Florence

Well we're in Florence.... been here 3 days already, and will be staying more. this is an incredible city with history everywhere you look! We've had some fantistic meals, toured some incredible places (churches, palaces, Davd, more churches, etc), and seen lots of great stuff.

Take a look at all the pictures here: http://picasaweb.google.com/wacksmans

Bulk wine!!

bring your own jug. 3 bucks for a fill-up and it's dam tasty!

there was a huge prison in the palace. many people died there as the conditions were so bad

incredible collection of weapons and other war things in the armory of the palace. this armor was completely engraved and gilded in gold

the ceiling of the golden stairway in the palace

Doge's Palace in Venice

this was an incredible place. Where the Doge (like a president or king. elected for life and the symboic head of the Venetian state) lived, the government met, prisonsers were housed, etc. very incredible spot. everything was marble, gold, or a painting

glass blowing in Venice. on the left making glasses, on the right a very delicate glass chain. very cool to see in progress as there are hundreds of shops selling Murano glass in Venice

inside the bassilica. everything was gold mosaics. amazing

water busses in Venice. these things were packed with people and very fast. dam cool

Bassicillica in San Marco's square. when the tide comes up the put out walkways for people to use and keep their feet dry. this really concentrates all the people and makes for a pretty uncomfortable situation. seems to only last a couple hours though

although Venice was enarly over-run with tourists it was extremely cool. defintely one of the most unique places I've ever been.

Venice is beautiful

we took a staggering amount of photos in Venice. it was beautiful and both days we were there had perfect weather.
see them all here: http://picasaweb.google.com/wacksmans/RidingDay36And37VeniceAndFusina#

Verona to Venice in one day.

And yes, thats in miles. Game on!

Verona at dusk

Hey Marc.... need some cheese for your sandwich?

fantastic artwork... marble picture backlight wiht a light

Juliet's window from Shakespeares Romeo and Juliet. Built from an old sarcophagus

Roman collesum in Verona

still used to house the opera. pretty cool

Verona

Verona was one of our favorite big cities. we rolled in, got a hotel and went out exploring the city. beautiful spot, tons of people out enjoying the evening, and history everywhere you look!

Grape harvest

out in the countryside the grape harvest was in full swing. here goes Heather escorting next years white wine!

Finally some free internet access!

Castle in Sirmione, a small spit of land in the middle of Lago Di Garda. beautiful lunch stop on the way to Verona