Roman holiday

Here is the best 2,000-year-old remnant of Rome.  If this is a ransacked remnant, what must Rome have looked like in its prime?

Everyone in the neighborhood is finishing the day in Piazza Navona.

 The oculus gives plenty of light; rain disappears into drains hidden in the marble floor.

The Flowering of the Renaissance

Michelangelo captured David’s indignation and determination in his expression.

The Baptistery is green and white marble only, no flowers; the newly baptized would emerge through the Gates of Paradise to enter the Cathedral of St. Mary of the Flower, made from green, white and pink marble, with stylized flowers everywhere.

This beautiful building is topped with Brunelleschi’s famous Dome.
              

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

   

Top off the day with Steak Florentine and chianti! 

Evening in Firenze

Not throwing myself off the Ponte Vecchio into the Arno, rather enjoying sunset over Florence.  Those old Italian landscapes are not making up those weird shapes or the colors!

The Bernina Express

Peter on the Bernina Express

Glacier and lake at Bernina pass

Stop to see the view

Glorious Alps

We took the funicular train to the top of Muottas Muragl to see the indescribable grandeur of the Swiss Alps.

The Alps in summer

Engadin walnut torte and the world’s best coffee

The Engadin Valley with its five lakes

 

The Bernina Pass

Surprise: Switzerland!

I planned the days in Paris and Italy, and Peter the techie made up plans for the other days as we went.  To my surprise and delight, we journeyed to Switzerland.  This is near Heidi’s part of the Alps.

Switzerland is so beautiful that, framed by a moving train or hotel room window, it looks like a painting.

St. Moritz

Chiaroscuro at the Louvre

Rembrandt self-portrait

Sacre Coeur & Musee D’Orsay

Intercession 24/7 since 1885

L’Eglise d’Auvers-sur-Oise

Saint-Chapelle & Notre Dame

The real thing

Monet’s gardens at Giverny.

As beautiful as Monet’s paintings are, the living gardens add fragrance, sound of wind, birds and bees, the caress of wind and sun on skin, and movement of clouds, plants and creatures, that makes the beauty of the living thing surpass the image beyond all bounds.

not a painting