Italy - Day 10 - Part 2, Da Vinci Museum

replica of the famous Mona Lisa

After our wonderful experience at St. Peter's Square, we strolled along the beautiful streets of Rome, just soaking in the wonder of this place.   After a short walk, we stumbled across Leonardi Da Vinci's Museum.  We opted to get a peek inside.  Leonardo di ser Piero da Vinci - artist, inventor, sculptor, architect and scientific student.  

Madonna of the Carnation

 

Annunciation

The Baptism of Christ

Bacchus

Did da Vinci invent the bicycle?

The Last Supper

Of course, all the paintings in this museum are life size replicas, but still awesome to view.  The Last Supper is 15 feet by 29 feet!  Took da Vinci three years to complete.  Amazing.

We lingered in the museum taking in the paintings and inventions.  Then afterwards,  turned back to the streets of Rome.  Such a beautiful city.  I made up my mind...I must come back to stay longer.

Once again, we opted to walk back to the Trastevere district for dinner.  Our choice for this evening was the vegetable lasagna.   

Vino and lasagna

More walking after dinner, and then more vino from the Lazio region.  All of the wines here were remarkable.  And no headaches!

We wandered the streets a little longer this evening, then headed back to our hotel.  We tried to linger as long as we could, our days here coming to a close.  Only one more day..😢


Until next time...


Enjoy!

Italy - Day 10 Part I - The Vatican City and Our Surprise Blessing from the Pope

Guarding St. Peter's Square

What a day!  What was to happen was not on our itinerary.  While we wanted to go to the Vatican City, we did not plan for a specific time to do so.  We just kind of thought if we had the time, we would go.  And this morning, my sweetie decided we should go.  We ate breakfast, and started walking in that direction.  Of course, as with all of Italy, I was captivated by the art, architecture and culture on display. 

Ponte Sant' Angelo

Entering the Square

Old bridges with angels watching over you

The Tiber River

End of the Square

I wanted to stop and read about each piece but you would have to stay here at least a month, or more!

 

Once we got close to St. Peter's Square, we noticed a lot of security and many areas roped off.  Not having been here before, we thought this was just business as usual.

St Peter's Basilica

We also noted large screen monitors placed in several places around the square. Could it be?!?!?

 

Note the large screened monitor

Due to the timing and urging of my better half, we happened to get to St. Peter's Square around 11:40am.  We wanted to get inside so we had to go through a security line that took about 15 minutes to muddle through.

Inside the Square

We got inside just a few minutes before noon. We noted everyone turning in a certain direction.  So we did the same. 

What is getting ready to happen

And what to our wondering eyes should appear?  Pope Francis peering out of his study window.  He spoke and opened with a prayer...The "Angelus" prayer on All Saints Day.  Being away from the states, we forgot about Halloween.  Today was the day after Halloween and the Pope offers a blessing on All Saints Day. And we were here to hear it!!! He read from a passage in Revelations.  While I could only understand a few words while he was speaking, I felt such a blessing come over me.  I felt this was truly meant for us to be there at this particle time, not planned but just there at the precise moment he comes out of his study to give us an invitation to follow the way of the Beatitudes.  I was humbled and felt as if I was blessed beyond measure.  I silently thanked God for allowing me to be in such a special place and where I am at this point in my life.  So touched and thankful, there were no words for the feeling.  

 

Pope Francis at the window of his study

Once he started speaking, I put my phone away.  No more pics for me...I had to listen to see if I could pick up bits and pieces of his words.  Of course, once I got back to our room later that evening I had to look up what was said.  His speech is posted on you tube, if you should choose to check it out.  I was so thrilled to have been there at that precise moment.

Well, after that...we just looked at each other and said "how can we top that?".  We left feeling beside ourselves and with huge smiles on our faces, thinking how blessed and lucky we were.

Whew...

Until next time...

Enjoy!

Italy - Day 9 - Back to Rome

Mt. Vesuvius

It was hard to believe, but time came for us to return to Rome. But not without another quick shopping trip in Piazza Tasso.   Becky and I left the guys and did a whirlwind shopping spree.  Many craftsmen in their little shoppes working away skillfully in time lost art.  We met one such craftsman along with his son.  They are artisans skilled in intarsia... inlaid woodwork.  This craft is over 500 years old and can only be done by highly trained artisans.  Augusto and Luca are such artisans.  Augusto is third generation, and his son Luca is fourth generation who are masters of this art.  The wood is hand cut with small blades, then inserted and placed together on the same level, with wood pieces that are no thicker than 6 millimeters.  Beautiful work.  

My beautiful treasure made by Augusto

Augusto and his son, Luca

We spent a long time lingering over the lovely pieces.  Many thanks to these artist who are keeping their craft alive.

We were being beckoned by our guys to get going and it was time to leave.  We left Sorrento with regret...our time here was not long enough.  

We left Sorrento with regret...our time here was not long enough.  But we needed to return the rental car and we were approaching our last few days in this beautiful country.  

 

Heading back to Rome with Mt. Vesuvius in the background

the road trip back with more beautiful views

It was hard to stop taking pictures

Beautiful villas along the cliff overlooking the sea

Another lovely village

The distance from Sorrento to Rome is approximately 265 kilometers.  We wanted to return the rental car, and not use the car in Rome.  Marcus was done with the driving and we were happy to oblige.  He was a trooper and we were thankful for his driving.  The rental was returned at the airport and we had a most eventful cab ride back into the Eternal City.  It was quite an adventure.  Apparently cabbies have the right to drive on train and rail tracks if the streets are congested.  We held on tight and hoped for the best during this ride, and made it safely to our hotel.   

Becky and I collapsed once we got out of the cab

 Another lovely meal and we were ready to call it a day.  Tomorrow awaits.

Until next time...

Enjoy!

Italy - Day 8 - Sentiero degli Dei

Bucket list check off day.  We walked the Path of the Gods, Sentiero degli Dei.  The gorgeous path is on the cliffs of the Amalfi Coast is said to have some of the most breathtaking views of our earth.  I can say...it truly was some of the most beautiful views I have witnessed.  

This path is 7.8 kilometers from Agerola to Nocelle, through ancient mule routes.  It is a once in a lifetime hike and I was captivated by the beauty.  The hike can take 3-5 hours, so we packed our lunch and headed on our way.  

Sign showing the trail discreetly placed on side of building

Beginning of the hike

Start of a upward walk

Houses along the way

View of the Mediterranean Sea

People still live on these cliffs and use donkeys to travel, but mostly they walk

Another view of the sea

The hike is listed as being "easy", and it wasn't hard, but it definitely should be done by those without joint or back issues as this path is not even, and does involve some uphill maneuvering.  We thought we were in pretty decent shape until we saw an elderly man come up behind us and pass us at a speed worthy of mentioning as he was clearly at least 20+ years older than us and passed us like it was nothing!!! And off he went, don't know where, since he was out of sight by the next bend.  We decided on a more stringent workout program once we got back home. 👍

We can see why it is called Path of the Gods

At a point where it goes downhill for a bit

Before we left Sorrento to drive to here, we made sure to pack lunch.  I stopped in a small home and brought these sun ripened tomatoes from an old Italian woman who could barely walk and whose face was that of worn leather.   She was beautiful and offered the grapes to go with our tomatoes.  I was touched and remembered her lovely gesture while we ate and drank in this beautiful place. 

Doesn't get any better...

Lunch with the best...friends, food, wine and God's beauty

Sentiero degli Dei - must do if you come to Italy

You have to stop in to absorb the moment

The Med

More houses along the way...some inhabited and some not

Like I said, the hike was up and down, and although not hard, was good exercise.  Good for working up appetite for more gelato later.

 

I definitely want to come back to this spot.  If planning a trip to Italy, please take the time to make this a stop on your itinerary.  It truly is one of the most beautiful places I've seen.  

It was getting later in the afternoon, so we had to pull ourselves off this hike and head back to the car to get to Sorrento before dark.  But not before our gelato fix.

On the ride home, Becky got a great pic of the sunset...what a DAY!!!

Amalfi sunset

Once back in Sorrento, we looked around for a place to dine...I know...more food, right?  But that's one of the many reasons we are here, to eat!   I said before I came on this trip that I was going to eat my way through these wonderful cities.  And so we did.  

 

Ristorante O' Murzill...wonderful food served by wonderful people

One of our best meals while in Italy

Once fed, we were exhausted.   We did not venture far this evening as our beds were calling us.  But, what fun we had today!  Can't wait for tomorrow!

Until next time...

Enjoy