Pisa

At the entrance of tower of Pisa 

We had a quick stop at Pisa. We were heading back from Sperlonga and en route to Rome we decided to stop at Pisa to go to see the Leaning Tower, other than that I am not sure what else is there around.

Leaning tower of Pisa: I have some co-workers who are located in Italy. I spoke to one of them before we decided to even choose Italy as one of our destinations. Astonishingly, while talking he mentioned "Why do you want to waste your time going to Pisa?" It sounded like a waste of time and the locals seem to not recommend it as much. He even said that its unnecessarily hyped! We still had to put it on our list of places to see, since we have all studied that in either history or geography.

Recommendations, Suggestions and Tips:

• You can book tickets to go to the top in advance to save a lot of time.
• They do have a minimum age limitation I believe ( 5+ years). So even if we had lot of time, we still wouldn't have been able to go since my son had just turned 5.
• The green garden is luscious and enjoy some rolling.
• Hold on to everything that is precious to you, cos, you could lose it in the blink of an eye.

Narration of personal incident:       Almost Lost a Part of me in Pisa

Sperlonga

Coastal View

It's a small coastal town. It was a fantastic surprise how quiet and cosy and beechy it was. Most people chose Amalfi coast for the coastal experience in Italy. When we planned out the trip I went to Italy map and started to spot pick the coastal towns. I couldn't exactly find much reviews for Sperlonga but whatever was there it was good enough for us to take the risk and it paid off very well. Besides we wanted to have something to talk about our trip that others may not have experienced in Italy so commonly. This is a good place where at you can end your vacation. The beach was enticing. The breeze and sound of waves will just make you feel like you got an oxygen treatment for your lungs. I and my son freaked out in the waters. We  didn't want to end. 

Coastal View, You can choose to see the crowd or its beauty 

Recommendations, Suggestions and Tips:

• Travelling to Sperlonga may be a little tricky/cumbersome/annoying if you are going to take the public transport. But its all worth it. The bus service from the Metro station to the town runs at the frequency of per hour. You literally have to use the push and shove technique to get in the bus. It was kind of fun though if you have a gang of folks helping and covering for you. If you can rent a car to drive from Rome, that would be a better choice. 
• The beach does have rocky areas in some spots but there were plenty of perfectly sandy areas too. 
• You will have to pay to rent a chair (recline) or umbrella.
• Lots of sunscreen is a must. 
• Our hotel (Hotel Ganimede) was not on the shore, but it was THE BEST, LUXURIOUS, CLEAN and EXTREMELY MODERN one. Large breakfast bar, they have room service, best shower with bath robes and all. Not one thing to complain. The ONLY hotel in our whole time in Italy we actually enjoyed staying. No, I am not paid for my recommendation.  
• There is a church/cathedral at the top of the hill near the beach. An evening walk with loved ones or just by yourself - through the town, up some incline and stairs you will end up with the best moment of your day or even your trip. Pictures speak a thousand words!

They call it the entrance to the beach. Love the colors in the water.

We loved the walk up the hill to the church/cathedral. 

View of the dock enroute to cathedral at the top of the hill

Other side of the dock (which is split by this rocky wall) is a calm place drown yourself in the view

Occasionally take the splashing showers

Sunset that we captured from top of the hill

The stairs that take you to the church on the hill is quite a workout

Something for the kids too

Night view of the promenade

Devouring Tiramisu

I couldn't resist putting pics of our hotel - Lobby 

Backside of our hotel room

The best moment of our trip captured for ever

Rome

Rome was certainly not built in a day and so a day is just not enough to see around. The city is way crowded. The traffic and the noise and pollution is a part of any other major cities. We got a B&B kind of place a few blocks away from the main train station. It wasn't good but it did serve our purpose at cheaper price than any hotel in the vicinity (but not that very cheap).

Colosseum: It is located bang smack in the middle of a busy road. It's right outside the Metro. But we took 2 buses from Vatican to reach here. Every bus that came by was full, we skipped a couple of those to see we may get lucky but people were swarming from nowhere. I hate standing so close and breathing onto someones face or have to smell a stranger in the bus. But sadly at times I had to. It was the busiest even though it was a weekend.

This where the brutality happened

Recommendations, Suggestions and Tips:

• You can do pre-booking in order to save time. We had to spend a long time in the queue and each ticket has a time slot on it and they will take folks in only if your ticket has the time slot they are letting people in. if you are early or late, you will have to wait.
• The place is again guarded so try not give any reason to them to doubt your behavior.
• We did not book a guide, instead we just walked around the group of people who had appointed a guide and we were just listening to catch some important notes. Sorry, that was not our intention, but its inevitable when the guide is talking so loud and you are in close proximity.
• Do take lot of water bottles. The time of the year and time of the day we had this planned out turned out super hot we all were getting quite dehydrated (often).
• We enjoyed feeding the pigeons that were flying around the vicinity while we were waiting for our time slot.
• We spent at least an hour and a half inside the colosseum and another hour and a half outside waiting for our turn because of our lack of due diligence in doing the pre-booking.

Carriage rides around the colosseum and probably a little around the city. It's a tad bit expensive.

A family pic

Spanish Steps and Trevi Fountain: We went to see these places (specifically Trevi) twice. One at day time and one at dark when the fountain is illuminated. Both has its own charm. Getting off the metro we 1st went to see Spanish steps, then walked a bit farther to see the fountain. The alley which we had to walk through to get to the steps from the Metro was a bit shady, but we did not had any trouble. As you approach the spanish steps you will see how crowded the place is. I mean where did all these people come from? I am not sure if its that important to see these steps, but it was more of a been there done that thing. The Trevi fountain is even more crowded that sometimes its even hard to get a good picture. The place near Trevi fountain is very very humid. You will notice the juxtaposition of the modern stores settled over the very characteristic cobblestone walkway.

Spanish Steps at night time

Recommendations, Suggestions and Tips:

• Visiting the fountain once during day time and once during night time has its own specific charm. So, I would highly recommend.
• The place is filled with drunkards so you may find some inappropriate behavior so be vigilant. At the same time don't let you bother so much about it.
• Kids love to play around the fountain that is in front of the Spanish steps and also go up and down the stairs.
• Spanish steps is more family friendly spot I would think.
• There is a horse carriage ride available near the Spanish steps, but they are way way too pricy. You can try to haggle but it was still not working for us. We just wanted to give our son an experience. The guys was charging us 50 Euro per person (which is like 150 Euro for 3) for a 30 min ride.
• The good thing about these 2 spots were that they are *FREE* no entry fee or any sort.

Cobble stone walk from Spanish steps to Trevi fountain

It's only human to have and make a wish

Vatican City

Did you know that Vatican City is a country of its own. So in true sense we covered one more country. I found that the Vatican Museum and Sistine Chapel are the top most to-see places when you visit (Rome) Italy. Although from my trip I did not get much out since we were there for just a few hours which we enjoyed being in the main viewing area (outdoor). I was also not much interested in looking Michelangelo's painting. But I really really wanted to capture the majesty of the architectural details at Pinacoteca, Bramante Staircase & St Peter's Basilica. I guess someday I will have to go back again. It was a 15 min walk from Metro to the Vatican. We could have waited for the bus, but then again short of time.
Recommendations, Suggestions and Tips:

• Vatican and surroundings are heavily guarded. So always carry your passports if in case they may ask you for identification.
• Starting your day early at the Vatican will give you enough time to explore in and around in a much fruitful way.
• Please care to book the tours online before hand. When I say before hand I meant when you plan your itinerary of your whole trip. Especially if you want to look for specific time slots and specific days. 
• Taking photographs are mostly not allowed within the Basilica/Chapel or near the paintings. People do sneak to do it anyways. If you get caught you may have to pay the price or erase the pictures if the guards ask you to do so. 

Columns at Vatican

I can't remember what this castle is but it was on the way we were walking from Vatican to bus stop to go see Rome Colosseum

Venice

You know which city (country) we are in when you see those :)

I could go on and on in this blog but I am forcing myself to contain. Everything you see and experience in Venice is all romance :). I always thought Venice is just a touristy place. I was surprised to see people take the water Taxi to go to work. No I am not talking about the local business. I am talking about the real working class having a briefcase with suit and tie and shoes. 

Recommendations, Suggestions and Tips:

• If you are at leisure take a long stay here in Venice. Because this place could be the one where you can clear your head and get some perspective to life without being in solitude.
• Rooms are expensive in Venice, but if you are on a budget find something on the innerside of the canal. They are relatively affordable. I don't know the pleasure or advantage of staying on the waters. 
• If you have huge luggages and your destination is not just Venice, then prefer staying at a hotel closer to the Metro, you will thank yourself later for this. Saves you a lot of time, energy and money (paying for the water taxi and taxing yourself).
• Taking a Gondola Ride is a must do activity (Especially in the evening). If you cannot afford a Private Gondola, there are local business that takes 2 couples on a Gondola ride. If you are a big family you might probably want to get a Private one. Works cheaper that way.
• Don't forget to experience the outdoor dining and wining by the quiet water side - It's one of a kind.
• Taking photographs is mostly not allowed within the Basilica/Chapel. People do sneak to do it anyways. If you get caught you may have to pay the price or erase the pictures if the guards ask you to do so. 
• We spent our whole day taking the water taxi around all the places - Rialto Bridge, St.Martin's Square, St.Martin's Basilica, Around Murano (for glass art) and just hopping around stops for some food and shopping. 
• I shopped around the kiosks near Rialto, St.Martin's  square and Murano for souvenirs. 
• There are many bridges that look exactly like the Rialto bridge, don't know why Rialto became a coveted one. 
• The st.Martin clock tower is also tilted just like tower of Pisa. You will only be able to figure that out when you cross St.Martin via water Taxi.
• Think of Water Taxi as busses. These are the only way to commute around venice. A day pass helps save time.

St.Martin Basilica (Basilica of San Marco)

St. Martin Square

           

Inside St.Martin's Basilica

You can buy tickets to go inside and up the Basilica and thats where I got this shot.

St.Martin square from the top of Basilica. Restaurants prepping for outdoor dining.

My picture is not showing enough the tilt of the tower but you would know when you see it in person.

Shopping center at St.Martin square. I only did window shopping

Our Gondola

No, this is not Rialto bridge. This is near to the Venice train station (closer to our hotel)

Yes, that is Rialto bridge

wow, do you see how they bend their backs and swoop across. Pefection

I don't know why, I just had to share this. Not that you see this everyday :)

Murano Glass sculpture

Murano Glass

A narrow street (somewhere in Murano)

Busy Venice Street

The left side building is our hotel

Oh, that is it. This is the size of our room :)

A little flaunting is a must - Come on we had to do that :)

Us at Traghetto Gondola ride (They do group rides and were cheaper). Had a wonderful experience with singers onboard.