Venice, Ravenna, Assisi, Orvieto on the Way to Rome

From Verona to Venice, then Ravenna, Assisi and Orvieto

The drive from Florence, in the north center of Italy, to Venice, in the north east, on the coast of the Adriatic Sea, is about 250 miles. So we stopped for a while in Verona.

This town is the setting for Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet, and also a world famous opera venue, with its amphitheater built in the 1st century AD. We toured the area, ate in a restaurant at the plaza.

The 2,000 year old structures begin to show their weathering. However, the town works to keep the buildings well maintained.

Sometimes you almost don't notice the work in progress, with their unique photo simulation on the scaffold covers. Look closely below to see the method.

If you were wondering how we generated 4,000 photos during this trip, here is an example.

It's easy to see how artists can be inspired in places such as these.

The story of Romeo and Juliet was based on the feuds of Verona's rival families, the Montecchi and Capuleti, at this site. So if ever there was a Juliet on her balcony, this is it. By the way, Stewart is not being a dirty old man, but rather is gathering good luck according to the local legend.

A wall of love notes exists in a corridor passing from the street into the courtyard where the balcony and statue exist. Some are simple "I Love You" messages, in many languages from around the world, while others are more elegant, such as the embroidered note above.

Traveling east from Verona to Venice, we passed castles, farmland and churches.

A satellite photo of the island of Venice looks like a fish, with the gill or fin being the Grand Canal passing through its center. Above, was the only "Venetian blind" that we saw while there!

Our hotel was right on the Grand Canal. Where to go from here?

Where to go? Anywhere! We fell in love with this magical city. Just walk and explore the streets, bridges, water, boats, shops, restaurants, whatever. We had a planned tour for the next day, so we enjoyed our free time the balance of our first day walking around this island.

A romantic place!

The streets were busy with tourists as we wandered aimlessly until nightfall, taking in the variety of shops and beautiful water scenes.

The next morning a private water bus picked us all up and took us through the Grand Canal to the other side of the island.

We visited this world famous Murano glass factory, with a private demonstration of glass blowing.

After finishing the vase, the artisan made a horse in seconds, which stood on its hind legs. We then walked through their sales display area where hundreds of items were available. On the way out of the store stood this life-size glass horse, which certainly took more than seconds to make.

Of course, Venice too has its own beautiful churches and the lavish Doges' Palace.

Sculpture, art, gold and marble offer yet more examples of centuries-old treasures available for the enjoyment of visitors from around the world.

The rest of our time on the island, we simply enjoyed seeing the boats and the bustle.

Every bridge became a photo opportunity!

Even mundane activities elsewhere, such as hanging out the laundry, take on special photographic appeal when in Venice!

Calm waters and artistic reflections.

We enjoyed visual overload.

Sherry asked us, "What's with these locks on the bridge rail?" We had seen this before on a bridge in Australia. Artie's niece explained that it was a tradition there to have lovers signify their eternal love for each other with an engraved lock, showing that their relationship would remain unbroken and sealed forever.

Just beyond the bridge with these locks was a great restaurant that Sherry and Stewart found for our last night in Venice.

What a special and romantic way to finish our stay in Venice. As the sun set, the nearly full moon rose, and we enjoyed quality time with dear friends and each other.

The next morning, April 27, we headed to Assisi (nearly 300 miles south), with a stop in Ravenna, along the Adriatic Sea coast.

After passing pleasant farmlands along the way, we entered Sant'Apollinare in Classe in Ravenna, an outstanding example of 9th century construction and art. The simple exterior design (upper right) leads to impressive images within (below).

After the church in Ravenna and a restful lunch, we continued on to Assisi, through winding mountain passes, hillsides and farmland.

At the end of the day we reached the historic town of Assisi, famous for St. Francis of Assisi and the religious order devoted to the ideals of humility, forgiveness, simplicity and love for all of God's creatures.

It's easy to fall in love with these little and beautiful old towns.

Our hotel was located right next door to the Basilica. We took these photos from the roof terrace.

A peaceful morning sunrise.

After rising with the sun in Assisi on April 28th, we headed back to Rome, about 150 miles further south, stopping in Orvieto along the way.

This magazine had a good view of the fabulous gothic cathedral off the Piazza del Duomo. A couple of our own photos are below.

Note the exquisite detail and ornamentation on the facade, including mosaic tiles that wrapped completely around the back side of the spiral columns.

Once again the town offered scenic vistas from cobble stone streets, and hand-craft shops to weathered facades and floral arches such as this one in an entrance way for local residences.

After enjoying our bus stop in Orvieto, we made the final leg back to Rome by mid-afternoon. A quick clean-up for all of us, and off to the final farewell dinner followed by a brief drive through the city at night to capture one last view of Rome under the night lights. Click on the last link to end the trip with us.

Farewell to Rome

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		The 2,000 year old structures begin to show their weathering. However, the town works to keep the buildings well maintained.

Sometimes you almost don't notice the work in progress, with their unique photo simulation on the scaffold covers. Look closely below to see the method.


If you were wondering how we generated 4,000 photos during this trip, here is an example.


		It's easy to see how artists can be inspired in places such as these.


The story of Romeo and Juliet was based on the feuds of Verona's rival families, the Montecchi and Capuleti, at this site. So if ever there was a Juliet on her balcony, this is it. By the way, Stewart is not being a dirty old man, but rather is gathering good luck according to the local legend.


A wall of love notes exists in a corridor passing from the street into the courtyard where the balcony and statue exist. Some are simple "I Love You" messages, in many languages from around the world, while others are more elegant, such as the embroidered note above.


Traveling east from Verona to Venice, we passed castles, farmland and churches.


		A satellite photo of the island of Venice looks like a fish, with the gill or fin being the Grand Canal passing through its center. Above, was the only "Venetian blind" that we saw while there!


Our hotel was right on the Grand Canal. Where to go from here?

		Where to go? Anywhere! We fell in love with this magical city. Just walk and explore the streets, bridges, water, boats, shops, restaurants, whatever. We had a planned tour for the next day, so we enjoyed our free time the balance of our first day walking around this island.


The next morning a private water bus picked us all up and took us through the Grand Canal to the other side of the island.


		We visited this world famous Murano glass factory, with a private demonstration of glass blowing.

After finishing the vase, the artisan made a horse in seconds, which stood on its hind legs. We then walked through their sales display area where hundreds of items were available. On the way out of the store stood this life-size glass horse, which certainly took more than seconds to make.


		Of course, Venice too has its own beautiful churches and the lavish Doges' Palace.

Sculpture, art, gold and marble offer yet more examples of centuries-old treasures available for the enjoyment of visitors from around the world.

The rest of our time on the island, we simply enjoyed seeing the boats and the bustle.

Even mundane activities elsewhere, such as hanging out the laundry, take on special photographic appeal when in Venice!


Sherry asked us, "What's with these locks on the bridge rail?" We had seen this before on a bridge in Australia. Artie's niece explained that it was a tradition there to have lovers signify their eternal love for each other with an engraved lock, showing that their relationship would remain unbroken and sealed forever.

Just beyond the bridge with these locks was a great restaurant that Sherry and Stewart found for our last night in Venice.


After passing pleasant farmlands along the way, we entered Sant'Apollinare in Classe in Ravenna, an outstanding example of 9th century construction and art. The simple exterior design (upper right) leads to impressive images within (below).


		After the church in Ravenna and a restful lunch, we continued on to Assisi, through winding mountain passes, hillsides and farmland.


		At the end of the day we reached the historic town of Assisi, famous for St. Francis of Assisi and the religious order devoted to the ideals of humility, forgiveness, simplicity and love for all of God's creatures.


It's easy to fall in love with these little and beautiful old towns.


Our hotel was located right next door to the Basilica. We took these photos from the roof terrace.