Where We Have Been - Europe - Italy

We flew into Rome and after dropping our luggage we immediately jumped on an open top bus to do a tour, get a feel for the layout and where we wanted to spend more time (this is something we have always found a useful start when in a new city). It was a bit of a surprise to have the bus stop midtour and be told it was stopping for the driver to have lunch and wouldn’t resume for some time. Given we really had no idea where we were, the fact it was raining and that we had nothing to handle the rain (umbrella sales people appeared to fall out of the sky with the rain) this was less than an ideal introduction to how Italy operates.

So we enagaged our feet and proceeded to explore Rome and it’s ancient wonders including the Colosseum, the Roman Forum, the Spanish Steps, the Trevi Fountain and the Pantheon outside of which we enjoyed an evening meal.

While in Rome a trip to Vatican City is something you must do whether you are a Catholic, or not, as it is very impressive. In some ways it was unfortunate that we arrived while the Cardinals were in Conclave to elect a new Pope after the death of Pope John Paul II so the Sistine Chapel was off limits, in other ways it wasn’t, as we got to experience something truly special.

After having marvelled at the magnitude of the media presence, wandered in awe through St. Peter’s Basilica and taken the opportunity to send a postcard from the Vatican Post Office to Carolyn’s mum, a devout catholic, we decided to rest on some of the multitude of seats in St. Peter’s Square and immerse ourselves in the atmosphere while also deciding what to do next. When we got up to move on we found ourselves changing our minds and sitting back down. A few minutes later the large screen showed white smoke coming from the chimney of the Sistine Chapel and the large crowd simply erupted. As the bells started tolling Carolyn rang and woke her Mum back in New Zealand and asked her if she could “hear the bells”. She then had the pleasure of telling her that she had a new Pope.

Obviously, given the occasion, we then decided to remain and witnessed the new Pope Benedict XVI coming out onto the balcony and blessing the multitudes that were gathered.

To this day we still smile at the Nuns from Mother Teresa’s Order of the Missionaries of Charity who were sitting behind us, and obviously couldn’t speak English, chanting the wrong name for the new Pope.

Upon leaving Vatican City we were fighting the tide of people running down the streets of Rome, tears streaming down their faces, as they hurried to the Vatican. The level of emotion in the air was quite simply indescribable and something that you truly have to have been there to experience.

Years later David experienced something similar, but not as intense, when he was in London when Queen Elizabeth II was lying in state and her funeral took place.

We took a very interesting guided day trip from Rome to Ostia Antica, an ancient, probably 7th century BC, Roman city that was originally located at the mouth of the Tiber. It was very interesting wandering through the ruins, looking at the mosaics which often told you what business was located there, learning about the world’s first takeaways (communal kitchens as cooking ovens were risky to have in homes) and more of Roman life.

From Rome we caught a train to Florence where we had a good look around including in and at the Duomo di Firenze that took 140 years to complete, we visited the Galleria dell’Accademia di Firenze to view the Statue of David (there is a replica outside in the street), the detail is incredible, strolled across the shop lined Ponte Vecchio, wondered at the brilliance on display at the Leonardo da Vinci Museum and visited the Pitti Palace.

This was our first experience of trains in Europe, we had a Eurail Train Pass and did many miles on trains. We learnt that unlike the reputation of other trains, (not thinking of you British Rail), they leave on time, if it says 12:56 then don’t round it to 1:00! Trains are a great way to travel, hassle free and everyone can view the sights.

From Florence it was back on a train ride for a brief visit to Pisa to see the famous Leaning Tower before heading for Barcelona after a quick overnight stop in Nice which we found overrated (enough said about Nice).

Once we had explored more of Europe we returned to Italy via train from Austria with the first stop being the magical city that is Venice.

Again after dropping bags at our accommodation, which was conveniently located near the train station and the Grand Canal, it was off on foot to explore.

Yes, Venice is a little tired and sinking into the water, high tide sees the lower levels of many buildings flooded, but it would be one of our favourite places in the World. It is simply magic, yes Paris is as well but by comparison it is very sanitised whereas Venice is the opulent old lady that is trying to retain the elegance of bygone years, and succeeding, albeit with the signs of her age not able to be totally covered.

Wandering the narrow lanes, no cars, is the way to explore as around many corners you discover wonders such as the Rialto Bridge, Piazza San Marco including St. Mark’s Basilica and the Doge’s Palace, the canals, quaint little cafes, gondolas, and much more. If you want to explore more then you can grab a water taxi and to one of the islands in the lagoon including Murano and Isola di San Michele which is Venice’s principal cemetery. 

We were travelling with backpacks and via rail and had promised one another that we would not buy any mementos. Well after weeks avoiding temptation it all changed in Venice! In a little lane near Piazza San Marco we stumbled across a young Italian chap who made and hand painted carnival masks. He was getting married later in the year and intending to honeymoon in New Zealand. Needless to say two masks purchased, a trip to a post office, an experience in itself, and our two masks were on the way back to New Zealand.

With the memento drought broken the next day found us wandering Murano, glass blowers galore, in the drizzle pretty much by ourselves. We wandered into a store and were greeted by a very enthusiastic salesman, no shoppers around meant today was looking like lean times. After some time talking and looking around he took us upstairs to where the special items were on display including those by the Murano Master Glassblowers. So a glass blown horse infused with gold by a master, Zanetti, ended up being boxed up and shipped back to us in New Zealand.

Venice truly is a magical place and is very high on our must revisit list.