Picture taken from The Huffington Post.
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
Russert in Rome
I want to take a moment to recognize the life and passing of one of my all-time favorite TV personalities, Tim Russert. A week ago, Russert, his wife Maureen Orth and their son, Luke, had been celebrating Luke’s graduation from Boston College with a family trip to Italy. Russert left his family in Rome and returned to Washington DC on Thursday night. He died at the NBC studios on Friday afternoon. Tonight on Countdown, Keith Olbermann briefly showed a picture of the Russert family standing and smiling together in a corridor of the Vatican Museum. I gasped out loud when I saw it. I have stood there before, and shortly, I may stand there again. But, for me, it will never be the same. For ten days, I will wonder if I am walking in the Russerts’ footsteps, if I am taking as much pleasure from the sights and sounds as they did, if they know I’m thinking about and grieving with them. Probably not, but that’s the kind of sentimental sap I am. Rome, Russert. Just had to say it.
Picture taken from The Huffington Post.
Picture taken from The Huffington Post.
Tuesday, June 17, 2008
Packing trial and error
I admit to being more than a little obsessive about what I take with me on European trips. This concern, however, has fermented over nearly 25 years of travel dating back to my first venture overseas on a high school trip in 1984. At that time, I packed like I was leaving the planet for a year; I took a hair dryer, makeup, shoes for every occasion, clothes for the slightest change in weather. Later, determined to streamline, I learned the hard way that taking my father's smaller camera that I didn't know how to operate wasn't worth saving six square inches in my bag. When I took a freighter across the Atlantic in 2001, however, I reached my highest packing quotient (PQ?) ever. Because I'm older and my back is in worse shape now than it was then, I'm determined to pack as efficiently this time as I did then.
Everything that I'm taking on this trip can be washed in a sink and will dry overnight--underwear, shorts, shirts, dresses. I've been testing things out for the last week or so, taking them into the shower or tub with me at night, washing them with shampoo and hanging them over the shower curtain rod to dry. So far, so good. Most of what I'm taking is sports wear in the sense that it is made from a Tencel/poly blend that, when worn in the gym or on the athletic field, wicks sweat away from the body and dries quickly. Other items that I'm taking, if not made from a Tencel material, is purely a poly/nylon blend that would melt to my skin if I got too close to a fire. I usually prefer natural fibers, but considering man-made fabrics tend to be lighter and dry more quickly, that's where I'm casting my lot on this trip. With the help of onebag.com (see link to the left), I'm still tweaking my packing list. I'll post a final list closer to our departure.
Everything that I'm taking on this trip can be washed in a sink and will dry overnight--underwear, shorts, shirts, dresses. I've been testing things out for the last week or so, taking them into the shower or tub with me at night, washing them with shampoo and hanging them over the shower curtain rod to dry. So far, so good. Most of what I'm taking is sports wear in the sense that it is made from a Tencel/poly blend that, when worn in the gym or on the athletic field, wicks sweat away from the body and dries quickly. Other items that I'm taking, if not made from a Tencel material, is purely a poly/nylon blend that would melt to my skin if I got too close to a fire. I usually prefer natural fibers, but considering man-made fabrics tend to be lighter and dry more quickly, that's where I'm casting my lot on this trip. With the help of onebag.com (see link to the left), I'm still tweaking my packing list. I'll post a final list closer to our departure.
Friday, June 13, 2008
Testing video attachments
Wow, I am thrilled with the way the photos uploaded. I will tweak the relationship of the caption to the photo, but that's just a matter of preference.
Here's my first attempt at uploading a video. My digital camera allows me to take short bursts of video, so, although I have the capability, I may not always have the memory or battery power to do so. Don't expect a minute by minute documentary, but do expect short, video headlines. Technology is SO COOL!!
I shot this in the same park as I shot the still photo of the two men on the bench. The little boys are playing Gladiator in the shadow of the Coliseum. How could I NOT capture the irony for posterity? When the little boy in red sees me, he runs away.
Here's my first attempt at uploading a video. My digital camera allows me to take short bursts of video, so, although I have the capability, I may not always have the memory or battery power to do so. Don't expect a minute by minute documentary, but do expect short, video headlines. Technology is SO COOL!!
I shot this in the same park as I shot the still photo of the two men on the bench. The little boys are playing Gladiator in the shadow of the Coliseum. How could I NOT capture the irony for posterity? When the little boy in red sees me, he runs away.
Testing photo attachments
Because I am taking my laptop, I will be blogging throughout our trip to Italy. I've never posted photographs to a blog before, so this is a test. These are pictures from my last trip. I will try to post video separately.
This is a picture I snapped while wandering through a residential neighborhood between our B&B and the Coliseum. I am repeatedly drawn to this color Mediterranean blue. It always seems so fresh and vital.
This photo was taken as I approached the Coliseum through the park behind it--not the standard touristy perspective. I felt as if I was eavesdropping on a private moment here, but the mood of the shot captured a peacefulness that I have never personally felt in Rome because it is such a giant, pulsing metropolis.
This is a picture I snapped while wandering through a residential neighborhood between our B&B and the Coliseum. I am repeatedly drawn to this color Mediterranean blue. It always seems so fresh and vital.
This photo was taken as I approached the Coliseum through the park behind it--not the standard touristy perspective. I felt as if I was eavesdropping on a private moment here, but the mood of the shot captured a peacefulness that I have never personally felt in Rome because it is such a giant, pulsing metropolis.
Al Campaniel, our B&B in Venice
A perfect location situated mid-canal, this B&B is run by a native Italian who spent most of his adult career running a hotel in London. Marco's English language and taste are impeccable. After my stay there in 2006, I will forever consider this my little place in Venice.
Marco and his wife returned to Venice about 8-10 years ago to run a small pension their way. The building itself is full of angles and garrets (the dining room is on the top floor) and every room has full tea service available at the end of each day. When I was there in January, hot tea was a GODSEND in the bone-shaking dampness. The B&B couldn't be easier to get to with luggage (a major concern in Venice), plus it is located steps from a chocolatier and hand-made leather purse store. Like the adage says, "location, location, location." ;D
Of his hospitality, Marco, like Loredana in Rome, is modest:
"AL CAMPANIEL is a small Guest House located a few meters from Campo San Toma'', near Campo dei Frari, famous for its majestic church and bell tower and the ''Scuola di San Rocco'' with its Tintoretto paintings and a minute from the vaporetto (water bus) stop on the Grand Canal, 10 minutes walking from Rialto bridge and 20 minutes from San Marco square.
The rooms are attractively furnished. Air conditioning is available in summer.
The rate includes continental breakfast and, tea/coffee making facilities in the room."
We won't be in Venice as long as we will be in Rome or Florence, especially because my mom doesn't want to spend time in museums, so we plan to spend most of our time getting lost in the narrow alleyways that connect the piazzas and finding out-of-the-way places to eat. Venice is so special that I know every second will be a treasure.
Marco and his wife returned to Venice about 8-10 years ago to run a small pension their way. The building itself is full of angles and garrets (the dining room is on the top floor) and every room has full tea service available at the end of each day. When I was there in January, hot tea was a GODSEND in the bone-shaking dampness. The B&B couldn't be easier to get to with luggage (a major concern in Venice), plus it is located steps from a chocolatier and hand-made leather purse store. Like the adage says, "location, location, location." ;D
Of his hospitality, Marco, like Loredana in Rome, is modest:
"AL CAMPANIEL is a small Guest House located a few meters from Campo San Toma'', near Campo dei Frari, famous for its majestic church and bell tower and the ''Scuola di San Rocco'' with its Tintoretto paintings and a minute from the vaporetto (water bus) stop on the Grand Canal, 10 minutes walking from Rialto bridge and 20 minutes from San Marco square.
The rooms are attractively furnished. Air conditioning is available in summer.
The rate includes continental breakfast and, tea/coffee making facilities in the room."
We won't be in Venice as long as we will be in Rome or Florence, especially because my mom doesn't want to spend time in museums, so we plan to spend most of our time getting lost in the narrow alleyways that connect the piazzas and finding out-of-the-way places to eat. Venice is so special that I know every second will be a treasure.
Il Salotto di Firenze, our B&B in Florence
I'm not going to lie. I think Florence may be the most beautiful city on earth. (I love Venice too, but more for topographical reasons.) Because I really want my mom to fall in love with Florence, I'm going all out and splurging on our accommodations there.
The most important thing when booking in Florence, IMHO, is to be as close to the Duomo as possible (hence the title of this blog). I haven't booked us into the same place I stayed in 2006 because 1) that guy was kind of creepy and couldn't stop staring at my sisters boobs and 2) he has raised his prices to ridiculous levels.
When I saw the following description on the website, I was hooked, not just because it sounds wonderful, but because I was charmed by the minor grammatical errors that occurred in translation:
"Il Salotto di Firenze Bed and Breakfast is located in the heart of Florence within the historical architectural backdrop of Via Roma and Piazza della Repubblica, directly facing the Duomo and its baptistery.
Elegance and refinement to live after a day spent visiting this splendid city, relaxing in a welcoming, refined and elegant environment represents a sensation of intense pleasure for any traveller.
Overlooking the magical Via Roma, facing the Duomo (Santa Maria del Fiore) and its Battistero, the splendid rooms of Il Salotto di Firenze offer its guests high quality comfort and luxury services steeped in the maximum reserve and privacy between the protective arms of Florence.
Each rooms is equipped with adjustable air conditioning, cable Internet for your laptop, satellite TV and Pay TV, closet, mini bar with soft drinks, safe deposit box. The rooms are characterized by great attention to detail: period furniture with design elements of modern time, precious fabric and luxury finishings, such as the walls decorated with boiserie panels in typical Florentine 1800's style and furniture.
The continental buffet breakfast consists of bread, several kind of jams, butter, honey, fruit juices, biscuits, cereals, yoghurt and many typical Tuscany cakes.
Moreover, we have a delicious selection of salami, ham and typical cheeses of Tuscany areas like Chianti and Val di Pesa. To drink: coffee, decaf, cappuccino, espresso, tea, hot/cold milk, camomile tea and much more served by us at the table."
Oh. My. God. It's costing me a small Medici fortune, but I have no doubt it will be well worth it. We actually have a room with a balcony overlooking the Piazza della Repubblica, so even if we are too tired to go out, we can watch the world pass by at our feet! I'm all tingly just thinking about it!
The most important thing when booking in Florence, IMHO, is to be as close to the Duomo as possible (hence the title of this blog). I haven't booked us into the same place I stayed in 2006 because 1) that guy was kind of creepy and couldn't stop staring at my sisters boobs and 2) he has raised his prices to ridiculous levels.
When I saw the following description on the website, I was hooked, not just because it sounds wonderful, but because I was charmed by the minor grammatical errors that occurred in translation:
"Il Salotto di Firenze Bed and Breakfast is located in the heart of Florence within the historical architectural backdrop of Via Roma and Piazza della Repubblica, directly facing the Duomo and its baptistery.
Elegance and refinement to live after a day spent visiting this splendid city, relaxing in a welcoming, refined and elegant environment represents a sensation of intense pleasure for any traveller.
Overlooking the magical Via Roma, facing the Duomo (Santa Maria del Fiore) and its Battistero, the splendid rooms of Il Salotto di Firenze offer its guests high quality comfort and luxury services steeped in the maximum reserve and privacy between the protective arms of Florence.
Each rooms is equipped with adjustable air conditioning, cable Internet for your laptop, satellite TV and Pay TV, closet, mini bar with soft drinks, safe deposit box. The rooms are characterized by great attention to detail: period furniture with design elements of modern time, precious fabric and luxury finishings, such as the walls decorated with boiserie panels in typical Florentine 1800's style and furniture.
The continental buffet breakfast consists of bread, several kind of jams, butter, honey, fruit juices, biscuits, cereals, yoghurt and many typical Tuscany cakes.
Moreover, we have a delicious selection of salami, ham and typical cheeses of Tuscany areas like Chianti and Val di Pesa. To drink: coffee, decaf, cappuccino, espresso, tea, hot/cold milk, camomile tea and much more served by us at the table."
Oh. My. God. It's costing me a small Medici fortune, but I have no doubt it will be well worth it. We actually have a room with a balcony overlooking the Piazza della Repubblica, so even if we are too tired to go out, we can watch the world pass by at our feet! I'm all tingly just thinking about it!
Maryelen, our B&B in Rome
I decided to book us into the same location where I stayed with my father, stepmother and sister in January 2006. Although it is located in a busy, urban street near the train station, the building has a lovely courtyard which offers privacy and respite from modern Rome.
The website says is modest about its amenities:
"Maryelen Bed and Breakfast is located in the historical centre of Rome, between Termini railway station and the basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore. It is near the Coliseum, the Forum and Piazza Venezia and the whole of central Rome.
You will find a warm and welcoming atmosphere. The rooms are spacious and comfortable, all with en-suite bathroom and air conditioning.
The building also includes an internal courtyard with a beautiful garden offering an atmosphere of calm and serenity."
Upon our return from Italy two years ago, I posted this review to an independent B&B booking and reviewing site (venere.com):
“My family (two parents 60+ and two adult daughters) made Rome our first stop in Italy this month (1/06) and were delighted to find such a comfortable location near the train station. The web site description accurately detailed the room and surroundings (hairdryers in room, elevator in building, within walking distance to sights and public transportation), but didn’t come close to describing the warm, enveloping hospitality we were offered by Loredana and her teenage daughters Mary & Elen. With travelers of all nations staying in the B&B, breakfasts were a time full of helpful information and heartfelt laughter as our families shared stories of childhoods, pets and travels. A surprising bonus was the small restaurant Loredana and her husband opened across the street on Jan. 1 allowing a good meal in close proximity to our rooms after long days of touring. The rooms and hallways were quiet at night. When my sister had her wallet stolen late on a Sunday, Loredana was an invaluable help contacting the police and allowing access to her fax machine in order to contact credit card companies and other security agencies. We hope to return to the Maryelen not just as visitors, but as friends. If you are looking for an affordable, clean, comfortable, homey B&B, this is your place.”
I can't wait to see Loredana again and we have been emailing sporadically during the planning of this trip.
The website says is modest about its amenities:
"Maryelen Bed and Breakfast is located in the historical centre of Rome, between Termini railway station and the basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore. It is near the Coliseum, the Forum and Piazza Venezia and the whole of central Rome.
You will find a warm and welcoming atmosphere. The rooms are spacious and comfortable, all with en-suite bathroom and air conditioning.
The building also includes an internal courtyard with a beautiful garden offering an atmosphere of calm and serenity."
Upon our return from Italy two years ago, I posted this review to an independent B&B booking and reviewing site (venere.com):
“My family (two parents 60+ and two adult daughters) made Rome our first stop in Italy this month (1/06) and were delighted to find such a comfortable location near the train station. The web site description accurately detailed the room and surroundings (hairdryers in room, elevator in building, within walking distance to sights and public transportation), but didn’t come close to describing the warm, enveloping hospitality we were offered by Loredana and her teenage daughters Mary & Elen. With travelers of all nations staying in the B&B, breakfasts were a time full of helpful information and heartfelt laughter as our families shared stories of childhoods, pets and travels. A surprising bonus was the small restaurant Loredana and her husband opened across the street on Jan. 1 allowing a good meal in close proximity to our rooms after long days of touring. The rooms and hallways were quiet at night. When my sister had her wallet stolen late on a Sunday, Loredana was an invaluable help contacting the police and allowing access to her fax machine in order to contact credit card companies and other security agencies. We hope to return to the Maryelen not just as visitors, but as friends. If you are looking for an affordable, clean, comfortable, homey B&B, this is your place.”
I can't wait to see Loredana again and we have been emailing sporadically during the planning of this trip.
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