part 2 of the rest of Italy

So here we are again with the finale of Italy, capturing the home of Pinochio and pictures from St. Peters  and Michealangelo, and a rather Roman looking waiter.
Previously, on our way to Bagnoregio de Civitia we stopped at some Thermal baths basically in the middle of nowhere. This was free and much hotter than the one in Tuscany.

Onto  Civitia the Hillside City I mentioned , built out of volcanic rock (tufu)  totally amazing, and then onto Rome.

Rome, we captured a few of the locals in fine Roman Itlian style. Our Pension that we stayed at was quite Roman as well much different than Northeren Italy in Cinque  Terra and Tuscany, sculpted bushes, fountains, sculptures etc. With our host very nice and very Roman Catholic strict bedtime rules. I think we were all laughing and having a good time when we were informed  "Tutti" meaning 'enough' or 'the end'. He even pressed a little buzzer from downstairs to inform us that it was sleeping time.

All too great, we have had many funny cultural memories along the way.

the rest of Italy DAY 23 24 25 26, 27 28 29

We absolutey fell in love with Tuscany!! So much that we let go of Florence and just enjoyed staying in the country and going to  Sienna for half a day that has equally as good of arts to see. 

After Sienna we just enjoyed staying in our villa and the gorgeous countryside of Tuscany. Each window we looked out of was like a painting and Natalia and Addi both agreed it was like a fairytale.

Stopped at Pisa on the way to Sienna  to see the only real interest there the leaning Tower of Pisa course.

In my last blog I had mentioned that Borys and I and kids just love Italy , well it stayed true for the entire trip. We actually said that if we were to live in Europe, Tuscany felt like a place in the  beautiful country that you could easily enjoy. Also Portugal' countryside as well, and land that felt so comfortable.

Although the realtly is that Europe is extremly expensive, so we are rarely  eating out, or doing costly tours.We really got soaked (literally)in Italy at the thermo baths, basically Hot springs, but 75 CDN for all of us.

We did a day trip from Tuscany to Assisi where we visted the famous cathedral where St. Francis has layed to rest for over 600 years. There was a real sacredness of this particular place, as you could see many nuns and Catholics making the pilgrimage from all over the world to see St. Francis. Even while I was in India they spoke of this enlightned man.  Also another site that had this feeling was St. Catherine of Sienna while we were there, she was one of the first women who's voice was heard by the primarly partriarchal Cathlolic  organization. Both of these individuals really stood for change.

Onto Rome..........What can one say, there are almost no words to describe such a City!!!  Every corner we turned there was yet another spectacular ancient site.

The Basilica was the one that really blew us all away. The Vatican City really is a city. In the Basillica  you feel like a very small little ant, It is Huge!! You can fit 90.ooo people in it.

The first thing we see when we arrive in the Baslicca is Michealangelo' famous sculpture of Mary holding Jesus  dead in her arms. It really had a moving energy while looking at it, very life like, and regardless of religious/spirtual you feel the loss of a child within this Mother.

We went to the Forum ancient ruines as well as the famous Pantheon (only wholly intact building in it's entirety) where the picture of the doors were over 200o year old and granite pillars brought over from Eygpt , how did they do this? Talk about man power.

The pictures start with Tuscany then onto Assisi, ending in Rome. Addi said he liked Rome the best of anywhere we went, especially the Basillica. We all liked Italy the best, the Italian culture is unto its self. Spain running close 2nd though, hard call!!        oh there closing right now, back in few hours for the rest of the pictures.................see you after Greece nap time........to be cont....in Rome 

ok im back, but not for long due to snail mail in Rhodes Greece, and crazy hours. Finish the rest of Italy in a few days, I also forgot the incrediable hillside village carved out of the rock in the mountain where about 15 people still live there. It is called Civita, just outside of Orvietto.Absoulutely amazing, but high up so a very cold day. 

Thanks Andrea so much for some of your suggestions of Italy, you were right it really was a must see in Civita.

So were leaving off at Assisi and Civita and Rome and Greece yet to come....  Zeasou (which means goodbye in Greek..............

Day18,19,20,21,22,

Our introduction leading into Italy was by passing the gorgeous sites of Cannes and Nice France, into bustling flavourful Ventimiglia and Bordighera  Italy. Our blood started to boil with excitement, and everyone started feeling happy with the flavor of Italy's passion all around us.

Picture this the first thing we see is some beautiful high fashion Italian woman in these high heeled boots dressed to the nines getting off a scooter. The next thing we see dodging traffic is some monk coming ut of an espresso bar, just priceless.

We drive to our destination Levanto just outside of  Terra Cinque, where we stay at our hosts Fernando and Leaha B&B where he owns a olive orchard and and lemon and oranges. He makes his own wine and olive oil.  This area is soft and humble Italy where you feel Italys in its most authentic state of times gone past with the modern twist.

We are in Love absolute Love and this is Sandy' dreams next to Gaudi in Spain, and we both agree that Italy has that feel to Spain where you just cant get enough. Although Italy is a place where you would like to just savor it for along time, another country like Spain we will come back and do all on its own 

The Northern Italians are so warm and friendly full of life and passion and expression.

We roam around Levanto , and  take it all in .

Then we spend the next few days taking the train to all  of Cinque Terras 5 hillside villages its most famous for on the Italin Mediterranean Italian Riveria where these villages are hundereds and hundreds of years olds nestled into the mountain.

Each one like something you cant even imangine in your best dream. There is one in particular that Borys and I fall in Love with called Conrniglia, that you have to climb 370 steps to get to  the top. 

Rick Steves travel "Guru" book coins these villages as the most beautiful place in Italy and we couldnt agree, more. im not sure if Ive ever seen more picturesque visual wonder, nature and people co creating at its best...magnifco!!!You can hike between all these towns which we would have done , but the rain they have been having has made it a little wet, and the children have been doing a lot of walking daily with little hikes that add up to a fair bit daily

At this time of year there is hardly any of tourists for most people start coming in hordes in July and August. You also have to deal with the heat in the Meditereamnean at this time usually 4o is the average. We thought we would like our travels a little bit warmer than they,ve been buts its perfect for the children.....Sandy on the other hand could take May or June where its a constant  25 to 30.  

Our last day we spend on the most exquisite hike, and today is quite warm , shorts weather, and  it couldn't have been more beautiful. Natalia, leads the way as usual at a good clip, noticing the wild mint and lemon balm along the way. Out little naturalist botanist.  natalia said she could have hiked here forever, and could feel the nature fairies all aound her. Addi chomps on grass ends along the way, and we're all feeling in heaven, and wished we had a long time here.

We're sad to leave this area, but excited to go today to Tuscany where we stay outside of Sienna for a few days to see Florence and Pisa, then onto ROME!!!! AHHHHH