this picture was taken from our tour bus traveling through the Tuscan hills
Picture of Romeo and Juliet famous balcony scence in Verona, ItalyFor our 2nd year anniversary, the Leungs traveled to Italy to take part in a group tour called "Italy Dream". It was a 7 day tour that visited the sights and sounds of Rome, Venice, Verona, Assisi, and Florence. Alicia won an educational grant that allowed her to explore "culture immersion and language acquisition strategies" in Italy. The grant money and frequent airline miles really helped cover the bills!
Rome: Spanish Steps, Piazza Venezia, Piazza Navona, Pantheon, Capital Hill, St. Peter's Basilica, St. Peter's Square, Vittoriano, Roman Forum, Colosseum, Catacombs of San Callisto, Arco di Constantino, Trevi Fountain, Mamertine, Sistine Chapel, Vatican Museum
Interesting Tidbits: The best part of Rome is the historical sites that you can visit while you are there. Ed was particularly interested in visiting the catacombs -- where early Christians buried their own; it's 20 km of tunnels with over 500,000 people buried there including 7 popes who were martyred in the 3rd century. We also got to visit Mamertine the place that Peter and Paul were imprisoned at. Did you also know that Rome's water is really pure? The water comes from an intense system of aqueducts. Below is a picture of Ed drinking water from one of the public water fountains. The water was always cold and delicious. We never really had to purchase water in Rome!
Venice: water taxi through the Grand Canal, Rialto Bridge, St. Mark's Square, Gondola ride at night with musicians & singer, Palazzo Ducale, Doge's Palace, Dungeons, Bridge of Sighs, St. Mark's Basilica
Interesting Fact: Our gondola driver spoke English really well. He told us that very few of the gondolas drivers can sing. Most people hire professional singers and musicians to accompany them on rides for the tourists.
Florence: the Baptistery, Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore w/ Duomo, Giotto's Bell Tower, Piazza Signoria, Santa Croce Basilica, lots of shopping (leather and glass), Accademia, Uffizi
We spent most of our time in Florence standing in line for museums. We stood in line for 30 minutes to see the David (which is amazing) and then 2 hours for entry into the Uffizi Gallery (home of a world class art collection by the Medici Family). Thus, we ate alot to wipe away our woes. Nothing like eating outside on a piazza (plaza) chilling and eating good Italian food.
4 comments:
oh alicia! i just had to comment on this post. i went to italy in '05 with my mom and i loved it!! those lines in florence are awful!! did you know we decided to skip every single popular art museum there b/c we didn't want to wait. no regrets. i can't believe you let a pigeon touch you. did you see any fresh figs? we love figs and we bought them every chance we got and gorged on them.
love,
carol
wow, alicia! sounds like you had an amazing trip! thanks for posting pics! still waiting for my opportunity to cross the atlantic or pacific oceans. ;)
YAY for Italy! and the "Italian Dream"!!! :) Our most favorite place in the world for tourism, sightseeing, and food! :) Glad to hear and see you had a good time - and FLEXIBILITY in what you did on the side! YAY!!! :) Brings back fond, fond memories!!! YAY! :)
What great pictures! it looks like you guys had an awesome time! :) sorry though that we missed you in Houston..Hopefully we will get to see you guys soon...maybe in the windy city if you come to visit your nephew #8? :)
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