Highlights of Italy and Greece 2022

Today was a very full day (over 22,000 steps!) The temperature is in the high 80s, but the humidity is at 75%. My hair lasted about half an hour (the time we were on the bus). We had guided tours of the Forum first, then the Colusseum. Our guide was spectacular.  I learned things from her that I had never heard before. For example, at the Forum she explained the responsibility of the Vestal Virgins to keep the oil light burning. Also, Caesar wasn't killed in that Forum, but in a spot nearby. She also pointed out the spot across from the Colusseum where the gladiators were housed. Also, that the Colusseum was constructed with iron which was "recycled" for other spots in the city. This weakened the structure which partially collapsed during earthquakes. The remaining structure is only about 1/3 of the original size. My highlight today was seeing the Mamertine prison. This is the prison that housed both St. Peter and St. Paul. ...

We left beautiful Tuscany and headed to our final destination: Rome. We stopped mid-way at my favorite town - Assisi. I’ve been longing to come back after falling in love with it several years ago. It is still as beautiful as I remembered it. The last time, I was not able to visit the burial place of St. Francis of Assisi. This time, that was my first stop. As an added bonus, I was able to attend Mass and receive Communion! I broke the rules a little by taking this pic, but I couldn’t help myself! Then I got to stroll the streets and enjoy the sites (with another mint granita!). I tried to visit the site of Blessed Carlos Acutis, but I kept getting varying directions to the church. I came close, but ran out of time. Then, back on the bus for the trip to Rome. I can’t understand how I can be on a bus for over 5 hours and still log 15,000 steps in a day! I guess that testify to how much walking we do on a regular basis. We stopped at Piazza...

Working Under the Tuscan Sun 🌞  We did our service project by helping with a local Tuscan farm. This farm grows roses to produce rose jam and rose oils and also grapes for wine. The students first started by helping weed the older rose garden. Then they picked vegetables, some of which were used for our lunch. We even got to sample the tomatoes, fresh off the vine. Then they moved on to the vineyard. This is the time of year when it is necessary to remove any growth from around the base of the plant so it will flourish. Not only did they pick the vegetables for lunch, they helped prepare the appetizer: bruscetta! It tasted SO good,  with the fresh tomatoes and basil. I haven't said a great deal about the food, but it has all been good. A lot of roast pork. And, once we got to Italy, the required pasta side dish. But this farm outdid itself! Two kinds of fresh foccacia, a special pomodoro, rose tea and freshly made ca...

Today we headed to Florence to see the area of the Medicis. We are always traveling closer to Rome. Our bus was able to take us as far as the tram station.  Then we boarded a tram "just like the locals" which took us to the city center. Florence was bustling and it was as hot as promised. We had aocal guide, Fabio, who walked us trough the sites. We met up with him at the Santa Maria Novella. The facade on the church is new, hence the "novella." We also saw the Duomo and the baptistry.  We always view the Ponte Veccio, but this was the first time I've actually crossed it. It has many upscale jewelry shops. Then, it was back to the square to view the many statues, including the "fake David" made of concrete. We had good time to shop and grab a snack before heading to the hotel. I enjoyed a mint granite in hopes of cooling off. We were pretty sticky when we arrived  at the hotel, and...

We arrived safely in Italy this morning, a little behind schedule, but no worse for wear. We sailed into Bari and I got to see my lighthouse. 😊 We met our new bus driver, and got on our classy Mercedes Benz  bus and started heading north . We traveled along the Adriatic coast and saw the best scenery. It was cloudy this morning,  but then the sun broke through around 3:00. Our hotel is a quaint building in the center of town. They have done some upgrades,  but the air conditioning and internet need work. I love the old keys! The bathroom,  however,  must have been designed by a sadist. Really????  Note the placement of the toilet paper holder.