Back Home

It was a loooooong day, but we finally made it home around 12:30 am. 25 hours elapsed from the time we left the hotel in Rome until we walked in our door, about 12 of that in the air. We had a 2-hour delay in Chicago (on top of a 4 hour layover), and that really made our day drag.

We had a wonderful time on our trip! Check back soon, as we'll be posting some links to the enormous amount of photos we took.

On the plane in Rome

About to depart--only 19 hours to go!

Pompeii

We made a bit of a last minute change in plans, and decided to make a day-trip to Pompeii. This was quite a way to spend our last day in Italy! We all expected the visit to be very interesting, but really didn't have any idea just how amazing the place (and our access to it) would be. The site is enormous; most of the town of 20,000 people has been excavated, and we were able to see a great deal of it. It's impossible to describe in this little space, so here are a few pictures to give a glimpse of what we saw. Once we get back and download all of our photos, we'll post a link to everything we took today (lots).

Tomorrow morning we're on our way home. It's been a great 2 weeks, and we're all looking forward to coming back again in the future. For now, we're on the train back to Rome, and then one last delicious meal before we go.

See you soon!

Ancient Rome

We spent today touring the ancient Roman sites of the Forum, Palatine Hill, and the Colloseum. Incredible. The area arund the Forum is mostly ruin, but many important sites from 2000+ years ago are very visible, and just in front of you (and under your feet). From there, we toured the Colloseum, which was in far better repair than I expected (after having seen many pictures which make it look like a rubble heap). I think I've over-used the word 'awesome' on this blog, but this place truly is amazing; the scale is enormous, and the construction quality first-rate--much of the original concrete looks as if it could easily last a few thousand more years.

After that, we toured Palatine Hill, site of the ancient Imperial palaces, among other things. Again, amazing. Rome has been a real treat so far.

Rome

We spent the morning viewing the David, which, even after the considerable build-up, was incredible to see first-hand. I'd have posted a photo, but they weren't allowing that (although they didn't care if anyone took photos of everything else in the building... lame).

After that, we packed up and headed over to the train station for the short (time) ride to Rome. Finding our way out of the train station and to our hotel was a bit confusing, but we made it just fine. After a late lunch, we took a walk around the nearby Piazza Navona, and then to the Pantheon, which was/is truly awesome to behold. We'll be visiting this more than just once...

Now, we're taking a brief break before our next feeding, and an evening stroll through a few more of the nearby sights (if the rain lets up).

Florence - Tuesday

It's been a rainy couple of days in Florence, but that hasn't prevented us from seeing a great deal of the overwhelming amount the city has to offer. Yesterday was spent exploring on foot, and today we visited the Pitti Palace, and the Uffizi Gallery--home to many of the great works of the Italian Renaissance masters.

In between, we're continually consuming the great food all around us... we're all feeling a bit "maxed out" in this regard (although, this is not likely to prevent us from enjoying more).

Tomorrow, we see the David in the morning, before departing for Rome in the early afternoon.

Florence

Arrived this afternoon around 2:30, after a surpisingly easy bit of travel from Vernazza. Our hotel happens to be situated on an upper floor of a building just opposite the Duomo and Baptistery, and the view is spectalular (thanks, Rick Steves!). I took the above photo from the window of our room--pretty cool!

On and off rain again today, but it's clear and nice now (about 6:00). Taking a break before our next feeding, which will likely feature comments such as:

"Wow, this is amazing!"

"How much is that in dollars? Oh, really?"

"Is it OK to order gelato as secondi AND dessert?"

"I'm DEFINITELY going to start working out as soon as we get home, but that pesto looks pretty good right now..."

Vernazza, Saturday

It's been a somewhat rainy day, but we've had enough breaks in the weather to see a good amount of this great little town. It's also been a great day for some down-time in the middle of the trip, as we've done much in the last week. We're presently sitting in the piazza, enjoying the local wine and watching the people mill around. This is an amazing place to be...

Vernazza

It took us a lot longer than expected to get here, but it was worth the wait. No more time for blogging right now--this picture is our current view.

Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Pont du Gard

This morning we left our nice little hotel in Avignon, and rented a car for the day before catching another train to Nice (we're on that train now). Our first stop--after getting somewhat used to the crazy road system--was the small wine village of Chateauneuf-du-Pape. The above picture is of the ruined "summer home" of the Avignon popes of the 14th century. After a stroll through town, we got directions to a couple of vineyards for a little wine tasting. We inquired into the costs of shipping some back to the U.S., as the price here is much cheaper than home. Upon discovering it would be a mere $300 for shipping, we put that idea to rest, and bought a couple of bottles to enjoy later in the trip. The picture above is from the charming little vineyard of Mas de Boislauzon, makers of a great wine they call "Cuvee du Quet"--sorry I couldn't ship any back, Jeff ;).

We drove a bit further north for lunch in Orange, and then made a confused journey back south to see the Pont du Gard--a wonderfully preserved Roman aqueduct about 15 miles west of Avignon. It ended up being a very Griswald-esque stop (we spent about 15 minutes there), as we had a train to catch. In the rush, I forgot to take any photos with my phone, so I don't have any to post... Sorry, you'll need to wait until we return and post our pictures, or Google it if you're really curious.

We got back to Avignon with a few minutes to spare, gassed up the little go-cart-like (and fun to drive!) rental (only $22 for a little over 2 gallons), and made our way to the train station to catch the train we're now on. Our next stop is Nice for the night, and then Au Revoir to France, and Buon Giorno to Italy and Vernazza.

Best. Meal. Ever.

La Fourchette, Avignon, France.

Laver

Here is a picture of a medieval laundromat. So much history here!

Avignon

After a very comfortable train ride, we arrived in Avignon mid-afternoon, and began weaving through the maze of streets towatd our hotel. Most streets, except for a few busier ones, can only accomodate the typically tiny cars we've seen since arriving in France. Most people are out on foot, and there are lots of them.

Avignon is a medieval city with lots of modern shopping--all sorts of expensive clothing stores, boutiques, etc. You don't need to walk far, though, to get the feeling that you're in a very old place. The streets form what seems like a completely random web, and we're constantly consulting our little map to keep from getting lost.

We spent our day today touring le Palais des Papes (the 14th century home of the Papacy), and Pont Saint-Benezet (the half-ruined bridge over the Rhone, originally built in the 12th century). Both were are incredibly good condition, and were very interesting to visit.

Train to Avignon

Just left Paris, on our way south to Avignon on the fast train (about 350 miles in 2:40)--should be a fun way to see a bit of the French countryside.

Paris and the surrounding areas are very green and lush, and the weather to date has been outstanding--high 70s and sunny. We're sad to be leaving Paris, but excited to see Provence and southern France. So far, the time has flown by--seems like we just arrived.

Our train is really moving now, and we're all ready to eat some of the picnic goodies we picked up before leaving our neighborhood in Paris (rue Cler) this morning. So, until next time, au revoir!

Monday - Paris

Today was our last full day in Paris; we visited l'Arc de Triomphe, walked the Champs-Elysees, and spent a few hours in the Louvre. The Louvre is enormous, and would probably take an entire week to feel like you've seen most of what it has to offer. We stood with the rest of the herd looking at the not-so-big Mona Lisa (from a good distance), and were able to see a few other highlights of the Renaissance, Neoclassicism, and Egyptian Antiquities collections. We wrap up our time here feeling like we've barely scratched the surface, and definitely would like to return.

Another note about Paris... For the most part, people have been very helpful and friendly (save one surly cafe waiter). Our experience has been very positive with the Parisians.

Tomorrow--off to Avignon. More from the train...

Monday--Disneyland Paris!

Just kidding.

Happy Mothers Day!

Happy Mothers Day, Moms!

Musee D'Orsay

See pictures. 'nuff said.

Versailles

This morning, we took the brief train trip to Louis XIV's modest residence in Versaille. 4 hours later, we'd seen perhaps 10% of it. Anyone curious about the origins of "la Revolution", just pop by (you'll be in line for a bit). Seriously, this place is over-the-top amazing.

Paris

After a good amount of fumbling around the airport, we made our way into Paris via the train & Metro; our first real glimpse of the city upon emerging from the Metro station was amazing--it's really a beautiful place. After getting settled into our hotel, we walked along the Seine, visited Notre Dame Cathedral, and walked through Saint-Chapelle--all were amazing. Tommorow we visit Varseilles & the Musee D'Orsay.

For now, we're all wiped out... Very little sleep in the last 30 hours or so. Sleep is going to be GREAT.

Made it--with bags!

Our plane arrived on time,and our luggage was on it. Now to make our way into the city. More later...

We barely made our connection...

....but did our luggage? We'll find out!

Our travels through France and Italy

Hello, and welcome to our France & Italy travel blog! As we (Carrie, Steve, and Eric) make our way through these countries, I'll be posting photos and details of where we've been, and what we've been doing. If you have any interest, please stop back from time to time for an update!