The sights and sounds of Italy

Venice … Gondolas and Murano Glass

What a way to kick off our Italian vacation!

We were visiting Italy with our friends over a couple of weeks in August. After landing in Rome, we headed north to Venice where we would enjoy all that the city has to offer. The weather was great for folks to enjoy a gondola ride along the canals. We didn’t take a gondola ride but they were out in full force for many other tourists to enjoy.

The famous bridge, the Bridge of Sighs was the last view of Venice that convicts saw before their imprisonment. The bridge's name comes from the thought that prisoners would sigh at their final view of the city of Venice before being taken to their cells. We toured the dark, grim prison area. It’s quite a contradiction to the beautiful city that is so close and yet so far out of reach.

Venice is known for it’s murano glass. We picked up a few pieces from shops that lined the streets along the Rialto bridge. The area was brimming with tourists as we were visiting during the peak of tourist season. Besides the murano glass, we also found lots of Italian leather bags and ladies scarves.

San Marco’s Square is a common gathering point and is great for people watching. We spent some time doing just that, listening to the music, avoiding the locals selling their trinkets, and cooling off by enjoying some gelato.

The Bright Lights of Monaco …

Nestled between the French and Italian rivieras, we spent an evening on the top of the rock in Monaco. Known for it’s fairy tale like glamour and dozens of luxury cars parked in front of its casino, it is always an enjoyable stop if you are in the area.

Without question there are lots of well heeled people that visit this small principality. The high end shops that surround the casino and opera house have lots of options for people looking to spend their winnings. After supper we ventured to the casino where we learned that the reason the casino was originally opened was to boost the municipality’s bank account. It is hard to imagine there were ever financial problems in this town – today it doesn't appear there is any shortage of money here.

Verona …Home of a Shakespearean Tragedy …

Our friends suggested we visit Verona. The city, made popular by Shakespeare’s tragedy Romeo and Juliet, is quite charming. I wish we had planned to stay longer.

We visited the balcony which was created to remind us all of the story of two star crossed lovers although technically there is little to link the house to Shakespeare’s love story. When we were there the courtyard below the balcony was filled with tourists so one had to use their imagination of what it would have been like in days gone by.

We learned during our visit that Verona is a UNESCO World Heritage site. We saw its roman arena which was completed in 30 AD. The amphitheatre is one of the largest in Italy and could hold 25,000 spectators. Where spectators sat on the three tiers of the coliseum was determined by their social status. In its day the venue was used for gladiator events. It is hard to believe the scale of this structure and one has to wonder, how can it still be standing after all of these years, let alone still in use for public events today?

Milan ... the Fashion Capital ...

Along with New York City, Paris, and London, the City of Milan is regarded as a city of fashion. Many of the famous Italian designers such as Valentino, Gucci, Prada, Armani, and Dolce & Gabbana have shops in this city.

The center of the city is anchored by the Milan Cathedral -- surrounded by the modern shops and galleries.

 

The Cote D’Azur Waters of Nice, France …

As the capital of the French Riviera, Nice is a popular tourist destination. Ideally located between the Mediterranean Sea and the mountains, it is just a few kilometers from the Italian border and well worth a stop.

Nice boasts a mild climate, bright sun, and beautiful beaches with blue azure waters.

We stayed overnight in Nice, had brunch at one of the outdoor bistros and toured the market filled with fruits, vegetables, pastries, and fresh cut flowers.

We also spent time at the beach. It was quite an experience – without the proper footwear the stones are rough to walk on. We made it to the water although one of us was more adventurous than the other. My sandals got swept away with the waves of the water and while we were successful in recovering them, it was quite an experience.

Cinque Terre …

Perched on the side of the mountain range is a rugged portion of coastline along the Italian Riviera. We visited this chain of five charming villages a couple of years ago and knew we needed to come back. Situated on the north western edge of Italy, the coastline, the five villages, and the surrounding hillsides are all part of a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Over the centuries, local residents have carefully built terraces on the rugged, steep landscape right up to the cliffs that overlook the sea. Part of its charm is the lack of visible corporate development. Paths, trains and boats connect the villages, and unless the cars are local, they are not allowed access to the villages. The scenic trails found us nestled within vineyards and olive groves, narrow alleys, arches and steep stone steps.

These seaside villages are an idyllic snapshot of old world Italy. Each village has its own charm, brightly coloured buildings, narrow lanes lined with local artisans and sunny beaches.

These ancient trails can be a long haul especially on a warm summer day, but the views are worth making the trek.

The Leaning Tower of Pisa …

On route to Florence, we spent an afternoon visiting Pisa. Famous for the bell tower of the Cathedral, otherwise known as the leaning Tower of Pisa, it is the most recognizable landmark in the city.

The tower has eight stories and includes a spiral staircase with close to 300 steps leading to the lookout at the top.

Constructed in the late 14th century, the leaning tower as well as the Cathedral, are surrounded by medieval walls which historically would have provided protection to these buildings.  The nicest looking building within this walled area is the Baptistery. This round white-marble building looks like a wedding cake.

Florence ... Home of the Renaissance Men

Florence is famous for its history and is considered to be the birthplace of the renaissance. Its historic center is filled with monuments, churches and buildings. 

In front of the Basilica of Santa Croce, is an imposing statue of Dante. The Basilica includes an empty tomb of Dante (who was exiled from Florence). This Basilica is one of the most interesting places in Italy to visit. Here you will find the final resting place of many notable Italians including Galileo, Machiavelli, and as seen here, Michelangelo.

 

 

 

Many works of the great artists of the day are found in and around the monuments of Florence.  This replica of the Statue of David sits outside the Basilica.

 

 

 

 

 

One of the most popular bridges in Florence is the Ponte Vecchio which still has shops lining both sides of the thoroughfare. We did window shopping along this famous bridge which today, for the most part, has high end retailers selling jewellery. We did do some shopping while visiting the area and we indulged in some of the ever popular gelato. We also browsed the work of local artisans who were selling their works.

Assisi … Birthplace of St. Francis …

Pilgrims have come to this quant area of Italy for centuries. A small medieval town perched on a hill in the Umbria region, it is made famous as the birthplace of St. Francis.

Historical Assisi is small and easy to explore. The rolling streets with local shops, cobblestone streets and winding alleys are in pristine condition and you get the feeling you have stepped back in time.

 

 

 

 

The Basilica’s location at the top of the town gives you a vantage point where you can look out over the picturesque town and valley below. It is said that St. Francis was disillusioned with displays of wealth, deciding instead to choose a simpler life and follow the teachings of the church. It seems a bit of a contradiction to see the grandeur of the Basilica of St. Francis. The Basilica, completed in 1253, houses the remains of St. Francis and the simple robe he was said to have worn.

Assisi is nestled in wine country and it is from this location, that we decided to visit a couple of local wineries. The wineries are much simpler than wineries we visited in North America. Production hasn’t changed much over the centuries, and the simple buildings don’t appear to have changed much over the years either. One of our favourite wineries to visit was Adanti.

 

We took in a tour and we were introduced to the cellar master, Alvaro. The winery made great strides under Alvaro’s leadership. With good insight into the sagrantino grape and the need for slowly aging wine in oak barrels, the Adanti winery is known for producing award winning red wines in the Umbria region. We brought some of their wine home with us to enjoy!

Spoleto’s Aquaduct …

Before wrapping up our tour of Italy, we visited Spoleto. A peaceful hillside town with a fine cathedral, interesting sights and leisurely walks, it was not as crowded as some other holiday stops. Visiting the older part of Spoleto, the most spectacular part of the visit is its historic aquaduct which we walked across. From this picture it looks small and fragile and it is hard to imagine that the Romans built it and that it is still in use today.

After our fleeting stop in Spoleto, we returned to the City of Rome to begin our journey home. Until next time ....