Italy

People

Tourism is soaring even in November! A mob of tourists at the Trevi Fountain.
Tourism is soaring even in November! A mob of tourists at the Trevi Fountain.
Rome Polizia
Rome Polizia
Italian military watch near the Trevi Fountain.
Italian military watch near the Trevi Fountain.
These two can "discuss" anything with all the passion of an Italian!
These two can "discuss" anything with all the passion of an Italian!

Culture

Let's start in Rome.
Let's start in Rome.
The Trevi Fountain
The Trevi Fountain
Emma, Niki and Thom sitting on The Spanish Steps
Emma, Niki and Thom sitting on The Spanish Steps
Ready to tour the Vatican Museums and St. Peter's Basilica
Ready to tour the Vatican Museums and St. Peter's Basilica
Vatican Museum: The Belvedere Torso was one of the original pieces of Roman art that inspired Michelangelo.
Vatican Museum: The Belvedere Torso was one of the original pieces of Roman art that inspired Michelangelo.
Vatican Museum: Frescoes in the Gallery of Maps painted between 1580-1585
Vatican Museum: Frescoes in the Gallery of Maps painted between 1580-1585
Vatican Museum: Laocoön and His Sons, which depicts a moment from the Trojan War. The emotion depicted of a father fighting to save his sons' lives has captivated millions of people since it was excavated in 1506 and put on permanent display at the Vatican.
Vatican Museum: Laocoön and His Sons, which depicts a moment from the Trojan War. The emotion depicted of a father fighting to save his sons' lives has captivated millions of people since it was excavated in 1506 and put on permanent display at the Vatican.
Inside St. Peter's Basilica at The Vatican. It was designed by a group of architects led by Michelangelo.
Inside St. Peter's Basilica at The Vatican. It was designed by a group of architects led by Michelangelo.
Metal sculpture outside the Vatican Museum. Thom attempts to spin the world on its axis. A metaphor, indeed.
Metal sculpture outside the Vatican Museum. Thom attempts to spin the world on its axis. A metaphor, indeed.
The obelisk at the Piazza del Popolo is one of eight obelisks that were brought to Rome after the conquest of Egypt. Did you know Mark Antony (who was in love with Cleopatra and joined her side when Emperor Octavian declared war on Egypt) was marrired to Emperor Octavian's sister?
The obelisk at the Piazza del Popolo is one of eight obelisks that were brought to Rome after the conquest of Egypt. Did you know Mark Antony (who was in love with Cleopatra and joined her side when Emperor Octavian declared war on Egypt) was marrired to Emperor Octavian's sister?
The Colosseum alongside the main gate
The Colosseum alongside the main gate
The arena floor is a recent renovation to the Colosseum to illustrate both the scale of what citizens viewed while attending a gladatorial show or event, as well as the underground space that transported animals and humans to the performance floor.
The arena floor is a recent renovation to the Colosseum to illustrate both the scale of what citizens viewed while attending a gladatorial show or event, as well as the underground space that transported animals and humans to the performance floor.
Another vantage point of the subterranean passageways, area floor and Colosseum seats.
Another vantage point of the subterranean passageways, area floor and Colosseum seats.
Colosseum Family Portrait
Colosseum Family Portrait
Emma reading Roman lettering
Emma reading Roman lettering
Other uses of the Colosseum in history
Other uses of the Colosseum in history
Thom next to what is believed to be an address chiseled into the Colosseum.
Thom next to what is believed to be an address chiseled into the Colosseum.
More Colosseum history: it used to be a lake in which they staged naval battles!
More Colosseum history: it used to be a lake in which they staged naval battles!
Domus Aurea, which is Latin for "Golden House," was a palace built by Nero in 64-68 A.D.
Domus Aurea, which is Latin for "Golden House," was a palace built by Nero in 64-68 A.D.
"Domus Aureas"
"Domus Aureas"
A view of the Colosseum from Paletine Hill
A view of the Colosseum from Paletine Hill
The Roman Forum dates back to the 1st - 5th Centuries B.C. Think about that for a minute.
The Roman Forum dates back to the 1st - 5th Centuries B.C. Think about that for a minute.
With so much history, sometimes it's better to read the historical marker.
With so much history, sometimes it's better to read the historical marker.
Rome at Night: A view of St. Peter's Basilica
Rome at Night: A view of St. Peter's Basilica
Rome at Night: The Administration Building built during the Napoleonic years
Rome at Night: The Administration Building built during the Napoleonic years
Rome at Night: The Colosseum
Rome at Night: The Colosseum
Rome at Night: The Forum
Rome at Night: The Forum
The art of The Forum illuminated
The art of The Forum illuminated
The "thousand yard stare" at the end of a long sightseeing day
The "thousand yard stare" at the end of a long sightseeing day
That's all, folks.
That's all, folks.
Now on to Venice!
Now on to Venice!
First steps off the train to Venice
First steps off the train to Venice
Rialto Bridge
Rialto Bridge
"No mafia, Venice is sacred!"
"No mafia, Venice is sacred!"
Venice_ Mom and kids
Venice_ Mom and kids
Before the gondolier's day starts.
Before the gondolier's day starts.
A Gondola close up
A Gondola close up
Gondolas along the main canal
Gondolas along the main canal
Shopping in Venice: Venitians have such a sense of style
Shopping in Venice: Venitians have such a sense of style
Venice is romantic and materialistic all at the same time!
Venice is romantic and materialistic all at the same time!
Style isn't limited to the humans in Venice! When I refused to buy this very expensive dog bed for our furry friend at home, the kids talked me into buying dog treats instead.
Style isn't limited to the humans in Venice! When I refused to buy this very expensive dog bed for our furry friend at home, the kids talked me into buying dog treats instead.
Bridge between two streets
Bridge between two streets
The Doge's Palace
The Doge's Palace
Venice
Venice
Another beautiful day in Venice
Another beautiful day in Venice
A good day of sunlight makes all the difference when bringing Venice to life!
A good day of sunlight makes all the difference when bringing Venice to life!
The Basilica off the Piazza San Marco
The Basilica off the Piazza San Marco
Holiday lights over San Marco square
Holiday lights over San Marco square
Southern Italy (Parents Only Trip)
Southern Italy (Parents Only Trip)
Pompei: An interior wall of the market, along with a victim of the volcanic eruption. Maybe a merchant who was in his stall when it happened?
Pompei: An interior wall of the market, along with a victim of the volcanic eruption. Maybe a merchant who was in his stall when it happened?
The Forum of Pompei
The Forum of Pompei
Pompei: In the first Century AD, the average Roman man was 5'5".
Pompei: In the first Century AD, the average Roman man was 5'5".
A building in Capri painted "Pompei red" which was the color of the most oppulent Roman villas.
A building in Capri painted "Pompei red" which was the color of the most oppulent Roman villas.
The classic ItalianvVeranda
The classic ItalianvVeranda
Capri
Capri
Via Krupp - a road built by German industrialist Alfred Krupp between his luxury hotel, Grand Hotel Quisisana, and Marina Piccola.
Via Krupp - a road built by German industrialist Alfred Krupp between his luxury hotel, Grand Hotel Quisisana, and Marina Piccola.
Positano
Positano
Positano at dusk
Positano at dusk
Positano at Night
Positano at Night

Food

When you think of Italy, of course you think of pasta! So we took a cooking class to learn the secrets of making really good pasta.
When you think of Italy, of course you think of pasta! So we took a cooking class to learn the secrets of making really good pasta.
Mixing the eggs
Mixing the eggs
Making the pasta
Making the pasta
Gelatto. This is "Are you kidding me??" good!
Gelatto. This is "Are you kidding me??" good!
Gelatto in Venice. This is often how we got Emma to make it through a tour or yet another history lesson!
Gelatto in Venice. This is often how we got Emma to make it through a tour or yet another history lesson!
Snacks made for a Gladiator.
Snacks made for a Gladiator.
We don't consider ourselves foodies, and we rarely take pictures of our food. How is it that this is the only photo we captured of the exceptional food in Italy?!
We don't consider ourselves foodies, and we rarely take pictures of our food. How is it that this is the only photo we captured of the exceptional food in Italy?!
Venice Produce Stand
Venice Produce StandFresh produce at a Venetian market.
Local bakery in Venice
Local bakery in Venice
According to Thom and Emma, candy is the fifth food group!
According to Thom and Emma, candy is the fifth food group!

Nature

The deep blue waters off the coast of Capri
The deep blue waters off the coast of Capri
Capri
Capri
Annacapri
Annacapri
Capri
Capri
Niki in Capri
Niki in Capri
Coastline of Southern Capri
Coastline of Southern Capri
The beach at Marina Picolla, Capri
The beach at Marina Picolla, Capri
Marina Grande Capri
Marina Grande Capri
Surrounded by bouganvilla in Capri
Surrounded by bouganvilla in Capri
Sundown and basilicas on Capri
Sundown and basilicas on Capri
The Island of Capri
The Island of Capri
"The trees along the Italian coast cling to life so aggressively that we should take note and let their determination be ours as well." - Jack Rabren
"The trees along the Italian coast cling to life so aggressively that we should take note and let their determination be ours as well." - Jack Rabren
The Beach at Positano
The Beach at Positano
Microclimates in Positano
Microclimates in Positano
Views from Positano
Views from Positano
Mt. Vesuvius looms over Pompei
Mt. Vesuvius looms over Pompei

Entertainment

Street performers in Rome
Street performers in Rome
A poster advertising a performance of La Traviata inspires Niki to make a family date night.
A poster advertising a performance of La Traviata inspires Niki to make a family date night.
We bought nice clothes at H&M and "dressed up" for our night at the opera. Being served dinner softened the cultural blow for the kids.
We bought nice clothes at H&M and "dressed up" for our night at the opera. Being served dinner softened the cultural blow for the kids.
Gladiator battles offered epic entertainment opportunities in Ancient Rome. So we said, "Let's go to gladiator school!"
Gladiator battles offered epic entertainment opportunities in Ancient Rome. So we said, "Let's go to gladiator school!"
A very believable gladiator!
A very believable gladiator!
Thom or Russell Crowe?
Thom or Russell Crowe?
A gladiator's expression of determination.
A gladiator's expression of determination.
Emma embodies the gladiator life.
Emma embodies the gladiator life.
Emma prepares to annihilate Gladiator Thom
Emma prepares to annihilate Gladiator Thom
To become a gladiator, one must first learn about history, weaponry, and engineering.
To become a gladiator, one must first learn about history, weaponry, and engineering.
Our history lesson of Rome awaits.
Our history lesson of Rome awaits.
Roman engineering lesson
Roman engineering lesson
Roman engineerin lesson #2
Roman engineerin lesson #2
Thom tries out a gladiator weapon.
Thom tries out a gladiator weapon.
Emma is determined to learn gladiator skills as well.
Emma is determined to learn gladiator skills as well.
Jack gets in on the weaponry
Jack gets in on the weaponry
Thom salutes before "battle."
Thom salutes before "battle."
A gladiator helmet is as important as a gladiator weapon.
A gladiator helmet is as important as a gladiator weapon.
Real gladiator helmets
Real gladiator helmets
The feathers called Niki!
The feathers called Niki!
With a history lesson under their belts, Thom and Emma are ready for the next phase of the adventure.
With a history lesson under their belts, Thom and Emma are ready for the next phase of the adventure.
Gladiator Training Camp
Gladiator Training Camp
Emma trains like a gladiator.
Emma trains like a gladiator.
Gladiator pushups
Gladiator pushups
Basic sword training
Basic sword training
Sword training has never been so fun!
Sword training has never been so fun!
Thom takes sword training seriously (and he loves it!)
Thom takes sword training seriously (and he loves it!)
Gladiator battle formation
Gladiator battle formation
Proper training includes knowing how the enemy will try to break formation.
Proper training includes knowing how the enemy will try to break formation.
Emma says, "This is way better than a history tour!"
Emma says, "This is way better than a history tour!"
Gladiator training: Turtle formation
Gladiator training: Turtle formation
Satisfied with her training, Emma shows us her shield.
Satisfied with her training, Emma shows us her shield.
Emma's gladiator team races against Thom's to see which team will assemble their weapons first.
Emma's gladiator team races against Thom's to see which team will assemble their weapons first.
Thom's Gladiator team wasn't faring as well.
Thom's Gladiator team wasn't faring as well.
And Emma's team is victorious!
And Emma's team is victorious!
But eventually they prevailed!
But eventually they prevailed!
Dressed like a gladiator, Thom is ready for business.
Dressed like a gladiator, Thom is ready for business.
Thom prepares for a fight to the death...or until they serve cake.
Thom prepares for a fight to the death...or until they serve cake.

Technology

Modern Day: Clothes dryrers are not common in Europe because they consume so much energy, and are expensive to operate.
Modern Day: Clothes dryrers are not common in Europe because they consume so much energy, and are expensive to operate.
In an age where cable companies are digging up American neighborhoods to bury fiber optic cables, aerial antennaes are still common in Rome.
In an age where cable companies are digging up American neighborhoods to bury fiber optic cables, aerial antennaes are still common in Rome.
This is how Amazon gets delivered in Venice.
This is how Amazon gets delivered in Venice.
This is how first century Roman fast food was sold. The plaster contains a large bronze pot with a small fire pit below it. Pre-prepared food would have been stored in the pots, covered with the wooden top, and with the coals below to keep it warm. An ancient Thermos.
This is how first century Roman fast food was sold. The plaster contains a large bronze pot with a small fire pit below it. Pre-prepared food would have been stored in the pots, covered with the wooden top, and with the coals below to keep it warm. An ancient Thermos.
Pompei - Roman streets were always wet and filthy, so large stones were used by pedestrians to cross without getting their togas dirty. The gaps on either side allow the chariot wheels to pass and the stones are low enough not to hit the wagon axles. The first crosswalk.
Pompei - Roman streets were always wet and filthy, so large stones were used by pedestrians to cross without getting their togas dirty. The gaps on either side allow the chariot wheels to pass and the stones are low enough not to hit the wagon axles. The first crosswalk.