Moon over Lago di Garda, SirmionePeschiera, a town on Lago di GardaFortifications on Lago di GardaPeschiera, Lago di GardaMonte Baldo, cable carA hazy day on Monte BaldoAlpine scene from Monte BaldoMonte BaldoTop of Monte Baldo
Orvieto was our first stop – the Duomo di Orvieto; Cattedrale di Santa Maria AssuntaDetail of the facade of the duomoOrvieto is an Umbrian hill town – this is a view of the town from our hotelTypical street scene in OrvietoLooking down into St. Patrick’s Well (Pozzo di San Patrizio), built by order of Pope Clement VII. He took refuge in Orvieto during the sack of Rome in 1527 (by the Holy Roman Emperor Charles V) – Clement thought that the water supply would be inadequate if there was a siegeLooking up from the bottom of the well. It is 174 feet deep, with 248 steps in two circular staircases (one for descending, one for ascending)One interesting thing about Orvieto is that there is a vast underground system of tunnels and caves – many of the chambers were used as dovecotes. The doves could fly out during the day and feed themselves – they were a sort of substitute for chickensClassic view over MontepulcianoBagno Vignoni, which has a pool rather than a central square or plazaSienaDuomo di Siena, with the black and white patternDuomo di Siena – a better look at the black and white patternDuomo di Siena – the interior also has the black and white patternDuomo di SienaVineyard in Tuscany
I didn’t know that birds built nests in cactiArizona Sonora Desert MuseumArizona Sonora Desert MuseumArizona Sonora Desert MuseumArizona Sonora Desert Museum
The London Eye (or the Millennium Wheel)Proper cider at a food market near the Royal Festival HallThe FitzWilliam Museum, CambridgeSt. Benet’s Church, Cambridge – the tower dates from the 11th centuryCoventry Cathedral (St. Michael’s Cathedral) – bombed in WWII and left as a sort of monumentThere are a number of symbols of reconciliation on the grounds of the destroyed churchThe Statue of Reconciliation – similar statues are held in Hiroshima, in Northern Ireland, and in BerlinStatue of Lady Godiva – yes, that oneThe few remains of St. Mary’s Priory, CoventryThe Coventry Transport Museum – Coventry was the center of British car manufacturing, although I don’t think that any manufacturing still takes place here. The day I visited, there was a car show going on with several American cars on display.The Telford Madeley Court Hotel, where I stayed – a 16th century manor house. Most of the hotel proper is behind this gatehouse – the gatehouse is now used for conferencesSt. Paul’s and the Millennium Bridge in early morning lightTower Bridge in the morning lightThe remains of St. Dunstan’s in the East – medieval church bombed in WWII. Never rebuilt, it now serves as a quiet space in the middle of London – a nice place to sit for a few minutesThe ceiling of St. Mary Abchurch – another medieval church in LondonSt. Bride’s Church – yet another medieval church in London – alleged to be the inspiration for the now traditional wedding cake (a white, tiered cake)Leadenhall Market – I was there early (before most of the shops opened). Dates from the 14th century, located in the City of London financial district – the stores are strictly upscaleArchitectural detail from Leadenhall MarketThe Parish Church of St. Michael Cornhill – a medieval church tucked in between more modern buildings in LondonThe National Gallery of Art, London – last day of this trip.
To see photos from the aviation museums that I visited on this trip, go to the Aviation link and look for the UK aviation museums.
Gallerie degli Uffizi (Uffizi Gallery) – FlorencePonte Vecchio (from the Uffizi Gallery), FlorenceDante Aligherio’s tomb in the Basilica di Santa Croce, FlorenceGalileo’s tomb, Basilica di Santa Croce, FlorenceBasilica di Santa Croce, FlorenceMichaelangelo’s David – Galleria dell’Accademia, ForenceStreet scene, Cattedrale di Santa Maria del Fiore (Cathedral of St. Mary of the Flower), FlorenceDinner, FlorenceCeiling of the Cappelle Medicee (Medici Chapel), at the Basilica di San Lorenzo, FlorenceMedici Chapel, FlorenceFlorence skyline at duskBottega Conviviale – dinner, Florence
Rialto Bridge, VeniceThe Grand Canal, VeniceWalking to the AirBnB – Venice – easy to get lost!Seafood market, early morning – VeniceTypical canal – VeniceBasilica Cattedrale Patriarcale di San Marco (St. Mark’s Basilica) from the lagoon, VenicePonte dei Sospiri (Bridge of Sighs) from the lagoon, VeniceStreet scene, Murano (island in the Venetian Lagoon)Burano (another island in the Venetian Lagoon), famous for its colorful buildingsA closer look at the Ponte dei Sospiri (Bridge of Sighs) – the Doge’s Palace is to the leftPiazza San Marco, from atop the BasilicaVenice from atop the CampanileSt. Mark’s Basilica in late afternoon lightDetail of St. Mark’s Basilica – the Horses of St. Mark. These are replicas; the originals are kept inside the Basilica in the museum. The originals date to Classical Antiquity (they may have once been on the Arch of Trajan)Another Venetian cityscapePonte dell’Accademia (Accademia Bridge) – near the Gallerie dell’Accademia (art museum)A final Venetian cityscape
Travels and Doings 