Roma

Rome was an unexpected substitution on this trip (unexpected last April, but planned since last May).  From the ancient to the baroque to the modern, the eternal city is organized chaos at its finest.

Victor Emanuel Monument commemorating the unification of Italy in 1871.  Canada is older than Italy by 4 years.

The amazing Pantheon - inspiration to Brunelleschi and the most intact building surviving from the ancient world.  

Inside the famous dome of the Pantheon.  

Seriously.

The Vatican Museums.

In the courtyard of the pinecone looking back to St. Peter's dome.

Our guide Christina was excellent!

This floor was taken from an ancient Greek building and transported to the Vatican museum.

Hercules in Bronze looms large.  He was found by construction workers in the late 1800's - anytime you put a shovel in the ground in Rome, you find something old.

Cam - still not sure about the selfie process.

Inside St. Peter's Basilica.  See those letters in the dome?  They are 10 FEET TALL.

St Peters.

Michelangelo's famous pieta.  The only work he signed in his long life.

Dylan contemplating the actual stone on which Charlemagne was crowned Holy Roman Emporor by the pope on Christmas Day, 800 AD.

Trevi fountain.  Mo:  "no foto!"

Fun.  Every day.  Even when "Mr. Craig is trying to kill us"

You know he has a degree in English, right?  He's not really a jock.  Just ask Kim.

Stand in order please.  This guy in the centre, Rens, he's the best!  Also James is cool too.

In the Colosseum.

These girls need some sunscreen.

Peace or something.

Chilling on the Forum ruins of the Temple of the Vestal Virgins.

In the Capuchin Crypt the bones of nearly 4000 monks have been arranged artistically for our viewing pleasure.  But according to Jason, "Mr. Craig is trying to kill us".

Florence. More than just multiple gelaterias.

We explored the Renaissance on our full day in Florence - with visits inside and to the top of Brunelleschi's famous dome (first one built since the ancient world), the Accademia (to see Michelangelo's THE David - NO FOTO), the Florence baptistry, and of course the mercato for our essential shopping stops.  Everyone there is my friend.  And your friend.  And they have a special deal for you only today.  And only for you.

On top of the Florence duomo's huge dome.

Surrounded by goliaths...

...just like Arnold.

I think we're all smiling.  It's relative.

Trying to out-Rempel the Rempels.

Flash was too bright for Hailey!

Giotto's bell tower close behind.

Madi does her best Il Duce impression.

Inside the giant dome.  Wonderful, uplifting painting!

Brunelleschi not only had to design and engineer the first dome since Roman times, he also had to create entirely new methods and equipment for the work to be done. 

Here you go Jane.  I missed her at the rather small platform at the top.

I know I tired them out a lot, but this is only 9:30 AM.

Grom - the best gelato in Italy.  All fresh sourced organic ingredients - no silly bright colours or goopy gunk.

This man is passionate about his gelato.  

Always a challenge to get 54 people organized for a group photo.  I haven't posted many this year because they are mostly on my daughter's DSLR camera - will do soon though.

Real us.  Fake David.  

Madilyn is not impressed with this lady who suddenly appears in our picture.

Hey, it's Italy.

Scaffolding is everywhere in Europe all the time.  You just don't know exactly which buildings it will be up against until you get there.  But seriously, restoration and maintenance of these buildings is a must - so the scaffolding is actually a good thing.

Part of our goofy shopping group.  And Caitlin.

She likes the cannoli.

A couple people got a little over enthused about the pastry shop.

The Arno River with the Ponte Vecchio in the background and the beam of light that constantly emits from my magic hat.

Florence - the gelato experience.

The birthplace of the modern world.  But let's be real - they mostly came for the gelato.  Just a few pics from our first night in Florence - spent dining at the excellent La Bussola followed by a mandatory gelato stop!  Those not pictured apparently were done with gelato for the day.

How is she doing that with her hand?  Wait, 1,2,3 hands?

100% Joti. 

100% Rempel.

400% approval.

Alessandro - our excellent host at La Bussola! 

The mean streets of Florence.

This is Trevor's "happy" face.

This is Conner's regular face.

See caption under Madi above.

Wouldn't wait for me to take the picture.  So ill-mannered.

45.