I'm so happy that you learned to love Florence.

Each time I go back, I'm saddened to find even more graffiti. Seems like it's every square inch, now.

Our shopping trips are similar. :) I've found great ties for DH, watercolors, leather (last time I splurged on a purse and matching gloves), great carry-on bag, etc, etc.

Did you make it up the hill, by the gardens, on the other side of Ponte Vecchio? It has the faux David. It's the most breathtaking view I've ever seen. The minute I saw the Ponte and the colors of the buildings, from up there, I knew that the au courant palettes of cool tones and minimalism would never be for me.

Travel can certainly affect decorating decisions.

Glad you had a great time and didn't have to be there during their last brutal heat wave.

Darnit, no, we didn't see the area you mentioned. I remember crossing the bridge and DH saying, 'there's not much else over here, let's go back the way we came.' Oh well. I did love the colors in that area, though, so I know just what you're talking about. I've always preferred reds and golds and greens anyway, so the colors all over the places we visited all really appealed to me.

Off to put my little watercolors in frames! I really almost felt guilty paying only 5 and 10 euros for these works of art.

Sounds like you had a great time.
We're planning on going to Rome and Sicily next April and we're trying to work Venice and Florence into the trip. Wish me luck.

Great photos! Sounds like you had a great time! Everyone who visits just goes on and on about how beautiful Italy is... So the birds just land on you? Do you invite them? I don't see other people in the background wearing birds. LOL!

DH has cousins in Italy. Our American cousins have visited them and the Italian cousins have visited us but we have yet to visit them. Someday we will.

Gorgeous! and funny you had those opinions about the two cities -- the only time I've been, back in 1983, I have distinctly *opposite* memories. Florence was gorgeous and fascinating, and Venice was smelly (esp. the canals), dirty, overridden with sick maggot-ridden starving cats that I saw someone actually pick up and kick like a goalie with a soccer ball--through my tears I gave him what for in English and he laughed at me with his friends...I loved Florence and seriously hated Venice.

How did you like the food? I remember never having a bad meal once in Italy, not *once*.

fly, that is so interesting. At least for our visit, Venice was pristine, not smelly or dirty or anything like that. No cats that we saw! Guess they've done some work in that city. Florence was covered in graffiti and we had to watch where we stepped because people let their dogs poop right on the sidewalks. However, as I said, after the first day, I got over that for the most part.

golddust, the birds in this particular spot are very 'tame' and if you offer them a bit of food, they will land right on you and stay a while. I have probably 20 pictures of birds sitting on me and the kids in various poses. They were doing it with anyone who offered them a crust of bread or whatever.

We never had a bad meal, either. Of course we were traveling with kids, so we didn't go anywhere fancy. Lots of pasta and pizza! And gelato. One night we did HAVE to go to Harry's Bar and get a Bellini (15 euros each, cough cough). Left the kids at the hotel for a couple of hours (oldest is 17, so we could have gone out more often, but we were all ready to crash by about 9:30 every night -- we were up early and going all day).

Yet another reason for not going to Venice in the summer. The canals do smell.

I forgot if you went to Rome. Not one of my favorite cities, but was interested in your take.

It's great to read about Italy, I feel in love on my first trip in 2001, and went back twice since then. We rented homes in Tuscany twice. We had almost a week in Venice and it was too much, I loved it but could have done with 3 days max. We actually walked for hours and sat in parks and saw more of where the locals live, that was nice. Florence is my favorite I have to admit; it has a lot to offer and is smaller than Rome. We were in Rome only 48 hours, I really do want to go back, DH not so much. We did a mini vatican tour with a private guide, who whisked us through , in a good way. I'd want to explore where the romans live, where they shop, etc...

The most annoying thing for me were the itinerant fake designer purse sellers, everywhere !! I don't know why they don't chase them away in a sterner way. I'm against that whole concept so it irks me big time.

Food is amazing everywhere, I agree with that, from mid to high end, we had wonderful meals. Quatro Stagione pizza I had for lunch almost every day and never tired of it. Gelato did not taste different than the stores we have here, Montreal is very cosmopolitan for food.

Paris is still my favorite city of all times though, as far as walking miles and miles and being in awe of everything. Maybe it's because I've been there many times and it feels more familiar.

I'm glad you had a wonderful trip, you are braver than me, I did not want the pigeons on me at all.

No, we didn't go to Rome. We had limited time and didn't want to lug everything to 3 different locations. I've heard very mixed reviews about Rome, but would like to see it someday.

Paris is my favorite city, too. Have been there only once but I am happy to say that DH and I are going there in May for our 20th anniversary! Our first time in 18 years to have a week alone, no kids. Woohoo!

"Paris is my favorite city, too. Have been there only once but I am happy to say that DH and I are going there in May for our 20th anniversary! Our first time in 18 years to have a week alone, no kids. Woohoo!"

If Paris is your favorite city, I wouldn't worry that you missed Rome. They're like night and day.

Paris in May...you lucky dog! :)

Sue, you must be livin' right :) When you go, please share any and all details.

I lived in Paris when I was young, and go back fairly regularly--I love that city. But I also love, love, love Rome. It is a real "living" city, the food is incredible, and the ruins are fabulous. I highly recommend it. Plus, in Rome, you have Italians! Can't beat it.

I was inRome for the first time two years ago, also visited Venice, Florence, Lake Como where we rented a villa.
Loved seeing Rome, and relatives that live in the city. The feeling you get when you look at the ancient buildings and the Coliseum..oh my God...I got goosebumps . Truly an amazing city to visit. So much history..
June

Thank you for posting! We are planning a European vacation...but can't seem to find just the right time.

About the exchange rate: how bad is it? For example, how much would you spend for lunch, or a taxi ride?

Beautiful pics!

The exchange rate is horrible.

1Â equals around $1.50. Then add in the cost your credit card company charges for the exchange. Think it's something like 3%.

Sooo, if you stayed at a hotel that charges 200Â a night, you'd be coughing up $350.

It's good news for the Europeans, though. They come over here and spend like drunken sailors. :)

postum, hard to answer your question because I think we took only one taxi ride, and I can't recall how much it was. Lunch is so variable, but I'll tell you that on the first day we arrived (overnight flight, so we were exhausted), we sat at a cafe in Venice outside. I had coffee, DH had a beer I think, kids each had a soda, and I believe we had 2 medium-sized pizzas. Maybe three, but they were small. First of all, often when you sit down at all you pay extra, but I also think in some places, sitting outside also costs extra. Anyway, we were so foggy we didn't pay much attention to the prices on the menu, but when the bill came for our lunch, it was 80 euros. So... about $130 for lunch!? We were more careful after that....

It was an expensive trip, no doubt about it. But it was amazing.

DH and I spent two weeks in Rome in October. We saved big by renting an apartment. I wasn't sure how I'd feel about having the option of eating in rather than out on a vacation, but it worked out great! We could have our coffee and breakfast fast and cheap and then start the day at the pace we needed for our plans. Lunch was out, and then often by dinner I was too tired to even WANT to go out to eat. So we would hit the neighborhood grocery for fresh pasta and sauce or often just cheese, wine and snacks. It was also fun to shop locally for food. I recommend doing your homework for restaurant tips on sites such as Chowhound. It's easy to spend a lot on mediocre meals, especially in the more touristy areas. We ate some great meals for about 80E, including wine, and some less than stellar for the same price. No taxis, we used the Metro and walked a lot - had to work off all the gelato, which is about 2 - 3 E for a medium. (Notice I remember how much THAT cost!)