2008 TRIP to ITALY

One of our best trips ever. We went to Rome, Florence, San Gimingano, Pisa, The Chianti Region, Cinque Terre, Venice, Murano, Burano, Milan and Lake Como.

Some images of our trip to Italy. One of if not the most beautiful and historic place ever.

Our balcony at the hilltop Rome Cavalieri Hilton overlooking all of Rome - Click on image to see video

The Trevi Fountain - Click on image to see video

Can't go to the Leaning Tower of Pisa and not take this picture

Lillian in front of a statue of some important dude riding a horse who probably did something for someone a long long time ago. - Click on image to see video

Hee Hee Hee

the big guy at the Coloseum - Click on image tp see video

Somewhere in Rome = Click on image to see video

We stood in front of so many important buildings, I can't remember this one. - Click on image to see video

a One Person car. If the price of gas keeps going up, you'll see these in the USA

Bob with the Vatican in the background

Lillian across the street from the Hotel Westin Excelsior in Florence

Has to be the "GAYEST" statue I've ever seen - They even have a song for this statue - Click on image to hear it

The Siena Duomo

Entrance to restaurant in Siena 3 stories down

Sitting in a Florence Ristorante near the Ponte Vechio

Side Doors on the Florence Duomo. These were not worthy of being the main doors. HUH? The main doors were even more spectacular but crowded with people entering.

Awe inspiring art work in the Hall of Maps in the Vatican

Everywhere you look up and see a decorated ceiling that must have taken a very talented artist much labor and sweat to accomplish. Most are unknown artists but their work is immortal. Very inspiring and humbling to what can be acheived with talent, time and riches.

A Tower in Florence

It is amazing that a wood sculture like this one that is hundreds of years old has survived fires, wars and time and is still in such admirable shape. The genius of using the best materials and for them to be as permanent and so as to be admired for centuries I greatly respect.

Tuscany Region South of Florence - One of the most beautiful places on Earth

Not only is the Leaning Tower of Pisa leaning, every building in Pisa is leaning. There is nothing square or level here!

A pulpit in the Pisa Duomo (Duomo means Church) supposedly the start of The Renaissance in art because of the story-telling in the sculpted top. Interesting story; when the church burned down several hundreds of years ago, the pulpit was dismantled and set in storage in a corner of the church. 150 years later an artist sculpter named Pisano cleaned and reassembled the pulpit and did a great job except he had no plans or directions to follow so ended putting the decorated columns facing the rear instead of the front, Nevertheless this is one of the most beautiful works of art in Itally.

San Gimignano

Siena

The Chianti region in Tuscany

Bob in Burano - In front of a Pizzeria Spaghetteria

Lillian in one of the brightly color homes in Burano. Tradition is to paint the house in bright colors so the fishermen could distinguish their own homes from away at sea.

Waiting for a Water Taxi in Murano