Sunday, April 17, 2011

Europe 2011

Brett on Spanish Steps in Rome

Brett, Barry and I went to Europe for two weeks during Spring Break this year. It is Brett's last year in High School so we thought that we'd take one trip together because who knows when we will take another one.

We went to London for 4 days, Paris for 4 days, Venice for 3 days and Rome for 4 days. It was marathon touristing! We wanted to take in as much as we could.London: saw 2 shows (We Will Rock You and Wicked), all the regular stuff (Wesminster Abbey, Parliment Buildings, Buckingham Palace), got lost trying to find the British Museum and the Globe Theater, went on a day bus tour to Windsor Castle, Stonehenge and Bath.

Paris: Went to Louvre, saw Eiffel Tower (day and night, but too busy to go up), walked to top of Arch du Triumphe, went to Montmartre, Louvre, and saw a very cool light show on Notre Dame. Brett met up with a High School friend who happened to be in Paris also. Funniest thing that happened was when we first arrived off of the chunnel train and then tried to get on the subway at Gare du Nord our luggage got stuck in the turnstile.

Venice: When we arrived in Venice, the first thing Brett said was "this is a good gimick!". Venice is strange. Took the boat-bus to St Mark's Square to find out hotel. We got an upgrade and quite a fancy hotel room. It rained a bit on the first day. Barry and Lynn went to where we were married 19 years ago and got a picture. Grande Canal and Rio Alto Bridge in the background.

Took a helicopter ride over the city on the second day - that was very cool!

Lynn and Brett at Colleseum

Rome: Our legs burned we walked so much. Saw all the sites. Joined a tour for the Vatican and that was worth it. Best thing for me was the Sistine Chapel (no photos allowed). Good stories about the difference between Michaelangelo, Raphaeal and DaVinci all living at the same time. Wow! Also, the subway system in Rome is pretty minimal because any time they did to build more, they find more ruins.

Great weather, great company and and great trip!!!