We had a fantastic trip to Slovenia and Italy for Spring Break. I am not exaggerating, at least, that is, once we actually got started! (We missed a connecting flight by mere minutes- possibly even 90 seconds – they had just closed the door - and sat in the Madrid airport for 7 hours. At least it is a nice airport – let me know if you ever need shopping/dining recommendations for Terminal 4!
We arrived in Venice first. The boys were so excited to see all of the boats and canals! We walked around and did the very touristy thing and went for a 30 minute gondola ride with Fabio the singing gondolier! Seriously!
We took a bus and a train to get to Bled, Slovenia. (Had we not gone there, I probably wouldn’t be able to find Slovenia on a map either!). We were concerned that the weather would be in the low 40s and windy. However, we had a gloriously sunny day in the upper 50s – amazing! Lake Bled is absolutely stunning with the castle on a cliff at the shore, the Julian Alps in the background, and the Church of the Assumption of Mary on an island in the lake. We hiked around the lake, up to the castle, and then took a boat ride to the church. As we wandered around the small island we were thrilled to realize we were the only ones there (except our boat driver).
By the way, we had the best pizza of the trip in Slovenia – go figure!
Florence was next on our agenda – we traveled by night train and at least the boys got some sleep. Ahhh, Firenze! I loved the Renaissance buildings and squares. The Basilica di Santa Maria del Fiore (The Duomo) was unbelievable in scale and beauty! It was originally designed in 1296. Work on the dome finally began in 1420 (after an architectural competition to find a way to actually build it!) and was complete in 1436. Apparently things took more time back then with workers having to contend with personality issues, political upheaval and minor health issues – like the black plague! The frescoes on the inside of the dome were painted in the 1570s. Outstanding!
Then it was on to Rome and Vatican City! (Great place to celebrate your 14th birthday, huh?) It seems that at every turn there is something of historical significance! There, right in front of us, is a building or statue or monument or fountain or work of art that I read about in my college history classes. The Coliseum, St. Peter’s Square, Trevi Fountain, The Pantheon, The Sistine Chapel, works of Bernini and Michelangelo and….the list is endless and amazing!
In the Vatican Museums even the galleries themselves were ornate and gorgeous!
If you saw the movie Angels & Demons, you’ll recognize this Roman landmark - the Castel Sant’ Angelo with its fortified corridor to St. Peter’s Basilica :
Oh, and of course, I must mention the gelato or more accurately the plural: gelati – since we probably ate gallons of it!! Our favorite is Grom in Florence with Giolitti in Rome a close second YUM!
Well, there are just a couple from the HUNDREDS of photographs that I have! So, no doubt I’ll share more between some client images.
Revelation 7:9
by Bridget
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