Italy 2010

Andrea, Ed and Beth's trip to Italy. A week in Rome, a week in Sorrento and a week in Tuscany with lots of interesting side trips. One day of rain on the last day, but otherwise beautiful weather. The pictures in this group were taken mostly with Ed's camera (Nikon D200), Andrea's camera (Canon SD1000) and Beth's camera (Canon SD630)

Day 4 - Tours of Rome

On the fourth day, Ed joined a group in a walking tour and Andrea and Beth hired a driver to take them to the hot spots. This group of pictures combines both of these tours because we visited a lot of the same places on that day.


▲ Up ▲

Day 3 - Trastavere, Catacombs Day 3 - Trastavere, Catacombs	The walking tour started at the bus stop next to this bridge The walking tour started at the bus stop next to this bridge	Tiber River Tiber River		Day 5 - Tour of Ancient Rome Day 5 - Tour of Ancient Rome
		St. Peter's dome St. Peter's dome		Ponte Sisto Ponte Sisto


			A common sight is a picture of the Madonna and Child on a house to protect its inhabitants A common sight is a picture of the Madonna and Child on a house to protect its inhabitants
Another common sight - roof gardens Another common sight - roof gardens	Italian supermarket Italian supermarket
			Dome of St Ivo alla Sapienza 1642 - 1650 Church of Saint Yves at La Sapienza built in 1642-1660 by the architect Francesco Borromini. Dome of St Ivo alla Sapienza 1642 - 1650 Church of Saint Yves at La Sapienza built in 1642-1660 by the architect Francesco Borromini.	Dome of St Ivo alla Sapienza 1642 - 1650 Church of Saint Yves at La Sapienza built in 1642-1660 by the architect Francesco Borromini. Dome of St Ivo alla Sapienza 1642 - 1650 Church of Saint Yves at La Sapienza built in 1642-1660 by the architect Francesco Borromini.
Infomercial Rome style Infomercial Rome style		More roof gardens More roof gardens
		Pastry shop Pastry shop		Piazza Navona Piazza Navona
Piazza Navona is a city square in Rome, Italy. It is built on the site of the Stadium of Domitian, built in first century AD, and follows the form of the open space of the stadium. Piazza Navona is a city square in Rome, Italy. It is built on the site of the Stadium of Domitian, built in first century AD, and follows the form of the open space of the stadium.		Fountain of the four Rivers with Egyptian obelisk Fountain of the four Rivers with Egyptian obelisk
	The Moor Fountain The Moor Fountain			Detail of the Fountain of Four Rivers Detail of the Fountain of Four Rivers
Church of Sant'Agnese in Agone, commissioned in 1652 by Pope Innocent X Church of Sant'Agnese in Agone, commissioned in 1652 by Pope Innocent X	Neptune Fountain Neptune Fountain			Starting the walk over to the Pantheon Starting the walk over to the Pantheon
		Interior of the church of San Luigi dei Francessi, "Church of St. Louis of the French" Interior of the church of San Luigi dei Francessi, "Church of St. Louis of the French"		Charles Joseph Natoire painted the ceiling fresco (1754), which depicts San Luigi ascending into heaven Charles Joseph Natoire painted the ceiling fresco (1754), which depicts San Luigi ascending into heaven
The main attraction of this church is this 1602 Caravaggio painting San Matteo e l'angelo, "The Inspiration of Saint Matthew" The main attraction of this church is this 1602 Caravaggio painting San Matteo e l'angelo, "The Inspiration of Saint Matthew"
Joseph Merklin organ (19th century) Joseph Merklin organ (19th century)	Detail of marble on a column in the church Detail of marble on a column in the church	Approaching the Pantheon Approaching the Pantheon	The Pantheon was originally built by Marcus Vipsanius Agrippa in 27 BC. It was restored by Hadrian around Ad 126. The Pantheon was originally built by Marcus Vipsanius Agrippa in 27 BC. It was restored by Hadrian around Ad 126.	In the Piazza della Rotonda in front of the Pantheon In the Piazza della Rotonda in front of the Pantheon
Fountain of the Rotonda designed by Giacomo della Porta Fountain of the Rotonda designed by Giacomo della Porta		Detail of the Giacomo della Porta fountain Detail of the Giacomo della Porta fountain
The Pantheon is also known as the Basilica of Santa Maria ad Martyres The Pantheon is also known as the Basilica of Santa Maria ad Martyres		Architectural details. Not bad for 2000 years. Architectural details. Not bad for 2000 years.	Detail of Pantheon doors Detail of Pantheon doors
Dedication to Pius IX, who decreed that all archaeological excavations should be kept open, carefully guarded and be made accessible to students. Dedication to Pius IX, who decreed that all archaeological excavations should be kept open, carefully guarded and be made accessible to students.	Entering the pantheon Entering the pantheon	The Pantheon dome is still the largest unreinforced concrete dome in the world. The Pantheon dome is still the largest unreinforced concrete dome in the world.	In the golden niche above the altar is the restored original 7th century icon of the madonna and child In the golden niche above the altar is the restored original 7th century icon of the madonna and child	One of many statues inside of the Pantheon One of many statues inside of the Pantheon
St. Anne and the Blessed Virgin St. Anne and the Blessed Virgin	The original statues in these niches flanked by corithian columns were of the pagan gods of the Sun, Moon, Venus, Saturn, Jupiter, Mercury and Mars. Now, most of them are dedicated to Christian Martyrs The original statues in these niches flanked by corithian columns were of the pagan gods of the Sun, Moon, Venus, Saturn, Jupiter, Mercury and Mars. Now, most of them are dedicated to Christian Martyrs		The dome with the 9 meter Oculus, the only source of sunlight. The dome with the 9 meter Oculus, the only source of sunlight.
	Swiss Guard? Swiss Guard?	Tomb of Victor Emmanuel II, the first king of United Italy, designated Padre della Patria, or "Father of the Fatherland" Tomb of Victor Emmanuel II, the first king of United Italy, designated Padre della Patria, or "Father of the Fatherland"	Pantheon wall Pantheon wall	Pantheon wall Pantheon wall
	McDonald's in the Piazza McDonald's in the Piazza		Temple of Hadrian in Piazza de Pietra. Erected by his son Antoninus Pius in 145 ADhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Temple_of_Hadrian http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Temple_of_Hadrian Temple of Hadrian in Piazza de Pietra. Erected by his son Antoninus Pius in 145 ADhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Temple_of_Hadrian http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Temple_of_Hadrian	Temple of Hadrian in Piazza de Pietra. Erected by his son Antoninus Pius in 145 ADhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Temple_of_Hadrian http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Temple_of_Hadrian Temple of Hadrian in Piazza de Pietra. Erected by his son Antoninus Pius in 145 ADhttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Temple_of_Hadrian http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Temple_of_Hadrian
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Temple_of_Hadrian http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Temple_of_Hadrian	http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Temple_of_Hadrian http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Temple_of_Hadrian	http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Temple_of_Hadrian http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Temple_of_Hadrian	Famous Italian restaurant near the Trevi Fountain Famous Italian restaurant near the Trevi Fountain
The Trevi Fountain The Trevi Fountain	Maybe the most famous fountain in the world Maybe the most famous fountain in the world	Legend says that if you throw three coins into Trevi Fountain, you are ensured a return to Rome. Legend says that if you throw three coins into Trevi Fountain, you are ensured a return to Rome.	This fountain was featured in several movies, including La Dolce Vita and Roman Holiday, and is partly replicated at Epcot Center in Florida. This fountain was featured in several movies, including La Dolce Vita and Roman Holiday, and is partly replicated at Epcot Center in Florida.	It is estimated that 3,000 Euros are thrown into the fountain each day. It is estimated that 3,000 Euros are thrown into the fountain each day.
Trevi Fountain is featured in Respighi's symphonic poem "The Fountains of Rome." Trevi Fountain is featured in Respighi's symphonic poem "The Fountains of Rome."		View from above the Spanish steps, taken from the Trinita dei Monti View from above the Spanish steps, taken from the Trinita dei Monti	Another shot from Trinita dei Monti Another shot from Trinita dei Monti
Ed at the bottom of the Spanish Steps, showing Trinita dei Monti at the top. Ed at the bottom of the Spanish Steps, showing Trinita dei Monti at the top.	Trinita dei Monti at the top. To the right is the house where John Keats died in 1821, now the Keats-Shelley Memorial House. The obelisk on the piazza was erected by Pope Pius VI in 1788; it was first brought to Rome in the 2nd or 3rd century, when it was placed in the Gardens of Sallust. The hieroglyphs are not original; they were copied from the obelisk in the Piazza del Popolo when the obelisk had been brought from Egypt. Trinita dei Monti at the top. To the right is the house where John Keats died in 1821, now the Keats-Shelley Memorial House. The obelisk on the piazza was erected by Pope Pius VI in 1788; it was first brought to Rome in the 2nd or 3rd century, when it was placed in the Gardens of Sallust. The hieroglyphs are not original; they were copied from the obelisk in the Piazza del Popolo when the obelisk had been brought from Egypt.	The obelisk on the piazza was erected by Pope Pius VI in 1788; it was first brought to Rome in the 2nd or 3rd century, when it was placed in the Gardens of Sallust. The obelisk on the piazza was erected by Pope Pius VI in 1788; it was first brought to Rome in the 2nd or 3rd century, when it was placed in the Gardens of Sallust.
		Column of the Immaculate Conception, found in 1777 under a monastery and erected in the Piazza di Spagna in 1857 with the addition of a statue of the Virgin Mary. Column of the Immaculate Conception, found in 1777 under a monastery and erected in the Piazza di Spagna in 1857 with the addition of a statue of the Virgin Mary.	Barcaccia Fountain in the Piazza di Spagna Barcaccia Fountain in the Piazza di Spagna	Barcaccia fountain was designed by Bernini and constructed in 1629 Barcaccia fountain was designed by Bernini and constructed in 1629
			Piazza di Spagna from the Spanish steps Piazza di Spagna from the Spanish steps
The hieroglyphs on the obelisk are not original; they were copied from the obelisk in the Piazza del Popolo after it was brought from Egypt. The hieroglyphs on the obelisk are not original; they were copied from the obelisk in the Piazza del Popolo after it was brought from Egypt.			In the Piazza di Spagna In the Piazza di Spagna	Piazza del Popolo with an Obelisk of Sety I and Ramesses II from Heliopolis. The twin churches of Santa Maria in Montesanto and Santa Maria dei Miracoli. Street between is the Via del Corso Piazza del Popolo with an Obelisk of Sety I and Ramesses II from Heliopolis. The twin churches of Santa Maria in Montesanto and Santa Maria dei Miracoli. Street between is the Via del Corso
	Trajan's column, erected in 113 AD in honor of emporor Trajan Trajan's column, erected in 113 AD in honor of emporor Trajan	More urban gardens More urban gardens	Angel with broken shackles Angel with broken shackles	Out to dinner at the Chinese restaurant across the street from our hotel. Out to dinner at the Chinese restaurant across the street from our hotel.

This was one of the best Chinese restaurant's we have found.

Day 5 - Tour of Ancient Rome