Italy

(Click on any photo to make it larger.)

The next big trip we took was a 2-week trip to Italy. Italy is a fun, exciting country. There's lots to do, and the people are really interesting. A lot of the stereotypes are true. For example, at a restaurant in Rome that Lea and I were eating at, the waiter looked up from taking our order and yelled "Mama Mia!" at a woman passing by. Seriously.

Florence



We spent a few hours in Florence one morning before catching our next train to Umbria (in central Italy).

Here's a second picture of a really incredible cathedral in Florence.



And these 10 engravings are really famous (I know because I saw one in my art history book).

And this statue is awesome.


Umbria



We arrived in Umbria, which is the only region in Italy that doesn't touch a sea. It's a beautiful region of rolling hills and the biggest scorpions and bees I've ever seen in my life.

We stayed for over a week in a 500 year old stone cabin in the valley you see above. The land is owned by a Countess, who showed us around the valley. At the spot you can see (where it looks like open fields) Roman troops defeated Hannibal's troops and elephants.



This is the sun setting in a pretty village at a lake nearby.


Rome

The next city we visited was Rome, which is a cool place. It's dirty and busy and crowded, and people will steal your stuff if you're not careful.

That being said, it's a big place, and there's so much to do and so many amazing things to see.



This is the fountain made famous in La Dolce Vita.

And this is the Roman Forum! There's so many structures still intact or partially intact from the age of the Roman Empire. The forum here was the center of the city, where deals were made and trade was conducted. It was also the political center of the Roman Empire.




This is the door to some ancient temple near the Roman Forum.

And that's the Colosseum.



And that's where the Pope lives! I was hoping he would stick his head out the window while I was there, but he didn't.


La Cinque Terra

La Cinque Terra is actually five villages on the west side of Italy on the Ligurian Sea, Northwest of Rome. We went there the last few days of our trip, and spent most of the time on the beach. This is what the village we stayed in looked like.



And that's what the sea looked like. It really is a beautiful region.

I have to say, I really enjoyed the two weeks I spent in Italy. I want to go again.



Up next...
Grenoble, France!