Pisa and Lucca

 6 MILES

Today kicked our butts! 

We had a tour from Florence to Pisa then on to Lucca.  We left on the short bus at 9:00 and got back around 5:30. 

With Missy’s hip acting out - the unknown 10 minute forced march at lightening speed almost did her in - the hip pain is really bad and I need to walk at a bit slower pace than Antonio was setting.  But I gritted and made it through.  

The Leaning Tower of Pisa is beautiful, but it is not out there all on its own.  It’s the bell tower for the church located right next to it.  The tour guide we met up with was HORRIBLE - she didn’t talk into her microphone 50% of the time, 25% of her time she was messing with her glasses and sunglasses and eventually broke her sunglasses, and the last 25% was spent talking where she lived in the valley of 2 mountains.  Needless to say we didn’t learn a ton but were able to view all of the buildings.  Interesting fact - the church and the baptistery have also sunk/are leaning in places.

The other fun thing we saw was all these people holding their hands up in various poses as someone took a picture of them holding up the tower. 

The church in Pisa was consecrated in 1118 and had these beautiful bronze doors made in 1602

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Then is was on to Lucca.  Our tour guide there was also not so good.  It was really just walk and he would tell us “here is a tower from such and such family”  “there is a church from such and such family”  and he would forget to talk in English at times - so who the hell knows what he was talking about.

Now the guy who rode the short bus with us all was really nice and he did a good job. 

We met some interesting people in our little group - 2 solo ladies - both doing big trips.  Several married couples and somehow Shan and I ended up being referred to as “Kansas”.  For example, me and 2 others went to the bathroom, Antonio was counting heads and was one short (me) and one of the group piped up - it’s Kansas that is missing.

Now Lucca didn’t meet my expectations - the city wall did - but the city within the walls wasn’t as old as I had expected.

This is the tallest tower.  Different families had ‘towers’ - which were their homes.  This one you could walk up to the top - if you wanted to climb 264 stairs or so

This is part of the city walls which were built in the 1500’s to enhance the medieval and Roman fortifications.  We were told that are 30 meters thick at the base and about 20 meters at the top.  You can walk, ride bikes, have a picnic on the top of the walls

After passing through the entrance through the wall - there were these stunning red roses.  They almost looked fake. 

We have determined that we are taking Sunday off as a day of rest.  Going to go see a movie and just hang out at the hotel. 

The “are you twins” count is up to 5.

Ciao

City Center Tour

 On Thursday we did a walking tour of the city center.  Lots of history and great buildings.  The Basilica di San Petronio is NOT the Bologna Cathedral - wanna know why?

The pope didn’t like that the citizens of Bologna were building the Basilica - because if it was finished then it would be larger than his church.  So he put soo many roadblocks up that it was never finished.  It would have been in a cross shape - like the letter “t”. So the only part that we finished - at least inside was the lower part of the “t”. 

The pope at the time was so upset about this church he commissoned at bronze sculpture of himself by Da Vinci and had it placed above the center door.  Well, he died a few years later and the citizens of Bologna brought down and crushed that statue.

The other super interesting part of the tour was seeing part of the University of Bologna.  The oldest university in the world.  Teaching there began around 1088.  Students would go to the professors homes for their lessons.  They finally built a building in 1563. 

Below is the Anatomy Theatre - There are also 2 skinless statues that were used to teach with.  They did use deceased prisoners for teaching - they were placed on the marble slab you see and the students were seated all around. 

The law school here was filled with very special folks - they couldn’t mingle with the others - they had their own staircase to the 2nd floor. 

Here is a picture of  a long hallway - in between each of the book cases you see were initially individual rooms.  When they turned this building into a library they cut a center hall for ease of moving between areas. 

We found a little place for dinner and Shannon has the Green Lasanga.  The pasta was made with spinach.  

This place had a thing for chandeliers

 We woke up this morning (Friday) and headed to Florence.  Train ride was a quick 37 minutes.  At one point we were going 164 mph!

We have checked in to our hotel - the same one we stayed in the last time we were here.  Still love it!

We have been surrounded with Devil Wears Prada 2. Movie stuff and there is a movie theater close by and they have it in the original language so Shan and I are going to go on Monday or Tuesday. 

Tomorrow we are headed to Pisa and then to Lucca.  Shan is excited for Pisa and I’m excited for Lucca!

Murder Mystery and Nails Day

 We have failed you all - sorry for not posting.

We have been in Bologna for 3 days and are leaving today for Florence

Bologna is a great little city. People are everywhere but at a slowed down pace. The buildings are beautiful - even the unfinished church. 

Our first activity of the day was mani/pedis.  Found a nail place and set up an appointment.  This is what the entrance looked like

The salon had this zen garden and only one of the staff spoke English.  It was an exceptional experience!

We did a self guides murder mystery tour day before yesterday.  It was an app based game where you had to find certain areas then solve a riddle or clue to move on to the next spot. It also provided you some history regarding each spot.

To get started we had to walk a mile up a street.  Then we proceeded to walk back down that same farm street!  After about 4 clues, we stopped for a snack and something to drink and then cheated!  We finished it while sitting at the cafe. 

We enjoyed it a lot .  More to come later!

Bologna

 Leisurely morning in Venice.  The morning was taken up by watching the city come to life - linens being delivered, trash being collected, restaurants preparing for the coming rush, and all of the venetians making their way to work on their small boats.

Had an uneventful train ride to Bologna.  We switched hotels - wanted one closer to the city center.  So we booked what turns out to be a 3 room B&B.  This one is also within the high end galleria.  We are on the 3rd floor above the stores.

It appears these 3 rooms and a small communal space has been converted from an office suite as everything else on the floor are offices.

It was a bit tricky to get in since it was really offices and there wasn’t a buzzer to get buzzed in.  So we waited till someone was leaving and jumped on the door to get in.  Then we had to figure out where this hotel was

Finally made it to the door. Again no buzzer or phone.  Mind you we still thought this was some boutique hotel with a lobby and front desk BUT NO.  so we finally called the number and a gentleman answered but really did not speak English. Shan got out Google Translate and we had that tell him “we are here for checkin”. He says 10-15 minutes. We both are getting frustrated when we receive a text on how to get in   It was an electronic code.  So we are now in and see where the keys are.  These keys are for the entry door downstairs and the safe.  

He shows up very apologetic and somehow shared he wasn’t able to get me the information and showed us that he had tried to send it

So we are currently the only guests.  We are very happy about this.

We went out and explored the main square, had dinner, then hit up a true gelato store for dessert.

Tomorrow is for manicures and maybe a murder mystery tour…

Another beautiful day

 We have had another beautiful day watching the world go by.  The sounds of people, animals, and boats fill the air.

My breakfast waffles were topped not with whip cream but ICE CREAM    I thought it would be weird but it wasn’t 

Another boat ambulance made its way thru the canal

We discovered a “parking lot” for gondolas

And now we sit here trying to decide what we want for dinner.  We don’t want pasta or pizza - so the options are slim!  

Venice part Deux

 Hello from the romantic city of Venice.  

Firstly,  congrats to Shannon who insisted on having a room with a balcony overlooking the Grand Canal.  She did a marvelous Job!

Her goal for these 3 days in Venice is sitting, reading, and people watching.  It has been just perfect.

There is a rooftop terrace that is lovely.

We have also seen 1 boat ambulance flying through the canal - I mean it was going like it was in a race - but I guess it was.  Today we saw the fire boat going very quickly - will try to upload the video 

Although I did lose my cool at dinner last night.  All of the tables around us received their check and were able to pay within 5-10 minutes of finishing their meal.  Now, for whatever reason, we seem to be cursed.  We finished, chatted and patiently waited and NOTHING.   We waited about another 10 minutes or so and then flagged our waiter down and requested the check - and NOTHING.  Another 10 minutes or so pass and still nothing - so we asked again.  Then finally we see, what we assume is the only person allowed to take payment come out of the door with a check folio and we were soo happy….UNTIL he stopped at another table and also caught my eye as I was saying WHAT THE F*CKING HELL???  Our waiter, at the same time was running out the door with our check folio and try to cut him off from what he was doing to come take care of us.  I did feel badly and the folks at the table next to us had quizzical looks on their faces and asked if this was a good place to eat or not.  It actually was very good food and service up to getting the check.

For today we strolled around looking at shops and whatnot.  But have spent most of the time at the hotel relaxing and enjoying the view!

We went to this little place - We Love Italy Fresh Pasta - where you order your noodle type and sauce type and they combine it all in a Chinese take out like container.  We took ours back to the roof top terrace and enjoyed it there!

Verona

 We left fashionable Milan and took a train to Verona.  

Some of the train ride had very pretty views - could see some of the Alps for a bit. 

We didn’t have much on our agenda for Verona - no tours etc.  We did see the Verona Arena which was built 40 years before the Roman Colosseum.  Believe it or not, it is still used for concerts and operas.  It was also the site of the Closing Ceremonies for this years Winter Olympics.  Wowza!

Now on to Romeo and Juliet - there is a house and a balcony here in Verona that has been associated with Shakespeare’s play.  It was a mistake that has taken on a life of its own.  This life was really pushed after WWII by the city of Verona.  But, anyhoo - here is a picture from the street - you can see some of the balcony just under the 2nd light.

We then strolled to the river to see the Ponte Pietra bridge.  This bridge was completed in 100BC and is now used as a pedestrian bridge.  It provides access to the Roman Theatre.  This theatre is rubble  but am including pictures

We then walked back toward our hotel and stopped for dinner.  Dinner was Pizza!

Discovered we walked over 4 miles today. 

Number of “Are you twins” - still maintaining at 4.

Milan Cathedral Day

 Hello from us tired and achy twins - 

Yesterday kicked our butts and I have unlocked a new pain - both hips hurt!

Today we spent most of our time at the Milan Cathedral.  Took a rooftop tour and then toured the church. 

In the entrance we passed the baptistery of Santo Stefano alli Fonti - which was built in 313 toward the end of the Roman Empire.  Most everything on the site was demolished in 1386 to build the Cathedral.  This bit of history was discovered in 1899. 

 So, we were prepared for a few stairs after the elevator ride to the roof - but it was 90 steep steps.  Everyone in the group was moaning and groaning. 

Being on the roof was really cool.  There is a lot of scaffolding, as they are in a continuous state of cleaning.  Our guide, Simone, who is a boy with a girls name told us to clean one section takes about 4 years -  see a section below

Simone also pointed out the first tour guide with his flag - (a joke)

Being on the roof you can see all of Milan and even the Alps - but it was too cloudy today to see the Alps.  

Here are other pics of the roof and the 150 stairs down…no, that part wasn’t in the tour description!

If you look closely on the top of this carving you will see 2 wires wrapping around the top portion - these wires disrupt the pigeons magnetic ability or something so they don’t perch and poop all over the cathedral!

The church was beautiful - has 4 organs - they are huge!

The above picture shows a part of the stone that has been cleaned - bright and airy - the dark part to the right has not been cleaned.

After this tour, we took a break sitting on the steps of the square. We had just walked about 1.3 miles inside the church - 

 People watching is so much fun! 

We then walked over to FAO Schwartz to look around.  

Then lunch at Burger King - we wanted something quick and didn’t want to have a sit down 2 hour lunch. 

Shan did some more people watching from the dining area of our hotel - 

If you notice there is a bull in one of the squares.  It is supposed to be good luck and a certain return to Milan if you place your heel on the bull’s balls and spin 3 times.  As and aside - the ‘balls’ have been worn away of the years and now its just a big indention.

The Italian police!  Quite dapper

Shannon in our black light hallway! 

We are done for the day - our feet hurt!  Tomorrow we are off to Verona. 

Total number of “Are you Twins” - the look or the question:  4