jonathantower

Veni, Vidi, Vichi

jonathantower — Sun, 12 Oct 2008 00:00:00 GMT

After spending a day visiting the Vatican and more ruins in Ostia Antica (similar to Pompei), we made our way back home. We survived with just two backpacks, double beds made up of two singles pushed together and elevators one size too small.

We spent the last 24 hours flying from Rome to Frankfurt to Montreal to Moncton, and we are glad to be back home.

In the footsteps of Julius Cesear

jonathantower — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Rome was amazing. For our first morning in Rome, we started a walking tour of ancient Rome. The first stop was the grandiose Colosseum. We then continued on through the Roman Forum, where Julius Cesear once roamed.

At the end of our walking tour of ancient Rome was the incredible Pantheon, with its perfect Dome.

We then took a bus tour of the city, before continuing on a night walk. The walk lead us to the spanish steps, taking us through the Trevi Fountain.

Absolutely beautiful.

Pompei Ruins

jonathantower — Thu, 09 Oct 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Leaving Sorrento for Rome, we stopped to visit the Ruins of Pompei. Just outside of Naples, Pompei was a bustling port town during the peak of the Roman Empire. One day, the nearby volcano Mt. Vesuvius erupted, killing 2000 of the city[s 20 000 inhabitants.

Today, the ruins have been excavated, and people can move freely within the city walls to get a first hand look at what life was like in these times. Molds have been cast where the bodies used to be under the volcanic eruption.

Amalfi

jonathantower — Wed, 08 Oct 2008 00:00:00 GMT

De La Spezia, nous avons pris le train vers Sorrento, qui a nécessité une connection à Naples. Sorrento est sur la cote Ouest dans le Sud de l'Italie. C'est la porte d'entré à la cote Amalfi. Nous avons choisi une chambre avec une vue (et une douche!) pour bien nous reposer à ce point ci du voyage. La vue de notre hotel était spectaculaire. Voici Anouk qui déjeune sur la terasse de l'hotel.

Le matin, nous avons pris un autobus sur le long de la cote Amalfi. Quelle expérience! Le bus suivait la cote au bord d'une falaise avec plusieurs croches. Après avoir visité Amalfi Town, nous avons pris un bateau vers Positano, afin de retourner vers Sorrento. Tous ces villes sont situés dans les falaises, et grimpent les montagnes. Voici Positano:

Via Dell'Amore

jonathantower — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 00:00:00 GMT

The Via Dell'Amore (Lover's Lane) links the two Cinque Terre towns of Riomaggiore and Vernazza. It runs along the cliffside. Lover's are encouraged to place a lock on the rails in the center of the Lane.

Anouk and I took a stroll one night to place our lock.

More Cinque Terre

jonathantower — Sun, 05 Oct 2008 00:00:00 GMT

I've made my way today to Vernazza for some Internet Access, one of the five towns in the Cinque Terre. (P.S. This is the view from the train station that I talked about.)

For all those canadians wonder what the weather is like, it's always been perfect. Which makes you realize why no one here talks about the weather (there's nothing to say). It's a very bearable hot in the day (low 20's) and cool nights (16-19).

Here is a view from our place above a pizzeria in Riomaggiore.

Venezia per Cinque Terre

jonathantower — Sat, 04 Oct 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Pour notre derniere soiree a Venise, nous avons pris une tournee en gondole. C'etait dispensieux, mais ca vaut le prix. (nous avons des videos interessantes de cette aventure!).

Le matin suivant, nous sommes dirigé vers le Cinque Terre. C'était plus long que prévu, et nous étions contents d'etre arrivé. La vue de la cote en arrivant a Riomaggiore (la premiere au Cinque Terre) est magnifique, et nous a fais oublié la longue journee en train.

Je me suis rendu a Monterosso, la derniere ville de Cinque Terre pour avoir acces à l'internet, pendant que Anouk se repose a l'hotel. En se promenant, tu peux entendre plusieurs gens qui avouent qu'ils ont tombé en amour avec cette place. Déja, le suggère plus que Venise!

Venice by Day

jonathantower — Thu, 02 Oct 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Our first full day in Venice was wonderful. We visited mostly the Rialto Bridge and San Marco Square. At the piazza, we visited the Meseo Correr, San Marcos Basilica, Doges Palace and caught the most wonderful view in the Bell Tower.

We also spent a lot of time dodging pigeons

Planes, Trains, Buses & Boats

jonathantower — Wed, 01 Oct 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Getting to Rome was the easy part! After arriving, we took a train to Termini station, where we roamed around and found some cheap Pizza. We then made our way to Venice, which took one train, a bus, another bus to a plane, a plane and another bus. Needless to say, we were exhausted.

First Stop

jonathantower — Tue, 30 Sep 2008 00:00:00 GMT

The first stop of our trip brings us to Pearson International in Toronto, after a short jump from Moncton. We will be taking the overnight flight straight to Rome, Where we will arrive mid-morning.

Packing Light

jonathantower — Sun, 28 Sep 2008 00:00:00 GMT

2 days left before we leave and we are all packed. We kept our luggage to 2 35-litre backpacks so we can skip the baggage check!