Trish has been able to take a group of students from McKinney Boyd HS on various trips the past few years over spring break. This trip was a little different because Cassidy and I were able to join her on this trip to Northern Italy.
It held special significance to me because I was able to go back to Florence where I did my junior year of college. To be able to share some of the things that had a huge impression on me with my family was awesome to think about.
We didn't go to Pompeii, so the map above is wrong on that count and we instead took an extra day in Rome, which was a much better trade off.
Our tour guide Pablo was a great guide. Knowledgable, flexible and was a great source of information and insight.
It was a great experience for us all, and hope you enjoy the pictures.
It held special significance to me because I was able to go back to Florence where I did my junior year of college. To be able to share some of the things that had a huge impression on me with my family was awesome to think about.
We didn't go to Pompeii, so the map above is wrong on that count and we instead took an extra day in Rome, which was a much better trade off.
Our tour guide Pablo was a great guide. Knowledgable, flexible and was a great source of information and insight.
It was a great experience for us all, and hope you enjoy the pictures.
Venice
Venice is such a unique place. Even the couple of us who had been there before was once again smitten by how special it is. The hotel we stayed at had the most amazing breakfast and we had a chance to visit Murano glass who has been making glass since the 8th century.
I took more picture in Venice then anywhere else, because it was so picturesque. Not to mention when we in Rome for example or Florence we weren't allowed to take pictures in the museums, but around every corner in Venice there seems to an incredible shot waiting.
I took more picture in Venice then anywhere else, because it was so picturesque. Not to mention when we in Rome for example or Florence we weren't allowed to take pictures in the museums, but around every corner in Venice there seems to an incredible shot waiting.
Ravenna
Ravenna was a great surprise. Quaint, quiet, and some of the best Byzantine mosaics in the world. The Basilica di San Vitale was the center piece of our visit but there are 8 UNESCO World Heritage sites in the small town, so there is a lot to delve into.
As this was a stop on our way to Florence we didn't get a chance to see them all, but it was a great stop nonetheless.
From the bus we walked through a tunnel to get under a road which I think everyone took pictures of its graffiti. My images don't do justice to the mosaics an I recommend if you want to get more of feel for Ravenna and in particular the mosaics to a search and you won't be disappointed.
As this was a stop on our way to Florence we didn't get a chance to see them all, but it was a great stop nonetheless.
From the bus we walked through a tunnel to get under a road which I think everyone took pictures of its graffiti. My images don't do justice to the mosaics an I recommend if you want to get more of feel for Ravenna and in particular the mosaics to a search and you won't be disappointed.
Florence
Florence is considered by many to be the crucible of the Renaissance, and one of the prettiest cities in all of Europe. There is plenty of reasons to agree to both of those assertions but for me it was a homecoming of sorts.
I spent a year in Florence and it was a transformative year going to school at SACI Florence and helped instill in me the love of travel and other cultures. Its this love that I share with Trish that has been one of the ties that bind us together, and one we have passed along to Cassidy.
With time spent in the Academia and the Uffizi Gallery where we weren't allowed to take pictures it might seem like a we didn't do much because its not picture heavy but that is far from accurate. One of the highlights was the cooking class where we made a traditional meal, including making out own pasta!
I spent a year in Florence and it was a transformative year going to school at SACI Florence and helped instill in me the love of travel and other cultures. Its this love that I share with Trish that has been one of the ties that bind us together, and one we have passed along to Cassidy.
With time spent in the Academia and the Uffizi Gallery where we weren't allowed to take pictures it might seem like a we didn't do much because its not picture heavy but that is far from accurate. One of the highlights was the cooking class where we made a traditional meal, including making out own pasta!
Assisi
Like Ravenna, Assisi was a stop between two destinations. In this case between Florence and Rome, and like Ravenna we weren't able to spend a lot of time there, but it left an indelible print one all of us. I kept hearing whispers about people wanting to rent an apartment and take a vacation here.
Assisi, is dominated by Basilica of San Francesco, and is the birthplace of St Francis of Assisi and the Franciscan Order. The same St Francis that the current pope choose to take his name from.
For a few intrepid explorers we wound our way higher and higher up the steps until it became a path and ultimately we were on the hill above Assisi with a great view all around, where you could see remainders of the old walls and the valley below.
Assisi, is dominated by Basilica of San Francesco, and is the birthplace of St Francis of Assisi and the Franciscan Order. The same St Francis that the current pope choose to take his name from.
For a few intrepid explorers we wound our way higher and higher up the steps until it became a path and ultimately we were on the hill above Assisi with a great view all around, where you could see remainders of the old walls and the valley below.
Rome
Rome by far was the most sprawling and metropolitan of all the cities we visited, but still mixed in with all the modern day conveniences it lives in the midst of some of the most impressive ruins of the ancient world. Its a blend that few cities have and everywhere you turn there is something of interest.
Some of the highlights we can't show because no pictures are allowed in the Sistine Chapel, or in most of the Vatican Museum, (which if I remember correctly we were told has 8 miles of galleries) but one highlight that we could take pictures of was being there for a blessing by Pope Francis. Granted its hard to see him in the window, but it was him and it was a great honor to have been able to see him.
The Pieta, the Laocoone, Colosseum, the Forum, St Peters, the Pantheon, Trevi Fountain, the Capuchin Crypts, and the list goes on and on, but we can't fit it all in in the time we had, but boy did we see a lot! We capped it off with a picnic in Villa Borghese gardens.
Some of the highlights we can't show because no pictures are allowed in the Sistine Chapel, or in most of the Vatican Museum, (which if I remember correctly we were told has 8 miles of galleries) but one highlight that we could take pictures of was being there for a blessing by Pope Francis. Granted its hard to see him in the window, but it was him and it was a great honor to have been able to see him.
The Pieta, the Laocoone, Colosseum, the Forum, St Peters, the Pantheon, Trevi Fountain, the Capuchin Crypts, and the list goes on and on, but we can't fit it all in in the time we had, but boy did we see a lot! We capped it off with a picnic in Villa Borghese gardens.