Attractions of Rome, Italy

Rome is one of the most awe-inspiring city in all of Italy with its history and ancient ruins. As one travels around, it seems unbelievable that there is so much antiquity in one place. For those interested in history and seeing the remnants of buildings from long ago, Rome is the place to go. Some of them are:

- The Colosseum - This is the most famous building of the Roman Empire. Having eighty entrances, it accommodated more than 55,000 spectators. Construction began in 72 AD and was completed in 80 AD. It was used for fights between gladiators and between gladiators and wild animals with each fighting to their death. The gladiators were usually prisoners of war or condemned criminals. Part of the Colosseum was damaged during an earthquake in 847; one can still see evidence of this damage. Seeing the Colosseum for the first time is quite a revelation when you realize how old it is and how much of it exists to this day.

- The Pantheon - This building was built in 118 AD. It has a 43 meter high dome with three rows of columns on the portico and a huge bronze door at the entrance. It was originally a temple for pagan gods but in 609 was converted into a church. The artist Raphael is entombed there.

- The Trevi Fountain - Completed in 1762, features Neptune, God of the Sea as the central figure riding a chariot shaped like a shell and pulled by two sea horses. Legend has it that you will return to Rome if, with your back to the fountain, you throw a coin over your shoulder into the water. Alas, we were unable to do this when we were there. The area was packed with so many tourists that we couldn't get very close to this amazingly beautiful fountain. Even to be able to take a picture was a challenge in itself. But the breathtaking perfection of this 18th century fountain is definitely worth a visit.

- St. Peter's Basilica - This church is the largest in the world. Construction of the original church was completed by 349 AD. However, it fell into ruin by the middle of the 15th century. A new and much larger church than the original was completed and consecrated in 1626. St. Peter died there as a martyr and is entombed beneath the church.

- The Forum - At one time there were temples, arches and basilicas but many of them have fallen into ruin. However, it takes little imagination to see what it once was. Among some of the structures and partial remnants at the Forum are the Curica, built in 283 AD, the Sacellum of Venus Cloacina, the Arch of Actuim, the Regia, the Temple of Divus Julius and the Temple of Concord.

- Palatine Hill - According to mythology, this area was the original city of Rome. It is believed to have been founded in 800 BC by Romulus after he slay his twin brother Remus. Augustus, Cicero and Marc Antony are all believed to have had homes on the hill. Excavations have been done there since the mid 18th century with discoveries showing there are partial remnants of ruins going back to the first century.

- The Victor Emmanuel Monument (the Vittoriano) is the first historical building we saw when we arrived in Rome. It is a late addition to history as construction began in 1885. Made of white marble, it is decorated with statues, reliefs and murals. At the foot of the Statue of Victor Emmanuel is the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.

- The Vatican Museum - This museum is actually several museums displaying collections of art built up by the Catholic Church over the centuries and, of course, Michelangelo's ceiling in the Sistine Chapel. The museum originated with a marble sculpture of Laocoon and his Sons, discovered in a vineyard in 1506. There are 54 galleries consisting of busts, statues, the Sala Rotonda which is shaped like a miniature Pantheon with ancient mosaics on the floor, a bronze statue of Hercules, numeous paintings, the red marble papal throne and works of Raphael. Although we were only able to spend a half day there, to really see everything, I'm sure it would take at least a couple of days. We spent only two days in this wonderous city and although I have mentioned several interesting attractions, with more time we would have liked to see so much more and enjoy this historical city of ancient ruins.

Murano and Burano Islands - Part of the Venetian Island Group

While visiting Venice, we decided to take a trip to Murano, the glass and crystal island, and Burano, the lacemaking and fishing island. Both trips were well worth our visit in spite of the short time we had available.

We took the public ferry system, the vaporetto #12 to Murano and from there to Burano. The ferry, although the most economical way to travel to these islands uses every bit of space to transport people. We were crushed together so tightly that it was unnecessary to hold onto anything as the bodies around you, held you upright. And if you're short, as I am, vision is limited. However, the means of getting there certainly justified our enjoyment of what we saw.

Murano is the larger of the two islands with glass factories and gorgeous churches. Not as laid back as Burano, there is a hustle and bustle feeling to this island. Although we didn't go to the glass factory, we stopped at some of the shops where we were able to see a glass blower create an amazing masterpiece. Although we didn't realize it when we were there, bargaining is expected.

Besides the many shops and the glass factory, there is a glass museum. Murano became famous in 1291 when glass production was transferred from the city of Venice because of the fear of fires from the kilns. As we walked around the island of Murano, we were impressed with the glass sculptures that were used in outdoor landscaping in many locations.

Some of the churches are extremely old. The Chiesa di Santa Maria e Donato was rebuilt in the 12th century but with Corinthian columns dating to the 6th century and a 6th century pulpit. Some of the frescoes are 15th century. It also features a mosaic depicting the Virgin Mary. The Chiesa di San Pietro Martire church has paintings by Tintoretto, Veronese and Giovanni Bellini.

From there we went to Burano about 7 km from Venice. Burano has a population of about 5,300, with little green space. One of the attractions is the Church of San Martino with a leaning Campanile and a Museum where the Lacemaking School opened its doors in 1872. The Lacemaking School floundered over the years, eventually closing its doors in 1995. Lacemaking is an excruciatingly delicate craft requiring many hours and much patience to complete even the smallest piece. There are many shops, some with outdoor stalls selling lace work, some handmade and some by machines. On the main street of the island there are shops selling pastry and souvenirs and with restaurants and bars.

But away from the main area are small canals lined with beautiful houses painted in bright primary colours and pastels, many of them with flowers growing in window boxes. From this area you can feel the leisurely pace of life tied to the water and the coming and going of the fishing boats which, for the most part, is their livelihood. This area of Burano is very picturesque and tranquil, a welcome diversion from the crowds in Venice itself.

Many people when they visit Murano and Burano also visit the island of Torcello. However, time was limited so we didn't. Those who have visited say it is calm, green and very romantic. Very quiet, its population numbers only about sixty. In the Piazza Torcello, there is the original glass flooring, the ancient Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta and the Estuario Museum. According to history, this small island was Hemmingway's stomping ground. Perhaps next time we will include it in our travel plans.

Although Murano was interesting to visit to see how glass blowing is done, and to see the amazing pieces of art that are produced in this way, I preferred the tranquility and beauty of Burano. It was definitely a photo lover's paradise.

Is It Possible To Get Lost in Venice?

You will almost certainly get lost in Venice, even with a map. It is said that even the Venetians get lost when they get outside of their own immediate neighbourhood. But getting lost is half the fun as long as you don't have to be somewhere by a certain time.

On our visit to Venice, we went about it in the worst possible way. We set out looking for specific attractions which were difficult to find and wasted valuable time searching. It is much better to meander through the city because chances are you will stumble upon one, or more of the attractions and will see so many other wonderful things as well. According to seasoned tourists, there is no city in the world easier to get lost in than Venice. I would concur that it takes no effort whatsoever.

There are things to keep in mind when visiting Venice. You should definitely have a map but realize that even with a map, you will get lost. Also, have some general information and knowledge available concerning where restaurants are and where ferry stops are located. Walking, however, is the best way to get around as gondolas and water taxis are expensive transportation.

On our visit to Venice on the first day, it took us two hours to find our way back to the hostel where we were staying. We had a map and asked numerous people if they could direct us. However, most like us were tourists. Apparently there are more than double the amount of tourists as Venetians at any one time so it is hard to find a local to ask for assistance.

Venice is a city of narrow streets with numerous dead ends. Admittedly many of the main streets have small signs attached to the walls of buildings at some of the intersections to point you in the right direction. Theoretically this should work but often the signs are difficult to find or there will be two signs for the same place pointing in opposite directions. But as you are walking, (lost) in Venice, it is nice to hear the water lapping against the canal embankments even when you can't see them.

There are several must-sees that you won't want to miss on your visit there, if you can find them. They are:

- The Rialto Bridge - It is one of four bridges spanning the Grand Canal in Venice. This present bridge, completed in 1591, succeeds a wooden bridge and a floating one. It is considered to be an architectural icon of Venice. A lot of people converge on this bridge because it gives an excellent view of the Canal with various types of boats going in different directions.

- The Grand Canal - The Canal is a major water fare used by water buses, private water taxis and gondolas. It goes from the lagoon near the railway station to Saint Mark Basin and through the central districts of Venice. I could have stood for a long time on the Rialto Bridge watching all the activity on the Canal. To me it seemed to be, although busy, tranquil as well.

- Piazza St. Marco or St. Mark's Square - This is the main square and, to me, felt like the heart of Venice. At one end is the church of St. Mark. The church, with arches, marble decoration and carvings is magnificent and like the other buildings in the square, quite ornate. Beyond the church is the clock tower completed in 1499. To the left of the church is a building which formerly was homes and offices. Built in the early 16th century, it now houses shops, restaurants and some offices. The architecture is beauitiful and in such an intricate design that we stayed awhile to savor the beauty of it.

- The Doge's Palace - The Palace was once a residence of the Doge of Venice, the supreme authority. Built in 1923, it opened as a museum. Over the centuries fires had damaged large portions so it had to be restructured and restored many times.

- The Golden Staircases - The staircases are in the Doge's Palace leading to his apartments; they are a set of staircases which were completed in 1559. They were built for ceremonial purposes with paintings on the ceiling and 24 carat gold trim.

- The Bridge of Sighs - This bridge, one of many, crosses the Rio de Palazzo connecting the New Prison to the interrogation rooms in the Doge's Palace. It was built in 1602 and it is believed that the view from this bridge may have been the last prisoners saw of Venice before their imprisonment.

Considering the size of Venice, it is startling to discover there are so many sightseeing attractions, many more than I have mentioned here. Because we were only there one night and not quite two days, we saw much less than we would have liked to. Venice is unique making wherever you go an enjoyable and interesting experience. Even when you are lost.

Paris in the Moonlight - A Trip Down the Seine River

There is nothing more romantic than drifting lazily down the Seine River with a full moon high overhead, a swath of silver light on the slowly mving river. As darkness descends and the City of Lights highlights mythical spots, monuments, historical buildings and ornate bridges, it is easy to fall in love with the city of Paris.

The Seine River goes through the heart of Paris bordering on ten of the twenty arrondisements. There are thirty-seven bridges over the river, the oldest being Pont Neuf built in 1607 and Pont Des Art which is a pedestrian only bridge.

As we began our cruise, the Eiffel Tower was the first of the many attractions we saw. An extravaganza of light that once seen, will be something you'll never forget. It was built by Gustave Eiffel for the 1889 World Fair commemorating the centennial of the Revolution. It is 1,063 feet tall and at the time it was built, was the highest structure in the world.

Another sight to behold, on the Right Bank is The Louvre, one of the world's largest museums and an historical monument. Housed in the Louvre Palace, it was built in the 12th century and opened as a museum in 1793. It contains sculptures, paintings, art objects, Egyptian antiquities, Greek and Roman art and Islamic art. Also, adjacent to the Louvre is the Tuileries Gardens created by Catherine de'Medici in 1564.

We drifted past quays and those, couples and others, lying or walking along the banks beneath the soft rays of the moonlight enjoying the tranquility of the Seine as it slowly flowed past. Eventually we came to Notre Dame Cathedral illuminated against the night-time sky. An historic cathedral in French Gothic architecture, construction began in 1163 but was not completed until 1345. And as we passed, the bells tolled as they have for hundreds of years.

Another historic site seen from the river is the Grand Palais easily recognizable because of its magnificent glass-domed roof. It is an exhibition hall and museum. Construction began in 1897 and was completed in 1900. It is ornately decorated in the Beaux-Arts architecture style. The Petit Palais adjacent to it was constructed about the same time.

The Palais de Chaillot initially erected for the 1878 World Fair was replaced in 1937 when Paris was host at another World Fair. The building houses several different museums and has an aquarium with forty-three tanks, 10,000 fish and a shark tunnel.

On the Left Bank of the Seine, is Musee d'Orsay, a museum which has mainly French art dated between 1848 to 1915. Many of the paintings are masterpieces by such renown artists as Monet, Cezanne, Gauguin and Van Gogh. It is housed in a railway station built between 1898 and 1900.

And last but not least is the Moulin Rouge established in 1889. It was the birthplace of the modern form of can-can dance. I say last but not least because there are many other buildings, rich in architecture and resplendent in lights that line the Seine River and only a cruise at night will give you this view of a Paris that looks entirely different in the daylight.

There are many ways to explore and visit Paris but travelling down the Seine River, as we did on our first evening there, is a great introduction to the city and what it has to offer.

The Majestic Jungfraujoch Mountain in Interlacken, Switzerland

Jungfraujoch Mountain has the highest railway station in all of Europe, calling itself the Top of the World. Upon arrival you will find yourself, not only at the top of one of the highest peaks in Switzerland, but surrounded by a mystical Alpine winter wonderland.

The Jungfraujoch Mountain is situated between Monch and Jungfrau in the Burnese Alps. On our trip there we left from Interlacken, Switzerland taking a modern cogwheel train to Kleine Scheidegg at 6,762 feet. From there we took the Jungfrau cogwheel train to the Eiger Glacier Station and then through the Eiger tunnel. (In comparison, this train was woefully lacking in any type of amenities, having only hard wooden seats and with people crammed so tightly together, we were like worms in a bucket. But being cramped together with people, damp clothes and luggage was worth it when we arrived at the top and stepped out on the summit where the sun shone sparkling onto the snow and ice and diamonds danced in the air around us.)

The tunnel is 7.3 km (4.5 miles) long. Begun in 1896 it took sixteen years to complete. On our trip to the summit, we stopped at a viewing window in the tunnel so we could take pictures. The window was put into the hole that was used to remove excavated rock during the building of the tunnel. It has also been used as the back-drop in several movie scenes.

The station at what is advertised as the Top of the World is over 11,000 feet up. There is a hotel, two restaurants, an observatory and the Ice Palace which is in the heart of the mountain. The ceiling, floors and walls in the Ice Palace are made entirely of ice but there are handrails to hold as slipping looks entirely too easy. It is an amazing place with spectacular sculptures of Eskimos, seals, igloos, eagles, etc. There is also a tunnel that leads outside where you can walk around. When we were there, the wind was ferocious so we didn't venture too far but we did see a 13.6 mile ice stream and an overwhelming panoramic view of the Konkordiaplatz and the Aletsch Glacier and surrounding mountains. The beauty of our surroundings struggled to hold us but the cold and the wind chased us back inside before long.

Jungfraujoch Mountain is considered the 'excursion mountain'. In the summer hikers can explore the lower regions enjoying views of Lake Thun and Lake Brienz. Climbing the mountain is an entirely different story. Jungfraujoch and the Eigerjoch are the most difficult passes in the Alps for mountaineers to traverse. The summit was first reached in 1811 by Johann and Hieronymus Meyer, brothers, and two hunters from Valais. Muntaineers continue to climb Jungfraujoch and the surrounding areas even though these explorations are fraught with danger. The whole area of Jungfraujoch, Monch and Eiger includes the largest glaciated area in the Swiss Alps.

Although we went by the easy route, the cogwheel train, the experience of standing on the summit beside the Swiss flag flapping loudly in the wind was an overwhelming experience. The 360 degree panoramic view of snow and ice covered rocks, rugged peaks and awesome beauty makes one feel rather insignificant in the big scheme of things, But it's one I wouldn't have wanted to miss.

Enjoying Rigi Kulm Mountain in Lucerne, Switzerland

Rigi Kulm is known as the Queen of Mountains. On a trip to its summit, it is easy to see why when on a clear day you are blessed with a beautiful panoramic view of distances up to 800 km away. This central Switzerland mountain is 1,795 meters high and although not the tallest, it makes up for its stature in beauty and ambiance.

Mt. Rigi offers walking trails, mountain hiking or climbing, backpacking, snow shoeing and skiing. It is not considered to be part of the Alps but is part of the Swiss Plateau. From the summit you can get a view of the Alps as well as parts of Germany and France.

The Goldau Rigi Path and Arth and Weggis Rigi paths are the most historic paths on Mt. Rigi. More and more tourists came to Rigi Kulm Mountain beginning in the mid 1700's following the various paths on the mountain to the numerous chapels, viewpoints and villages. Many of these attractions have been there for hundreds of years.

- In the village of Rigi Kaltbad, behind a rock formation, is the Rock Chapel built in 1779. Kaltbad, at 1,453 meters is the biggest village on the mountain. Kaltbad also became a health resort for tourists in the 1800's.

- Pilgrimages to Klosterli to visit its chapel, St. Mary in the Snow, is also popular.

- The Kanzeli Vantage Point, located about a twenty minute walk from Rigi Kaltbad, is another popular destination offering panoramic views, on a clear day, of Lucerne and Weggis. It is situated at 1,464 meters.

There are about thirteen towns and villages on the mountain. At the summit is the Rigi Kulm Hotel originally built in 1875 but rebuilt in the 1950's. When we visited this historic hotel, there were few people around as we were a little ahead of the busy tourist season.

On our trip to Rigi Kulm we travelled from Lucerne to Weggis by steamboat on Lake Lucerne. We were fortunate in that it was a beautiful day with white fluffy clouds drifting lazily in an unbelievably blue sky. From Weggis we took a cogwheel train up the mountain to the Rigi Kulm station on the summit where the hotel is situated. There is also the option of cable car and gondola. On our return back down the mountain, we went by cable car which was a completely different experience altogether than the train trip up had been with many diverse viewing options.

From the station, we followed some paths further up the mountain and looked down to where we could see Lake Lucerne and the occasional small buildings off in the distance. The rolling pastures undulated down the mountainside below us while a brisk breeze teased the tall grasses growing beside the paths.

I was mesmerized by what sounded like thousands of cowbells softly tinkling in the distance and the occasional melodic alp horn. (The alp horns are used to call the cattle to pasture in June. We were fortunate because that was when we were there). They were happy sounds to surround us as we satiated ourselves with the beauty we saw wherever we looked. It was like the mountains of Switzerland I had imagined since a young child.

There are approximately 250 Alpine herdsmen scattered across the mountainside with small cottages to house them. And there are 5,000 head of cattle plus goats and sheep. The herdsmen have used the mountain pastures from as early as the seventh century.

For anyone who is a lover of mountains and of nature, this mountain is not one to pass by when visiting Lucerne, Switzerland.