JOURNEYS IN ITALY

ROMA   (ROME)

Archeological ruins, beautiful piazzas, and breathtaking churches; Rome is a delightful blend of history, architecture, and monuments in a modern city.  It was founded in 753 BC by (according to mythology) the twins Romulus and Remus.  The non-mythical city became a republic in 510 BC.

	The Flaminian Obelisk, centerpiece of Piazza del Popolo		The Colosseum, more correctly known as the Flavian Ampitheatre
	Ruins of the Forum; the center of Roman life some 2500 years ago		A night shot of the beautiful Basilica Santa Maria Maggiore
	Piazza San Pietro, and St. Peter's Basilica in the background		St. Peter's, as elaborate on the inside as the outside

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FIRENZE  (FLORENCE)

Italy's 'living museum'. The Duomo, Accademia (home of David, pictured above), Uffizi Gallery -- an art lover's dream come true. Firenze also features a bustling marketplace, Mercato Centrale, and some of the best gelati (Italian ice cream) you'll ever taste.

	The beautiful Duomo.  The dome was designed by Brunelleschi, and was the first of its kind during the Renaissance.		Courtyard at the Uffizi Gallery
	Full moon rising over the Duomo		The gelati is heavenly as well
	A view along the River Arno, looking towards Ponte Vecchio		The view from Giotto's Tower. Part of the Duomo can be seen at the left

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VENEZIA  (VENICE)

The main thoroughfare here is the Canale Grande (Grand Canal). Public transportation is not by busses or trams, but by boats, called vaporetti.

	St. Mark's Basilica		A side street of Canale Grande. The structure with yellow trim on the right is a vaparetto stop.
	Children celebrating Festive San Martino. Somewhat similar to American trick or treat, but without the ghosts and goblins.		A "parking spot"
	Piazza San Marco. The vendor in the background is selling bags of seed, with which tourists feed the pigeons.		Raised wooden planks are put out for people to walk on during times of high water.

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SIENA

This Gothic, traffic-free hill town is just perfect for wandering through. On two different days in the summer, Siena's contrada (neighborhoods) compete for local bragging rights in the Palio di Siena, a horse race, which draws thousands of tourists every year.

	A hillside view of beautiful Siena		The Duomo; as ornate on the inside as the outside
	The City Tower (Torre del Mangia), overlooking Siena's central piazza, Il Campo		An arch overlooking a narrow alley in the streets of Siena.

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Last updated on 06/01/2002

This page, and all photos copyright 1997-2000, Steve Hershoff