Late, in Love, and a Little Drunk: The Final Week.

Our second week in Italy started out in Rome. We had a great apartment on one of the narrow alleys in the center of town, an ideal location for all the walking we did. We walked to the Vatican City, with lines to get in, wrapped around the buildings, then sauntered to the Borghese Esatate, high on a hill with breathtaking views of Rome. Along the way we marveled at the tiny cars, and how they were so small the could be parked witht he back of the car touching the curb. We visited sidewalk cafes for cappuccinos, and in the afternoons for drinks. I was delighted to be served snacks, sometimes even sandwiches, whenever we ordered drinks.

After Rome came Florence. I had repeatedly been told by everyone who has visited this city, that it was their favorite destination in Italy; I thought I would feel the same, but I did not. We again had a fantastic apartment with a view of the Duomo from our courtyard, and within walking distance of everything we wanted to see. We visited the Uffizi, and to the Palazzo Pitti, with the latter being my favorite. We peeked in leather shops, trying unsuccessfully to find souvenirs to bring home. We shopped the big central market, with stalls of produce, wine, fish, wine, and meats and cheese, with Victor cooking us meals that rivaled anything we had eaten in a restaurant, and we spent a delightful afternoon lying in bed napping and watching Youtube videos. We did venture out of the city on a day long bus tour of Tuscany, visiting a couple of small towns, having lunch at a farm/winery, with a final stop in Pisa, where I asked Victor to do the traditional cheesy pose of holding up the tower. No we didn't climb the tower, we instead had drinks and snacks at a cafe.
Lastly was Venice, the city I have dreamed my entire life, of seeing. It was beautiful and dream like. We explored the narrow, maze like streets, marveled at the architecture, and the sea green water of the canals.We took a day trip to Murano and watched a glass blower, and were fined $59 each for being on a water taxi without a ticket. Our final morning, we walked to Piazza San Marco, and once again sat at a cafe with a glass of wine and snacks, admiring all that we could see.

I had always believed that if I ever went to Italy, I would do all the big tourist things, but once there, it wasn't what I wanted to do. Instead we walked, basking in all the sights, sounds and flavors that made up each city. I think I would have been addened if my time had been spent waiting in line with other tourists, instead of experiencing the beauty of each city.

Rome

Our apartment view.

The Vatican

The complimentary snacks with our drinks!

The Trevi Fountain. I had really wanted to see the fountain, but our walks never led us in that direction, so Victor asked the cab to drive us there before heading to the train station. Hes sweet like that.