Italy - Dec/Jan. 2011/2012

During New Year's week 2011/2012, I traveled to Italy. I used Rome as a base for my travels and used a tour company to schedule day trips out of town, and in some cases within town. I also did some walking around and exploring on my own. My objectives included the Vatican, the Colosseum, the Forum, the Parthenon, Trevi Fountain, Piazza Navona, and other sights within Rome. Also I made two major day tours out of town...one to Florence, and the other to Naples/Pompeii. The time of year made for some disappointingly short daylight hours but the weather was mostly good, except for some rain on the Naples outing which required us to buy 3-euro umbrellas on the spot, from some street vendors that popped up seemingly out of nowhere once the rain started.

Trevi Fountain in Rome. Legend has it that if you toss a coin in the fountain, it means you will return to Rome someday.

 Ancient ruins of Roman Forum.

Myself in front of the Colosseum in Rome, all decorated for Christmas of course.

Downtown Naples.

Tuscan scenery on the way from Rome to Florence.

Highway signs coming into Naples from the north.

Ruins of Pompeii. The site is extensive and has areas that are amazingly well-preserved.

Florence from an overlook to the south of the city center. This is widely considered one of the most beautiful cities of the world.

Duomo (Basilica of St. Mary of the Flower) in Florence. This large, spectacular church dates from the 14th century, and still has the largest brick dome ever constructed.

Famous medieval Ponte Vecchio bridge in Florence.











                                                                                 Piazza Navona in Rome. This area had an abundance  of vendors and crowds, and was very chaotic. This may have had something to do with it being New Year's Day