Thursday, July 1, 2010

Arrivederci, Italia!

Tuesday, June 29


We woke up early to catch the 8:15am train to Florence. Since we were unable to go to Florence as originally planned, we decided to stop on our way to Venice. We knew it was going to be a quick trip into the city, but better to be there for a short time than to not see it at all.

Monday, June 28, 2010

Texas Walker Ranger

Sunday, June 27

With the purchase of a Roma Pass, you not only get unlimited bus and metro rides, but you get to tour two of Rome's museums for free. Our first entry was used at the Colosseum. We decided to use the second pass at Castel Sant'Angelo. This Castle was featured in the movie Angels and Demons so it was kind of fun to see the inside. However, we couldn't really tell how much of it was used in the movie. I think if I go back and watch the movie, I will pay close attention to this part...we were able to see the walkway that does exist linking Vatican City to the Castle. The Castle actually was not originally built as a castle. It was built as a tomb for the Emperor Hadrian. However, as time has passed, the castle has been used as prison and as a fortress for popes under attack. Although the inside of the castle was neat (we had to go up a winding passageway and even crossed what looked like a drawbridge), it was really the views of Rome that were most impressive. We had our first real glances of St. Peter's Basilica and Vatican City.

Pictures from Saturday, June 26--Rome

Pictures from Thursday, June 24--Paris

Pictures from Tuesday, June 22--Paris

Pictures from Monday, June 21--Paris

Sunday, June 27, 2010

When in Rome

Friday, June 25

Well we have made it to Rome. We actually made it to Rome after a very long train ride from Paris. Our train from Paris left at 6:54am to Lyon, France. However, before we reached Lyon we found out we had to change to another train in Belgan (spelling?) which luckily was just on the platform across from us. Finally making it Lyon, we boarded a train to Geneve (Geneva), Switzerland. Now I am sure Geneva is quite beautiful, the train station, not so much. It was especially annoying that when you purchased something they paid you back in Francs. From Geneve it was off to Milano, Italy.