Arrivederci Italia

Well, this is one of the first things we saw in Italy, and the last also. We returned to Rome today, and went back to the Trevi for one last look and to find our favorite Rome restaurant. We had some trouble finding it, but finally did, and some special things happened when we were sitting outside at our table. An accordion player and his tambourine playing friend serenaded the diners, and played the love theme from The Godfather, which was the song we danced to for our first dance at our wedding reception. They also played "That's Amore", and "Arrivederci Roma"' and as they were playing a couple of other songs, from a window above the restaurant (Teatro Quirino), two singers joined in (a tenor and a soprano), and they had BEAUTIFUL voices! Especially the soprano. It actually brought tears to my eyes.
A memorable last night, and a memorable trip altogether.
Tomorrow we'll be back home.

Venice decor

I was just fascinated by these door decorations, knockers, and fountains in Venice.

Two islands - Murano and Burano

We left Venice today for a little while to visit a glass factory in Murano, where we did end up buying something.
Then we learned that on the other little island, Burano, they make all sorts of lace things. We resisted the lace. It was a very cute little fishing island. We had lunch there, then caught the vaporetto back to the St. Mark area, and walked back to our hotel from there. On the way we stumbled upon a gelateria that I recognized from the Rick Steves Italy book - the one he said was the best in Venice. So we had to test his theory, and he might be right. I don't even care if we don't go to dinner tonight.

The master glass maker is at the furnace. His assistants are the other two.

These men are etching, smoothing, or whatever they do to finish some of the glass pieces.

Well, I couldn't resist. I'm signing the bottom of the vase so that when it arrives, we'll know it's the one we chose.

Burano

The second island we went to was Burano, where they make lace and crocheted items. Monica took us on a tour. We didn't buy anything there.

A cute little island

Even Burano has its own little canals

The leaning tower of Burano

The Frari Church, or Santa Maria Gloriosa

This was a great church, because the art created for this church is still there, where it was meant to be. There are beautiful paintings, sculptures, and ornate tombs.
We actually skipped St. Mark's Basilica because the line was so long, we were too tired, and it was too hot. But I considered this church a nice substitution.
Tomorrow we go to Murano to see the glass factories.

Al liked the choir seats.

This is the altarpiece in the church, it's The Assumption by Titian.

Trying to figure where to go and what to do. I'm sitting in St. Mark's Square

This is for Jim & Mary Jean

Venice

We arrived in Venice yesterday, and today was our first day of walking around. We went to mass at a church not far from here, St. Stefano. Several children were making their first communion.
Then we found St. Mark's and the Rialto bridge, and had lunch and some gelato.
It's very hot, and when we go out again later, I'm dressing a little cooler!

The view from our hotel window

This is the breakfast area at our hotel.

St. Mark's

These little side canals are everywhere.

The Rialto bridge

It is about 87 degrees today, and humid.

Arriving in Venice

We arrived in Venice in the late afternoon, got on the correct vaporetto, got off at the correct stop, but we went in circles for a little while until we found our hotel.

Our hotel room in Venice at the Pensione Accademia.

Ciao Cristina e Monterosso

Saying goodbye to Cristina as we left her cute little hotel in Monterosso.

Monterosso

It was very sunny and hot there, and Al finally relented and bought a hat.

We think this was a joke, because the "beach" was too rocky.

A view of the newer Monterosso from the path.

The second path we took, back the other way.

Old Monterosso from the path.

This is a photo of the hotel Porto Roca, and it is pretty high, but as you can see, we were way higher, and not even at the top yet.

May 20

Even though we didn't do the hike from Monterosso to Vernazza, we did find a couple of other trails that were just as good. The first was a hike up to a Cappuchin Chapel and monastery, then a little higher to a cemetery above old Monterosso. The path wound back down and led to the old town.

Taking the boat to Riomaggiore, then walking to Manarola

We took the boat today (the 19th) to Riomaggiore and then walked to Manarola, and got the boat there back to Monterosso. It was the easiest walk between the towns, as we don't mind walking, even walking a lot, but we're not hikers, so we decided to this one, and it was quite nice.

The path from Riomaggiore to Manarola

The beginning of the path to Manarola from Riomaggiore

Manarola

Arriving in Manarola

Waiting to go back to Monterosso on the boat

Near where the boat drops off and picks up in Vernazza

Fried anchovies

One of the local specialties, acciughe fritti.

Vernazza