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Another copy
of Michelangelo's
David, just
outside Florence,
at the overlook.
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Click here for
Goodbyes!
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After arriving at our hotel in Rome, we took our bags to
our rooms and immediately left to take the metro to the
Vatican area. Before touring the Vatican, we enjoyed
a delicious buffet prepared by one of Colleen's
friends. (Early in our trip, we discovered that she had
lots of friends in Europe, including some awesome
chefs!) We spent the afternoon visiting the Vatican
Museum (four miles of art, ending in the Sistine
Chapel) and St. Peter's Basilica (sometimes called
"the most impressive church on earth" for obvious
reasons). The Sistine Chapel can not be described.
We stood in amazement, wondering how
Michelangelo painted that ceiling. Outside, we stood
in the St. Peter's Square and remembered all the TV
pictures we had seen of this place when the pope died
just several months before. We walked around Rome
that evening, especially enjoying the "locals" at the
fountains and squares. We went to sleep, with
exhausted "I can't believe I'm in Rome" smiles on our
faces.
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The next day an excellent local tour guide took us see "ancient Rome".
We knew that we would see Roman ruins, but we didn't really realize
how many we would see and how "real" it made history.
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HOME
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See
Maps
Here
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Don't miss the
goodbye page
Click here
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Florence
Copy of Michelangelo's David
In public square in Florence.
Florence and Rome - Days 10-14, June 6-10
Duomo Gothic cathedral with first dome built since ancient roman Times. (Below)
Florence
Rome - Day 12, 13 & 14 - June 9, 10 and 11
The next day, we drove into Rome. How many times had we marveled at Ben's unbelievable ability to navigate busy
streets and maneuver through narrow places. He did it one last time in Rome before delivering us to our hotel. Then
we said our goodbyes to him and he left to return to his home in Holland. He was not only an excellent bus driver, but
he seemed to give Colleen many "helpful hints" and he kept us all happy with his cold drinks and friendly ways.
Pieta
Trevi Fountain
Pantheon
Colosseum
Bananas, thanks to Colleen!
We took our bus into Florence where we visited the Uffizi Gallery and Accademia museums, then walked around the
city. Actually seeing the familiar masterpieces that we knew so well was again breath taking. Our favorite was
Michelangelo's huge marble statue of David. It is difficult to describe the size and "realness" of the young David.
