JerrysJourneys

This post is the last entry on this blog.  We wanted to share with you our experiences on this trip.  Two couples, good friends started on a journey two weeks ago to explore Italy,  The language barrier, not withstanding, the trip was an unparalleled success.  We traveled from one end of Italy to another.  We rode the Amalfi Coast, ate lunch in Sorrento, visited Pompeii, walked where Caesa r walked in the Roman Forum, saw the Colosseum, visited the Vatican, saw the Leaning Tower of Pisa, drank the wine, ate the cheese, loved the pasta, stayed in a castle in Tuscany and rode a gondola in Venice. This trip is winding down fast.  We are packed, got our boarding pass and just waiting on the plane.  By the time you read this we should be on the way back to the USA. It was a great journey to visit and experience a different culture from what we are used to.  It gives you a new appreciation of our home.  It was exciting to come on the trip, it is equally exciting to be going home.....Ciao

Block checked.  Time to go home.  We had an enjoyable day in Venice.  Late breakfast at the hotel, bus to Venice, boat ride through the Grand Canal.  Took the slow boat, #1 for about 1 hour.  Went to another island, saw different parts of Venice.  If you go to Venice, ride boat #1.  After disembarking (getting of the boat) we wandered around through the alleys of Venice. We stayed lost a good portion of the time, but as you can tell by reading this missive, we have found our way.  Linda and Cathy shopped, Ricky and I watched.  We heard some music in a plaza and went to see what it was.  A Catholic service.  Singing and dancing.  One lady grabbed my hand and I joined in on the singing and dancing.  I was singing in Italian and did not know the words.  A lot of fun.  Afterwards we had lunch and rode in a Gondola.  The gondola Captain was named Marco.  Not so sure if he was a descendant of Marco Polo or not.  He showed us where Marco used to live.  Very nice.  We made our way back to the ...

We left Florence on a high speed train for Venice, travelling first class.  A nice train.  Checked into the Hilton Garden Inn and caught a bus to old town. It is a city in northeastern Italy sited on a group of 118 small islands separated by canals and linked by bridges. [ 2 ] It is located in the marshy Venetian Lagoon which stretches along the shoreline between the mouths of the Po and the Piave Rivers. Venice is renowned for the beauty of its setting, its architecture and its artworks. [ 2 ] The city in its entirety is listed as a World Heritage Site , along with its lagoon. It has 2000 canals & 800 bridges.  We  stayed there around 5 hours today and will go back tomorrow an ride a gondola. Very interesting town. our train to Venice Jerry, Cathy & Ricky trying to read an Italian ticket Venice water scene same water scene same more of same Linguini with clams.  Delicious Cathy & Ricky with Rialto Bridge in background Linda & jerry from Rialto Bridge

We left Tuscany, travelled to Orvieto, turned in the rental car, hopped a train and went to Florence.  One of the most beautiful cities, the most important, the largest collection of art...all the superlatives you can think of...however....it was one of the disappointments on this trip.  It was overrun with tourist (people like us).  The line stretched 3 blocks to get into church.  The line stretched just as long to get in to see David.  Overcrowded, overrun with pickpockets, very filthy and very expensive.  I did not care a whole lot for Florence.  That block is checked. I don't know the name of this church We had lunch her..pizza & beer I do appreciate art.  I thought this was the prettiest glass I ever saw People waiting to get in church gas is $11.00 per gal. transportation of choice Michaelangelo's David people waiting to get in to see David

We spent the day at another cute little medieval Italian village.  Said to be the best preserved   medieval village in all of Italy.  They all are...however....I do believe that some of the credit should go to the USA, who rebuilt a number of these villages after the Army Air Corp blew them to smithereens....just my opinion.  Today you are seeing pictures of San Gimignano and our new friends from Boston.  We also had gelato at the world cup winner's for Gelato making. Every one knows what gelato is? This village had around 72 towers at one time...old age & the USAF left it with around 13. Carole Kellerman Bart Kellerman San Jimi street scene Linda, Cathy & Ricky taking a break Gold cup gelato view from the ramparts below the ramparts heading for car San Gimingnano in my rear view mirror very old fountain very old arch rampart view