Fifth Stop - Italy (Venice, Rome, Vatican City & Florence)
Via Trains from Interlaken to Brig, Brig to Milan, Milan to Venice
Pit Stop at Home
Via Trains from Pordenone to Rome, Rome to Vatican
Via Trains from Rome to Florence
Total Travel Hours: (20hrs including waiting time)
After a relaxing visit to Switzerland, Ralph and I were excited to finally be home and have his family see gorgeous Italy! Though Ralph and I have our share of complaints, still, our love for this country triumphs the dislike. For many, Italy is the worst place to live in. Quite discombobulating really...for the mere fact that we are simply hours away from few of the most glamorous cities in the WORLD - Venice, Rome, Vatican and Florence. Who cares about the inconvenience of siestas, road signs and rules, very poor customer service, non-English speakers and crappy rainy weather? At the end of the day, that's what make Italy, Italy. Perhaps only a few have visited third world countries, no?
VENEZIA
Having been in Venice for several times now, seeing the wonder and awe on people's faces has now become a hobby. Well, why not? Despite the rising canal waters on rainy days, Venice never fails or loses its charm. The allure of the colorful, pastel-colored houses, the thousand bridges hanging above the canals, the medieval cobbled stones, the famous gondolas and wealthy lovers aboard them - all these and more just doesn't make Venice the ultimate tourist spot but, the perfect Hollywood couple getaway and onscreen location. Need I say more?
Surprisingly though, unless you are a hard core Catholic (with 100+ Catholic churches) or a museum enthusiast, Venice should not take more than a day. As a family, we rode the shuttle boat, crossed thousands of bridges including the Rialto, visited San Marco square, ate homemade gelato, got lost, tasted authentic Venetian foods and haggled with local vendors. Have a taste...
Via Trains from Interlaken to Brig, Brig to Milan, Milan to Venice
Pit Stop at Home
Via Trains from Pordenone to Rome, Rome to Vatican
Via Trains from Rome to Florence
Total Travel Hours: (20hrs including waiting time)
After a relaxing visit to Switzerland, Ralph and I were excited to finally be home and have his family see gorgeous Italy! Though Ralph and I have our share of complaints, still, our love for this country triumphs the dislike. For many, Italy is the worst place to live in. Quite discombobulating really...for the mere fact that we are simply hours away from few of the most glamorous cities in the WORLD - Venice, Rome, Vatican and Florence. Who cares about the inconvenience of siestas, road signs and rules, very poor customer service, non-English speakers and crappy rainy weather? At the end of the day, that's what make Italy, Italy. Perhaps only a few have visited third world countries, no?
VENEZIA
Having been in Venice for several times now, seeing the wonder and awe on people's faces has now become a hobby. Well, why not? Despite the rising canal waters on rainy days, Venice never fails or loses its charm. The allure of the colorful, pastel-colored houses, the thousand bridges hanging above the canals, the medieval cobbled stones, the famous gondolas and wealthy lovers aboard them - all these and more just doesn't make Venice the ultimate tourist spot but, the perfect Hollywood couple getaway and onscreen location. Need I say more?
Surprisingly though, unless you are a hard core Catholic (with 100+ Catholic churches) or a museum enthusiast, Venice should not take more than a day. As a family, we rode the shuttle boat, crossed thousands of bridges including the Rialto, visited San Marco square, ate homemade gelato, got lost, tasted authentic Venetian foods and haggled with local vendors. Have a taste...
ROMA
Nicknamed the Eternal City, Rome...drives me at a loss for words. "Grande!" as how our landlords described it. Rich in historical and cultural treasures, Rome never ceases to amaze me. This time, we visited the Colosseum, Roman Forum, Piazza Venezia, Pantheon, Spanish Steps, Trevi Fountain, Via Condotti and Piazza Navona. And of course, gelato from the world-famous San Crispino and tartufo from Tre Scalini!!! Spell Y-U-M! Will definitely come back one last time!
Nicknamed the Eternal City, Rome...drives me at a loss for words. "Grande!" as how our landlords described it. Rich in historical and cultural treasures, Rome never ceases to amaze me. This time, we visited the Colosseum, Roman Forum, Piazza Venezia, Pantheon, Spanish Steps, Trevi Fountain, Via Condotti and Piazza Navona. And of course, gelato from the world-famous San Crispino and tartufo from Tre Scalini!!! Spell Y-U-M! Will definitely come back one last time!
VATICAN CITY
Though small in population and size, Vatican City is a goldmine of major artworks and treasures including Michaelangelo's Pieta and Sistine Chapel ceiling, and Raphael's the Transfiguration. Home of Catholicism, it is also home to the widest collection of the Bible translated in different languages, and of course the most magnificent cathedral in the whole wide universe, St. Peter's Basilica. Some fun facts, we've learned about the Vatican:
1. Population: Less than a thousand.
2. Latin, being one of the languages used in the city-state, is available as a language option in ATM machines.
3. Free Admission on World Tourism Day and every last Sunday of the month. (Be prepared to line-up and wait!)
4. It takes about 500 steps to reach St Peter's Basilica cupola, 300+ with extra cost.
5. St. Peter's Basilica got its name from St. Peter, who was crucified and buried at the cathedral's exact location.
6. Since some lunatic tried destroying the Pieta, Michaelangelo's masterpiece now stands behind a bullet-proof acrylic panel.
7. The Last Judgement Day painting at the Sistine Chapel: Michaelangelo, in his deliberate mockery of a Vatican official named Biagio, drew a resemblance of him in the character of Minos, the Greek myth god of Hades. He is seen with devilish ears, a serpent encircling him and biting his male organs. Look for Minos a.k.a. Biagio at the bottom right of the intricate mural.
Though small in population and size, Vatican City is a goldmine of major artworks and treasures including Michaelangelo's Pieta and Sistine Chapel ceiling, and Raphael's the Transfiguration. Home of Catholicism, it is also home to the widest collection of the Bible translated in different languages, and of course the most magnificent cathedral in the whole wide universe, St. Peter's Basilica. Some fun facts, we've learned about the Vatican:
1. Population: Less than a thousand.
2. Latin, being one of the languages used in the city-state, is available as a language option in ATM machines.
3. Free Admission on World Tourism Day and every last Sunday of the month. (Be prepared to line-up and wait!)
4. It takes about 500 steps to reach St Peter's Basilica cupola, 300+ with extra cost.
5. St. Peter's Basilica got its name from St. Peter, who was crucified and buried at the cathedral's exact location.
6. Since some lunatic tried destroying the Pieta, Michaelangelo's masterpiece now stands behind a bullet-proof acrylic panel.
7. The Last Judgement Day painting at the Sistine Chapel: Michaelangelo, in his deliberate mockery of a Vatican official named Biagio, drew a resemblance of him in the character of Minos, the Greek myth god of Hades. He is seen with devilish ears, a serpent encircling him and biting his male organs. Look for Minos a.k.a. Biagio at the bottom right of the intricate mural.
FLORENCE
Though not as Grand as Rome, or as lavish as Venice or Vatican, Florence exudes with Renaissance and Tuscan charm. It is the home of the Statue of David, Uffizi Gallery, Signoria Square, River Arno and awesome Italian sub sandwiches! Gorgonzola cheese please!
Unfortunately, it is also the culmination of Ralph and I's squabbles. Getting irritated with a lack of some decent breakfast, being separated from the pack and having been rained-on, the drama begins. Ralph, fed-up with my constant complaining and I, sick to death of our hapless encounters clashed like greased, shirtless Titans. With claws emerging from the you-thought-she-couldn't-hurt-a-fly Jezell, I refused to enter the Uffizi Gallery and when I finally decided to, let out a snarky remark towards Ralph, "I'm agreeing to go in for mom's sake and not yours!" Lesson learned: Don't mess with me. Hehehe.
Seriously, looking back on that day, made me realize how I so so appreciate Ralph, and how blessed I am to be with him through the best and the worst of times. We don't pretend to be okay when we're not or pretend to be the perfect couple when everything else goes awry. But most importantly, I learned to treat him more with respect, support his decisions and hold my tongue. In essence, Ralph and I are learning to truly love and forgive unconditionally. Who said it will be easy, painless and scarless?
On a side note, I thank God for giving the right person to me. I thank God for forgiveness and restoration. I thank God that He came for sinners like me, "For I have not come to call the righteous but the sinners" (Matthew 9:12). I thank God for equipping Ralph to be the husband I most need, and for continuously shaping me to be the wife, Ralph deserves. And with that...Ralph, I am truly sorry for those times I did not show respect, supported your decisions and held my tongue. Thank you so much for being patient with me and bearing the brimful emotions I came with. I won't and can't promise instant change, but this I will do...strive harder to become a better wife and fight harder for understanding. I am ever so proud of you. I love you with every thread forming my existence, with every ounce of blood coursing through my veins and with every single breath my body intakes and exhales. I love you, if not the same, even more.
And Oh yes, the Florence pictures...
Though not as Grand as Rome, or as lavish as Venice or Vatican, Florence exudes with Renaissance and Tuscan charm. It is the home of the Statue of David, Uffizi Gallery, Signoria Square, River Arno and awesome Italian sub sandwiches! Gorgonzola cheese please!
Unfortunately, it is also the culmination of Ralph and I's squabbles. Getting irritated with a lack of some decent breakfast, being separated from the pack and having been rained-on, the drama begins. Ralph, fed-up with my constant complaining and I, sick to death of our hapless encounters clashed like greased, shirtless Titans. With claws emerging from the you-thought-she-couldn't-hurt-a-fly Jezell, I refused to enter the Uffizi Gallery and when I finally decided to, let out a snarky remark towards Ralph, "I'm agreeing to go in for mom's sake and not yours!" Lesson learned: Don't mess with me. Hehehe.
Seriously, looking back on that day, made me realize how I so so appreciate Ralph, and how blessed I am to be with him through the best and the worst of times. We don't pretend to be okay when we're not or pretend to be the perfect couple when everything else goes awry. But most importantly, I learned to treat him more with respect, support his decisions and hold my tongue. In essence, Ralph and I are learning to truly love and forgive unconditionally. Who said it will be easy, painless and scarless?
On a side note, I thank God for giving the right person to me. I thank God for forgiveness and restoration. I thank God that He came for sinners like me, "For I have not come to call the righteous but the sinners" (Matthew 9:12). I thank God for equipping Ralph to be the husband I most need, and for continuously shaping me to be the wife, Ralph deserves. And with that...Ralph, I am truly sorry for those times I did not show respect, supported your decisions and held my tongue. Thank you so much for being patient with me and bearing the brimful emotions I came with. I won't and can't promise instant change, but this I will do...strive harder to become a better wife and fight harder for understanding. I am ever so proud of you. I love you with every thread forming my existence, with every ounce of blood coursing through my veins and with every single breath my body intakes and exhales. I love you, if not the same, even more.
And Oh yes, the Florence pictures...
Our last stop for this trip...Watch out Berlin, Germany!
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