Reset search
Bella Italia 2018Bella Italia 2018
SatelliteEdit route

Bella Italia 2018

August - November 2018
Veni
Vini
Amori
We came. We saw. We loved! Read more
  • 186footprints
  • 5countries
  • 69days
  • 1.0kphotos
  • 0videos
  • 36.7kkilometers
  • 15.1kkilometers
Follow Calendar Share Bucket list
Date ascending
  • Bella Italia 2018
    Day 5

    Notre Dame Cathedral, Paris

    September 3, 2018 in France ⋅ ⛅ 24 °C

    After a refreshing drink in a traditional French cafe we finally made our way to the Notre Dame Cathedral. What a stunning building.

    The cathedral's construction begun in 1160 and was largely complete by 1260, though it was modified frequently in the following centuries. In the 1790s, Notre-Dame was desecrated during the French Revolution and in the 19th century it was the site of the coronation of Napoleon I. It regained popularity again after the 1831 publication of The Hunchback of Notre-Dame and has undergone major restoration since then.

    The cathedral is one of the most widely recognized symbols of the city of Paris, and the French nation. It is known to house one of the world’s largest organs and immense church bells, as well as the most important relics in Christendom, the Crown of Thorns, a sliver of the true cross and a nail from the true cross. Approximately 12 million people visit Notre-Dame annually, making it the most visited monument in Paris.

    Our original plan was to climb the stairs to the top but we were exhausted and having seen all of Paris from the top of the Eiffel Tower and the Arc De Triomphe we decided we could give that a miss. We did make sure to check out the inside though and it was spectacular. The stained-glass windows were amazing and once again we were in awe by the craftsmanship of the many amazing works of art and statues, and the workmanship of the building itself.

    It is so hard to fathom how these amazing structures were made so long ago and how it was possibly done. AMAZING.    Read more

  • Bella Italia 2018
    Day 5

    The Conciergerie, Paris

    September 3, 2018 in France ⋅ ⛅ 23 °C

    On our way to visit Sainte-Chapelle we stopped in at The Conciergerie, the oldest prison in Paris. Dating back to the 6th century, it was originally the palatial residence of Clovis, the first king of Paris. During the French Revolution between 1793 and 1795 it served as a prison where its most famous prisoner, Marie-Antoinette was kept up to the day she was executed. Hundreds of prisoners during the French Revolution were taken from the Conciergerie to be executed by guillotine at a number of locations around Paris.

    Throughout the centuries it has housed many of the French monarchy, been the home to France’s Parliament and is the birthplace of the first Conciergerie. Appointed by King Charles V, the last royal resident, the Conciergerie were charged with maintaining order, overseeing the police and supervising prisons. Today it still houses judicial offices.

    We entered through the Hall of Soldiers and after seeing the elaborate interior of the Notre Dame the simplicity of the Conciergerie was simply beautiful. The hall was empty but impressive with its graceful curved beams. There was such a feeling of serenity and peacefulness about the place even though it was a place of sadness. It was almost a spiritual feeling being there and I loved it.    Read more

  • Bella Italia 2018
    Day 5

    Sainte-Chapelle, Paris

    September 3, 2018 in France

    In the same grounds as the Concergerie, is Sainte-Chapelle, the Holy Chapel, our last stop for the day. Commissioned by King Louis IX in the 1200s as part of the palace complex, it was completed in 1248 and served as a private chapel for the royal family. Though some of the palace grounds from those early days are gone, Sainte-Chapelle remains intact.

    While the exterior was nothing extra special, the interior blew my mind. The stain glass windows were breathtaking with the afternoon sun shining through. Arranged across 15 windows, each 15 metres high, the stained-glass panes depict 1,113 scenes from the Old and New Testaments, recounting the history of the world until the arrival of the relics in Paris.

    This was by far the most amazing location we have visited in Paris, although I seem to be saying that about every place we visit. Paris is a beautiful city, filled with so many, many amazing buildings and sites to see. I am just so glad I had added this one to our itinerary. It was a fabulous end to our very long, and amazing day.    Read more

  • Bella Italia 2018
    Day 6

    Paris

    September 4, 2018 in France ⋅ ⛅ 18 °C

    Our last day in Paris and we had plans to visit the cemetery and explore more of Paris, however we woke to a wet and overcast day. We were exhausted, so it was a great chance to rest our weary feet, enjoy a lie in, and recharge. Once the weather cleared, we ventured out for an afternoon stroll around our local area, soaking up the Parisian vibe. There is so much about Paris that I love, the touches of art, the beautiful buildings, the gorgeous streets. I have been very impressed by Paris and need so much more time here to fully immerse myself in the city.Read more

  • Bella Italia 2018
    Day 6

    Le Dante Bistrot, Paris

    September 4, 2018 in France ⋅ ⛅ 18 °C

    Due to the fact we had had an easy tourist day we decided to get into the Parisian way of life and venture out for a late dinner. We have been so exhausted at the end of our days exploring the city that we are usually in bed at 9pm, so it was a treat to venture out for dinner at that time. We decied to try some local cuisine at Bistro Le Dante, where we sat on the footpath, Parisian style.

    The funniest thing was watching one of the staff members from the restaurant park his car by actually bumping the car in front and behind him until he got his car in place. I think we sat there in disbelief for some time. Image doing that at home!!

    For dinner Brad ordered snails as an entree, AND I actually tried one! Not something I would have again but at least I gave it a go. It was a delicious dinner, a great experience, and a lovely way to end our last day in Paris.    Read more

  • Bella Italia 2018
    Day 7

    Hotel Da Vinci, Milan

    September 5, 2018 in Italy ⋅ ☀️ 24 °C

    Well what an adventure! We only just made it to Milan after almost missing our flight. We had checked in our luggage and were having a great time waiting for our flight when the fabulous Alitalia staff member who checked us in, and remembered who we were, came running to find us to get us on the plane. They had changed the gates and we hadn’t heard the announcement. They were just about to unload our luggage, so it was a close call. It was a bit embarrassing being the last on board.

    On arriving in Milan we had planned to take a train to our accommodation but it would have been two train trips so we decided to take a taxi. We enquired where to get a taxi from and as we were walking out to them, we were approached and told to go to the counter where our ride would be organized. Little did we realise that the guy talking to us about the taxi was actually a private car hire representative and we were getting ripped off – massively. €95 later and we arrived at our accommodation, Hotel Da Vinci. We certainly learnt a valuable and expensive lesson. One we would not repeat.

    I must say the Hotel Da Vinci is very different to the Villa Pantheon in Paris. Huge room and very modern, with a touch of quirky, compared to the very traditional hotel we just came from. A great big purple hotel and I couldn’t get over the purple grout in the bathroom. Both very unique hotels.

    Feeling a bit tired from the travel day, and with Brad dislocating his toes the night before, we decided to enjoy dinner and a drink at the onsite bar, which was quite nice. We then relaxed in our massive room, in preparation for the next few big days ahead.    Read more

  • Bella Italia 2018
    Day 8

    Castello Sforzesco, Milan

    September 6, 2018 in Italy ⋅ ⛅ 23 °C

    As much as I like our accommodation, I was not impressed with the misleading information about it being two minutes from the train line that goes to Milan. It actually is two minutes from A train line but not the one that goes into the centre of Milan. That train line was a good twenty minute walk away, and the area we are in feels a bit odd. Not really sure how to describe it. Nice buildings, green tree lined streets, but completely empty. There is no one about and at not far from where we are staying is a huge complex surrounded with security fencing that looks like a hospital, but still no people. It is a very odd feeling walking the streets to the train station - once we finally found the train station that is. But we did eventually find it.

    The metro itself is an experience with the trains being quite old and not having air conditioning. All the windows were open, but the noise was excessive. Not really a pleasant train ride and we were a bit frazzled by the time we made it to Milan central. But all those feelings evaporated as we climbed the Metro steeps and saw the Duomo right in front of us. Seeing the photos does not fully display the sheer size of the Cathedral and I did not expect it to take my breath away with excitement.

    However, this was not our first stop for the day so we didn’t linger for too long. We would be returning to fully experience and admire the Duomo at a later date. We made our way to Castello Sforzesco, the core of which was built between 1358 and 1368. Originally built as a fortress, it was enlarged in the 14th and 15th centuries and was rebuilt after it was destroyed in 1447. It was rebuilt as a castle by Francesco Sforza who made himself Duke of Milan in 1450.

    While not as elaborate as some of the other sites we have visited so far, it certainly made up for that in the size of the site. It was a pleasant start to our day with the only downside being the heat and the heat haze, making it a bit harder to photograph and enjoy the extensive gardens that are a part of the Castello Sforzesco grounds.    Read more

  • Bella Italia 2018
    Day 8

    L.O.V.E. Milan

    September 6, 2018 in Italy ⋅ ⛅ 25 °C

    Today's itinerary included a Walking Art Tour, as this was the only way would be able to see the Last Supper. Not sure that Brad was that thrilled at the idea, but I was excited as I knew it would include some of the places I had researched and wanted to see.

    First stop on our Walking Art Tour was Piazza Affari. Here stands a very unexpected statue in this cultured city, a marble statue of a hand with the middle finger extended. The statue has the title of L.O.V.E. which stands for Liberta, Odin, Vendetta, Eternita - Freedom, Hate, Vengeance, Eternity. It was created in 2010 by Maurizio Cattelan as a temporary work of art but the city government decided to keep it there indefinitely due to the fact it draws people to the area.

    The fact that it stands in front of the Italian Stock Exchange it is often taken as a F#*$ You to the world of bankers and CEOS. It seems so out of place in elegant Milan and the size of it was unexpected. It is a great piece of art though, the detail is amazing.

    Tick, great first stop on the Art Tour.    Read more

  • Bella Italia 2018
    Day 8

    San Maurizio al Monastero Maggiore

    September 6, 2018 in Italy ⋅ ⛅ 25 °C

    Next stop on our Art Tour was the beautiful San Maurizio al Monastero Maggiore and it was simply amazing. Very plain on the outside, the inside was a sight to behold. Every surface is covered with beautiful and interesting frescoes. Originally attached to the most important female convent of the Benedictines in the city, it is now a museum and sometimes used as a concert hall.

    Construction commenced in 1503 and it took 15 years to complete. It was originally divided into two parts, one for the faithful and one for the nuns. Up until 1794 it was completely forbidden for the nuns to cross the dividing wall.

    Today we got to enter the nuns’ section and it was just as stunning as the outer area, if not more so. Sitting in the seats the nuns once sat was pretty surreal. The organ was amazing and is still used to this day, and the frescoes depict so many well known religious stories. I could have spent hours here admiring the artwork. Although I must admit there were a couple of strange images in amongst the beautiful frescoes.    Read more

  • Bella Italia 2018
    Day 8

    Santa Maria delle Grazie, Milan

    September 6, 2018 in Italy ⋅ ⛅ 27 °C

    The last stop on our tour was the famous Last Supper painted by Leonardo da Vinci from 1495 to 1497. The painting is in the former Dominican convent’s refectory and over time has suffered various degrees of damage. Even though the painting is now not in the greatest condition it is still one of the most iconic images in art and all steps are being taken to preserve the image.

    It was very interesting learning about the history of the painting and the restoration processes that have taken place over the years. There is also a sense of serenity in the room when admiring this important part of history and art.

    The fresco, The Crucifixion, painted on the opposite wall to the Last Supper was also a great peice to admire. Due to the different painting methods this 1495 fresco has not deteriorated over time and the colours are still vivid today.

    I certainly enjoyed the Walking Art Tour and my love of art has been reignited all over again. What a great introduction to Milan.    Read more

  • 2024© FindPenguins
  • Home
  • About us
  • Blog
  • Group Tracking
  • Press
  • Terms
  • Privacy Policy & Cookies
  • Support
  • Legal notice
  • English