Street Scenes

Milano

 

Sirmione

Verona

Venezia

Ravenna

Roma

 

So I think these pictures are worth many thousands of my words, but I thought I'd mention my favorite things about the architecture of Italy: the bright, varied colors of the buildings, the balconies and flowerboxes, the narrow cobblestone streets, the roof tiling, the history and age of everything. Often confusing to navigate, but so much fun to wander. It's very conducive to just giving up on directions (when the road name has changed five times) and just finding your way as you go, letting you get lost in looking and discovering.

Ravenna

I discover on our last morning in Venice before leaving for Ravenna that I actually like coffee. At least, I like cappuccino, which is mostly milk and (I add) sugar. Still, I'm sure my conversion to liking a source of caffeine will come in handy in the future.

I love the maze - all of the patterns were pretty incredible.

Once in Ravenna, mosaic heaven, we hit all the main places (all five holes punched on our tickets), plus Dante's tomb. I mainly stared upwards in awe. Green, blue, and above all, gold. I learned that Klimt was inspired by the Basilica di San Vitale here, and it pretty much explains his style for me. 
 

 Basilica ceiling

Klimt's Portrait of Adele Bloch-Bauer

Also at the Basilica (my favorite of the sites) are the famous Justinian and Theodora mosaics, adding to my happy art history moments of this trip.

Even the street signs are mosaics. 

The church right next to Dante's tomb has sunk over the years - this vault is directly below the altar, and what was the original mosaic floor is now a goldfish pond.

Leaning Towers

Pisa’s not the only place with a leaning tower. Apparently quite a few buildings in Italy were built on marshy foundations. Seems to apply to some of their politicians too.

(First tower in Venice, other two in Ravenna)