Highlights of My Italian Summer

The Duomo, Milan

In the next few weeks I'll be writing in detail about my trip to Italy this June. For the moment, I'd like to share some highlights of our visit to this country that calls you, like a siren, to come back for more.

It took more than four centuries to complete the construction of Milan's Duomo. Napoleon Bonaparte demanded it be ready for his coronation as King of Italy. This photo was taken on a Sunday, sunny day and family day.

A short train ride from Milan to Lake Como and a total change of pace. Far from the madding crowd, Lake Como is naturally beautiful and peaceful in late spring. It might be quite a different scene in summer.

Bellagio, Lake Como

We made a pilgrimage to Padua in the Veneto region to pray at the tomb of St. Anthony. The feast of St. Anthony is on June 13 and we we were lucky to have participated in one of the masses during the 13-day long festivities.

Basilica del Santo, Padua

Venice is such a fragile peninsula that has survived through the centuries. But how much longer can it endure the onslaught of tourists? It was incredibly crowded when we visited. I kept looking and longing for quiet alleys and canals.

Gondolas on the Grand Canal

If walls could talk! The Colosseo is especially magical at sunset when it's walls turn sienna.

The Colosseo, Rome

In Florence I was quite lucky to catch a magnificent sunset over the Arno River while being entertained by a classical guitarist. Sunset becomes Firenze.

Arno River, Florence

The highlight of highlights was the papal audience on St. Peter's Square. "Some people wait a lifetime for a moment like this."

Pope Francis I

Italy, Italy, Italy

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Images by Charie

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