Arrivederci Italia - "So Long Italy"

Thursday was unfortunately time for everyone to return home.
We made a prompt morning departure from our hotel for the short journey to Rome's Leonardo da Vinci Airport where I bade the group farewell once everyone was checked-in & confirmed for their flight.
By now everyone will have arrived home, no doubt grateful to be home but perhaps a little sad to say goodbye to Italy?

A personal note:
I always enjoy working with groups from Brazos.  Each group is different but the students are always well-mannered, friendly & engaging.  And this group of seniors was no different - a real credit to the school & their families.  I received three different compliments in Italy, including from our local guide Stuart in Rome, one of the hotel managers, & one of the restauranteurs, commenting on what a nice group they are & specifically highlighting their manners, knowledge & level of interest in what they were seeing & experiencing.
Well done & congratulations on your graduation this week.
I also want to thank Dr. Ross for his help in the smooth running of the tour, & Ms. Kay & Mr. Currivean for their 'behind the scenes' work.

Assisi photos, Day 6

Assisi & Our Return to Rome

Sadly today was our last ay in Ialy, so it was time to say "Arrivederci" to Florence & head south to Rome again. On the way we broke our journey in Assisi, birthplace & home of St. Francis for most of his life. In Assisi we walked through the village, visiting the church of Santa Chira, the main square that was once site of the Roman forum, the former Temple of Minerva that is now a church, & finally the famed Basilica of Saint Francis. There was time for lunch, sightseeig & shopping too before we departed once more. In Rome we enjoyed our final hours of sightseeing, in Piazza Navona & the Pantheon, then regrouped to enjoy our last group dinner in Italy. Finally we ended the day with gelato before the short drive to our hotel, out of the center of rome to avoid traffic n the morning when we depart for the airport.

Florence photos, Day 5

Florence in Depth

Today was devoted solely to getting to know Florence better.
First thing this morning an intrepid group of 10 left the hotel over an hour earlier than necessary in order to visit the Duomo, Florence's cathedral, & climb the 463 steps up through the famous dome to the highest point in the city.  It was a hike but well rewarded by amazing views over the city's red roofs.
The group rendezvoused in the main square at 9:30am to begin a morning walking tour of the city with our excellent guide Marco.  Amongst the sites we visited were the Orsanmichele church, Piazza Republicca, the Medici Palace, the Duomo & Baptistry, & Santa Croce Church.
After the church everyone enjoyed another gelato-tasting at the world famous (& we think world's best) Vivoli's.
The rest of the day was completely free for exploring at leisure.
Many of the group walked to the Central market together & had lunch before shopping in the San Lorenzo street market around for belts, bags, soccer jerseys, t-shirts, scarves, olive oil & other Florence gifts.  Other visited the Uffizi Gallery to appreciate the art or savored a Florentine steak.
We met-up once again this evening for a Tuscan dinner of crostinis, affettati (sliced meats), & Tuscan soups.  We also had a chance to celebrate Rebecca's birthday.
Another great day but sadly only one full day left in Italy.  Tomorrow we return to Rome, via Assisi.

Pisa & Lucca photos, Day 4

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Siena photos, Day 3

North to Florence, via Siena

We made an early start this morning as we hit the road north from Rome towards Florence.
Our only stop en-route was to visit Siena, a well-preserved medieval city of steep streets, mighty churches & rival neighborhood 'contradas'.
Adele, our local guide in Siena, explained the history of the city & it's ancient neighborhood rivalries (which culminate in two spectacular horse races each year, the palio).
After finishing our tour there was time for lunch & wandering the area around the central campo square.  There was even time for group members to climb to the top of one of the city's high points, the towers that offer great views over this near-perfect medieval cityscape.
From Siena it was just a short drive to Florence & the Hotel Silla, our hotel for the next week nights.
This evening we had to brave the rain that had arrived during the afternoon to walk to dinner, another great meal.  But the rain didn't put a damper on spirits & plenty of menu still wanted gelato after dinner!

Vatican & Rome photos, Day 2

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