Giotto’s Chapel

Sherry and I met in an art history class at Santa Rosa Junior College in 1985.  In addition to falling in love with each other, we both fell in love with the paintings and frescoes of Giotto.  Neither of us were aware of his works before the class but we were simply amazed by them.  We were so enthralled that when we became proud owners of a new puppy we named him Giotto.

We have seen many of his paintings in museums in both the U.S. and France but Giotto’s grand masterpiece is considered to be the frescoes in the Scrovegni Chapel in Padua, Italy.  So, you can imagine our excitement when we added Padua as a key destination during our recent vacation to Italy.

We didn’t take any chances.  We bought our tickets online well in advance.  We arrived an hour early instead of the requested 30-minutes.  We were giddy with excitement as we watched the 15-minute video during the acclimatization process.  And then, we were led into the chapel.

The greatest poets in history would have difficulty capturing how our first look made us feel.  It was awe-inspiring, breath-taking, surreal, stunningly beautiful, and mesmerizing all at the same time.  There was also a sense of “finally” as we were looking at his master work after studying the man and seeing pictures online for all those years.

Everywhere you looked there were works by Giotto.  On the walls.  On the pillars.  On the ceiling.  Even the trim was decorated by his hand.  Perhaps just as amazing was the fact that he painted the entire chapel in just two years.

We spent the next 20-minutes trying to soak in every aspect of this magnificent accomplishment.  Then our host informed us it was time to leave.  We were the last ones out. 

This was definitely on of the highlights of the trip.  Partly because we had waited for so long to see it but mostly because it spoke to our very souls.  And, you can rest assured that we will see it again on a future Italian adventure.

Ciao!

Three weeks in Italy

Sherry and I just had the pleasure of spending 3-weeks touring northern Italy.  After many trips to France this was our first Italian vacation and we hoped to make the most of it.  I’m happy to report we were successful. In a word, it was fabulous!!!

This trip will generate numerous posts as there are so many stories to tell.  For now, here’s an overview of the trip.

We flew into Milan where we spent the first night enjoying the sites.  The next morning it was off to Lake Como for a couple days to see the Museo del Cyclismo and the Chapel of Madonna del Ghisallo, both meccas for cyclists.

Next we drove to Verona, home to Juliette’s balcony, because it was on the way to Venice.  However, Verona turned out to be a wonderful city and I’m sure we will go there again.  From Verona, we turned in the car and trained to Venice with a stop along the way in the city of Padua to see Giotto’s Chapel.

Arriving by train in Venice was everything we imagined and more.  It is such a beautiful and historic city and definitely one of the highlights of the trip.  However, we had been on the go for the entire trip and it was time to slow things down a bit as we left Venice for Florence.

In Florence we abandoned hotels for a studio cottage in the Florentine hills.  From here, we spend the week exploring the city as well as the Tuscan countryside with day trips to San Gimignano, Volterra, Siena and Montalcino.

We spent most of the last week in the Piemonte region at a little place outside the city of Alba.  This part of the trip was all about relaxation.  Well, relaxation and eating great food, drinking phenomenal wines, and exploring hill top villages with castels.  Finally, it was back to Milan for a final few days before flying home.

There you have it.  A whirlwind tour around northern Italy.  I can’t wait to tell you more about it so stay tuned.

Ciao!!!

Inspired to write

About 2-hours ago, as I was waiting for pizza to go, I was hit by two inspiring thoughts.  Before I share them it might help to know that the pizzeria I was at is in the Barbaresco wine region in Piedmont in northern Italy.  After placing my order I went out on their terrace to enjoy the stunning views of the Italian countryside.  And, it was here that I realized that  I am one lucky, lucky guy and that it’s time to start writing again!

Well, not writing per se but story telling.  You see, I’ve come to the conclusion that I’m not really a writer.  I’m more of a story teller.  I like sharing my experiences through stories that hopefully make the people listening or reading feel like they were right there with me.  That’s always been my goal but now I am just a little more conscious of it.  Let’s blame my new found clarity and inspiration on the beautiful Italian countryside, with perhaps a nod of acknowledgement to the wine.

I feel like, as a very lucky guy, that I have many stories to tell.  Therefore, I’ve reached a point where it doesn’t matter if they are read or heard they still need to be told. 

So, if you are so inclined, I invite you to join in my adventures with Sherry.  I have a list of blog titles that I plan on making my through in the next few weeks.  And, it I can make you feel like you were there as you read each one, then I will have accomplished what I started out to do.  For now, I’m off to enjoy a little more inspiration.

Ciao!!!