Milan
Approaching Sforza Castle, a 15th century fortification, now a museum.
Fortified walls of the Sforzesco Castle with the Coat of arms over the entry gate.
Towers dominate the corners of the square plan layout of the castle.
Remnants of the Coat of arms of the House of Visconti. The serpent, a biscione is featured on the Alfa Romeo Logo and has become a symbol of Milano.
Inside the central courtyard of Castello Sforzesco.
School of Applied Art of the Castello Sforzesco.
Castello Sforzesco's moat.
Needle and thread artwork in front of the train station.
Canals are no longer used for shipping but sightseeing tours are run in the summer.
Monument to the Bersagliere (Corps of the Italian Army)
Porta Sempione - The Simplon Gate is located at the center of a wide round square known as "Piazza Sempione" (Simplon Square). It is adjacent to the Simplon Park, the main city park of Milan, which was designed with the explicit intent of providing panoramic views encompassing both the Arch and the nearby Sforza Castle.
Duomo di Milano (Milan Cathederal), the largest church in Italy.
Milano Cathedral's interior
Leadlight windows depict a bloody period.
Piazza del Duomo looking towards Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, Italy's oldest active shopping mall
Piazza del Duomo looking towards Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II.
Under the central dome of Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II - the world's oldest mall.
Tiled mosaic displaying Milano's Coat of Arms under the central dome of Galleria Vittorio.
A nearby statue of Leonardo ponders the future.
The external facade of Porta Nuova medieval city gate built in the 12th century.
Famous Italian fashion brand.
Milano Centrale - Train station.
Teatro alla Scala or Milan Opera House
Soragana - we visit the commune of Busseto home of Verdi and Parmigiano Reggiano.
A beautiful rustic setting as we travel towards the commune of Busseto.
Famous regional produce - Parmigiano Reggionno, yummy.
The sign says it all. Verdi, Soragana's famous son.
Terrace houses of Busseto.
A statue of Verdi with the Rocca Pallavicino behind in the commune of Busseto.
Shaded walkways provide a cool pathway to Bar Cafe Grande.
Perusing the treats of Bar Cafe Grande
A deserted piazza..... not even the lure of gelato is enough to coax the people from their mid-day siesta.
Parma in the northern Italian region of Emilia-Romagna famous for its architecture, music, art, prosciutto, cheese and surrounding countryside;
and
Modena for some vintage Balsamic Vinegar .
The beautiful countryside of Emilia-Romagna, a region famous for its prosciutto andcheese.
Prosciutto...!
Sampling the local produce....... prosciutto and cheeses washed down by fine regional wines.
Passing through Palazzo della Pilotta into the old town on a wet day.
The ancient tower of St. Paul modified into a war monument to those who died in all wars is prominent amongst the street cafes'.
Parma Baptistery towering over the surrounding buildings, including the cathedral next door.
Locals chat in front of the Baptistery.
Exquisite interior of the cathedral.
Exquisite interior of the cathedral.
Treasured artworks and artifacts everywhere you look.
Sanctuary of Santa Maria della Steccata.
Modena - Leonardi, home of fine balsamic vinegar.
An old wine press displayed proudly beside the main entry, a reminder of the family's past traditions.
Another reminder of bygone days.
Traditional balsamic vinegars are made from reduced grape must aged for several years in a series of wooden barrels, the finest are produced exclusively in the province of Modena.
Ancient barrels and a mini-canon.
Barrels of liquid gold age gracefully over time.
Contents of these barrels are up to one hundred years old, put down by the owner's grandfather.
Maranello a town known worldwide as the home of Ferrari and Scuderia Ferrari Formula One racing team.
Maranello - A couple of classic beauties as we enter the museum
Stepping back in time.
Cher ....."I can definitely picture myself sitting in there."
The famous prancing horse.
Enzo Ferrari 2002 model
Cher has her eye on a Dino246 GT.
.......or maybe this as a Silver anniversary gift?
599 SA Aperta - 2010.
458 Italia - Blistering fast in canary yellow.
Ferrari 599XX - first ever production-derived sports car to break the 7-minute barrier on the classic 20.832 km Nordschleife circuit, lapping in 6 min 58.16 sec.
Brembo for the carbon-ceramic brakes, Michelin for the tyres..
What the other drivers saw ... the tail of the beast.
F40 Mid-engine coupe 1987.
Who can............ Sandeman can!!!
Ferrari 512M (5L 12 cylinder engine) sports racer.
Elite beasts of their F1 elite stable.
2004 Driver and constructor champion.
Lucca, a city and comune in the Tuscany region famous for its intact Renaissance Walls surrounding the old city area.
Locals and tourists promenade along the fortified walls dating back to the Renaissance era surrounding the old city area of Lucca.
One of the entry gates to the old city area.
Umbrellas feature as we set out to explore the old city of Lucca, in the background the Bascillica of San Frediano.
Piazza Anfiteatro lies beyond this non-descript alley, one of four gateways to the piazza.
Piazza Anfiteatro is almost deserted after a heavy downpour.......
Buildings surrounding the piazza follow the elliptical shape of the second century Roman Amphitheater of Lucca.
Each piazza boasts its own church .........
The bell tower of Cattedrale di San Martino soars high above the piazza.
The facade of Duomo di Lucca, Cattedrale di San Martino - a vast portico of three magnificent arches, and above them three open galleries adorned with sculptures.
Piazza and walled gardens in front of Lucca Cathederal.
San Michele in Foro a Roman Catholic Church built over the ancient Roman Forum.
Unexpectedly we cross a narrow canal running through the old city.
A patch of green on the streets of Lucca.
Genoa, Located on the Gulf of Genoa in the Ligurian Sea, it has historically been one of the most important ports on the Mediterranean.
On our journey we pass this picturesque fortified village perched on a hilltop.
We arrive in Genoa, capital of Liguria Region and home of Christopher Columbus. Ahead is the monumental bridge.
Porta Soprana is the best known gate in the ancient Genoa city walls.
About to pass through Porta Soprana to explore the old city area.
the cloisters of Saint Andrea, the only remains of the Saint Andrea dell Porta Monastery.
A famous son of Genoa, Christopher Columbus. Part of the brick façade is all that remains today.
This monument to Christopher Colombus stands proudly in Piazza Aquaverde, Genoa (1834-1914)
The Church of St. Stephen above the porticoes of the upper part of Via XX Settembre.
Exploring the streets, historic buildings and cafes of the old city area.
Exquisie courtyards await when you leave the street.
A spectacular courtyard grotto greets us when we get inside.
Another beautiful courtyard of grand proportions.
Carabinieri, splendid in their uniforns casually observe proceedings.
The leisurely pace of piazza life in Genoa.
The striking facade of St Lawrence's Cathedral.
..and its interior rich with black and white marble.
The Italian Riveria is a must see destination and we visit the tourist towns of Santa Margherita Liguria, Portofino and Monterosso al Mare, the last of the five villages along the Cinque Terre strip.
Cher is delighted with the panoramic view from our hotel balcony.
An eclectically styled villa perched on the foreshore.
The view from our boat towards the village. Our hotel the five level villa on the left end fronting the esplanade.
Reminders of a grand era of bygone splendor.
Grand Villas are perched precariously on the edge of cliffs.
Beauriful coastline of the Italian Riveria.
The famous "Piazzetta" is the heart of fashionable Portofino, it overlooks the picturesque harbor.
Mingling with the beautiful people at harbour side cafe.
Pebble patterns draw you towards the church of San Giorgio (St George to you).
San Giorgio church perches precariously on rocks.
Morgan Aero 8, a modern a classic.
Toys of the rich and fameous.....
A day trip to Monterosso al Mare, the westernmost of the Cinque Terre.
Monterosso is located at the center of a small natural gulf, to the east of Punta Mesco in the Riviera of La Spezia.
Enjoying the beach Italian style.
The beach is the only extensive sand beach in the Cinque Terre.
Cheers, its been a big day.
Monterosso is divided into two distinct parts: the old and the new towns divided by a single tunnel that caters to pedestrians and the very few cars.
Waiting for our train back to Santa Margherita.
Turin, capital of the Piedmont Region also home to the Museo Egizio, one of the most impressive collections of Egyptian artefacts in the world.
The Palantine Gate, one of the best preserved 1st-century BC Roman gateways.
Baroque façade of Palazzo Carignano.
Piazza San Carlo - equestrian statue of Emanuele Filiberto (known to all as “El Caval èd brons”).
Monumento a Carlo Alberto in front of Museo Nationale Risorgimento.
Stepping over the symbol of Turin.
Palazzo Madama.
Filippo Juvarra’s stairway inside Palazzo Madama.
The Torre Littoria, the first high-rise building in Turin.
A glimpse of Borgo Medievale.
The river Po with the symbol of Turin, the Mole Antonelliana, and Snow capped Alps in the distance.
One of the first Fiat 500 bodies on display at the Fiat Lingotto factory.
Spiral roadway to move cars up to a higher level of the former Fiat Lingotto factory in Turin.
The Clocktower entrance into the Palace of Venaria.
The Royal Palace of Venaria viewed from the gardens.
The Royal Palace of Venaria gardens viewed from the Palace terrace.
The Royal Palace of Venaria - the Galleria Grande connects with the Kings apartment block.
The Royal Palace of Venaria - inside the Kings apartments.
The Royal Palace of Venaria - inside the Chapel of St Hubert.
Chaple of St Hugo's ornate marble and stucco ornamental font.
Prato, Prato is Tuscany's second largest city (after Florence) where we join company with Glenn, Leanne and Tracy before travelling to Sicily.
Piazza San Francesco, Prato.
Chiostro di san Francesco.
Glenn, Tracy and Cheryl in the Chiostro di San Francesco (St Francis Cloisters).
Fontana del Bacchino in front of the Palazzo Pretorio.. Formerly the old city hall.
Statue of Francesco Datini in front of the Palazzo Pretorio (Brick building to the left).
The Bisenzio (river), a tributary of the Arno, flows adjacent the 14th century walls of the old city.
Bridge crossing the Bisenzio into the old city of Prato.
San Francesco (St. Francis) a Gothic-style, Roman Catholic church in the historic center of Prato.
Pulpit of Donatello.
Florence.
Florence - the Arno River looking towards Ponte Vecchio with Ponte Santa Trinita in front.
Ponte Veccio in the moonlight.
Tracy on the Arno - Ponte Veccio backdrop.
Nightlife on the streets of Florence.
Arno River looking south from Ponte Vecchio.
Behind the scenes, the rear view of shops on the Ponte Vecchio.
Window shopping on Ponte Veccio.......
Cher, Glenn and Tracy on the banks of the Arno.
A night out in Florence.
Mmm!!!...Bistecca alla Fiorentina
Rome
The Ara Pacis Augustae ( "Altar of Augustan Peace") - to honor the return of Augustus to Rome after three years in Hispania and Gaul, dates to 9 BC.
Mausoleum of Hadrian, usually known as Castel Sant'Angelo. Leading to it is Ponte Sant'Angelo.
Castel Sant'Angelo from the bridge of the same name. The top statue is of Michael the Archangel.
Courtyards inside the Castel walls.
Amphorae - Terracotta wine storage.
Tiber river bridges looking south from Castel San'Angelo.
Trevi fountain, the fountain at the junction of three roads (tre vie) marks the terminal point of the Acqua Vergine. One of the aqueducts that supplied water to ancient Rome.
Trevi fountain, the largest Baroque fountain in the city and one of the most famous fountains in the world.
About to make a wish at the Trevi.
Victor Emmanuel II Monument.
The Fontana dell'Acqua Felice, also called the Fountain of Moses. It marked the terminus of the Acqua Felice aqueduct restored by Pope Sixtus V.
The church of Santa Maria degli Angeli is situated on the the site of the former (ruins) Diocletian Baths AD 306. The church was the last structure built by Michelangelo.
Piazza dell'Esquilino with the apse area of Santa Maria Maggiore. Oblisk Esquiline in the foreground.
Our first glimpse of the Colosseum as we approach via coach.
The Colosseum arguably the most impressive building of the Roman Empire. Originally known as the Flavian Amphitheater, it was the largest building of the era.
Cheryl with the Arch of Constantine in the background.
One of the entry gates accessing the ampitheatre.
The scale and magnitude inside are evidenced by hoards of tourists swallowed in the vast space. Up to 55,000 spectators could be accommodated.
Below the ground were rooms with mechanical devices and cages containing wild animals. The cages could be hoisted, enabling the animals to appear in the middle of the arena.
Temple of Venus and Rome - Ancient Rome's largest religious structure was built at the end of Forum Romanum, adjacent the colosseum.
Palantine Hill from Circus Maximus. Located in between the Colosseum and the Roman Forum, dating from the tenth century BC, it was on this hill that the Roman Empire began.
The Temple of Portunus (Italian: Tempio di Portuno) or Temple of Fortuna Virilis ("manly fortune").
St Peter's Bascilica from St Peter's Square.
One of many entrances into the Vatican City, the Coat of Arms of the Holy See formed in the keystone above.
Area Sacra dell'Argentina - remains of Roman architecture from the Republican era. It was in this area that Julius Caesar was killed on March 15, 44 BC.
The Spanish Steps dominated by the Trinità dei Monti church at the top from Piazza di Spagna.
Fontana della Barcaccia ("Fountain of the ugly Boat").
Flaminio Obelisk in the Piazza del Popolo.
