Oct 25, 2007

Sistine Chapel, Vatican City

The Sistine Chapel ceiling, painted by Michelangelo between 1508 and 1512, is one of the most renowned artworks of the High Renaissance. Central to the ceiling decoration are nine scenes from the Book of Genesis, of which the Creation of Adam is the best known, the hands of God and Adam being reproduced in countless […]

Oct 25, 2007

Ooodles of Doodles, Rome

It was a tradition in Gemma’s family to play this doodle game while waiting for food at restaurants. One person makes a random scribble, and the other person creates a drawing from it. On a rainy day, we spent several hours in a café playing this game. Here are some of our Before & Afters. […]

Oct 24, 2007

Time Elevator, Rome

From the Time Elevator website: “One sensational ride on Time Elevator and Rome will never seem the same again!” I don’t know about all that… but it was fun, and we got to wear rock star glasses!

Oct 23, 2007

Coliseum, Rome

The Coliseum, originally the Flavian Amphitheatre, is an elliptical amphitheatre in the centre of the city of Rome, Italy, the largest ever built in the Roman Empire. It is one of the greatest works of Roman architecture and engineering. Our photos don’t do it justice; you really have to see it in person.

Oct 21, 2007

Trattoria Marione, Florence

I think we ate at the Trattoria Marione everyday we were in Florence. It was just down the street from our apartment and it’s got good food at good prices. We recommend stopping by if you’re in Florence (the bean soup is excellent). view on Google Maps

Oct 21, 2007

Palazzo Pitti, Florence

The Palazzo Pitti is a vast, mainly Renaissance, palace in Florence, Italy. It is situated on the south side of the River Arno, a short distance from the Ponte Vecchio. The core of the present palazzo dates from 1458 and was originally the town residence of Luca Pitti, an ambitious Florentine banker. It was bought […]

Oct 20, 2007

Ponte Vecchio, Florence

The Ponte Vecchio is a Medieval bridge over the Arno River, in Florence, Italy, noted for having shops built along it. Butchers initially occupied the shops; the present tenants are jewelers, art dealers and souvenir sellers.

Oct 20, 2007

Piazza della Signoria, Florence

Piazza della Signoria is an L-shaped square in front of the Palazzo Vecchio in Florence, Italy. It was named after the Palazzo della Signoria, also called Palazzo Vecchio. It is the focal point of the origin and of the history of the Florentine Republic and still maintains its reputation as the political hub of the […]