The Coliseum

     No trip to Rome would be complete without a visit to the Coliseum. The photo above was taken from the bus window as we approached the site.

     This six acre amphitheater was constructed in 70 AD.

     Will I ever return to Rome? Who knows, but I did toss a coin over my shoulder into the Trevi Fountain! :-)

Walking Tour of Rome

     Our wonderful guide, Gaia, took us on a walking tour of her city. The photos above and below show the site where Julius Caesar was said to have been assassinated.

     This impressive building below is the Victor Emmanuel II Monument in Piazza Venezia. It was built in tribute to the first king of a unified Italy. 

     We had lunch in a small piazza where there was an open air market surrounded by outdoor cafes.

A bookstore named for Ray Bradbury's classic novel . . . 

Apron, anyone?

Bike security . . . 

And the invisible man . . . 

Rome - Part 1

     On our first full day in Rome, we visited the Vatican where our local guide explained with clarity and depth what we would be seeing and what to look for on the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel.The architecture of the new Vatican museum was very impressive.

     No photography is allowed in the Sistine Chapel, but it is permitted in other areas. This magnificent ceiling was in the map room that you pass through on your way to the Sistine Chapel.

     As you can see, the walls of this room feature very large maps of the different regions of Italy.

After the Sistine Chapel, we toured St. Peter's Basilica. 

     Later we visited the Spanish Steps.

More tomorrow . . . 

Sorrento - Part 2

      Sorrento is absolutely beautiful. . . just look at the color of the water.

There was a special Salvador Dali exhibit going on while we were in Sorrento, but I did not visit it. I was thrilled, however, to see his glorious Surrealist Piano which was on display in a small park in the center of town.

Another statue, not by Dali, which caught my eye in a waterfront park was this Mother and Child. The faces truly reflect that special bond between mothers and their children/

The narrow streets are lined with shops offering all sorts of enticing products. 

Countless shops feature lemon products for which the area is known.

When you need a break, you can always stop for some gelato.

Tomorrow I will post photos from Rome.

Sorrento

Beautiful Sorrento was our home base for six nights, and fortunately, our hotel was within walking distance of the city center.

We had one free day, and we spent it exploring. In the heart of the city, we visited an orange and lemon orchard where you could sample and purchase products.

The cathedral in Sorrento was magnificent.

Inside the cathedral there is large, beautiful painting of Pope John Paul and outside there is this incredibly lifelike statue. Another reason to visit the cathedral is to see the beautiful display of creche figures.

     On a side street we looked over a low wall to see far below these intriguing ruins called the Valley of the Mills.

In the evening, many of us attended a very entertaining musical theater production.

Tomorrow . . . more photos from Sorrento