We arrived in Rome, Italy, after a quick evening flight from Nairobi. Upon arrival at the airport, we were greeted by our Italian friend, Federico, who would be showing us around Rome, as well as a few other places in the country. Our first stop after immigration was to the centre of Rome, to Federico's apartment so that we could drop off our bags. From there we made our way into the heart of the "Eternal City" and began to look around. We spent the day on foot, and we were able to visit many piazzas, squares and churches. We had lunch at a great little restaurant, and were able to try some authentic Italian pasta (which Federico claimed would be the best pasta of our life)! We continued to wander around the streets of Rome, taking in the sights, and smells (yum!). We called it early that day, as we were exhausted from the previous night flight.The next morning we were up and out the door early, on our way to see the Vatican City. We arrived early and beat the line to climb up to the Cupola and were able to catch a fantastic view of the city. From there we made our way through the immense St. Peter's Basilica, and then down to the basement to see the tombs of the previous popes (including the newly renovated tomb of Pope John Paul II). After lunch we wandered around the city some more, until it was at last, time for dinner. We made our way to the ¨funny¨ part of the city (as our friend calls it) and ate the most delicious authentic Italian pizza.The next morning we were up early again, this time with a purpose. We made our way back to the Vatican city, just in time to hear the benediction from the pope. He addressed the crowd in many languages, including Italian, French, Spanish, English, German, Portuguese, (and I think... Polish) and wished us all a merry Christmas and a great 2008. Our final day in Rome was spent in the Vatican museums, where we saw some of the most amazing artwork, including the Sistine Chapel, that is host to the painting "Creation" by Michelangelo, fantastic!!
That night we headed out of Rome by train, to the Tuscan city of Florence. Upon arriving we found a place to drop our bags, and then grabbed some grub! In the morning we were out and about on a walking tour of the city. This specific tour was a historical walking tour, and our guide was very good at pointing out many of the important sites and explaining their significances. We saw the Medici home (the most important family in Florence at the time) the academia of art (where many of the great masters of art studied and taught), and the impressive cathedral which is located in the centre of town. After the tour we went to the academia of art, to see one of the most famous sculptures ever to be made; Michelangelo's "David". We learned just how important Florence was as we went to the Uffizi Gallery and saw statues of some of the greatest names in art, literature, and even science. We were lucky to be in Italy at this time of year, as we never had to wait in lines anywhere. We were in and out without any problem.
During our stay in Florence, we decided to take a short day trip (only about an hour by train) to the city of Pisa. There wasn't much to see there, except the famous leaning tower. We snapped our photos, snagged some lunch, and then we were out of there, and back to Florence for a final evening.
We left Florence by train, and made our way to the fashion capital of Italy; Milan. Here we met once again with our friend Federico, who had been studying for exams, and crashed for the night in his apartment. The next day we saw the sights of Milan, including the Duomo (which is the largest Gothic church in the world), as well as a great Christmas market and what might be the most expensive street in the world, Via Monte Napoleone. We spent a second night with Federico and his family, and had a great time in Milan.
Early the next morning we were up and on our final Italian train. We traveled three hours to the famous floating city of Venice. Although the weather wasn´t as great as we had hoped for (like in previous cities in Italy) we still had a wonderful and romantic time in Venice. We got lost over and over (how can you not?) but always found something to interest us. From carnival masks to gondola boats, Venice was an amazing city to see. We saw the famous sights, which included Piazza San Marco and many churches, and enjoyed the feeling that comes with being on the streets of Venice.
Our time in Italy was amazing, but like all good things it had to come to an end at some point. So, after 11 days, with our packs on our backs, we once again found ourselves in an airport. This time we were´t heading far our next European destination was just around the corner.
We arrived in Rome, Italy, after a quick evening flight from Nairobi. Upon arrival at the airport, we were greeted by our Italian friend, Federico, who would be showing us around Rome, as well as a few other places in the country. Our first stop after immigration was to the centre of Rome, to Federico's apartment so that we could drop off our bags. From there we made our way into the heart of the "Eternal City" and began to look around. We spent the day on foot, and we were able to visit many piazzas, squares and churches. We had lunch at a great little restaurant, and were able to try some authentic Italian pasta (which Federico claimed would be the best pasta of our life)! We continued to wander around the streets of Rome, taking in the sights, and smells (yum!). We called it early that day, as we were exhausted from the previous night flight.The next morning we were up and out the door early, on our way to see the Vatican City. We arrived early and beat the line to climb up to the Cupola and were able to catch a fantastic view of the city. From there we made our way through the immense St. Peter's Basilica, and then down to the basement to see the tombs of the previous popes (including the newly renovated tomb of Pope John Paul II). After lunch we wandered around the city some more, until it was at last, time for dinner. We made our way to the ¨funny¨ part of the city (as our friend calls it) and ate the most delicious authentic Italian pizza.The next morning we were up early again, this time with a purpose. We made our way back to the Vatican city, just in time to hear the benediction from the pope. He addressed the crowd in many languages, including Italian, French, Spanish, English, German, Portuguese, (and I think... Polish) and wished us all a merry Christmas and a great 2008. Our final day in Rome was spent in the Vatican museums, where we saw some of the most amazing artwork, including the Sistine Chapel, that is host to the painting "Creation" by Michelangelo, fantastic!!
That night we headed out of Rome by train, to the Tuscan city of Florence. Upon arriving we found a place to drop our bags, and then grabbed some grub! In the morning we were out and about on a walking tour of the city. This specific tour was a historical walking tour, and our guide was very good at pointing out many of the important sites and explaining their significances. We saw the Medici home (the most important family in Florence at the time) the academia of art (where many of the great masters of art studied and taught), and the impressive cathedral which is located in the centre of town. After the tour we went to the academia of art, to see one of the most famous sculptures ever to be made; Michelangelo's "David". We learned just how important Florence was as we went to the Uffizi Gallery and saw statues of some of the greatest names in art, literature, and even science. We were lucky to be in Italy at this time of year, as we never had to wait in lines anywhere. We were in and out without any problem.
During our stay in Florence, we decided to take a short day trip (only about an hour by train) to the city of Pisa. There wasn't much to see there, except the famous leaning tower. We snapped our photos, snagged some lunch, and then we were out of there, and back to Florence for a final evening.
We left Florence by train, and made our way to the fashion capital of Italy; Milan. Here we met once again with our friend Federico, who had been studying for exams, and crashed for the night in his apartment. The next day we saw the sights of Milan, including the Duomo (which is the largest Gothic church in the world), as well as a great Christmas market and what might be the most expensive street in the world, Via Monte Napoleone. We spent a second night with Federico and his family, and had a great time in Milan.
Early the next morning we were up and on our final Italian train. We traveled three hours to the famous floating city of Venice. Although the weather wasn´t as great as we had hoped for (like in previous cities in Italy) we still had a wonderful and romantic time in Venice. We got lost over and over (how can you not?) but always found something to interest us. From carnival masks to gondola boats, Venice was an amazing city to see. We saw the famous sights, which included Piazza San Marco and many churches, and enjoyed the feeling that comes with being on the streets of Venice.
Our time in Italy was amazing, but like all good things it had to come to an end at some point. So, after 11 days, with our packs on our backs, we once again found ourselves in an airport. This time we were´t heading far our next European destination was just around the corner.
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