Venice

Hello all- please forgive us since we have been running around for the past few days and haven't been able to blog. Since Milan, we arrived in Venice via bus and water taxi. That's right- water taxi. Welcome to the land of streets filled with water. Our hotel is located conveniently a few steps away from San Marco's Square-which we soon learned is filled with birds and tourists-and birds on tourists...

We received passes that got us into 16 different churches all around the city. As we were holding maps trying to find our way to each church, many of us found the other joy famous in Venice- shopping. The shops here are filled with the famous Murano Glass and masks. Oh the joy of mask shopping. Each mask here is decorated personally by each shop owner, making them unique to the individual. Unfortunately, we were quickly scolded when trying to take pictures with the masks-so you can use your own imagination. Masks here are used during the famous "Carnival," which we are missing by one week.

Yesterday, we traveled by boat to a glass factory where we were able to see the process of creating everything from glass vases to glass horses. It was so interesting! Glass makers usually train under a qualified master for 10 years until they are able to create their own works. Each worker only has about 3 minutes to create their glass sculpture. It was incredible to see with our own eyes. The day ended with a
guided water boat tour along the famous Grand Canal!

We also had tickets for a performance at the famous opera house, La Fenice. It was the most beautiful theater we have ever seen. We walked in and were astonished by the famous gold ceilings and balconies we had studied in the fall. The performance was simply beautiful- It included some of the best string musicians who played in perfect unison. Something we will never forget!

Other visits included the famous Academia and the Guggenheim Museum!

Tomorrow, we are off to Ravenna for a day and night-then, we sadly travel back to Rome for one last visit before we come home!

-EloninItaly

More pictures!

Some of the group in Sienna.

At the Trevi Fountain in Rome

View from the top of a building in Sienna!

Milan!

After a breakfast at the Fenice Palace, we set off for our four hour trip to Milan. Upon arrival, we had about an hour to wonder around the fashion capital of Italy. Never before during this course have we stuck out so much as Americans. We met up at La Scala, an opera house where we originally had booked opera tickets. Unfortunately, the opera is on strike. We had the opportunity to watch some singers rehearse for a concert. They were amazing and had everyone’s jaws dropped to the floor.

 The class moved to the Duomo, one of the largest gothic style cathedrals in the world. We could not walk to the top today because the fog was so thick that the top could barely be seen from the ground. Hopefully we will have clear weather and make the climb up tomorrow! Milan looks promising for shopping. Tomorrow we will see Di Vinci’s “The Last Supper” and take advantage of free time during the day and evening. Ciao!

Florence

THE BEST PLACE IN THE WORLD.  Florence was a highly anticipated adventure for many of us on the trip and we really could not contain our excitement on the bus as we pulled into town. After checking into the hotel and settling ourselves in, we headed out for dinner and some Florentine nightlife at a few of the local pubs in the neighborhood. We had such a wonderful time kicking back together as a group and it really allowed us to bond; we’re so lucky that we’re all getting along so well! Some of us were even able to meet up with the Elon Cathedral Tour!

The next morning we realized exactly how close our hotel was to the Durmo and Baptistery (less than 1 block..) as we started our tour by observing both the magnificent buildings. We then headed to the Bargello gallery where we saw Donatella’s “David” as well as the Medici tombs. In the afternoon many of us accomplished some of the leather shopping we had been dreaming about all this time and hit a few other tourist hot spots. Our afternoon was spent at the Uffizi with an amazing tour guide, who looked a little like an Italian George Clooney, and saw some of the most groundbreaking artistic achievements in the world.

Our second full day consisted of a morning at San Marco, shopping on the Ponte Vecchio, and, for some of us, a much needed laundry session. In the afternoon we crossed the river and visited the Pitti Palace, which looked like our idea of the ideal summer home! For dinner that night a group got Chinese while another headed out to a local discotheque called SPACE, which had been highly anticipated for many a night. It was a great sendoff after a wonderful couple of days in the city and we were all sad to leave the next morning. If only we had more time! Off to Milan!

Assisi

After a long bus ride, we finally arrived in Assisi. Now, many people know Assisi from the famous Saint Francis of Assisi, the patron saint of not only animals, but of nature and the environment.

We were guided around by the best guide so far on our trip- Giuseppe…we could literally listen to him speak all day. He led us around to the Santa Chiara and the Assisi Cathedral and taught us that many of the churches were built with the same structure as an upside-down boat. He also shared that the ceiling was painted with a blue night sky because all of our prayers travel up to the sky. Throughout the walk along the streets of the quiet city, everyone could not stop admiring the beautiful architecture and the cobblestone streets.

Watching the sunset around the cathedral was simply breathtaking. Being in a city that is so full and rich in history made us all very humble for our existence. Tomorrow, we head off to Florence with a stop in Sienna for a visit to the Duomo, a museum, and some shopping!

Capri

 Have you ever climbed to the top of a mountain on an island off the coast of southern Italy? We have! After spending the morning at the archaeological museum in Naples, twelve of us took a day trip to Capri. After figuring out the ferry system, we hopped on an afternoon ferry to the beautiful island about an hour off the coast. The sun was shining and we loved getting some fresh air. When we got there we were amazed at the beautiful island and the town that we could see at the top of the mountain. We immediately knew that we had to go as high as possible to fully experience Capri, so we followed the winding roads and steep staircases until we all broke a sweat. Props to Mary for tackling the quest with a broken foot! We got so excited when we saw signs pointing to the center of town, and our exhaustion was replaced with excitement. At the center of the island was an amazing town square with the cutest jewelry shops, gelaterias and clothing stores. We did some shopping and explored, taking in the amazing view and how high we had climbed. At the end of the day we took a bus down the mountain and caught a ferry back to Naples. New jewelry, bonding time with the girls and one beautiful island? Definitely made for one of the best experiences we’ve had so far! 

Naples

So today we are in Naples.  We got to sleep in and wake up to an amazing breakfast overlooking the Tyrrhenian Sea while eating all you can eat Neutella. Neutella is like pure gold-except for Melissa-who is allergic…Hopefully Elon can stock up on that before we get back. I’m thinking that would be the best on some Acorn bagels. Maybe we will find her another commodity to eat.

We spent the afternoon exploring the Capodimonte Museum at the top of a mountain and the park that surrounds it. 

Tomorrow we are off to another museum and then leave for Assisi the next day.

Until the next city!

-EloninItaly