Duomo of Florence
10 de noviembre de 2014, Italia ⋅ ⛅ 61 °F
We had been to the Florence Duomo (cathedral) on a previous trip, but I had failed to get an adequate picture of Ghiberti's self-portrait in the doors of the Baptistry. This time I made sure that ILeer más
At the Grand Hotel Baglioni
10 de noviembre de 2014, Italia ⋅ 🌧 59 °F
The Grand Hotel Baglioni was our home while in Florence. It is a lovely old structure that has been meticulously maintained. Although it is old, it is quite comfortable and very clean. It has aLeer más
Holy Trinity Ice Cream
9 de noviembre de 2014, Italia ⋅ ⛅ 61 °F
A recommendation from our guide led us to the Gusta Pizzaria and afterwards to the Santa Trinita Ice Cream Store. It got this name because it is located just at the western end of the Santa TrinitaLeer más
Bella! Bella! Florence
9 de noviembre de 2014, Italia ⋅ ⛅ 66 °F
After driving through the region of Lake Como, we arrived at a high overlook atop the city of Florence. We could see it all. Above us was a reproduction of Michaelangelo's famous statue of David. InLeer más
Tre Pini
9 de noviembre de 2014, Italia ⋅ ⛅ 61 °F
We stopped for lunch at the Tre Pini Restaurant on the south side of Florence. The fact is, despite the restaurant's name, one of its three pines was struck by lightning. So actually there are onlyLeer más
St. Mark's Cathedral at Night
8 de noviembre de 2014, Italia ⋅ ⛅ 59 °F
We went to St. Mark's Cathedral at night for a presentation by Art Historian Susan. She began the program in total darkness, giving an account of the retrieval of the body of St. Mark from MuslimLeer más
Venice Academia
8 de noviembre de 2014, Italia ⋅ ⛅ 61 °F
Art historian Susan taught us all afternoon in the Venice Academy of Art. Her lessons were simple enough for us beginners, though one could tell she was accomplished in her field. I could not escapeLeer más
Lunch at Dante's Vineyard
8 de noviembre de 2014, Italia ⋅ 🌫 57 °F
We had lunch at the Alighieri Winery. This property was bought by Dante Alighieri's son about the time of his father's death. It has been in the family ever since. We were served a lovely Tuscan mealLeer más
Cruise Around Burano Island
8 de noviembre de 2014, Italia ⋅ 🌫 59 °F
We cruised in the rain over to Burano Island, a smaller, quieter version of the Venetian experience. This island is known for its colorful buildings. They were lovely despite the rain.
Verona: Rome, Romeo & Juliet
7 de noviembre de 2014, Italia ⋅ ⛅ 55 °F
When we entered Verona we discovered first that the traffic was congested so that nothing could move. There is an international horse show here that has brought visitors from all over the world.Leer más
European Chocolate Fair, Ravenna
6 de noviembre de 2014, Italia ⋅ ⛅ 63 °F
When we left two of the oldest and important churches in the world, we strolled out to the Piazza Populi and found that Ravenna was hosting an international chocolate fair. I said to Glenda, "Yes,Leer más
Church of St. Apollinare, Ravenna
6 de noviembre de 2014, Italia ⋅ 🌧 61 °F
We walked through the Piazza Populi to visit the Church of St. Apollinare, one of the imperial churches of the late Roman Empire. As at the Church of San Vitale, the mosaics here exemplify the finestLeer más
Church of San Vitale, Ravenna
6 de noviembre de 2014, Italia ⋅ 🌧 61 °F
We started our day in Ravenna at the Church of San Vitale, a church of the late Roman Empire. This temporary capital was built by the Romans in the Western Empire as they were fleeing the manyLeer más
Bologna: University, History and Cuisine
5 de noviembre de 2014, Italia ⋅ 🌧 59 °F
The River Countess docked at Chioggia, and we are taking a bus to Bologna. Now we are passing through a beautiful little town called Monselice, where there is an old, medieval fort atop the EugenianLeer más
St. Anthony and Friends
4 de noviembre de 2014, Italia ⋅ ⛅ 59 °F
Took bus to Padua. Visited Church of St. Anthony and the University of Padua. It claims to be the oldest university in Europe. We enjoyed military band outside the Pedrocchi Coffee Shop inLeer más
Sailing to Chioggia
4 de noviembre de 2014, Italia ⋅ 🌫 54 °F
While traveling to Chioggia we heard a lecture by art historian Louisa. She says the best book on the Scuola di San Rocco is by Tom Nichols. We passed by the Lido, both a beach and a residential areaLeer más
Frari Church and Scuola di San Rocco
3 de noviembre de 2014, Italia ⋅ 🌫 59 °F
The Frari Church of the Franciscans and the nearby Scuola di San Rocco contain the finest collections of renaissance Venetian art in the world. Our British guide Susan has lived in Venice and studiedLeer más
Inside the Doge's Palace
3 de noviembre de 2014, Italia ⋅ 🌫 55 °F
The interior of the Doge's Palace has some of the most beautiful art and architecture in the world. The Doge was elected for a term, then replaced. One person could, however, serve multiple terms, andLeer más
Assembling at the Doge's Palace
3 de noviembre de 2014, Italia ⋅ 🌫 50 °F
We all assembled in the courtyard of the Doge's Palace and went inside to see one of the most beautiful buildings one can imagine. One noteworthy feature on the outside, which I did photograph, is aLeer más
Walking Tour from the Garden to St. Mark
3 de noviembre de 2014, Italia ⋅ 🌫 46 °F
In the morning a walking tour led by guide Immanuela. To the Arsenale, through streets east of St. Mark’s Square. Trail is marked by the GPS coordinates of the photographs Glenda took with the NikonLeer más
First Evening on the River Countess
2 de noviembre de 2014, Italia ⋅ 🌙 61 °F
We returned to the River Countess to enjoy a delicious dinner, went out onto the sun deck to photograph a passing cruise ship, the MSC Fantasia, and then put away our luggage, squared-away ourLeer más
Murano Glassworks on Giudecca Island
2 de noviembre de 2014, Italia ⋅ ☀️ 66 °F
Our cruise director, Tony Campaillo, let us to our own private motorboat, which took us to the glassworks. First we saw a demonstration of how glass blowers ply their craft, and then we went to theLeer más
Lost in Venice
2 de noviembre de 2014, Italia ⋅ ☀️ 66 °F
We almost made the mistake of getting on the boat that would have taken us to the boat via the airport, about a two-hour addition to our schedule. Such an option was not acceptable to us, because weLeer más
Vaporetto to St. Mark's Square
2 de noviembre de 2014, Italia ⋅ ☀️ 50 °F
We retrieved our luggage, and Jim said that he wanted to do a general tour of Venice via the Grand Canal. I figured that the cheapest way to do this was not by gondola, but by vaporetto. The closestLeer más
Saying Good-bye in Vancouver
14 de junio de 2014, Canadá ⋅ 🌧 55 °F
As we sailed through the channel toward Vancouver we saw more industrial cargo ship passing us going to the west. We had the traditional dessert of Baked Alaska on the last night of the voyage, andLeer más
Sea Day
13 de junio de 2014, Coastal Waters Of Southeast Alaska And British Columbia ⋅ ⛅ 52 °F
Today is a sea day as we make our way down toward the south and the end of our cruise at Vancouver. Here are some shots from around the ship that show what a lovely vessel she is. We spent some timeLeer más













































































































































































































































