SPQR

The Senate and People of Rome

Murano Glass

Murano is the name of an island in Venice. This island  is famous for making glass products.

Getting Around Venice

The city of Venice is built on a lagoon. There three ways to get around Venice, water buses, water taxis, and gondolas.

Milan

Milan is famous for fashion. It also has a cathedral. The Last Supper is in Milan.

the cathedral in Milan

the floor in the cathedral

a stain glass window in the cathedral 

a clothing store 

Where The Last Supper is

Cinque Terra

The Cinque Terra is Italy's smallest national park. Cinque is five in Italian and terra means land. "The Five Lands."

The Leaning Tower of Pisa

The tower is a bell tower for the nearby church. Here Galileo found that objects fall at the exact same speed.

Galileo

Galileo was a famous Italian scientist. This is a statue of him.

Figs

A popular fruit that grows in Italy is the fig. They do not grow in the United States. 

Ponte Vecchio

This bridge is called Ponte Vecchio. It was built during the Middle Ages.  It has shops on the side of it.

School in Rome

Today I visited a school in Rome. It is an international school. Only about 1/3 of the students are native Italians, the rest are from all over the world.

a class I visited

the flags representing the student body

Julius Caesar

This place is significant because it is believed that Caesar was stabbed and killed in these ruins.

 

The Vatican

Vatican City is the world's smallest country. The Vatican is home to the Pope. This place has some of the world's most famous art.

St. Peter's Church 

the dome of St. Peter's 

Michaelangelo's Pieta

A Swiss guard

paintings on the ceiling. take virtual tour at http://www.vatican.va/various/cappelle/sistina_vr/index.html

Gelato

Gelato is a very popular dessert in Italy. There are places to buy it everywhere.

Roman Forum

The Roman Forum is full of ruins from the Roman Empire. Many important temples are here. The Forum is located in a valley.

types of bricks

a temple

a government building

Artena

Artena is a small town near Rome. It is on top of a large hill. Many homes are near a cliff. Cars are not allowed inside. The streets are very small. Sometimes people have to use a donkey to carry big things.

Trip #2

I leave for my second trip in exactly one week. This time I will be going to France and Italy.

France's Flag

Italy's Flag