First Thoughts

I have a fair amount to say about Rome and Florence, and quite a few pictures that I'm quite pleased with. But this will be a short post for today with just some initial impressions. I'd never been to Italy before although I'd always wanted to. Having recently become interested in art, I was curious to see what Italy had to offer, and I wasn't disappointed. I come from a country where art is historically less important than say literature or theatre. So to go to a place where statues by Bernini and Michelangelo are just dotted around the streets was remarkable. You can't really get away from masterpieces in Rome, because Michelangelo's dome to the Vatican is visible nearly constantly and you keep on bumping into Bernini fountains. Even works by others such as the Trevi Fountain above, are breathtaking and abundant. And it's the baroque period that dominates the art and architecture of modern Italy. Very little is left of Imperial Rome, save for the Forum, Coliseum and Pantheon. But there's still enough to dazzle.

Living in Spain as I do, Italy wasn't that different in feel, climate or people. It was, however, greatly more expensive and anyone travelling there should be wary of that, and the number of flim flam artists that proliferate. The rule is, if someone you don't know offers to do something for you, even if they say it's free, it isn't. But those are minor irritations, and should be apparent to anyone that's done their research properly. What is good about Italy is very good. The two cities we visited were stunning, almost to the point where you think they're starting to show off. The art on display is without parallel anywhere on earth, and the buildings are phenomenal. Perhaps most satisfyingly of all the food is extraordinary and a rival to the best that France has to offer. So all in all we loved every second of our stay there and will willingly return at the drop of a hat. Right, tomorrow more photos.