Thursday, December 09, 2010

Slide show from my European vacation.

The DJK story continues dominating discussion throughout Iowa. I won't cover that here. I think Shawn Terrell did a nice job Tuesday in our previous blog entry (see below).

Instead, indulge me to go Griswold from my European vacation. Cue the slide show.

My favorite stop was the Colosseum in Rome. Built in 70, not 1570, 70... the Colosseum makes Wrigley Field look young. It also reminds me of one of my favorite movies, Gladiator. The elaborate trapdoors, tunnels, and pulley systems in the floor were hundreds of years ahead of their time.
Looks cool at night. Me, in the hoody (at bottom), not so cool.

Amazing place.

Nearly 2,000 years old.

Ah, Venice.

We walked 500 stairs to see this view in Florence. Love the way the cloud and  mountain meet.

The outside David. The "real" one is inside in Florence.


The view from our patio in Atrani. The room was less than $100 a night.

Christmas tree in Salerno.
Downtown Atrani.
Cathedral in Amalfi.
Beer in vending machine!?
The hallway on the walk to the Sistine Chapel. Photos not allowed in Chapel.
Vatican City.
With Jenny in front of St. Peter's Basilica.
Inside. Words can't do it justice. Incomprehensible size and detail.
We were there as the Pope gives blessing.


Jenny in front of Duomo.

Hiking back to Atrani.
Getting a haircut from a barber who spoke no English. He didn't have much to work with.
Wine tour near Tuscany.
Dinner with friends. I gained 5 pounds in 10 days.

75 year old bottles of wine.


Vacation over.


4 comments:

Anonymous said...

Love Italy! Only been there twice but I really believe I could live there. Just have to learn the language! Thanks for sharing!!

Geoff Wood said...

A piece of advice for Rome visitors (too late for you, Murph, sorry). You can buy tickets to access the Colosseum at Palatine Hill (adjacent) and then walk straight into the Colosseum with them. At least the last time we were there, the huge line at the Colosseum is the ticket line not the entrance line, just walk past the line until you get to the gate and show your ticket. We had no waiting at Palatine Hill.

Anonymous said...

hey murph! just wonderin' how on earth can you afford a trip like that when "we" peons don't get out Polk county

Short Breaks in Europe said...

One of my dream is to travel and visit some place in Italy specially Rome, Milan, and Venice.