Orvieto Cathedral

One thing you can say for Italy is that you will develop a great appreciation for Art, Religion, History and Architecture. They are with you everywhere you go. 

We started our adventure by landing in Rome. As is usually the case, we were arrived there early in the morning. Even though it was late September, it was still warm on this trip, often in the mid-80's. 

After clearing customs, we picked up our luggage. Our next leg of our destination was Florence. There is a shuttle train that will take you directly to the Rome Train Station. The shuttle will take about 45 minutes to reach the Rome Train Station. A word of advice here: be sure to allow at least 3 hours from the time to land to make it to the train station. Rome is a busy airport, probably the busiest I have seen in Europe. And the shuttle will often run late. 

We made our train to Florence. It is a high-speed train, and will get you to Florence in about two hours. The train is very comfortable and surprisingly was not that crowded.

Once we arrived in Florence, we checked in, and took the opportunity to explore. Our hotel was the St. Regis, right on the banks of the Arno River, so it was a great location. Later that afternoon, we had scheduled a tour of the Uffizi Gallery, and we had about 4 hours to get our bearings. 

The Uffizi Gallery was amazing. We had a guide lead us through. To see the details in artwork that was hundreds of years old was wonderful. 

The next day, we had a private guide for the Accademia. Of course the main attraction here is Michelangelo's David. That afternoon, we went to the Florence Duomo for a tour of the Cathedral. The square around the Duomo is also fun to watch, as artists and other crafts people will sell their wares in the square. 

The next day, we took our first venture into the countryside. Most of the group tours will meet you at the Florence Train Station. When you get there you will need to find your group. Just ask around, and they should be easy to find. Just give yourself enough time to look around. 

Our trip this day was to Siena, San Gimignano, Pisa. The cathedral there is a main attraction but just walking around the square and the side streets is worth it. If you go to Siena in July or August, be prepared that they have a horse race in the town square. In San Gimignano, we stopped for lunch at a local winery. Needless to say, the food and wine was excellent, and there were some great views of the surrounding countryside. Lastly, we went to Pisa, to see the famous Leaning Tower and the Baptistry. 

The next day we said goodbye to Florence and took the train back to Rome. Like the trip to Florence it was a high speed train, so we had plenty of time to start exploring Rome on our return. 

Our hotel in Rome was the Westin Excelsior, very conveniently located in the heart of Rome on the Via Veneto, just a few blocks from the Borghese Gardens and Gallery. The hotel really has the feel of classic Italian, and the rooms are spacious. 

After checking in, we had an appointment for a guided tour of the Borghese Gallery. The paintings and sculptures in the gallery are amazing. Two things to keep in mind here: First, you will need to get tickets in advance and you will have an assigned time. Second, you will not be permitted to carry large bags or backpacks in the Gallery. You can check them, but they will be in a bin with several other bags from other guests.

Then next day, we went to see the Colosseum and the Roman Ruins. It was a bit long, but easy, walk from our hotel. And, on the way, we were able to see the Pantheon, the Trevi Fountain, the Spanish Steps, and the the Palazzo Venezia. The Colosseum is quite a sight. Be sure to book the tickets that will allow you to go below the Colosseum floor. After touring the Colosseum, we were able to walk through the ruins. 

The next day, we took a semi-private tour of Assisi and Orvieto. Assisi, the birthplace of St. Francis, is a nice place to spend the day and to learn more about him and the Franciscan order. On the way back to Rome, we stopped in Orvieto, where the cathedral pictured in this post is located. 

Our last full day in Rome was special, because we spent the morning there at Vatican City. We had breakfast in the Vatican, so we took a taxi to get there, but walked back afterward to our hotel. I recommend getting an early reservation for the Vatican because it will be crowded, even at 7:00 AM. Everything about the Vatican is awe-inspiring, from St. Peter's Basilica to the Sistine Chapel, the Square, and the Gardens. Be sure to book a guided tour. 

This was a fantastic trip for us. To be in a place that has been an essential part of civilization, art, and religion is a must-see. 

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