Welcome to my new album on Venice 2010. Comments are truly appreciated.
I had spent three days in Venice, in 2006, and knew I wanted to come back, to spend more time in this magical city. This year, my daughter, my sister, and I rented an apartment in the Cannaregio area of Venice, for two weeks. We did take a two day side trip to Verona, which we enjoyed immensely.
We had a 7 hour layover in Paris on our way to Venice, so we hired a driver to drive us around Paris, to see some of the sites, we had about 3 hours in which to do this. Our driver did a great job in making sure we saw the best of Paris.
In 2006 my sister Vicki and I took a 4 week trip to Italy. Our late Father had been an officer in the US Army, he had kept a photo journal though out his tour of duty, part of which was in Italy. So often he would tell us of his love for Italy, so with copies of his pictures and words from his journal, we set off to find his apartment in Naples and some of the places he had photographed, and we did, nothing had changed, only the foliage had grown taller.
- Italy trip, 2006
- Venice, 2010
- Savannah,Georgia 2008
Welcome to my album from my trip to Savannah, Georgia in April, 2008. I suggest you select the slideshow, which will take you through all the pictures, and you can enjoy the music I have chosen for each section too. Savannah is a beautiful city! It is laid out around 18 squares,(parks) so everywhere you look, there are fountains, monuments, trees draped with Spanish moss. My visit to Bonaventure Cemetery was one of my most moving experiences.
- Venice day two
Our last day in Italy. Venice is an amazing place. I would love to return someday, and spend so much more time.
- Venice, Murano Isl, Burano Isl
We arrived in Venice after a 5 hour train trip on the Eurostar. This is a great way to travel. We arrived ready to see the islands. We stayed at the Hotel Antiche Figure, right accross the canal from the train station. The best hotel of all that we had stayed in on our whole trip. We then took off for the outer islands. The island of Murano, known for its beautiful glass. We saw so many wonderful pieces in many stores. Then on to the island of Burano, known for it brightly painted houses. They are also known for their handmade lace. We saw women in several stores, making a piece of lace as we watched.
- Ravello
We were very excited to visit Ravello, where our Father as an officer during WWII, had visited the Hotel Palumbo. There was a picture taken of him on a balcony at that Hotel Plumbo. We wanted to find the same place our father had stood, and have a picture taken of the two of us. We were so thrilled to have the opportunity to make that come true. Again, a very emotional time for both my sister and myself. With a little help from Photoshop, I was able to place my sister Vicki and myself on either side of our father by combining an original picture of him and one that we had taken of both of us, leaving a space between us. If only our mother and other sister could have been there with us. It was a very interesting trip up to Ravello, on a very narrow, winding road, but the bus drivers are amazing.
- Positano
What a picturesque sight to see. It is quite a climb down to the beach, but so many shops to visit, and so little time.
- Naples
Going to Naples, we had a very special reason for heading there. Our Father, had kept a photo journal during WWII. He lived in Naples for a period of time. We had the address of his apartment, #4 Via Del Parco Margherita. He had pictures of the funicular, the hillside behind it, the piazza Amadeo, and the castle on the waterfront. We arrived in Naples, and with the help of our driver, Mario, we found the castle, then on to the neighborhood, where our Father had lived. There it was, just like in his pictures, the entrance to the funicular, the same buildings on the hill, the same buildings in the piazza Amadeo. His apt building was now a science institute, so we could not go in, as it was Saturday. It was such a thrill to find this place and take some of the same pictures, as the ones we have in his photo journal. This was a very emotional time for both my sister and myself. After we each bid a silent farewell to this neighborhood, Daddy had called home, we continued on, to the Amalfi coast, to our villa in Priano.
- Pompei
Going to Pompei, was another place our Father had visited during WWII, and had pictures included in his photo journal. We were so excited to find several of the same places he had taken pictures of, while we were there. I have encluded three of them in this album.
- Florence
The morning we were to go to Florence, we woke to a very foggy morning, the view kept changing every few seconds. Florence is an amazing city, the duomo is enormous, just takes your breath away, with all the detail. We stayed til after dark, allowing us to see the city come alive at night, and to catch sunset over the Arno River.
- Villa Lecchi
We stayed here our last 3 days in Tuscany. This was a beautiful villa, which sat on 5 acres. The grounds were lovely, with a pool, statues, and a fantastic view. Many villas were destroyed during WWII, but this one remained untouched, as the Germans, chose to occupy it for themselves.
- San Gimignano
This town is know for its many towers. Once there were 74, now only 14 remain. The towers were a sign of power.
- Sant' Antimo Abbey
We arrived in time to hear the complete mass done in Gregorian Chants, by the monks, who reside in the Abbey. The Abbey sits in a beautiful valley in the Tuscan hills. We could not use our cameras, until mass was over. During the mass, in a high arched window above the alter, the sun began to shine, sending brilliant shafts of light on the interior walls of the Abbey, a white dove hovered for a few seconds, then flew away. That was a moment that took our breath away. Visiting the abbey was truly a highlight of our trip.
- Montalcino
This was a town, with very steep hills. It was market day, and all the locals were out to do their shopping.
- Pienza
A beautiful little town, not too far from Siena. Although it was raining the day we were there, we found it very charming, and fun to photograph.
- Siena
Siena had so much to see. The main piazza where they hold the Palio (horse race) each year and the duomo (from the 13th century) was beautiful. It takes your breath away when you walk inside. The marble inlaid floors are covered most of the year, we were lucky to be there when they were uncovered. Our guide Guilio, had told us about the duomo, and about a little room off the main area, which turned out to be my favorite. It is the Piccolomini Library. The walls are covered with frescoes, still in their original colors, telling the story of Pius ll. They appear to be 3 dimensional, but are painted on a flat wall. Around the walls under glass are hymn books containing the Gregorian Chants. The ceiling is beautiful too . We spent a long time in here, in awe of the entire room.
- Castellina in Chianti
We stayed near this hilltown in Tuscany for 12 days. This was one of my favorite towns. Not over run with tourists, and very friendly people.
- Rome
Here we are in Rome!! With 1 1/2 days to see as much as we can. We stayed in the Albergo Del Senato, which was next to the Pantheon. The view from the roof top bar of our hotel was incredible, looking down on the Pantheon, and the Piazza della Rotunda. We could see the Vittorio Emanuele monument. Off in the distance one could see the dome of St Peter.