Rome

Rome, the Eternal City, here is what we did..

We arrived Rome and the first thing we did is sit on the Spanish steps :) the reason for lack of people is because we stayed at the Inn at the Spanish Steps and woke up super early.

Since we watched Roman Holiday the week before, we decided to check out some of the sights. (the mouth of truth).

The next day we did a skip the line Vatican tour (home to the pope and the catholic church and well as large collection of art inside.)

Sistine chapel by Michaelangelo.

Outside we witness a mass and right side is pieta

Outside Vantican

 Inside chapel

Drinking water from fountain like Roman's do.

After the tour, we checked off all the famous sites
Trevi Fountain

The Pantheon (extraordinary building in western civilization) Michelangelo studies its design and was amazed by it.

Castle Sant'Angelo

That night, we ate at a cute restaurant called La Prosciutteria where wine cost $2 a glass.

The next day, we did the must do Colosseum tour. imagine roman empire once was here

Good bye Rome, you were awesome!

Florence, Pisa, and Cinque Terre

The first thing we did when arrive in Florence is to check in our hotel and take the bus to Piazzale Michaelangelo since this is where you can see the best view of Florence.

We stayed at San Gallo Palace Hotel, it's away from tourist area are but it's close to the restaurant that we absolutely love called Antica Trattoria. (awesome waitress and food)

View from Piazza Michaelangelo

Antica Trattoria 

The next day we did a food tour called Florence for foodies.

First they took us to Academia Gallery where you see statue of David. Definitely need to see it in person, the detail that Michelangelo did with a piece of marble is loss for words

Then we went to The San Lorenzo Food market and tried their famous cow stomach sandwich 

(Nerbone), then we went to Conti stand where we tasted cheese, wine, balsamic vinegar, and olive oil. All divine! Then we stopped by Forno di Bruschi Ivana where they serve us salty donut and wine. Finally ended the tour with gelato

After the food tour, we took the advise of the photography group to visit Museum duomo. There you purchase the ticket to climb up to the top of Duomo, the sight is amazing!

 We spent the next day explore Pisa and Cinque Terre

On our last day in Florence, we explored Ponte Vecchio up close and stopped by outside of Uffizi Gallery

Venice

It all started with a question between me and my husband: where would you like to go for our anniversary this year?  Italy kept on popping up on his mind since he saw the pope last time and he doesn’t mind going back.

So it begins my research. Since my husband has been to Rome before, so getting around is not a problem.

We basically followed Rick Steve’s best of Venice, Florence and Rome tour, but traveled on our own and oh yes, we added Pisa and cinque terre on top of that.

So here it goes…

We arrive in Venice around sunset.

In the air

We stayed at Ca' Bragadin in Venice

http://www.cabragadin.com

It's located close to Rialto Bridge. Walking through canals, bridges, and alleyways to get there was an eye opening experience.

Our first Venetian dinner

 Hotel looks like this inside

After check in hotel settle down and have dinner, we walked to Rialto Bridge to see the view of grand canal

 Grand Canal in the morning

Explore around the area

Then we walked to Piazza San Marco

Venice marathon was going on!!!

Stopped by Bridge of Sighs

After marathon is over, we decided to go up to the top of Campanile di San Marco

Then we walk around the square, where pigeons is everywhere

Beautiful view of gondola by the square

Afterwards we did more exploring and eating of course!

The next day, we visited Peggy Guggenheim Collection by crossing Ponte dell'Accademia

Then we did a walking tour (can't tired of those canals :))
and gondola ride (must do in Venice)

 That night we had the best ravioli.

Walked to San Marco square in the rain on our last day.

Great pasta shop must try if you are there.