San Gimignano.

Mike's Monterosso.

Monterosso, Cinque Terre.

Piazza San Marco, Venezia

We had been to Venice before, but didn't do Piazza San Marco. We invited Russ, a colleague of Mike's along also. We had a fabulous day sightseeing. I had a lousy day shooting. I have no clue what was up with my skills behind the camera, but I compensate by telling myself this website is not so much about just good shots, but about documenting the sights, what we saw, and perhaps what you might see too.

We drove to Venezia, Mestre - which is the city prior to the causeway and Venezia - San Lucia. San Lucia is the Venice people think of when thinking of "Venice". We caught a train across the causeway, which is a mere 1 euro each way. (we actually got on the wrong train and went in the wrong direction - but we won't talk about that will we Mike hehe)
Alas, from the Train station we took a water taxi, #1 from Ferrovia (train station) to San Marco - Valleresso. It takes about 40 mins or so. You cruise along the grand canal at a comfortable speed and breathe in the centuries of architecture and yesterday year times 1,000 plus. It is quite remarkable and you can't help but be moved by the grandeur of it all.

Once you get off you walk to the right, over the small bridge and through the little market place until there, right before your eyes the world opens up and swallows you in opulence and history.

San Marco Square, Venezia.
This is the baby square, the piazzetta, but it's the first view as you reach the area. New Offices on hard left, bell tower, old offices and clock tower, St Marks basilica and Doge's Palace on hard right.

Views from Piazza San Marco and round about. You aren't allowed to photograph inside the church, so there are none from in there.

I love the glass lanterns, they are so very pretty.

From the top of the Basilica.

A little side "street" off St Marks Square.

Cruising the Grand Canal, Venice.

Peggy Guggenheim Museum

Rialto Bridge.

Look what we are raising? No big surprise, right?!

Mike's Photos from Parma

10 points if you can spot me (gail) in this shot.

details of the stories told on the side of the Baptistery building, which was built in Verona Pink Marble.


These stained glass windows are new-ish (1950's) and are inside the Duomo.

As you can see it's hard to get a sense of scale of the size of these buildings. As our camera's can not get wide enough to take it all in.





This accordian guy played throughout our visit to the Piazza Di Duomo and really enhanced the experience of sitting on the steps.

Typically Parma

Parma.

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Outside the Duomo, Piazza Di Duomo and surrounding streets of Medieval Parma.

The Duomo and Baptistery on right, Mike on the steps of the Duomo and Mac - proof of Italia












Inside the Duomo, Cathedral.

















Inside the baptistery







Inside the Basilica

soon-to-be-inside our tummies

soon to be burnt to the ground... on our way home.

Sirmione, Lake Garda

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Lonely Planet says of Sirmione - "The roman poet Catullus celebrated Sirmione a narrow peninsula jutting out from the southern shore of the the Lake (Garda) as the "jewel of all islands" and his name is still invoked in connection with the place. It is q popular bathing spot and jammed tight with tourists but does retain a comparatively relaxed atmosphere. The area of interest, guarded bu a castle, is an islet attached by a bridge to the rest of the peninsula."
















"Castelle Scaligere was built by Verona's ruling family, the Scaligeri, as a stronghold on the lake in 1250. There is not a lot inside bu there are great views from the tower"




A photo from Mike, to get some idea of the crowds even on a yukky day.