Italian Holiday

Over spring break, I went to Italy with the entire senior class of Cottey College. We arrived in Rome on March 10, and travelled to Florence by bus. While in Firenze (Florence's real name), I saw Santa Croce, the Palazzo Vecchio, the Duomo, the Accademia Gallery (and of course, the David), the Il Bargello Museum, the San Lorenzo Basilica, some markets, cafes, and the Uffizzi Gallery. Our hotel was close to the historical center of the town, so I got to walk everywhere - I think I walked over 40 miles in Florence alone! I liked everything, but my favorites were the Palazzo Vecchio, the Dome of the Duomo (I climbed all 450+ steps to its top!), the Uffizzi, and Santa Croce. The Palazzo Vecchio was originally a fortress that eventually the Medici family used as one of their residences. When they took it over, they commissioned a lot of spectacular art in almost every part of the interior. Each room's ceiling was elaborately decorated with paintings and detailed gold trim. The Duomo was amazing because of the spectacular exterior (it is completely covered with pink, green, and white marble) and the view its dome offers. I liked Santa Croce because it also has an elaborate marble facade, but I actually enjoyed seeing its interior more. Galileo, Michelangelo, and Machiavelli and buried there. Its many beautiful frescoes make it spectacular!On March 13, we left for Roma. I have to admit it, I liked Roma best. I can't even really explain why. : ) My absolute favorite site there was the Trevi Fountain - I actually visited it each day that I was in Rome. I also saw the Colosseum, the Forum, Palentine Hill, Circus Maximus, the Pantheon, San Ignazio's basilica, the Vatican city, St. Peter's basilica, the Sistine chapel, and some Vatican museums. They were all equally amazing! I rode the Metro for the first time (and discovered that my balance is awful!), tasted my first gelato(a form of ice cream resembling frozen custard), and just tried to take it all in. : ) I'm sure you will all want to know if I saw the Pope. lol He actually did not make an appearance - his visiting hours are only on Wednesdays. : )I flew back to Nevada on March 16, and have since been very busy with studies. I loved Italy, and I would love to go back to Europe to visit England and France someday. Until "someday" comes, I will be wishing I were back in Europe! : )My pictures are a bit mixed up, sorry. The first 2 are of the Palazzo Vecchio, the next is a typical street in Florence and the back of Santa Croce. Then one of the Vatican, then a square in Rome where I ate dinner. The next 4 are of historical Roman ruins (I'm sure you'll all know them), then it jumps back to Florence for the next 6 pictures. All the pictures are placed I've mentioned except for that of the Pucci store. The rest are all of Rome. I am not sure how to explain all the pictures any better, so I guess you can all use your imaginations to figure them out. : ) Otherwise, Google is a very helpful tool. : )