Tuesday, April 2, 2013
Beasts of the Southern Wild at Sundance and the Oscars
Melanesia Discovery on the Orion March 2013
Melanesian Discovery trip on MV Orion March 2-19, 2013
(Another name might be the Failed States of the Coral Sea Tour)
Link to all pictures= https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/sredir?uname=103487700054521552182&target=ALBUM&id=5862267375302260657&authkey=Gv1sRgCPbw7ejesvvh-gE&feat=email
This trip came about at Beth's invitation because she left the US on 12/26 and planned to be gone thru April (now May). She invited us to meet her about half way thru her trip and did the research to find the Orion cruise. I figured it might be a good thing to reestablish contact with Beth in the hope of keeping her from going native and never returning home.
March 2-4 In transit
This trip also sneaked up on us, for many reasons- planning to sell Ingrid's house, making decisions about the endless pool project at our house, getting used to Rusty's increased level of care needed in light of no way to control where he goes except to keep him inside and with limited access to that, but especially because of Michael and Beasts and the buildup to the Oscars including Connie's quick trip to California for the event.
Actually the travel across the Pacific was relatively painless on Air NZ. I don't remember our switchover from Auckland to Nadi in Fiji, but we made it and had a day of rest there. (I did not realize it at the time but our stopover in Fiji, which was done to make sure we got to Port Vila in Vanuatu on time, also allowed us to say we have visited all four countries counted as Melanesia.)
March 4- Nadi, Fiji
Link to all pictures= https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/sredir?uname=103487700054521552182&target=ALBUM&id=5862267375302260657&authkey=Gv1sRgCPbw7ejesvvh-gE&feat=email
This trip came about at Beth's invitation because she left the US on 12/26 and planned to be gone thru April (now May). She invited us to meet her about half way thru her trip and did the research to find the Orion cruise. I figured it might be a good thing to reestablish contact with Beth in the hope of keeping her from going native and never returning home.
March 2-4 In transit
This trip also sneaked up on us, for many reasons- planning to sell Ingrid's house, making decisions about the endless pool project at our house, getting used to Rusty's increased level of care needed in light of no way to control where he goes except to keep him inside and with limited access to that, but especially because of Michael and Beasts and the buildup to the Oscars including Connie's quick trip to California for the event.
Actually the travel across the Pacific was relatively painless on Air NZ. I don't remember our switchover from Auckland to Nadi in Fiji, but we made it and had a day of rest there. (I did not realize it at the time but our stopover in Fiji, which was done to make sure we got to Port Vila in Vanuatu on time, also allowed us to say we have visited all four countries counted as Melanesia.)
March 4- Nadi, Fiji
Bula! That’s what the Fijians say for “Hello”, and they say it a
lot.
Because Air NZ flight was so long and the seat/ reclining bed was so good, we had enough energy to go for a hotel recommended tour of part of the island. Our driver was Indian and told us a lot about the ethnic groups- village people (ie native Fijians), Indians (37%), and Chinese and others. The Indians came three generations ago to work the sugar cane but the cane business is dying out. Fiji is a sort of failed state (like the Solomon's and Papua New Guinea) and is currently run by the military with another election due in 2014. The problem is the native peoples own the land and can’t agree with the Indians over proper compensation for use of it.
One of our stops was in one of the villages where the guide showed us the Methodist church which holds John Wesley's shirt’s buttons- he came as a missionary and disappeared in the interior, but the native search party came back with his buttons. Hmm, was he eaten?
And Hmmm again- At Connie’s request I looked up John Wesley in
Wikipedia and it says he died in London. So the Fijian Methodist Church is
operating under an illusion, but it might be nearly right. Further internet
research indicates that a ship called the John Wesley arrived in Fiji with some
missionaries and maybe one of these is the guy who met his fate in the hills
and had his buttons brought back to reside in the church.
Another stop was a beautiful 16 acre orchid garden
started and supported for many years by Raymond Burr of Perry Mason fame. Other
than the orchids most of the other plants were native species.
After the tour, dinner at the Novotel and some out of sync sleep before a very early flight to Port Vila in Vanuatu.
After the tour, dinner at the Novotel and some out of sync sleep before a very early flight to Port Vila in Vanuatu.
Dominant bird seen was the Mynah.
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March 5- Port Vila, Vanuatu- the Warwick Lagoon Hotel
At about this time in the trip, travel for 31 hours, more or less straight, and switching over between three countries was beginning to lead to time and currency confusion.
We arrived at the hotel and caught up with Beth who got there a day ahead of us. The hotel sits on the shore of a beautiful lagoon and has a large very curvy shaped pool. The grounds are extensive and full of well laid out paths to bungalows and buildings edged with a large variety of tropical plants. Unfortunately, at any moment there could be torrential downpours.
I tried to get on the Internet but it wasn't working so the hotel called a rep from Digicel to come over and help me. He had a hard time but while he was trying we had a good conversation- he is a Pakistani and has been stationed by the company in South Africa, Uganda, and Congo. He works 16 hour days and climbed the local mountains during his time off. He let me have the Internet for 24 hours at a 2 dollar cost because of the problem.
Rain, a good dinner, a better buffet breakfast, more rain, and then on to the next part.
Birds- White rumped
swiftlets zooming around the hotel, and the ever present Indian Mynahs hopping
around and squawking all the time. I also
spotted a large dove with bright green wings to the shoulders which I still
need to look up. Rainbow lorikeets flying and squawking overhead the whole trip
from here on but never visible except in silhouette.
March 6- Port Vila, Vanuatu, boarding the Orion
It sure seems like it took a long time to get to the cruise part of this trip.
Our big problem this day was actually getting to the ship. The directions were to go to the main wharf off Lini Road and there would be the Orion. The taxi driver's English wasn't too good and neither my Bislama nor my Pidgin English were very good, so he started to take us to the airport. After we cleared that up, we went to the wharf and found no Orion but a huge Princess cruise liner there with 2000 passengers all checking out the multitude of stalls selling things right at the pier. We could then see Orion anchored off across the water but could not figure out how to get to it. After a couple of circuits between the wharf and a hotel with a little water taxi dock next to it, I spotted someone with an Orion shirt near a cafe and we found the zodiacs.
It felt good after three days of travel to unpack and get oriented to the boat, which has many more luxury type features than the Lindblad NatGeo ships we have been on- notably more room in the cabin, a real shop, hair salon, and a lecture room with theatre seating.
At the welcome party, we
met our Captain, who looks like a college sophomore and is actually 35 years
old, but his cv indicates he has worked his way up and knows this ship
very well.
March 7- Malakula, Vanuatu (named by Captain Cook)
For this first day, we went ashore in the morning on
the second largest of the Vanuatu group to a ceremonial ground which the guide
said had never been visited by tourists. As we waded to shore from the zodiacs,
we were greeted by the native women with hibiscus leis and were offered
cocoanut drinks in the shell thru a reed straw. There were also a couple of men
in grass skirts looking kind of serious (these are or were also known as the
Cannibal Islands). Next we went inshore a couple of hundred yards to the dance
ground. There the island populace had also gathered, old and young, men and
women. The first dance was the Octopus dance, then the pig (feral pigs being a
big source of protein) dance and then a combination of both.
From what I could tell this area gets about 2 cruise ships a
year, and purchases of the totem head
dresses and other things probably contributes a lot to the economy. One other
thing to note is that natives of the Vanuatu Islands call themselves either members
of the Small Nambas tribe or the Large
Nambas tribe, and the word Nambas refers basically to the size of the customary
banana leaf codpiece worn by the tribesmen.
These islands used to be visited by missionaries and people wanting to harvest sandalwood. Now a lot of palms are grown. After the dancing we broke up into smaller groups and walked on a short trial with a native guide teaching us about their culture, the plants they make use of, spirits etc. Back to the ship for lunch and then we split into 2 large groups with some going snorkeling from a very small beach with a beautiful coral drop off a little farther than I went and then switching to go on a zodiac ride around the lagoon and a walk through a tiny village.
Birds spotted- Australian pelicans, which were new to
the area and the natives hadn't yet decided whether it was ok to eat them yet.
Reef Egret.
Tonight we also
found out that Lindblad is buying the Orion. A lot of the Aussie passengers
(one couple has been on 15 or more trips on Orion) are worried about the fate
of the people who work on the ship and the influx of Americans.
One more observation for now-
it looks to me like the sea and land are pretty well used up in these people's
attempts to eke out the means to live. I could not find a decent sized fish or
a fish that looked edible in the waters on this whole trip.
March 8- Espiritu Santo, Vanuatu (the largest island in Vanuatu)
Too much going on today- there was a scuba dive at a sunken
US troop carrier (the SS President Coolidge) (hit a mine), which Beth did (down
about 30 meters); a WWII tour of the island, including Million Dollar Point,
where the US just dumped tons of equipment at the end of the war rather than
pay to bring it home; a native dugout fishing trip; and a dugout paddle up a
creek (RiRi River) with crystal clear water-
this is what Connie and I did.
Espiritu Santo is the island where James A Michener
stayed and became the basis for his Tales of the South Pacific.
March 9- At Sea heading toward the Solomon Islands
Not my best day. The Expedition Leader told us on the night
of the 8th that a cyclone had formed in our area and that the Captain and he
had decided that it was best to move out as
best we could away from the way Cyclone Sandra
was expected to go. During the day there was a lot of cloud, some rain,
increasingly larger waves. There were some lectures and then an open bridge
tour. I went to the first lecture, laid down during the second, tried to go on
the bridge tour, but lost it pretty dramatically. On the positive side these
boats feed you pretty well and so a couple of skipped meals helped keep things
in balance.
Bird- lots of shearwaters but no distinguishing marks for me.
March 10- More at sea and then Nggella Island on March 11
We reached our next island but found that there was too much
current to hold so we motored on all day and night to Nggella which is in the
Florida group of Islands.
Rain, rain, rain. But this was an interesting stop in that
we visited a sunken tour boat, looking eerily similar to the one we were on,
which in 2000 had been sunk by an unnoticed coral head while the Captain was
giving a bridge tour. The Captain then ran the World Discoverer ashore so he
could offload the passengers safely, and all did get ashore. Coincidently and unfortunately at this time there was a
rebellion going on in the Solomon Islands basically caused by the former
colonial powers sticking Bougainville which historically had
been part of the Solomons into Papua New Guinea. Going back to the wreck, within
hours of wrecking and the passengers going ashore, the passengers were robbed
of every thing by a group of rebels who had heard about the wreck. It is
a terrifying thought to be stranded on one of these islands with the insects,
the monsoon rains, the impassable jungle right down to the beach, and having to
wait for help to arrive. I think about Lord of the Flies.
The interesting follow up to the story of the
wreck is that now it is a bit of a tourist attraction for the man who
"owns" that little stretch of beach. Even though only 2 tour ships
come through a year, he and his relatives are resisting the efforts of anyone
to salvage the metal or the insurance company to recover the hulk.
March 12- Honiara, on the Island of
Guadalcanal, and capital of the Solomon Islands
It was a short cruise of only 25 miles from
Nggella to Honiara but it was very sad to think about the history we were
passing over and by. Savo Island was off to
our right, and it was behind the cover of this that the Japanese staged a sneak
attack on US troops once established on Tilagi in the Floridas (back over near Nggella).
During the fighting at Guadalcanal so many ships were
lost in this passage that the area was called Iron Bottom Sound.
In 1942 the Japanese had an airfield on Guadalcanal
which the Allies took pretty easily and renamed Henderson Field. It was vital
to hold for both sides and the Japanese mounted a furious counterattack through
the jungle.
The Orion had never been to Honiara before but our
expedition team quickly organized a tour which took us to the most famous part
of the battlefield near Henderson Field (no longer in use) which is called
Edson's Ridge or Bloody Ridge. Here the marines, who had the advantage of
interior lines of communication, had their line bent almost to the breaking
point. At one time Edson's men were starting a panicked and disorderly retreat
but he stood and made the others stand with him by sheer will power. When asked
by the distant command post how it was going, although stretched to the limit,
he radioed back and said "we can hold" and that was the key that led
the commanding officer to commit his reserves which then led to holding the
field.
We rode in very cramped wagons thru the mud and rough
roads up there and could see the Field, the ridge, and from where the Japanese
attacked. There is a very sad cement pyramid to mark the battle- one can't even
read an inscription on it. Out of nowhere about twenty or thirty children and a
few adults materialized with all sorts of battlefield artifacts for sale, such
as coke bottles, bullet casings, a helmet, and old coins. Connie bought a dog
tag with the intent of looking up the soldier.
The little bus seating incident,
the details of which we didn’t learn from Beth until a couple of days later.
The rest of the tour took us to the Japanese memorial
(well done and very peaceful and respectful of both sides and the natives
(quite possibly due to guilt about how they treated the natives in 1942,
driving them onto the side of the Americans)) and then to the American
memorial, with its very different tone, more honoring only Allied sacrifices. We then saw the statue of a native coast watcher loyal to
the US who was captured by the Japanese, stabbed 7 times and tied up and left
for dead. He chewed thru his bindings, crawled 3 miles, and gave his report to
the US side before getting medical attention. He survived and was knighted by
the British. After going back to the ship, we walked back into town to
see the market which was mostly carved figures, exquisitely done and inlaid
with nacre. In this bustling town of 50,000
people almost all of which are living at the very edge of subsistence, there is
a billboard on the main street asking “Have you walked your 30 minutes today?”.
March 13- Marovo Lagoon,
Uepi, and Mateana
This was another of those busy
days, with Beth going on the scuba dives, Connie going on the Telina Village
tour, me going snorkeling, everyone going over to Uepi where there was a little
carving market with some beautiful carvings (see our bowl at home), and
everyone observing the shark feeding (all the collected sea food scraps from 7
days at sea). The tropical fish and coral on the snorkel trip were so vibrant
and plentiful. I particularly like the bright electric blue little ones in the
shallow water. Again, nothing edible or sporting visible.
Today’s notable lecture was by
Justin on Betel (red gums, red spit and eroded teeth) and Kava (root pulp in
olden days chewed by a maiden into edible form, producing a very relaxed,
mellow state). Betel- 7% of population on earth uses it, in these parts
children start at about 10 or 12.
March 14- another day at sea on the
way to Rabaul, Papua New Guinea
Luckily the seas were much
calmer this day at sea. Most of the day was taken up with some just great
lectures- one on the social and economic progress or regress in these 4
countries we have visited using a web tool called gapminder.org (what an
amazing site for statistical data and country to country comparison in
categories such as lifespan, maternal and child health measures, GDP etc). The
next one was on the history of the Rabaul volcano by our leader Mick Fogg
(sounds like a Dickens character, a great Aussie guy, probably about 50
something and newlywed with a one year old son, born in Scotland, now living in
Indonesia). There was a massive explosion of these volcanoes (there are 4 or 5
of them) in 540 AD. Then there was another huge one in 1940. (The Japanese
moved in afterwards and had 47,000 troops there during WWII, but, rather than
invade, MacArthur ignored Rabaul and let it wither without supplies. However
the US did drop lots of bombs into the volcano crater in an effort to get it to
blow big time.) Then a gigantic one erupted in 1994 from which the city has yet
to recover. The former airport is now the “golf course”, all lava field where
you would only need a sand wedge to play.
The third lecture was by our
anthropologist Justin Friend, talking about his wedding in Papua New Guinean
style to a Papuan woman- bride price, pigs cooked and left out a night for the wedding
feast- quite hilarious and definitely worth putting together in the form of a
book.
As if all that wasn’t enough,
the evening entertainment was talent show by the ship staff, and who knew the
Filipinos on the deck crew could sing and dance? The highlight for me was a
rendition of the Village People’s “In the Navy”.
March 15- Rabaul, Papua New
Guinea
Connie and Beth signed up for
the town tour which took them to Gen. Yamamoto’s bunker, the volcano
observatory, the lava damaged Rabaul Hotel and other sights. I went by bus, then
scary boat ride (high wind, crocs), to the edge of the volcano. It belched for
us which was very convenient.
Packing.
March 16- Rabaul to Cairns
Who knew you needed a visa to
get into Australia? Relaxing day on the shore in Cairns- no one on the beach-
croc warnings and stinger box jellyfish, but lots of shore birds. Dinner with
friends from the boat.
March 17- relaxing day in Cairns
Best souvenir of the trip- a
$100 trillion bill from 2008 in Zimbabwe. Flying foxes roosting in the trees
downtown!!
March 18- the longest day,
Cairns to Brisbane to Auckland to LAX. Reunion dinner in LA with Rich and
Darla, whom we haven’t seen together since about 2006, we think.
March
19- home to a sick Rusty.
Saturday, October 27, 2012
Links to pictures from past trips
I think I know how to do this now.
Botswana 2006: https://picasaweb.google.com/103487700054521552182/Botswana?authuser=0&authkey=Gv1sRgCLaUm5Kl8pSO7gE&feat=directlink
Russia 2007: https://picasaweb.google.com/103487700054521552182/RussiaJuly2007?authuser=0&authkey=Gv1sRgCPrZ_KPduuO0_wE&feat=directlink
Baltic and Ukraine 2010: https://picasaweb.google.com/103487700054521552182/BalticAndUkraine?authuser=0&authkey=Gv1sRgCOiovYudv6DdLQ&feat=directlink
Antarctica 2010: https://picasaweb.google.com/103487700054521552182/Antarctica2010?authuser=0&authkey=Gv1sRgCN30-6m58-jTxwE&feat=directlink
Russia 2007: https://picasaweb.google.com/103487700054521552182/RussiaJuly2007?authuser=0&authkey=Gv1sRgCPrZ_KPduuO0_wE&feat=directlink
Baltic and Ukraine 2010: https://picasaweb.google.com/103487700054521552182/BalticAndUkraine?authuser=0&authkey=Gv1sRgCOiovYudv6DdLQ&feat=directlink
Antarctica 2010: https://picasaweb.google.com/103487700054521552182/Antarctica2010?authuser=0&authkey=Gv1sRgCN30-6m58-jTxwE&feat=directlink
Monday, October 8, 2012
Italy September 2008
This is the text of my iWeb entry which also had pictures but since iweb and mobile me went away, the pictures did too.
Also this is a mix of what Tauck gave us and my journal.
Bellissima Northern Italy
Even if you’ve been to Italy before,
you’ve never experienced an Italian
vacation like our new 11-day
Bellissima Northern Italy journey!
Indulge yourself with another side of
Italy during this unique Italian
vacation. Begin in fashionable Milan
and discover the legacy that Leonardo
da Vinci and Michelangelo left behind.
Take in the beauty of the Italian lakes
and imagine the privileged lifestyle of
those who live on their shores as you
visit Isola Bella and Bellagio and see
the most popular Italian vacation
getaway of Verona’s rich folks in the
1st century BC on the banks of Lake
Garda. You’ll think of Romeo and
Juliet as you tour Verona, a UNESCO World Heritage Site also famous for its many relics of the Roman Empire. Attend a Balsamic vinegar tasting as well as a wine tasting and savor authentic flavors of Italy. Walk on streets that Dante once trod in Bologna and be inspired by some of Giotto’s best work in Padua (well that is if you planned ahead and got reservations). Cap off the perfect Italian vacation in Venice, truly a city of dreams.
That was from the Tauck online info. Now for what we have to say:
Flew from Richmond to Atlanta on Thursday September 11 and on to Milan’s Malpensa airport. Pretty nice flight and I think both of us actually got a couple of hours of sleep. Plane was pretty full since Saturday is Formula One race day in Monza. It was drizzling and in the low 60’s on arrival. We met the greeters and took a lloonngg bus ride in to Milan. Tauck must really have some clout because the hotel is right in the middle of everything. After a nap we tried to find the Pinacoteca (Museum) Brera. While we didn’t find it, it turns out we were so close. After a little snack and a lot more walking (including Via Montenapoleone, the Rodeo Drive of Milano) we came back and got ready for the reception mentioned in the official lingo below. Cool and drizzly.
Day-by-Day Itinerary
Day 1: Friday, Sept. 12: Benvenuti a Milano!
Your Northern Italian vacation begins at 6:00 PM at Grand Hotel et de Milan. Tauck’s Northern Italian vacation begins with an included transfer from Milan’s Malpensa Airport to the Grand Hotel et de Milan. Please join us to meet your
Also this is a mix of what Tauck gave us and my journal.
Bellissima Northern Italy
Even if you’ve been to Italy before,
you’ve never experienced an Italian
vacation like our new 11-day
Bellissima Northern Italy journey!
Indulge yourself with another side of
Italy during this unique Italian
vacation. Begin in fashionable Milan
and discover the legacy that Leonardo
da Vinci and Michelangelo left behind.
Take in the beauty of the Italian lakes
and imagine the privileged lifestyle of
those who live on their shores as you
visit Isola Bella and Bellagio and see
the most popular Italian vacation
getaway of Verona’s rich folks in the
1st century BC on the banks of Lake
Garda. You’ll think of Romeo and
Juliet as you tour Verona, a UNESCO World Heritage Site also famous for its many relics of the Roman Empire. Attend a Balsamic vinegar tasting as well as a wine tasting and savor authentic flavors of Italy. Walk on streets that Dante once trod in Bologna and be inspired by some of Giotto’s best work in Padua (well that is if you planned ahead and got reservations). Cap off the perfect Italian vacation in Venice, truly a city of dreams.
That was from the Tauck online info. Now for what we have to say:
Flew from Richmond to Atlanta on Thursday September 11 and on to Milan’s Malpensa airport. Pretty nice flight and I think both of us actually got a couple of hours of sleep. Plane was pretty full since Saturday is Formula One race day in Monza. It was drizzling and in the low 60’s on arrival. We met the greeters and took a lloonngg bus ride in to Milan. Tauck must really have some clout because the hotel is right in the middle of everything. After a nap we tried to find the Pinacoteca (Museum) Brera. While we didn’t find it, it turns out we were so close. After a little snack and a lot more walking (including Via Montenapoleone, the Rodeo Drive of Milano) we came back and got ready for the reception mentioned in the official lingo below. Cool and drizzly.
Day-by-Day Itinerary
Day 1: Friday, Sept. 12: Benvenuti a Milano!
Your Northern Italian vacation begins at 6:00 PM at Grand Hotel et de Milan. Tauck’s Northern Italian vacation begins with an included transfer from Milan’s Malpensa Airport to the Grand Hotel et de Milan. Please join us to meet your
Tauck Director (Debi Holmes) and your fellow
travelers at a welcome cocktail reception and
dinner this evening.
Meals: Dinner
Lodging: Grand Hotel de Milan, Milan
Our tour director’s name is Debi, and she lives in Ft. Payne Ala. Not many southerners on this trip with us- it’s about 32 people with 8 who cancelled. All married except 2 sisters, and all but 6 over 65. Folks we had dinner with had celebrated their 50th anniversary last year but she is only 69. Wow.
Connie and I went for a little walk after dinner (not raining and still cool) and found the Galleria and the La Scala Opera House.
On top of the Duomo and then outside near La Scala
Meals: Dinner
Lodging: Grand Hotel de Milan, Milan
Our tour director’s name is Debi, and she lives in Ft. Payne Ala. Not many southerners on this trip with us- it’s about 32 people with 8 who cancelled. All married except 2 sisters, and all but 6 over 65. Folks we had dinner with had celebrated their 50th anniversary last year but she is only 69. Wow.
Connie and I went for a little walk after dinner (not raining and still cool) and found the Galleria and the La Scala Opera House.
On top of the Duomo and then outside near La Scala
Day 2: Saturday, Sept. 13: Artful
inspirations
This morning will be a special treat for aficionados of religious art masterpieces... or The Da Vinci Code. Visit the Convent of Santa Maria delle Grazie to take in Leonardo da Vinci’s mural The Last Supper, which he painted on the refectory wall at the request of
his patron, Ludovico Sforza, Duke of Milan. With dimensions of 15 by 29 feet, this beloved mural covers the entire large wall. Continue on to magnificent Castello Sforzesco which houses Michelangelo’s last unfinished masterwork, the Rondanini Pieta. Later, admire the great Cathedral of Milan, a striking example of Gothic architecture, and the impressive Galleria Vittorio Emanuele. After a walking tour of the city center, the rest of the day is free to explore what interests you most on your own.
Meals: Breakfast
Lodging: Grand Hotel de Milan, Milan
We did a lot of walking today, including
up to the top of the Duomo in the rain to
see the square and the gargoyles and
through La Scala. We saw a wedding
about to happen in the Carmine Church,
found the Castle again and the
pedestrian area Via Dante, and then were
successful in locating the Brera where we
saw Mantegna’s Dead Christ, Raphael’s
Marriage of the Virgin (in restoration),
and a couple of Bellinis, including his
Pieta. Also there’s a painting by Hayez of
2 lovers kissing which the Italians
apparently love. Back through the Galleria there was an exhibit of crucifixion paintings. I have a feeling we will be tired of this theme and madonnas by the time we leave.
Rondanini Pieta
This morning will be a special treat for aficionados of religious art masterpieces... or The Da Vinci Code. Visit the Convent of Santa Maria delle Grazie to take in Leonardo da Vinci’s mural The Last Supper, which he painted on the refectory wall at the request of
his patron, Ludovico Sforza, Duke of Milan. With dimensions of 15 by 29 feet, this beloved mural covers the entire large wall. Continue on to magnificent Castello Sforzesco which houses Michelangelo’s last unfinished masterwork, the Rondanini Pieta. Later, admire the great Cathedral of Milan, a striking example of Gothic architecture, and the impressive Galleria Vittorio Emanuele. After a walking tour of the city center, the rest of the day is free to explore what interests you most on your own.
Meals: Breakfast
Lodging: Grand Hotel de Milan, Milan
We did a lot of walking today, including
up to the top of the Duomo in the rain to
see the square and the gargoyles and
through La Scala. We saw a wedding
about to happen in the Carmine Church,
found the Castle again and the
pedestrian area Via Dante, and then were
successful in locating the Brera where we
saw Mantegna’s Dead Christ, Raphael’s
Marriage of the Virgin (in restoration),
and a couple of Bellinis, including his
Pieta. Also there’s a painting by Hayez of
2 lovers kissing which the Italians
apparently love. Back through the Galleria there was an exhibit of crucifixion paintings. I have a feeling we will be tired of this theme and madonnas by the time we leave.
Rondanini Pieta
In the morning
before we left for
the next stop
described below,
Connie and I took a
very early brisk
walk thru the
Galleria again,
around the Piazza
Duomo, along the
pedestrian Via
Dante, up to the
Castello Sforzesco,
and then back.
Quiet streets, only
two homeless
people seen. The
Galleria was open
all night.
Day 3: Sunday, Sept. 14: Baroque Isola Bella
Your Italian vacation continues as you travel to Stresa and Lake Maggiore to explore the exquisite Borromeo Palace on tiny, private Isola Bella. Count Vataliano Borromeo began the construction of this opulent Baroque palace and its splendid gardens in 1632. The ornate family home showcases priceless works of art, tapestries and furniture in an elegant and sumptuous setting. We had lunch in Stresa on Lake Maggiore (the high class lake), with a little time to wander the narrow streets before driving along Lake Como (the party lake), to the Grand Hotel Cadenabbia on the shores of the famous Lake Como for a two-night stay.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Lodging: Grand Hotel Cadenabbia, Lake Como
What’s above, which is somewhat
modified from what’s on the website
to show the accurate itinerary,
pretty much describes the day. The
Isola Bella was interesting as tours
of castles go because of the white
peacocks and hens, the gardens, the
castle itself with maybe 80-100
rooms and the family motto of
“humility” along with 3 circles for the
united families of Sforza, Viscounti,
and Borromeo, and the unicorn all
over the place. The grotto rooms
were decorated in stones from the
glacier lake bottom and rock from
the area. There are several other
islands in the lake including one for fishermen (brown trout), one which used to belong to Arturo Toscanini, and three other Borromeo islands, including one for their puppet collection. This is NOT “humility.”
On the way over Debi gave us her views of Italiano politics including the mafia and the division between north and south Italy (4% unemployment and 40% unemployment and where 30% of the economy is black market- pretty much all in the south), the concept of Bella Figura (good form), and the Italian view of immigration (pretty much open borders and a generous heart along with extreme dislike for the immigrants who come in and can’t participate in schools or social security and who sell the fake goods and pick pockets).
She also killed any good expectations for the hotel for the next two nights- spare rooms with no art but a wonderful view of the lake across to Bellagio. Bathroom was a little strange with its clouded glass walls and there was street noise, but the room wasn’t that bad.
Your Italian vacation continues as you travel to Stresa and Lake Maggiore to explore the exquisite Borromeo Palace on tiny, private Isola Bella. Count Vataliano Borromeo began the construction of this opulent Baroque palace and its splendid gardens in 1632. The ornate family home showcases priceless works of art, tapestries and furniture in an elegant and sumptuous setting. We had lunch in Stresa on Lake Maggiore (the high class lake), with a little time to wander the narrow streets before driving along Lake Como (the party lake), to the Grand Hotel Cadenabbia on the shores of the famous Lake Como for a two-night stay.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Lodging: Grand Hotel Cadenabbia, Lake Como
What’s above, which is somewhat
modified from what’s on the website
to show the accurate itinerary,
pretty much describes the day. The
Isola Bella was interesting as tours
of castles go because of the white
peacocks and hens, the gardens, the
castle itself with maybe 80-100
rooms and the family motto of
“humility” along with 3 circles for the
united families of Sforza, Viscounti,
and Borromeo, and the unicorn all
over the place. The grotto rooms
were decorated in stones from the
glacier lake bottom and rock from
the area. There are several other
islands in the lake including one for fishermen (brown trout), one which used to belong to Arturo Toscanini, and three other Borromeo islands, including one for their puppet collection. This is NOT “humility.”
On the way over Debi gave us her views of Italiano politics including the mafia and the division between north and south Italy (4% unemployment and 40% unemployment and where 30% of the economy is black market- pretty much all in the south), the concept of Bella Figura (good form), and the Italian view of immigration (pretty much open borders and a generous heart along with extreme dislike for the immigrants who come in and can’t participate in schools or social security and who sell the fake goods and pick pockets).
She also killed any good expectations for the hotel for the next two nights- spare rooms with no art but a wonderful view of the lake across to Bellagio. Bathroom was a little strange with its clouded glass walls and there was street noise, but the room wasn’t that bad.
A good day, and a good dinner at the hotel.
Day 4: Monday, Sept. 15: Bountiful Bellagio
Travel to Tremezzo for a visit to Villa Carlotta, known for its splendid 17th-century gardens, before taking a ferry ride across Lake Como to Bellagio. As you explore this beautiful place at your leisure, you’ll discover why it is such a sought-after destination by travelers. Later, board a boat to cruise past exquisite lakeside villas en route to an intriguing dinner venue – a restaurant, set partially in a cave, that offers beautiful views of the lake. Before dinner we go to Lugano in Switzerland. Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Lodging: Grand Hotel Cadenabbia, Lake Como
This pretty much nails it except that the inside of Villa Carlotta wasn’t much except for a version of Hayez’s The Kiss which was meant to be Romeo and Juliet and the sculptures of Venus and Mars and Eros and Psyche in pure white marble which were very good.
On to Bellagio by boat. Cutesy little village on a hillside with pebble steps up. Known for silk; we got a demonstration of silkworms. We also wandered the streets and went to the Punta. Lake Como is an inverted Y shaped and Bellagio is at the crux of the Y so we could look down both arms.
The boat ride to the town of Como took us by George Clooney’s villa, the villa where James Bond recovered in Casino Royale, the Versace villa, the Branson villa which used to be the villa of Wallis Warfield Simpson and the abdicated king of England, and the Villa D’Este. From Como we got on the bus and crossed the border into Suisse for an hour and a half where there were lots of narrow alleys full of shops. The wind was really whipping on Lake Lugano and although it said the temp was about 70 it seemed a lot colder with the wind. At least no rain or clouds today. There was a guy out windsurfing on the lake. At McDonald’s the receipt included the day’s key code to get into the wash rooms.
Travel to Tremezzo for a visit to Villa Carlotta, known for its splendid 17th-century gardens, before taking a ferry ride across Lake Como to Bellagio. As you explore this beautiful place at your leisure, you’ll discover why it is such a sought-after destination by travelers. Later, board a boat to cruise past exquisite lakeside villas en route to an intriguing dinner venue – a restaurant, set partially in a cave, that offers beautiful views of the lake. Before dinner we go to Lugano in Switzerland. Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Lodging: Grand Hotel Cadenabbia, Lake Como
This pretty much nails it except that the inside of Villa Carlotta wasn’t much except for a version of Hayez’s The Kiss which was meant to be Romeo and Juliet and the sculptures of Venus and Mars and Eros and Psyche in pure white marble which were very good.
On to Bellagio by boat. Cutesy little village on a hillside with pebble steps up. Known for silk; we got a demonstration of silkworms. We also wandered the streets and went to the Punta. Lake Como is an inverted Y shaped and Bellagio is at the crux of the Y so we could look down both arms.
The boat ride to the town of Como took us by George Clooney’s villa, the villa where James Bond recovered in Casino Royale, the Versace villa, the Branson villa which used to be the villa of Wallis Warfield Simpson and the abdicated king of England, and the Villa D’Este. From Como we got on the bus and crossed the border into Suisse for an hour and a half where there were lots of narrow alleys full of shops. The wind was really whipping on Lake Lugano and although it said the temp was about 70 it seemed a lot colder with the wind. At least no rain or clouds today. There was a guy out windsurfing on the lake. At McDonald’s the receipt included the day’s key code to get into the wash rooms.
Day 5: Tuesday, Sept. 16: Lake Garda grandeur
Today’s journey explores one of the loveliest places in northern Italy. Seemingly straight out of a storybook illustration with its battlements and towers, the Rocca Scaligera castle stands guard over the scene. See the sights in the ancient town of Sirmione on Lake Garda, which was already a favorite resort area for the wealthy families of Verona in the 1st century BC. Continue on to romantic Verona for a two- night stay.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Lodging: Due Torri Hotel Baglioni, Verona
Quick report on today because this vacation is wearing me out- We went to Sirmione (very crowded and full of gelato shops) where we took a boat ride around the island and walked up to the Roman ruins. The lake was clean, pretty clear, 50 km long, 18 km wide and 350 m deep. Lots of Germans. Learned about Guelphs and Ghibellins, which were the two parties during the time of Dante. The Guelphs were aligned with the Pope and the Ghibellins were in favor of the pope minding his own religious business. We saw plenty of swallow tail crenulations, the architectural symbol of the Ghilbellins.
Next was a wine tasting in Valpolicella followed by the ride to Verona, where we had a very good dinner in the hotel.
Today’s journey explores one of the loveliest places in northern Italy. Seemingly straight out of a storybook illustration with its battlements and towers, the Rocca Scaligera castle stands guard over the scene. See the sights in the ancient town of Sirmione on Lake Garda, which was already a favorite resort area for the wealthy families of Verona in the 1st century BC. Continue on to romantic Verona for a two- night stay.
Meals: Breakfast, Dinner
Lodging: Due Torri Hotel Baglioni, Verona
Quick report on today because this vacation is wearing me out- We went to Sirmione (very crowded and full of gelato shops) where we took a boat ride around the island and walked up to the Roman ruins. The lake was clean, pretty clear, 50 km long, 18 km wide and 350 m deep. Lots of Germans. Learned about Guelphs and Ghibellins, which were the two parties during the time of Dante. The Guelphs were aligned with the Pope and the Ghibellins were in favor of the pope minding his own religious business. We saw plenty of swallow tail crenulations, the architectural symbol of the Ghilbellins.
Next was a wine tasting in Valpolicella followed by the ride to Verona, where we had a very good dinner in the hotel.
Day 6: Wednesday, Sept. 17: Verona variety
Verona is probably best known as the home of Shakespeare’s tragic lovers, Romeo and Juliet... and of his Two Gentlemen of Verona, Valentine and Proteus. But, Verona is so much more. In honor of its many historical buildings, Verona has been named a UNESCO world Heritage Site. The city is famous for its Roman amphitheater, the third largest after the Colosseum in Rome and still used for operas and other cultural entertainment, and other buildings that have survived since Roman times. A walking tour this morning reveals the many charms of the city. The rest of the day is yours to explore more of Verona as you please.
Meals: Breakfast
Lodging: Due Torri Hotel Baglioni, Verona
This short tour was great! Our guide was so good; he told us the real story on so many things. I.e., learned about Dante and his patron Cangrande I, the big dog. The Juliet house is old, may have had something to do with the Capulets but it wasn’t her house. It was remodeled by a college prof after the 1940 G. Cukor movie of R&J came out to get visitors to come to Verona. The balcony, although the same age as the house, roughly from 1250, was added on and really was part of a sarcophagus.
Verona is probably best known as the home of Shakespeare’s tragic lovers, Romeo and Juliet... and of his Two Gentlemen of Verona, Valentine and Proteus. But, Verona is so much more. In honor of its many historical buildings, Verona has been named a UNESCO world Heritage Site. The city is famous for its Roman amphitheater, the third largest after the Colosseum in Rome and still used for operas and other cultural entertainment, and other buildings that have survived since Roman times. A walking tour this morning reveals the many charms of the city. The rest of the day is yours to explore more of Verona as you please.
Meals: Breakfast
Lodging: Due Torri Hotel Baglioni, Verona
This short tour was great! Our guide was so good; he told us the real story on so many things. I.e., learned about Dante and his patron Cangrande I, the big dog. The Juliet house is old, may have had something to do with the Capulets but it wasn’t her house. It was remodeled by a college prof after the 1940 G. Cukor movie of R&J came out to get visitors to come to Verona. The balcony, although the same age as the house, roughly from 1250, was added on and really was part of a sarcophagus.
The tour ended in the Arena. From there we walked to the San Zeno church and
admired the bronze doors, the “forest of columns” and the cloister, although we
missed the most interesting feature of the cloister, Romanesque columns on one
side and Gothic on the other. The rest of the day we wandered, C ran, I walked and
went through St. Anastasia Church looking for a painting that wasn’t there. Dinner
early and packing for tomorrow’s trip to Mantua.
Just by the way, today, Sept 17, was the 126th anniversary of the huge flood of the Adige River that kept Verona under water for 10 days.
Just by the way, today, Sept 17, was the 126th anniversary of the huge flood of the Adige River that kept Verona under water for 10 days.
Day 7: Thursday, Sept. 18: A different taste of Italy
Journey this morning to Mantua, birthplace of the poet, Virgil, and once the site of one of the greatest Renaissance courts in Europe. Tour the impressive Ducal Palace, the former stronghold of the powerful Gonzaga family, and admire grand rooms and stunning frescoes dating from the 13th through the 18th centuries. A call at a local museum reveals how authentic Balsamic vinegar is produced, complete with a tasting that will be an interesting memory of your Italian vacation.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Lodging: Grand Hotel Baglioni, Bologna
Between the profligate spending of some of the Gonzagas, who sold the art collection to Charles the 1st of England, and then Napoleon, whose army took everything that wasn’t nailed down, there wasn’t much left in the Ducal Palace, but the Camera degli Sposi was terrific. (See Mantegna’s ceiling, below.) Today was also market day in Mantua and we wandered in the market for a while. Not a mention of Virgil. The name of the 250 year old balsamic town is Spilamberto.
Journey this morning to Mantua, birthplace of the poet, Virgil, and once the site of one of the greatest Renaissance courts in Europe. Tour the impressive Ducal Palace, the former stronghold of the powerful Gonzaga family, and admire grand rooms and stunning frescoes dating from the 13th through the 18th centuries. A call at a local museum reveals how authentic Balsamic vinegar is produced, complete with a tasting that will be an interesting memory of your Italian vacation.
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner Lodging: Grand Hotel Baglioni, Bologna
Between the profligate spending of some of the Gonzagas, who sold the art collection to Charles the 1st of England, and then Napoleon, whose army took everything that wasn’t nailed down, there wasn’t much left in the Ducal Palace, but the Camera degli Sposi was terrific. (See Mantegna’s ceiling, below.) Today was also market day in Mantua and we wandered in the market for a while. Not a mention of Virgil. The name of the 250 year old balsamic town is Spilamberto.
Arrived late this afternoon in Bologna, a very crowded city with a much younger
and pierced, smoking, and exposed crowd than elsewhere so far.
After dinner Connie spotted camo baby shoes for 70 euro a pair.
After dinner Connie spotted camo baby shoes for 70 euro a pair.
Day 8: Friday, Sept. 19: Bountiful Bologna
Surrounded by hills, the dusky red buildings, marbled-floored ancient porticoes and wide piazzas contribute to the distinctly Renaissance feel in the center of Bologna. Home of the world’s oldest university, the Alma Mater Studiorum, founded in 1088, notable scholars such as Dante, Boccaccio and Petrarch once walked its streets. A walking tour this morning reveals sights that they may well have seen centuries ago. After time to explore on your own, indulge in a cooking class prior to dinner before savoring the delicious results of what you’ve learned.
Meals: Breakfast, dinner
Lodging: Grand Hotel Baglioni, Bologna
A long walk and run through Bologna but we missed the park we were seeking.
The main activity of the day was a walking tour of the city with a guide Daniella who had the best English so far. Porticos with arches are the characteristic of this city. In one of the churches we saw an angel by the 19 year old Michelangelo. We also visited the anatomy room of the
university from long ago.
After a little break and some lunch, we went back out to the food market area and then climbed the tower (498 steps) to earn another gelato.
Then back to the hotel to edit
pictures. This is the first really free couple of hours we have had yet.
Surrounded by hills, the dusky red buildings, marbled-floored ancient porticoes and wide piazzas contribute to the distinctly Renaissance feel in the center of Bologna. Home of the world’s oldest university, the Alma Mater Studiorum, founded in 1088, notable scholars such as Dante, Boccaccio and Petrarch once walked its streets. A walking tour this morning reveals sights that they may well have seen centuries ago. After time to explore on your own, indulge in a cooking class prior to dinner before savoring the delicious results of what you’ve learned.
Meals: Breakfast, dinner
Lodging: Grand Hotel Baglioni, Bologna
A long walk and run through Bologna but we missed the park we were seeking.
The main activity of the day was a walking tour of the city with a guide Daniella who had the best English so far. Porticos with arches are the characteristic of this city. In one of the churches we saw an angel by the 19 year old Michelangelo. We also visited the anatomy room of the
university from long ago.
After a little break and some lunch, we went back out to the food market area and then climbed the tower (498 steps) to earn another gelato.
Then back to the hotel to edit
pictures. This is the first really free couple of hours we have had yet.
Day 9: Saturday, September 20 - Inspiration for the senses and the
soul
This morning, a walking tour of Ferrara, named a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its success in retaining its Renaissance-era city center intact, showcases its many architectural and artistic treasures. Dine in a local restaurant before continuing on to Padua, home to one of Europe’s oldest universities, Universita degli Studi di Padova, founded in 1222. Visit the Basilica de Sant Antonio de Padua, where the saint rests in a tomb made of marble in a richly decorated chapel. Then, it’s off to Venice for a two-night stay in the fabled city of canals.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch Lodging: Luna Baglioni, Venice
Ferrara has the d’Este Palace which is notable for the diamond pattern of the stone work on 2 of the exterior walls. After a bit of wandering through the medieval part we ended up at the cathedral square. Connie went to the yarn store, I went to McDonald’s. Lunch of pasticcio at il Romantico and then on to Padua.
Quick trip to Padua included a visit to St Anthony’s tomb in his church, complete with body parts. Anthony is patron saint of lost things. I went in search of the Scrovegni chapel and its Giottos. After a mile hike, the ticket lady told me one needed reservations, so all I ended up with were a couple of postcards, which Connie found in town for much cheaper. I did manage to ask the way in Italian and understand the answer.
This morning, a walking tour of Ferrara, named a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its success in retaining its Renaissance-era city center intact, showcases its many architectural and artistic treasures. Dine in a local restaurant before continuing on to Padua, home to one of Europe’s oldest universities, Universita degli Studi di Padova, founded in 1222. Visit the Basilica de Sant Antonio de Padua, where the saint rests in a tomb made of marble in a richly decorated chapel. Then, it’s off to Venice for a two-night stay in the fabled city of canals.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch Lodging: Luna Baglioni, Venice
Ferrara has the d’Este Palace which is notable for the diamond pattern of the stone work on 2 of the exterior walls. After a bit of wandering through the medieval part we ended up at the cathedral square. Connie went to the yarn store, I went to McDonald’s. Lunch of pasticcio at il Romantico and then on to Padua.
Police wearing Armani
Gattamelata- largest equestrian statue
Quick trip to Padua included a visit to St Anthony’s tomb in his church, complete with body parts. Anthony is patron saint of lost things. I went in search of the Scrovegni chapel and its Giottos. After a mile hike, the ticket lady told me one needed reservations, so all I ended up with were a couple of postcards, which Connie found in town for much cheaper. I did manage to ask the way in Italian and understand the answer.
After the disappointment of not seeing the Giottos I did get a photo of Donnatello’s
Gattamelata ( a mercenary or condottiere) sculpture which is in the St. Anthony
Square.
Back to the bus and into Venice by water taxi. Really cool. Dinner at a restaurant next to the Fenice opera house, which burnt down in 1995 and is the subject of my current book, City of Fallen Angels by the Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil guy, and then wandering the St. Mark’s Square for a bit.
Back to the bus and into Venice by water taxi. Really cool. Dinner at a restaurant next to the Fenice opera house, which burnt down in 1995 and is the subject of my current book, City of Fallen Angels by the Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil guy, and then wandering the St. Mark’s Square for a bit.
Saint Mark's
Missing this Sunday in Venice, including the DogeΚΌs Palace, the Murano glass
demonstration and general wandering around.
Day 11: Monday, September 22- Venice to Rome
Tour ends: Venice. Your Italian vacation comes to an end with an included transfer from the Baglioni to Venice’s Marco Polo International Airport. Please allow 2 1/2 hours for airport check-in formalities. We wish you a safe and pleasant journey home.
Meals: Breakfast
But we go on to Rome by train... which was a piece of cake. Hotel= Barocco, located near Piazza Barberini. After getting settled we went for a walk toward the Spanish Steps and then Trevi Fountain. We have continued with our gelato habit.
Day 12: Tuesday, September 23 - Rome
Today was the first day on our own in Rome, but we had a tour set up with Sergio, a local, who took us on a walking tour with Raphael and the Renaissance as a focus. It lasted from 9 till 2. First stop was the Pantheon where Raphael is buried, then on thru a series of back streets, but we managed to see 4 Caravaggio paintings, the Piazza Navona, the St Augustine church, the Sta. Maria Pacem church, a hidden Bramante courtyard, the
Tour ends: Venice. Your Italian vacation comes to an end with an included transfer from the Baglioni to Venice’s Marco Polo International Airport. Please allow 2 1/2 hours for airport check-in formalities. We wish you a safe and pleasant journey home.
Meals: Breakfast
But we go on to Rome by train... which was a piece of cake. Hotel= Barocco, located near Piazza Barberini. After getting settled we went for a walk toward the Spanish Steps and then Trevi Fountain. We have continued with our gelato habit.
Day 12: Tuesday, September 23 - Rome
Today was the first day on our own in Rome, but we had a tour set up with Sergio, a local, who took us on a walking tour with Raphael and the Renaissance as a focus. It lasted from 9 till 2. First stop was the Pantheon where Raphael is buried, then on thru a series of back streets, but we managed to see 4 Caravaggio paintings, the Piazza Navona, the St Augustine church, the Sta. Maria Pacem church, a hidden Bramante courtyard, the
Villa Farnesina and Raphael’s
Galatea, part of Travestevere,
and a lot more. We ended up
eating late lunch at a restaurant
Jill recommended in the former
Jewish ghetto. After that, and
after a concert in the Pantheon,
we went to the Palazzo
Barberini to see La Fornarina by
Raphael, a portrait of his lover.
I am sure I have missed a lot of
what Sergio showed us too. One
thing to note is that I picked
out a few walking tours from
my book for us to take and
Sergio covered most of them easily today.
Galatea, part of Travestevere,
and a lot more. We ended up
eating late lunch at a restaurant
Jill recommended in the former
Jewish ghetto. After that, and
after a concert in the Pantheon,
we went to the Palazzo
Barberini to see La Fornarina by
Raphael, a portrait of his lover.
I am sure I have missed a lot of
what Sergio showed us too. One
thing to note is that I picked
out a few walking tours from
my book for us to take and
Sergio covered most of them easily today.
Day 13: Wednesday, September 24 - Time-traveling in Rome
We explore the rich treasures of Vatican City on a private (HAH!) visit to the Vatican Museums. You'll be amazed at how much you see without the crowds! Take a guided tour of the Candelabra Gallery (somehow I missed this one), the Map Gallery, and the tapestries. View the art and architecture of St. Peter’s Basilica. In the Sistine Chapel, gaze in amazement at Michelangelo’s frescoes of The Last Judgment on the altar and Genesis on the ceiling – and then look down at the floor, usually obstructed by a volume of people during regular opening hours (actually we never could see the floor because of the crowd, not to mention the Vatican docents exhorting people to be quiet and not to take photos).
Sergio was supposed to be our guide
today but his wife had some medical
issue that needed to be taken care of
so we got extremely lucky and had
cute, perky, Georgianna to be our guide for the Vatican.
We explore the rich treasures of Vatican City on a private (HAH!) visit to the Vatican Museums. You'll be amazed at how much you see without the crowds! Take a guided tour of the Candelabra Gallery (somehow I missed this one), the Map Gallery, and the tapestries. View the art and architecture of St. Peter’s Basilica. In the Sistine Chapel, gaze in amazement at Michelangelo’s frescoes of The Last Judgment on the altar and Genesis on the ceiling – and then look down at the floor, usually obstructed by a volume of people during regular opening hours (actually we never could see the floor because of the crowd, not to mention the Vatican docents exhorting people to be quiet and not to take photos).
Sergio was supposed to be our guide
today but his wife had some medical
issue that needed to be taken care of
so we got extremely lucky and had
cute, perky, Georgianna to be our guide for the Vatican.
So here are a few of our pictures of the Vatican which included the sculpture
galleries, the Raphael rooms, the Sistine, and St. Peter’s itself. (Except they aren't here because iWeb and iPhotos went away before I could try to convert them, I guess). One of the more
interesting parts though was watching Georgianna use her winks and smiles on the
guards to get access to special places and to get ahead of or go against the
prescribed path. The problem with the Sistine Chapel is that Michelangelo’s frescoes
are too high. This visit I tried to focus on the Judgement Day but still too much
push of people. At least it was better than the Hermitage.
After the Vatican we went to the Borghese Garden to try for wifi access but it didn’t work. I visited the Villa B. to see a few more sculptures and paintings, Canova’s sculpture of Paolina Bonaparte as Venus Victrix, more Carravaggios, more Berninis including a very determined David and much more.
At the end of our trip to Rome we found the Via del Corso which was very upscale with a lot of nice looking places to eat and sit for a drink and was right by our hotel but in a direction we hadn’t gone till then.
After the Vatican we went to the Borghese Garden to try for wifi access but it didn’t work. I visited the Villa B. to see a few more sculptures and paintings, Canova’s sculpture of Paolina Bonaparte as Venus Victrix, more Carravaggios, more Berninis including a very determined David and much more.
At the end of our trip to Rome we found the Via del Corso which was very upscale with a lot of nice looking places to eat and sit for a drink and was right by our hotel but in a direction we hadn’t gone till then.
Tuscany, Umbria and Florence
Stroll around charming medieval hilltop towns and experience the rich cultural legacy of the great art masters on this Tuscany, Umbria,
Stroll around charming medieval hilltop towns and experience the rich cultural legacy of the great art masters on this Tuscany, Umbria,
and Florence tour. Step back into the Middle Ages in villages such as Siena,
Cortona, and San Gimignano. See amazing frescoes and learn the secrets of
chocolate-making in Perugia, and visit the Basilica in Assisi where St. Francis is
buried. Enjoy the refined sights in Florence, including Michelangelo’s sculpture of
David. Tour the Uffizi Gallery with a local guide, and enjoy a cooking demonstration
in Cortona, and a wine-tasting in Tuscany.
Day 14: Thursday, September 25- Rome to Siena
Tour departs 10:00 a.m. from Rome's Leonardo da Vinci Airport in Fiumicino. Drive along scenic country roads and stop for lunch and a walking tour in Pienza, en route to hilltop Siena for a two-night stay in a grand hotel in the heart of town. Get to know your travel companions at the welcome reception and dinner tonight.
Meals: Lunch, dinner
Lodging: Grand HΓ΄tel Continental, Siena, Italy
So now our second Tauck tour begins. We met the second group (19 this time) and our tour director Mellisa Colabella (from Montreal via Italian parents and 24 years old!!) and Aniello the driver. Most of the people on this tour are younger than on the earlier tour and most came in a couple of days early and were around Rome when we were.
Not much to Pienza- a tiny medieval town put on the map by Pope Paul II who was from the area. Just for reference his family was the Piccolominis. We get our first glimpse of the Tuscan countryside with the varied shades of green from the cypresses, olive trees, and vineyards. We drove on into Siena and learned a little bit about the contradas (17 sections of town named after animals like the caterpillar, the goose , the hedgehog etc and which compete in a twice a year bareback horse race called the Palio). Yet another perfectly located hotel.
Day 14: Thursday, September 25- Rome to Siena
Tour departs 10:00 a.m. from Rome's Leonardo da Vinci Airport in Fiumicino. Drive along scenic country roads and stop for lunch and a walking tour in Pienza, en route to hilltop Siena for a two-night stay in a grand hotel in the heart of town. Get to know your travel companions at the welcome reception and dinner tonight.
Meals: Lunch, dinner
Lodging: Grand HΓ΄tel Continental, Siena, Italy
So now our second Tauck tour begins. We met the second group (19 this time) and our tour director Mellisa Colabella (from Montreal via Italian parents and 24 years old!!) and Aniello the driver. Most of the people on this tour are younger than on the earlier tour and most came in a couple of days early and were around Rome when we were.
Not much to Pienza- a tiny medieval town put on the map by Pope Paul II who was from the area. Just for reference his family was the Piccolominis. We get our first glimpse of the Tuscan countryside with the varied shades of green from the cypresses, olive trees, and vineyards. We drove on into Siena and learned a little bit about the contradas (17 sections of town named after animals like the caterpillar, the goose , the hedgehog etc and which compete in a twice a year bareback horse race called the Palio). Yet another perfectly located hotel.
Day 15: Friday, September 26- Experience the grandeur of Siena
Like Rome, Siena was built atop seven hills. Join a local expert for a walking tour through the ancient town, visiting the historic Piazza del Campo and the Duomo, among the greatest cathedrals in Italy. Spend the rest of the day exploring Siena's maze of narrow medieval streets as you please.
Meals: Breakfast
Lodging: Grand HΓ΄tel Continental, Siena, Italy
This was a very interesting day. We started off with a walk with the guide Barbara who added a lot more local color on the details of the Palio. She took us to the main square which is where the race is held and also the location of the Palazzo Publico where the Allegory of Good Government is (we saw it later on our own and it was a disappointment- looks like the art books have photoshopped it). Then a church (guidebook describes as a large barn like Gothic structure), and then the Duomo, which was really very impressive. To see the real Simon Martini Maesta and the Duccio Maesta as well as the Duccio stained glass window we had to go to the museum of the Duomo but Connie figured out how to get a discount and we got to climb to the top of the newer Duomo which was abandoned. Then we wandered town a while, including a visit to the home and churches around the St.
Catherine convent. St. C is the local saint (sounds like an anorectic) who convinced the pope to come back to Rome after the schism sent some popes to Avignon. One observation about Siena- No matter where we went we ended up in a circle and getting back to the hotel.
This night, we were serenade by some of members of the winning contrada on drums at about 10:30 and then about 3 am by a singing college student.
Like Rome, Siena was built atop seven hills. Join a local expert for a walking tour through the ancient town, visiting the historic Piazza del Campo and the Duomo, among the greatest cathedrals in Italy. Spend the rest of the day exploring Siena's maze of narrow medieval streets as you please.
Meals: Breakfast
Lodging: Grand HΓ΄tel Continental, Siena, Italy
This was a very interesting day. We started off with a walk with the guide Barbara who added a lot more local color on the details of the Palio. She took us to the main square which is where the race is held and also the location of the Palazzo Publico where the Allegory of Good Government is (we saw it later on our own and it was a disappointment- looks like the art books have photoshopped it). Then a church (guidebook describes as a large barn like Gothic structure), and then the Duomo, which was really very impressive. To see the real Simon Martini Maesta and the Duccio Maesta as well as the Duccio stained glass window we had to go to the museum of the Duomo but Connie figured out how to get a discount and we got to climb to the top of the newer Duomo which was abandoned. Then we wandered town a while, including a visit to the home and churches around the St.
Catherine convent. St. C is the local saint (sounds like an anorectic) who convinced the pope to come back to Rome after the schism sent some popes to Avignon. One observation about Siena- No matter where we went we ended up in a circle and getting back to the hotel.
This night, we were serenade by some of members of the winning contrada on drums at about 10:30 and then about 3 am by a singing college student.
Day 16: Saturday, Sept. 27- San Gimignano sights and a dine-around
in Florence
Travel to San Gimignano today, one of the best-preserved medieval towns in Tuscany. View its iconic towers – built as both private fortresses and as symbols of wealth – on a guided tour; after lunch, enjoy a wine-tasting at a local vineyard. Journey through the Tuscan countryside to legendary Florence for a three-night stay; experience a dine-around tonight in the "birthplace of the Renaissance." Meals: Breakfast, dinner
Lodging: Hotel Bernini Palace, Florence, Italy
Well, I have to say that the movie overdid the beauty of San Gimi. There were the
towers, and the town was generally an uphill climb, but not much exceptional.
This wine tasting trip was better than the earlier one- we got to see the wine in the barrels, the bottling plant, and then the tasting. we had a good white, a good middle quality red and then a strong red. The vineyard had a “black rooster” label which means the best of Chianti and derives from a dispute that was reportedly settled between Siena and Florence by a cockfight. The white one was pampered and black one underfed. The black one won.
Travel to San Gimignano today, one of the best-preserved medieval towns in Tuscany. View its iconic towers – built as both private fortresses and as symbols of wealth – on a guided tour; after lunch, enjoy a wine-tasting at a local vineyard. Journey through the Tuscan countryside to legendary Florence for a three-night stay; experience a dine-around tonight in the "birthplace of the Renaissance." Meals: Breakfast, dinner
Lodging: Hotel Bernini Palace, Florence, Italy
Well, I have to say that the movie overdid the beauty of San Gimi. There were the
towers, and the town was generally an uphill climb, but not much exceptional.
This wine tasting trip was better than the earlier one- we got to see the wine in the barrels, the bottling plant, and then the tasting. we had a good white, a good middle quality red and then a strong red. The vineyard had a “black rooster” label which means the best of Chianti and derives from a dispute that was reportedly settled between Siena and Florence by a cockfight. The white one was pampered and black one underfed. The black one won.
After getting to the hotel we had a little while to wander around and we went over
to Santa Croce just to look at the outside and to find Connie a running route.
Tonight in Florence we had a “dine around” and we tried a small restaurant with 2 other couples. It was right near Piazza Signoria as was the hotel.
Tonight in Florence we had a “dine around” and we tried a small restaurant with 2 other couples. It was right near Piazza Signoria as was the hotel.
Day 17: Sunday, Sept. 28- Michelangelo's David and more in
Florence
Birgit led us on a brief walking tour and then a guided tour of Florence's celebrated Galleria dell’Accademia, the first art school in Europe; her description of the impact of the David and the various aspects of the David along with the slaves was the best of the tour so far. Our Florence tour with Birgit continued on to the Uffizi. The best part there was the Botticelli room. I got to check most of the art I wanted to see off my list and when I can I will list them. We were free in the afternoon, and Connie and I went to one of the listed restaurants near Santa Croce then went in S.C. to see Michelangelo’s tomb, Galileo’s tomb, Macchiavelli’s tomb, and some Giotto frescoes.Then we walked even more looking for a bookstore and looking for a yarn shop. We crossed the Arno and found Santa Maria del Carmine and went to the Brancacci Chapel with its Masolino and frescoes including Adam and Eve. Then into the piazza at Santo Spirito for a wine festival and a nutella crepe. After that and a gelato we skipped dinner and went to the bar at the hotel for its internet
connection.
Meals: Breakfast
Lodging: Hotel Bernini Palace, Florence, Italy
Birgit led us on a brief walking tour and then a guided tour of Florence's celebrated Galleria dell’Accademia, the first art school in Europe; her description of the impact of the David and the various aspects of the David along with the slaves was the best of the tour so far. Our Florence tour with Birgit continued on to the Uffizi. The best part there was the Botticelli room. I got to check most of the art I wanted to see off my list and when I can I will list them. We were free in the afternoon, and Connie and I went to one of the listed restaurants near Santa Croce then went in S.C. to see Michelangelo’s tomb, Galileo’s tomb, Macchiavelli’s tomb, and some Giotto frescoes.Then we walked even more looking for a bookstore and looking for a yarn shop. We crossed the Arno and found Santa Maria del Carmine and went to the Brancacci Chapel with its Masolino and frescoes including Adam and Eve. Then into the piazza at Santo Spirito for a wine festival and a nutella crepe. After that and a gelato we skipped dinner and went to the bar at the hotel for its internet
connection.
Meals: Breakfast
Lodging: Hotel Bernini Palace, Florence, Italy
Day 18: Monday, September 29- Discovering Florence at leisure
As you tour the Uffizi Gallery – the oldest art gallery in the world – with a local guide this morning, you'll gaze in wonder at works by Leonardo da Vinci, Raphael, Michelangelo, Sandro Botticelli, Rembrandt and more. (We did this yesterday.)
Today starts with a great lecture by Rocky, a prof from Syracuse that pulled the history of Florence together with the art and architecture. It was definitely one of the highlights of the trip.Then we walked thru a lot of central Florence with Birgit, ending up at the San Lorenzo food market. The rest of your day was free to spend in Florence. We tried to go to Jill’s restaurant recommendation for lunch but it was closed. Then we went to the Baptistery (wow!) and the museum of the Duomo (Michelangelo’s second pieta, Donatello’s Penitent Magdalen, and the originals of some panels of the doors on the Baptistery). Then we split up for Connie to shop and I went to the Ospedale della Innocente (disappointment), the Medici Riccardi Palace with the Gozzolo fresco in the chapel, Cavalcade of the Magi (should be Christmas cards), and then the Bargello to see the Donatello David.
Meals: Breakfast
Lodging: Hotel Bernini Palace, Florence, Italy
As you tour the Uffizi Gallery – the oldest art gallery in the world – with a local guide this morning, you'll gaze in wonder at works by Leonardo da Vinci, Raphael, Michelangelo, Sandro Botticelli, Rembrandt and more. (We did this yesterday.)
Today starts with a great lecture by Rocky, a prof from Syracuse that pulled the history of Florence together with the art and architecture. It was definitely one of the highlights of the trip.Then we walked thru a lot of central Florence with Birgit, ending up at the San Lorenzo food market. The rest of your day was free to spend in Florence. We tried to go to Jill’s restaurant recommendation for lunch but it was closed. Then we went to the Baptistery (wow!) and the museum of the Duomo (Michelangelo’s second pieta, Donatello’s Penitent Magdalen, and the originals of some panels of the doors on the Baptistery). Then we split up for Connie to shop and I went to the Ospedale della Innocente (disappointment), the Medici Riccardi Palace with the Gozzolo fresco in the chapel, Cavalcade of the Magi (should be Christmas cards), and then the Bargello to see the Donatello David.
Meals: Breakfast
Lodging: Hotel Bernini Palace, Florence, Italy
Day 19: Tuesday, Sept. 30- Tuscan cooking class
Travel to the Etruscan hill town of Cortona, featured in the movie, Under the Tuscan Sun. Take a walking tour through the maze of medieval streets, and stop at the Museo Diocesano to see some fine paintings including Fra Angelico's Annunciation. Learn about the cuisine of Tuscany at a cooking demonstration and lunch at a gastronomic school in a 15th-century house. Continue on to Perugia, where your home for the next three nights is a luxury hilltop hotel overlooking the Umbrian valley below.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch
Lodging: Hotel Brufani Palace, Perugia, Italy
This was tough day, believe it or not. Cortona was, like San Gimi, oversold by the movie, but it did have a Fra Angelico Annunciation.
Then we had the above mentioned cooking class and lunch which lasted till 3 pm so no dinner, just a little walk around Perugia, which wasnΚΌt hard to do since there was basically one Corso.
Travel to the Etruscan hill town of Cortona, featured in the movie, Under the Tuscan Sun. Take a walking tour through the maze of medieval streets, and stop at the Museo Diocesano to see some fine paintings including Fra Angelico's Annunciation. Learn about the cuisine of Tuscany at a cooking demonstration and lunch at a gastronomic school in a 15th-century house. Continue on to Perugia, where your home for the next three nights is a luxury hilltop hotel overlooking the Umbrian valley below.
Meals: Breakfast, lunch
Lodging: Hotel Brufani Palace, Perugia, Italy
This was tough day, believe it or not. Cortona was, like San Gimi, oversold by the movie, but it did have a Fra Angelico Annunciation.
Then we had the above mentioned cooking class and lunch which lasted till 3 pm so no dinner, just a little walk around Perugia, which wasnΚΌt hard to do since there was basically one Corso.
Day 20: Wednesday, October 1- The Pleasures of Perugia
Perugia is one of the oldest inhabited cities in Italy, dating back to prehistoric times. A guided walking tour of the Umbrian capital reveals the wonderful examples of medieval architecture within its city walls; see the 15th-century Oratorio di San Bernardino and the cathedral where a Renaissance painting is credited with miracles, and two popes are buried in the transepts. The town is known around the world for its chocolate; attend a demonstration this afternoon where you'll learn the secrets of making this delectable treat! Cap the day with a candlelight dinner at La Taverna, famous for both its romantic ambiance and its mouth-watering desserts.
Meals: Breakfast, dinner
Lodging: Hotel Brufani Palace, Perugia, Italy
The above description pretty much captures the day. We had a good guide, Marco, and he told us a lot about the ceaseless squabbles between Perugia and the Popes of old. Apparently the people didn’t like the pope for his tax on salt and went so far as to rebel over it which got them crushed which led them to name some foods pope chokers. What Marco didn’t tell us was how ruthless and blood thirsty the ruling elite was in Perugia when it came to power struggles outside the disputes with the pope.
The dinner this night was one of the highlights, food wise, among many, for this trip.
Perugia is one of the oldest inhabited cities in Italy, dating back to prehistoric times. A guided walking tour of the Umbrian capital reveals the wonderful examples of medieval architecture within its city walls; see the 15th-century Oratorio di San Bernardino and the cathedral where a Renaissance painting is credited with miracles, and two popes are buried in the transepts. The town is known around the world for its chocolate; attend a demonstration this afternoon where you'll learn the secrets of making this delectable treat! Cap the day with a candlelight dinner at La Taverna, famous for both its romantic ambiance and its mouth-watering desserts.
Meals: Breakfast, dinner
Lodging: Hotel Brufani Palace, Perugia, Italy
The above description pretty much captures the day. We had a good guide, Marco, and he told us a lot about the ceaseless squabbles between Perugia and the Popes of old. Apparently the people didn’t like the pope for his tax on salt and went so far as to rebel over it which got them crushed which led them to name some foods pope chokers. What Marco didn’t tell us was how ruthless and blood thirsty the ruling elite was in Perugia when it came to power struggles outside the disputes with the pope.
The dinner this night was one of the highlights, food wise, among many, for this trip.
Day 22: Thursday, October 2- Discover Assisi and Perugia
Visit the medieval town of Assisi, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. A highlight is a visit to the Basilica di San Francesco, the burial place of St. Francis, beloved patron saint of animals and the most famous native of this historic town. Enjoy free time in Assisi, then return to Perugia; located high on a hill, the city has been ruled by the Etruscans and the Romans, and was once under direct control of the Papal State. As your Tuscany, Umbria and Florence tour draws to a close, please join us this evening for a farewell reception and dinner.
Meals: Breakfast, dinner
Lodging: Hotel Brufani Palace, Perugia, Italy
Assisi was very crowded, and I couldn’t believe the upper and lower church arrangement, but the Giotto frescoes were really interesting as well as the lower church murals.
We got back in time to finish packing and have the dinner.
Visit the medieval town of Assisi, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. A highlight is a visit to the Basilica di San Francesco, the burial place of St. Francis, beloved patron saint of animals and the most famous native of this historic town. Enjoy free time in Assisi, then return to Perugia; located high on a hill, the city has been ruled by the Etruscans and the Romans, and was once under direct control of the Papal State. As your Tuscany, Umbria and Florence tour draws to a close, please join us this evening for a farewell reception and dinner.
Meals: Breakfast, dinner
Lodging: Hotel Brufani Palace, Perugia, Italy
Assisi was very crowded, and I couldn’t believe the upper and lower church arrangement, but the Giotto frescoes were really interesting as well as the lower church murals.
We got back in time to finish packing and have the dinner.
Day 23: Ciao Italia
Your Tuscany, Umbria, and Florence tour ends at 7:30 a.m. at Rome's Leonardo da Vinci Airport in Fiumicino. If you are departing on a flight before 12:00 noon, you must depart Perugia very early (pre-dawn hours) for the airport. For those departing on later flights after 12:00 noon, an included transfer will depart the Hotel Brufani Palace in Perugia at 8:00 a.m., arriving at Leonardo da Vinci Airport at 10:30 a.m. If you are departing at other times, you must secure your own transportation to the airport.
Meals: Breakfast
Not much sleep, but the Palin Biden debate was on. We left at 4:15 with a bag pull at 3:40. The flights went well and we got home on time on Friday, Oct. 3 after a long 3 weeks away from home. We returned to a fat dog and a ton of junk mail and overdue bills.
Somewhat right before these trips I took a class at UofR on Renaissance art so I was interested in seeing lots more of the art than I ordinarily would. I now can't recall what more than half of these look like but I did manage to see them.
Your Tuscany, Umbria, and Florence tour ends at 7:30 a.m. at Rome's Leonardo da Vinci Airport in Fiumicino. If you are departing on a flight before 12:00 noon, you must depart Perugia very early (pre-dawn hours) for the airport. For those departing on later flights after 12:00 noon, an included transfer will depart the Hotel Brufani Palace in Perugia at 8:00 a.m., arriving at Leonardo da Vinci Airport at 10:30 a.m. If you are departing at other times, you must secure your own transportation to the airport.
Meals: Breakfast
Not much sleep, but the Palin Biden debate was on. We left at 4:15 with a bag pull at 3:40. The flights went well and we got home on time on Friday, Oct. 3 after a long 3 weeks away from home. We returned to a fat dog and a ton of junk mail and overdue bills.
Somewhat right before these trips I took a class at UofR on Renaissance art so I was interested in seeing lots more of the art than I ordinarily would. I now can't recall what more than half of these look like but I did manage to see them.
This is my partial list of the noted art works we saw on these trips, by city, artist,
name, and museum, for those days when I want to remember all this:
Milano- Mantegna- Crucifixion of Christ (from feet); Brera Raphael- Marriage of the Virgin (in restoration); Brera
Hayez- The Kiss (Il Bacio); Brera
Michelangelo- Rondanini Pieta; Castello Sforesco
Bologna- Michelangelo- Angel
Padua- Donatello- Gattamelata; Piazza of San Ambrosio Rome- Unknown- Laocoon; Vatican
Michelangelo- Pieta; St. Peters
Raphael- Transfiguration; Pinacoteca, Vatican
-School of Athens; Vatican
-Galatea; Villa Farnesina
-La Forninara; Palazzo Barbieri
Holbein- Henry Viii; Palazzo Barbieri
Caravaggio- Judith and Holofernes; Palazzo Barbieri
-St. Matthew; San Agostino Canova- Venus Victrix; Villa Borghese
Bernini- David; Villa Borghese -Persephone; same
-Apollo and the Wood Nymph; same
Siena- Lorenzetti- Allegory of Good Government; Palazzo Publico (not in such good shape)
Donatello- St. John the Baptist; Duomo Duccio- Maesta; Museo of the Duomo
Milano- Mantegna- Crucifixion of Christ (from feet); Brera Raphael- Marriage of the Virgin (in restoration); Brera
Hayez- The Kiss (Il Bacio); Brera
Michelangelo- Rondanini Pieta; Castello Sforesco
Bologna- Michelangelo- Angel
Padua- Donatello- Gattamelata; Piazza of San Ambrosio Rome- Unknown- Laocoon; Vatican
Michelangelo- Pieta; St. Peters
Raphael- Transfiguration; Pinacoteca, Vatican
-School of Athens; Vatican
-Galatea; Villa Farnesina
-La Forninara; Palazzo Barbieri
Holbein- Henry Viii; Palazzo Barbieri
Caravaggio- Judith and Holofernes; Palazzo Barbieri
-St. Matthew; San Agostino Canova- Venus Victrix; Villa Borghese
Bernini- David; Villa Borghese -Persephone; same
-Apollo and the Wood Nymph; same
Siena- Lorenzetti- Allegory of Good Government; Palazzo Publico (not in such good shape)
Donatello- St. John the Baptist; Duomo Duccio- Maesta; Museo of the Duomo
San Martini- Maesta; Museo of the Duomo
Florence- Titian- Venus of Urbino; Uffizi
Unknown- Vault of the Baptistery; Duomo Baptistery Cimabue- Enthroned Madonna; Uffizi
Giotto- Ognissanti Madonna; Uffizi
Piero della Francescha- portraits of Sforza and Montefeltro; same Leonardo- Annunciation; same
Michelangelo- Doni Madonna (Holy Family); same
Botticelli- Adoration of the Magi; same -Primavera
-Birth of Venus -Annunciation
Donatello- David; Bargello
- Penitent Magdelen; Museo of the Duomo
Massaccio, Masolino, and Fra Filippo Lippi- Adam and Eve Brancacci Chapel; Santa Maria del Carmine
Brunelleschi- Ospedale degli Innocente
Giotto- Funeral of St. Francis; Bardi Chapel, Santa Croce Cortona- Fra Angelico- Annunciation
Assisi- Giotto- Life of St. Francis
Unknown- Vault of the Baptistery; Duomo Baptistery Cimabue- Enthroned Madonna; Uffizi
Giotto- Ognissanti Madonna; Uffizi
Piero della Francescha- portraits of Sforza and Montefeltro; same Leonardo- Annunciation; same
Michelangelo- Doni Madonna (Holy Family); same
Botticelli- Adoration of the Magi; same -Primavera
-Birth of Venus -Annunciation
Donatello- David; Bargello
- Penitent Magdelen; Museo of the Duomo
Massaccio, Masolino, and Fra Filippo Lippi- Adam and Eve Brancacci Chapel; Santa Maria del Carmine
Brunelleschi- Ospedale degli Innocente
Giotto- Funeral of St. Francis; Bardi Chapel, Santa Croce Cortona- Fra Angelico- Annunciation
Assisi- Giotto- Life of St. Francis
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