Places Page
So this year's Italy Excursion started with two simultaneous Italian transit labour interruptions (an impromptu Air Traffic Controllers Strike and the scheduled Train strike) which, despite all of the drama, only cause about a net 6 hour delay. Last year, I'd had a similar situation at Heathrow, in London and having resolved that with Alitalia workers at Heathrow, I'd have to also say, resolving strike ravaged airline tickets in Frankfort, with Lufthansa workers is infinitely more efficient.
And so I arrived in S. Lucido, Cosenza at 2:30am May 14th, and hung out in the south until the 19th. This is what a sunset looks like from my cousin's place.
And from my other cousin's place, their view is below (next door to the place above).
Made it down to Vecchio Cosenza again and hit my favourite gelati shop.
Drove down to Sicily one day and stopped along the way to take in the landscape. This shot below is looking towards Sicily (to the left) and Scila to the lower left.
Here's a look out from Messina.
And the destination, in Sicily, was Taormina. Here's a public square there that over looks the sea.
And the remains of a Roman amphitheatre in Toarmina.
To me, Toarmina was beautiful in a way that Capri is beautiful. A wonderful surprise too because this was my first trip to Sicily and while I knew Sicily was beautiful, I'd never imagined that was THAT beautiful.
Below is a view back over the city of Scila, from the castle that overlooks it.
And on the 19th, I caught a flight to Venice, where JP picked me up and brought me to Asiago, to commence Phase Two of Pro's Italy Excursion 2005.
After settling in, we'd taken a ride down to Vicenza - which is another of my favourite places. What Frank Lloyd Wright is to Chicago, Andrea Palladio (1508-1580) is to Vicenza, and most of Palladio's seminal works are located in Vicenza, below is the Basilica he did there.
The reason for the Asiago phase (and in large part, this excusion) was the marriage celebration of JP. Below is a shot of the room at the city hall where he and Silva were married.
This is the outside of the city hall, which fronts a civic square.
And at the other end of the square, some outdoor drinks and snacks were served after the ceremony. A dinner for guests was subsequent to that in another restaurant in the next city over.
JP hooked me up with an apt while in Asiago; the toilet wouldn't flush, but it had everything else including a stunning view.
And on May 25th, I trained it (Eurostar, 1st Class) to Florence. Phase Three. First thing I did (after I dropped off my bags) was make my cousin take me to the outlet stores outside of Florence. This is the coffee bar at 'The Mall', an outlet mall in the Tuscan landscape, 40 min from Florence.
And then the customary sunset over Florence, from Piazzalle Michelangelo.
Interior shot of Santa Maria Novella train station, this was my first impression of Florence in 1993 where upon which I instantly fell in love with the city.
Walked around Florence, here's a 'matrix' pano attempt of S. Maria del Fiori (Il Duomo).
And S. Lorenzo (market to the right).
Later that afternoon, my cousin and I went to San Gimignano. Another of my favourite places on the planet - the medieval core over looks an awe inspiring Tuscan landscape.
Did I say awe inspiring? (I made that up, if I'm grammatically correct - it's a fluke; truth is, I don't know how to describe it without profanities)
The next day, I took a train (Eurostar, 2nd Class ... 1st Class did nothing for me, btw) to Rome, where I was due to meet up with Jason, and others for an art opening and some time in Italy's capital. Phase Four.
We stayed at the recently renovated Hotel Raphael ... it was, without a doubt, the best hotel I've ever stayed at.
Arriving on the 25th of May, I (as did most of Italy) cleared my evening to watch the Milan - Liverpool Champions league final, which I did with beer I bought at a store after eating a Pizza and Pizzeria Baffetto. When I asked for my 'Pizza Baffeto' (house specialty) and mentioned I was in a hurry to get back to watch the game ... they screamed out the order to go to someone who had to go watch the game. Which was followed with some not so unheated debate on football. Especially since I admitted to being a Juventus supporter .... Juventus's current coach, Fabio Cappello, was Roma's coach last year and the way he'd switch teams was a little too dodgy for most Roman's liking ... anyway, I made it to the hotel in time only to be emotionally crushed at the way Milan lost that game. (lost in penalty kicks, after being up 3-0 at half time)
So there was this art exhibit that I'd gone to (as Jason's guest) at this amazing contemporary gallery in an incredible home in a historic (and mighty impressive) home in Rome.
Next day, hit the city in Rome to visit some of the sites.
The Pantheon.
The portico at the Pantheon.
Piazza Navonna.
Trevi Fountain.
Walked up the Spanish Steps, here's the view looking down.
Checked out some Roman ruins.
Made it to the Vatican.
Here's the outside of St. Peter's, from upclose.
And the view out from the doors.
And then I went home.