So this blog is going to probably be a long one. So much has happened since the last post that I may split it up into two sections for your sake. Let’s see, first off right after Barcelona was Italy. I stopped off in Milan for a short time, because I was told by a local back in France not to worry about it since its mostly fashion and there are much more beautiful places to see. So I headed to Venezia(Venice)! What an awesome place! I can definitely see why its such a romantic city. Plus all those rumors about it smelling really bad and the water being really nasty….not even close to being true! Also on my way there, I met a couple from Dallas on the train, which was pretty awesome to talk to people from home. In Venice, there are so many small museums and churches that I stopped off and saw. One of my favorite ones was a music museum that actually had lots of old stringed instruments from the 1600s and even a harp guitar! Those are extremely expensive and yet so amazing! I had some legit gelato here as well as some amazing Italian pizza. Definitely different from American pizza, but quite good! On a side note, the entire time I was walking through Venice, I felt that I had already been here before……all thanks to Assassin’s Creed II. Next I went to Firenze! This town was extremely beautiful. I headed first to the Piazzo Michelangelo, which is an amazing plaza on a hill overlooking all of Florence! I also had THE BEST gelato I have ever had (and most likely ever will have) here and a place called Vivolvi. Ask me for directions if you ever go to Florence, because I will forever remember how to get here and make sure I go back at least once more in my life! There are so many different art galleries and museums here, and for every single one you are guaranteed waiting at least a half hour, sometimes more, to get into. I went to one of the galleries that had the original statue of David. It is so incredible to see it in real life, with a height of at least 25 to 30 feet. You aren’t supposed to take pictures inside, but I managed to take a few really good shots while security wasn’t looking. Also, one of the key things in Florence and mostly all of Italy, its really expensive and adds up quick! So from this point, I headed to Roma(Rome) to see all the sights there. The most important thing I wanted to see there was the Colosseum. I’ve always wanted to see it ever since I was a kid, which is kind of random, but I finally got to see it!!!! It is still so amazing. Just think what it was like back when it first opened. I believe it said there was over 200 days of celebration when it was first opened, where they had at least a couple fights/battles there every single night for over 200 days! Its so incredible that something that is almost 2,000 years old and been in the midst of rebellions and all out wars is still standing. One of the few for sure, I can definitely understand why it is one of the 7 Wonders of the World. From here I headed to the Palentine and Roman Forum, which consist of ancient Roman ruins and artifacts. It still amazes me how they were able to build so much amazing architecture back then with such limited technology. Next I went to Trevi Fountain, which is definitely one of the most impressive fountains I’ve ever seen, and the Pantheon of Rome. Then I left Italy (technically) and entered into the Vatican. There is so much security just to even get in, its crazy! I was able to actually go up to the top of the capula (the very top of St. Peter’s Basilica) and could see for what seemed like miles and miles! I actually watched a mass from the dome of the Basilica, which was a pretty cool experience as well. Now after being here, as well as Sagrada Familia and Notre Dame, I’m pretty sure no other churches could ever compare. I actually went back to all of these places at night (except the Vatican) and they looked even more impressive! Maybe lights just makes things look cooler…..who knows. Also, random insert, the food in all of Italy was amazing! The pasta, the pizza, the cannolis, the tiramisu....all are like none other and is definitely worth the trip here! There is also a part of Rome that I visited that Hollywood has used many times in any movie set in Rome. The ironic thing is that its actually a block away from the US Embassy. There is a large strip where all you pass by are cafes that are outside. If they are not all one after another, then it is at least every other building. Apparently this spot was very famous in many of the American movies done in the 50s through the 70s. At the end is a nice park where you can just spend hours walking through and stopping off at more galleries inside of it. This is going to be where I stop this 2 parter for now and I will tell about some of the craziness that happened while in Greece very soon!
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