June 19, 2006: On our way to Italy, we rode First Class on Lufthansa. We enjoyed champagne and caviar, our personal video systems, and seats that went completely flat. Who would've thought that after 13 hours on the plane we wouldn't want to get off? A great way to start the trip!
First stop: Rome. We arrived in the afternoon, made a quick trip to the Pantheon, then went for dinner at the Piazza Navona.
The next morning, we took a nice stroll to the Vatican City. Here is Michael as we approached St. Peter's Square.
We, along with a few thousand other lucky folks, were lucky enough to procure tickets to see a Papal audience. Here are the Vatican Guards, the one on the right dressed in the costume designed by da Vinci hundreds of years ago.
Pope Benedict in the Popemobile, just a few feet away!
The ceiling on the way to the Sistine Chapel, inside the Vatican Museums
At the Colisseum. Lucky for us, the wild animals were long gone but too bad Russell Crowe wasn't around.
At the Trevi Fountain
Michael tossing a coin over his opposite shoulder at the Trevi Fountain. Legend has it that anyone who tosses a coin into the fountain over their opposite shoulder will one day return.
At the Spanish Steps
We had some trouble getting out of Rome and getting to Tuscany. But eventually, we found an automatic car in Chiusi, our trusty Musa, and embarked on our drive.
We arrived at our home for the next week, Podere Collelungo, in Castellina in Chianti. Collelungo is an agriturismo and working vineyard with 9 apartments. Upon our arrival, we received a tour of the facilities and vineyard from Lorenzo, the owner. Behind Michael is a newly-planted vineyard. Chianti, Merlot, and olive oil are the main products of Collelungo.
With the hills of Tuscany behind me
more views of the hills of tuscany
Michael at the garden outside our apartment in collelungo
Anyone else reminded of Andre the Giant in the Princess Bride? Apparently, when Collelungo was built in the 13th Century, people were a bit shorter
The "Smart" car...but not so smart for tall folks
Me drying our laundry under the Tuscan sun
Our friendly neighbors at Collelungo. Ozzie would've had a field day!
Our last evening in Tuscany featured our best meal, in Piazza, Osteria alla Piazza. Truly huge, amazing mushrooms!
Our apartment, La Lupa, at Collelungo
The gothic church in Siena, a famous medieval walled city in Tuscany, encircled by crows
View of Florence from the Uffizi Gallery
We stayed on the Grand Canal in Venice at the Antiche Figure. What a beautiful, romantic city, great views!
At St. Mark's Square in Venice
Campanile at St. Mark's. From there, we had incredible views and took the following pictures of the square and the city of Venice:
View from our private taxi on our way to Murano to buy some Murano glass
Venice's best seafood restaurant, La Corte Sconta
Eating at Corte Sconta with our friends from Collelungo Ivan and Ida
Our last dinner of our honeymoon along the canal
Looking quite satisfied in the airport VIP lounge with croissant, juice and water, ready to embark on the flight home :)
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