snuck out quickly so we didn't have to gamble. The city is a veritable maze, very easy to get lost. We basically just referenced our map here and there, then set off in a general direction. There are something like 18 churches in just a few square kms, making for some good landmarks. All the canals cutting through town make it that much more of a hassle, as there aren't too many bridges. All in ...

... Thanks" I said. "You have been in Roma for two hours" he said. It was then I realised that he was one of the cleaning staff bewildered at discovering a sleeping tourist on the deserted train. But gee, sleep at this point was SOOOO good! The hotel is great. Bliss in fact! But so far out of town I think I am closer to Pisa than Rome! But a big double bed. A flushing toilet. A good Internet connection. Skype working and all the family rung. A good nights sleep before me at last. Sigh!

... the wonderful Venice - wetter than spit, but really enjoying the incredible beauty of the place. The hotel is a perfect microcosm of the city, where it is very easy to become lost as they arrows point like this both directions at once -I kid you not! We are on the grand canal and its fabulous to see the gondola, water taxis and freight cruisers chugging by! But first, a recap on my southern adventures.... I'll try to keep the museums and monuments to a minimum, and try to give you a ...