Roman Holiday

Day 11

We traveled today to Venice. We saw a lot of the countryside along the way. We went to Venice this evening for a nice Italian dinner. We had mozzarella and tomato with fresh basil and balsamic vinegar which as very good. I had ravioli with a pink sauce which was very good. However, everyone else did not enjoy their meal.

We then walked, walked, and walked some more through Venice. It really is a beautiful city at night, We walked all through the city ending at St. Marks Square which was very beautiful with some bands playing beautiful music.

Day 12

We started off the day at the Doges Palace which was truly amazing. The architecture was beautiful including statues of Mars and Neptune. The Golden staircase was very impressive. The ceilinigs and walls were covered in murals by Venetian artists. They were some of the largest I have ever seen. We stopped at the Bridge of Sighs and all sighed. :) The palace had a prison which was odd. The bridge got its name from the prisoners led to jail or to execution and they would sigh.

We then went to St. Marks Square where we went in the Byzatine Basillica which was very beautiful. It was very odd that the church floods from high tide. The paintingaìs told stories from the New testament which was very impressive. The church was over 1200 years old and St. Mark is actually buried there.

We stopped for a glass blowing demonstration which was very interesting. The guy created a vase in no time. I bought some really beautiful glass dolphins.

We then picked up where we left off last night, walking and walking, and walking some more. We walked through many churches and squares.

We had three gondolas for the 11 of us that went. We had an accordion player and singer. It was a lot of fun, but would have been nicer to have someone special to share the romantic ride. I recognized Volare and Solo Mio as songs he sang.

We then headed back to the hotel for a nice Italian dinner. Everything was excellent. I am going to sleep well tonight.

Day 13

Today we drove from Venice to Rome.

We drove to the tourist area and had a six course dinner. It was an excellent meal, small portions, but a lot of food. They had a guy with an accordion and another with a guitar singing Italian songs. He played That's Amore and Volare, among other Italian favorites.

We drove to the Trevi fountains which were beautiful. We threw the coins in the fountain. However, my journey did not turn out like the movie. :)

We stopped at the Circus Maximus which was where they had the chariot races and the Christian executions. We also stopped at St. Peters Square which was beautiful at night. The Vitorrio Emanuelle was amazing at night.