AND NOW FOR SOMETHING COMPLETELY DIFFERENT IN VENICE

Everyone loved Venice. It is so different from anywhere else. We enjoyed getting lost down all the narrow, maze-like streets and discovering the wonderful secrets of Venice. One definite highlight was the opera we attended in an old Venetian home. For each act we actually moved to different rooms of the house. It was authentic and powerful. Students also enjoyed lunch at the Hard Rock Cafe, a needed respite from Italian food.

ART IN MILAN

We saw so much important art in Milan. Among the highlights was Da Vinci's Last Supper and The Musician, his Atlanticus Codex section of his journals, and Michelangelo's unfinished Pieta. A group of us even visited the Brera art museum in the evening of our last night and were rewarded by some beautiful opera singing in the galleries. 

MILAN DUOMO UPSTAIRS

Many of the students chose to walk to the top of the Duomo for a sunset view of Milan. It was a magical time with brilliant sunset colors. For many it was a highlight of the trip thus far. 

MILAN DUOMO DOWNSTAIRS

Today we made our way via train from Rome to Florence. It was a three hour trip. We actually got McDonald's at the train station for a little taste of home. Students absolutely love the feel of the hostel in Milan as it is filled with life and young folks. For our first adventure we headed to the Milan Cathedral or Duomo. It is a stunning piece of gothic architecture. Students also enjoyed the pigeons out front.

OTHER RANDOM PHOTOS OF ROME

MOSES AND THE COLOSSEUM

My group started the morning at the Church of San Pietro in Vincoli to see one of Michelangelo's masterpieces: the statue of Moses. It was so lifelike. From there we ventured down to the Colosseum where we had a tour led by an archeologist of the world's largest amphitheater. We learned that the word "arena" comes from the Latin word of the same spelling that means "sand." The sand served an important role in the colosseum, which was to absorb all the blood of the animals and contestants. 

ON TOP OF SAINT PETER'S BASILICA

I took seven brave souls up into the cupola or dome of St. Peter's. Needless to say it was not for the weak of heart. The passageways were quite narrow and some even required walking a bit sideways. But the views from the top were spectacular. Another bonus was that perhaps the best gift shop in all of Vatican City was hidden away on the roof of the church.

COOKING CLASS IN ROME

Today half of our students went with me to a cooking class. We met the chef at the market and shopped with him for fresh produce. From there we ventured back to his kitchen and learned some of the secrets of Italian cooking. We prepared two types of fresh pasta, artichoke hearts, broccoli and tiramisu. It was an incredible experience. After hours of hard work we all sat together and had a delicious meal. The other half of our group will cook on Monday.