Italy

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  Top of the Leaning Tower of Pisa
  

Milan










We had a fantastic, yet wet time in Italy. We spent the first day in Milan. The church (duomo) was beautiful. We also happened upon a famous painting of Michelangelo that was on display for a short time. (completely by accident, but a great surprise.) From Milan we went to Venice. Dan and I had a lovely time there two summers ago and really wanted the kids to experience it. This time Venice was flooded and you had to walk on planks through the city. Wet, but amazingly still beautiful. The next day we went to Pisa, and all of us climbed up to the top of the Leaning tower of Pisa. Lots of stairs, yet worth the hike!! After Pisa it was Florence, we made it to see the famous statue of David. Quite a bit bigger then I thought. The city of Florence is breathtaking. Love just sitting in the little pizzeria's and just watching the locals. A suggestion by the hotel clerk at the American base in Pisa led us to a little town called Lucca on the way back from Florence. What a great recommendation. The Italians in each city had little Christmas Markets set up. (of course I love shopping!!!). Our final leg of the trip we spent in Turin. Thanks to Dan's good friend Filippo, we had a good idea of what to do and see. He even had one of his friends show us around a bit. In Turin we saw the Shroud of Turin. (where it is kept in a sealed vault, yet with a life size picture of it AMAZING!!) The shroud believed to have been worn by Jesus after dying on the cross. Turin also has the second largest Egyptian museum (second only to Cairo). They items in the museum such as real mummies vaults etc. Also took a panoramic evaluator ride to the top of the cinema museum with views of all of Turin including the Alps. Wonderful trip, and made even better with Filippo's help!! Now preparing for Christmas and the cruise!!