Day 10 - Venice to home

Ciao Italy!
It's been great!

Day 9 - Venice

In the morning, we visited a mask shop where the owner demonstrated some mask making techniques and shared with us some fascinating history about Venetian masks.  We also enjoyed a walking tour of Venice, ending in San Marco Square.  Our supper that night included some of the best gnocchi ever! Here are some pictures to enjoy.

 

Day 8 - Florence to Venice

We took a bus to Venice this morning and arrived around 12:30 in the afternoon.  After quickly dropping our luggage off at the hotel and grabbing some lunch, we took a water bus to the island of Murano.  On the island, we visited a glass museum and watched a demonstration of a worker making a vase and horse of glass.  In the evening, we had a fantastic dinner of squid black ink pasta - a popular Venetian dish.  Here are some pictures.

Venice

Glass making factory

Murano

Squid black ink pasta

Day 7 - Florence

Goodbye Florence! Tomorrow Venice.

At the Galileo Museum in Florence

Day 6 - Florence

Oh Florence! We went on a walking tour of Florence and ended up in the Uffizi Museum where some spectacular art is preserved and displayed.  We also saw the copy of David outside of the government palace.  The afternoon included a hike to a beautiful viewpoint where you can see amazing views of Florence.  After dinner we had some of the best gelato yet! Here are some pictures. Enjoy!

Day 5 - Perugia to Florence

Our stay in the villa came to an end as we boarded the bus headed for Sienna today. We arrived and met our guide who took us on a walking tour of Sienna. The streets are narrow (one car width) and hilly. We had some time for lunch and exploring before our transfer to Florence. Once in Florence we had a lovely dinner at a cafe on the square and then took a ride on the carousel. It was a great night! Here are some pictures (I am finally including some food pictures - we have been devouring our food before there is even a chance!)

Sienna

Pesto pasta

Pasta with tomato and chilies

Eggplant lasagna


Tirasmu



Carousel

Day 4 - Orvieto to Perugia

We checked out of the hotel this morning and boarded our bus heading to Orvieto - a small medieval town built on top of a cliff. We had to take a funicular up the cliff to get to the town. We met our guide who took us into the underground caves where people would have little workshops (such as making olive oil). We also explored the pigeon houses where people would keep pigeons. Pigeons were an ideal choice as they can find food on their own and could still provide meat for the family during a siege. As well, they lay 2 eggs every month which means the supply multiplies fast! We had the students do some mental math, much to their chagrin.  We also went to the cathedral and then spent some time exploring the alleyways and small shops. After lunch, we drove to Perugia where we had a walking tour and then sampled chocolates and gelato from a local shop. The day ended with dinner at the hotel in Perugia - a beautiful villa in the Umbria countryside! Here are some pictures.

Water well

Pigeon houses

Cathedral in town square

Dark chocolate gelato

Day 3 in ROMA

We started our adventure today by walking to the Colosseum and enjoying a guided walking tour of ancient Rome.  The weather is beautiful! Blue skies, green grass and big shady trees with birds chirping happily in the background.  We had lunch at the Pantheon, picked up some gelato (no surprise there!) and walked back to the hotel to get ready for Gladiator School.  At Gladiator School we learned some history and different tactics and then practiced some moves (safely of course!).  Tomorrow, we are heading to Orvieto and then Perugia.  Here are some pictures from today. 

 

Day 2 in ROMA

Morning came fast today! The kids were all ready to go promptly at 8:15 AM in the hotel lobby - smiles and money belts tightly secured.  We took the Metro to the Vatican and met our guide who took us through the museums, Sistine Chapel and St. Peters Basilica.  The architecture and artwork are overwhelming beautiful.  The grandeur of everything is incredible.  After a brief lunch, we walked to the Castel S. Angelo, Piazza Navona and Pantheon.  Students are "paparazzi-ing" every area we visit like mad!  A few ran out of room on their memory cards and camera batteries were depleted much to their dismay.  As well, many of them are developing a gelato habit that is becoming increasingly difficult to satisfy =) Afterwards, we headed for a pizza supper and to our hotel for the evening.  Here are a few pictures.

 Lemon trees

 Green grass and blue skies

First day in ROMA

After a journey of sleepless flights, we arrived in Rome in the afternoon on Friday.  We checked into the hotel and had an hour before supper.  After a tasty supper of various grilled and marinated vegetables, chicken and fish and pasta, we walked to the Trevi Fountain and the Spanish Steps.  The view at night was amazing.  Here are some pictures.

Three more days...

The weather forecast for ROME, Italy

Map Route

Courtesy of BB - thank you! 

And then there were 15 days left...

It is incredible to think that 10 months ago plans were set in motion for this adventure.  And now there are only 15 days left before we depart.  You're welcome to come along on the journey as we chronicle some of our memories through this blog.  It wouldn't be the same without you!