Italy

Naples/Pompeii

The ruins of Pompeii are really something to see. What impressed me the most is the new life that has grown after the debris is cleared. I was in awe of the restoration process that is going on to restore this city to its former state.

The village of Positano. It makes for a pretty view but an interesting drive.

Rome

The Pantheon; a temple to the Pagan gods

The dome represents the 7 steps to get to heaven, although I did not find out just what those steps were, might be helpful to know!

The Trevi Fountain

Legend has it that if you throw 1 coin in the fountain you want to visit Rome again, if you throw 2 coins in the fountain you want to get married, if you throw 3 coins in the fountain you want to get a divorce. Guess how many coins I threw?

The new Roman Forum, the courthouse.

Ancient Roman Forum
The Arch of Constantine or Triumphal Arch of Rome.

The Colosseum

Even the graffiti is impressive in Rome

Florence and Pisa

The replica statue of David.
The Duomo.

This church is beautiful outside but a little more plain inside than other churches in this area. This is said to be because we should go to church to worship. It is still rather pretty inside.

The Leaning Tower of Pisa.

I did, of course get a pic of my holding up the Tower, but I am not in love with it... so there is that. I also took one of me trying to pull the Tower down. They have fixed the Tower so it leans only slightly but is now stable and not a danger to tourists.

The pizza in Italy is off the hook, but there is a place in Salt Lake that has similar pizza: Settebello. Sadly there is no where local that I have found that has gelato even close to what we tasted there. It is a wonder I did not gain weight on this vacation. But with all the walking we did I lost some, not for lack of trying on my part: pizza, gelato (3 times), dessert every night on the ship, baguettes and éclairs in France.

One interesting point in Italy, the water in the fountains is potable and therefore drinkable. I was not going to partake, what with my germ issues and all, but when a bottle of water cost 5€ (almost $7) I admit to trying it. Actually impressively good.