Italy tour summary

This post has been long overdue. Not sure why I had it in the drafts until today...

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 Recently I've been on a tour to Italy and it was awesome. Just a few days in another country can teach you so much more than what you can read in books for a month. I intend to write all about what I learnt, what I observed and what I felt. To start off I will summarize my trip in this blog.
We have been to Rome, Naples, Pompeii, Florence and Venice. Let's start with Rome.
Rome
Of all the cities in Italy I visited Rome was the best. Just walking down the street and you would find a fine blend of history, modern life style and beauty. We visited colosseums Circus maximus, Roman Forum, Palestine Hills, Trevi fountain, Piazza del Popolo , Pantheon etc.
 Colosseum is truly amazing. walking down there you can literally feel gladiators fighting, The Roman crowd cheering and admire the engineering that went into it. Imagining this 2000 years ago would just blow you off No wonder it made into Seven wonders of the world.I was so engrossed in its architecture and marvel.
 Roman forum and Palatine Hills are close by and this is where most of the action during Roman times happened. They had markets, courts, churches, public stages which can be used to further ones cause it was indeed truly democratic. You literally walk the same place Julius Caesar walked. Just on the top of the hill are the palaces of the kings. From their balconies they can see almost everything going on in the city.
 Rome is full of Pianos, Roman version of plazas when people can meet, talk, have fun. Almost all or them have beautiful sculpture around. pantheon's architecture inspired numerous buildings across the world including Jefferson's memorial and Lincoln memorial.
 Vatican
 The smallest country in the world but undoubtedly one of the richest per capita. It's museums and churches are testimony of the riches the country enjoys. St. Peters square is so huge that it can accommodate about 200,000 people at a time. and it is surrounded by amazing architecture.St. Peters Basilica, Sistine chapelare just so gorgeous that theydeserve all the credit they receive.Vatican museum is full of sculptures,paintings and frescos, very gorgeous.

Naples
Probably the worst city we visited. The only season to visit Naples is to go to Pompeii and see the Natural museum where they have the display of things excavated from Pompeii. The location in which Naples is amazing. Mountains on one side and ocean on the other. It does provide some beautiful views.
 Pompeii
A city that was destroyed in 76 AD , it was frozen in time by the lava from Mt. Vesuvius that engulfed it. Pompeii in its peak time must have been way ahead of other cities. they had markets, churches, amphitheatre that can host 50000 people and from anywhere you get awesome views to Ocean. The most interesting part is their street cleaning system. They drain water down the streets.
 Florence
 Home of Uffizi, Academia etc but we truly felt Florence is hyped. Except for David and couple of other paintings in academia they can close it. Uffizi gallery was good but it doesn't deserve so long lines. City of Florence is very small and there is hardly a time you would need to take a bus. Duomo was very interesting and there are some good Piazzas around.
 Venice
 Truly a marvelous story and city, built an a lagoon that is sinking, it offers a great experience that is unique to this place. Cruise down the Grand Canal, walk in the streets of Venice , visit Murano glass factory and have fun at San Marcos. These are the things to doin Venice.transportation is damn slow on water buses called Vaperetti. Just sit back, relax and enjoy the slow life style.