Easter Vacation

The past two and a half weeks have been a whirlwind of traveling. Since there is no way for me to properly describe the places I've visited without spending several hours at my computer, I am going to have to take the easy way out and just construct a simple timeline of events and places...with pictures!!

March 25th: Bologna to Paris. Reunited with Joe, Rebecca, Peter, Paul, Aaron, two Sarahs, and Dave. Weekend of fun, including the Louvre, Versailles, crepes, and Sarah Rosenthal's 21st birthday. Shown below is our fondue dinner and the Eiffel Tower at night:



March 29th: Paris to Bologna with Joe. Showed Joe around my new home city! Below, me and Joe in Piazza Maggiore, followed by Joe with the tiramisu`



March 30th: Bologna to Venice with Joe. Took a tour of St. Mark's Basilica, the Ducal Palace, and Correr Museum, and enjoyed a peaceful night in a beautiful location. Below, me and Joe in front of the Rialto Bridge.


March 31st: Back to Bologna with Joe. Saw L'Elisir d'Amore at the Teatro Comunale and hung out with Christina, Beppe, and Luca. Next day, a hike up the hills around Bologna and a wonderful dinner. Below, see our hand-made tagliatelle alla bolognese:


April 2nd: Joe says bye and returns to Paris. Mom and Auntie Peggy arrive in Bologna. I give them an afternoon tour, and then we move on to Florence. My first time in Florence, I could not helped being wowed by the remarkable art and Renaissance history. Below, the famous Duomo, with the dome by Brunelleschi and the bell tower by Giotto.


April 3rd: Exceptional wine tasting excursion in the Chianti region of Tuscany. Beautiful, elegant, delicious countryside.


April 4th: Day trip to Pisa. Lovely central square (Piazza dei Miracoli). Obbligatory Leaning Tower photo below:


April 5th: Transfer to Rome, the Eternal City. Tour of the Roman Forum and Colosseum areas, and Vatican City. Saw a couple of special sites, including the special Caravaggio exhibit and the eerie Crypt of the Capuchin monks (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Cripta_Cappuccini.jpg). Below are a special view I found of the Forum, proof that my mother can make friends with anybody - even a random Dominican Friar - and proof that even the Trevi Fountain can become uncrowded if you wait until past midnight.




April 8th: Returned to Bologna by myself. Met Dave Jenkins later the same day. Day trip to Ferrara the next day! Sarah Rosenthal arrives on the 10th, and on the 11th we half watch and half sing along to the BUGS 2010 production of the Pirates of Penzance, the First-Ever BUGS International Simulcast. Below, the Este Castle of Ferrara... It has a moat and a draw-bridge.


April 12th: With the departure of Sarah this morning (nearly foiled by a bus workers strike), my marathon Easter vacation has come to a close. Today I did very little except post pictures and blog, though I did take a book out of the library...

And now it's time to act like a student again!