The Pantheon

When we turned the corner and saw the Pantheon in the middle of some apartment buildings and shops, I was amazed - photographs cannot do the Pantheon justice. The size of the Pantheon completely astounded me. I will never understand how they were able to construct such a large building with such an expansive dome - not to mention the incredible oculus in the center- around 125 AD. I felt so small and insignificant (in a good way) while standing in the Pantheon. Michelangelo was inspired by the Pantheon's high-rising dome and applied this inspiration to his design of the dome in St. Peter's Basilica. Some of the bronze from the Pantheon was transferred to St. Peter's Basilica for "Bernini's baldacchino." Although it was first a temple dedicated to "all the gods," it is now dedicated to the Virgin and all the martyrs.

http://www.sacred-destinations.com/italy/rome-pantheon

I already posted about Rome so here are some links for places we visited in Florence and Paris.

One of my favorite attractions on the trip was the Duomo in Florence. It was a beautiful church that I was able to climb that provided a breath taking view of the city of Florence. Here is a link I found with more information about it. http://www.wga.hu/database/churches/duomo.html

Ironically my favorite thing we visited in Paris was the Notre Dame Cathedral. The size and beauty of it was breathtaking. It made me feel very small as I walked around both the inside and outside taking pictures of this massive building. Here is another link I found with more information on it. http://www.notredamedeparis.fr/-Cathedral-for-art-and-history-

Repetto

In Paris Linda pointed out a shoe store to us on our bus tour that a few of us went back to check out. It is called Repetto and it is the place where the ballet flats originated. The store was gorgeous and so were the shoes however they are ridiculously expensive. However, if you wanted to check out the shoes or buy a pair for yourself I have attached a link.

http://www.net-a-porter.com/Shop/Designers/Repetto/All?cm_mmc=GoogleUS-_-Designer%20-%20Repetto-_-Repetto_Alone-_-repetto

Piazza de Michelangelo

In Florence the Piazza de Michelangelo hands down had the best view of the city. It was a bit of a walk across the river and a hike up the Capitoline Hill but it was completely worth it for the view. I have attached a link at the bottom to learn more about the Piazza de

Michelangelo.http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Piazzale_Michelangelo

The Colosseum

In Rome I found the Colosseum the most fascinating attraction for me. Below I have attached a link to a website the talks in details about the type of events held within the colosseum because I at least wanted to know more about them.

http://www.the-colosseum.net/idx-en.htm

Here are links that were submitted by Sara Tarantino 

http://facts-about-italy.blogspot.com/2008/04/facts-about-italy-gelato.html - Video on how to order gelato / tell which places are good and just tourist attractions! The video even takes place in Florence

http://www.parisescapes.com/paris_no.html - This is article is about the do's and dont's of paris! ( would of been helpful before we went, but is very interesting now that we know the city!)

http://www.italylogue.com/featured-articles/top-10-things-to-do-in-rome.html - This last article is about the top 10 things to see in Rome and we hit almost all of them in that jampacked four days !

Spanish Steps in Rome, Italy

What a beautiful photo of friends at the Spanish Steps in Rome Italy!! The photo includes Linda, Chris, Danny, Vikki, Stephanie, Ena, Michael, and Shelly. Hard to believe that this group was standing on steps that were originated in 1717 that includes 138 steps . The view at the top was worth the climb.

A trip to see the Vatican

Being able to walk around and through the Vatican was simply amazing. The atmosphere was calming and unreal to me as I walked towards the actual steps where the Pope gives mass to hundreds and literly thousands of people in Rome. These two photos that I took outside the Vatican was rather large in size. You would have to actually visit this beautiful site yourself to capture the massive size of the venue where the Pope speaks and prays. All different types of people were their the same day as I was visiting, and all different types of languages were being spoken around me. I knew I was in a place where God was spoken about daily and I felt so lucky to have been in this space of worship!

Remembering mass in Italy.

I have two very memorable events that I want to share on the blog. How many people in their lives can say they went to mass and took communion in the Basilica Di San Francesco in Assisi, and at the Cattedrale Di S. Maria del Fiore in Florence Italy all in the same week?? These two holy events mean a great deal to me spiritually and I will always treasure the experience of walking though these doors in my life.

Wednesday, May 25

Hello everyone.

  We literally have not had the time to catch our breath!  We visited Assisi a few days ago, it was amazing.  Florence was beautiful!  We visited the Galleria dell 'Academia where they store all the molds for statues that need repaired.  That same day we visited the Galleria degli Uffizi. We all went to the Spanish Steps after dinner stayed out  late and some of us had to take cabs home.  We had an art lesson under a logia and learned how to spot fake leather (separate the lining from the leather and rub the suede sides together - they shouldn't move).  turns out everything else can be faked!

We took the overnight train to Paris - not the most fun thing to  do - at least not at my age.   Very crowed -only one working bathroom.

Our hotel in Paris is nice - located across the street from a University (small one) and just a few short blocks from the Metro station.

  Yesterday we  had a bus tour of Paris  stopping to  take photo's at the Eiffel Tower.  We then had some free time and gathered back to go to a wonderful steak dinner.  It tasted really good after eating all  that Italian food.  Then most of us went to Montmartre for some shopping and a climb up the steps (not me of course, I rode up) to see the most  spectacular site ever, the view of Paris from Sacre' Couer church.  There is talk of setting up  a facebook page where all of us can share our photo's with each other. Once we do that we will post it here.

Today we got to sleep in just a little - we  left at 9:30 to board the Metro - three stops later we were at Notre Dame Cathedral.  Then we had free time to shop - again and have lunch before we boarded the Metro and headed to Musee d'Orsay.  Then we had more free time.  Most of the group were going to go to the Eiffel Tower - to climb - once again - not me! I  came back to the hotel to write on the blog.  Tomorrow we will visit the Musee du Louvre.  After that -  more free time, dinner and back  to the hotel for early ride to the airport on Friday morning.
Just let me say how wonderful your kids are and what an experience this has been for me.  Traveling with them has made this trip more enjoyable for me. They have all kept their cool well (despite the heat) and are always polite, considerate and respectful.  They even help me out!  I wish I could claim all of them as mine but in a way they already are.  We have had the opportunity to get to  know them better  and some have made new friends.  We have met amazing people along the way.  I'm sure your kids will tell you what a great experience this has been - for all  of us.

  Posted by Chris Price

Saturday, may 21

sorry we have been out of touch. We had no Internet access in Rome, but we do now.
We spent the first 3days in Rome and traveled To
Florence today, stopping at The Assisi first. Our students are amazing and seem to be tireless. They have taken m
Any pictures and are already talking about how to post them online to share with each other. We Leave at 9am tomorrow to see how Italian leather is made and how to spot the fakes. Then we will visit an artist studio for An art lesson. I wills troy to post more often now that we have internet working.

Posted by Chris Price

Luxembourg Garden- Paris

Want to fall in Love with Paris? Find a few hours and hide away in the Luxembourg Gardens. The gardens are an Oasis in the left bank of Paris. It is a wonderful Parisian atmosphere scattered with statues, fountain, flowers, and many family friendly attractions. These gardens are a busy and animated location with students, families, romantics, and outdoor chess players. The Palace of Luxembourg sits on the property and has since the early 17th century. Queen Marie De Medicis built it after a model of the Plazzo Pitti in Florence. It now is near by the Sorbonne University and the Odeon Theater, which makes this a historic and current hot spot for all ages and types. I am interested to see which is better, Butler's Holcomb Gardens, or Queen Marie's Luxembourg Gardens!

Luxembourg Gardens in Paris

The Pantheon- Rome

The Pantheon has traveled a very strange and diverse road that starts with pegan god worship to a conversion to a church in the 600's. It is a burial place and contains the tombs of Italian Kings, and the artist Raphael.

At nearly 43 meters high and large marble columns, the Pantheon widens the eyes and has an immediate impression on any passerby. It was the larges dome in all of the world until the Florence Cathedral was constructed in 1436. At the Top of the dome is an opening which is there to bring in its only source of natural light. That light is cast on marble decorated floors and detailed walls.

The Pantheon was not the first temple that was built, it was preceded by two buildings that occupied the very same spot. The first being in 27 BC under emperor Marcus Agrippa, and it was a traditionally shaped structure. That temple, that was dedicated to Mars and Venus, was burned to the ground in 80 AD and was replaced with another in 110 ad. Interestingly enough this two burned to the ground after being struck by lightning in 118 AD. They had simply had enough and emperor Hadrian ordered the Pantheon to be built completely. Time has shown us that the Pantheon, and its circular shape, was built to last.

It is fascinating to observe this structures dome. At the time it was built, the Romans would have to have amazing ability to mix concrete and to understand the ability of the arch to support itself, even with the thickness of concrete lessening as it reaches the top. It is also recorded that the hole at the top of the structure was left out because it reduced the weight of the dome and made it capable of standing. This is truly marvelous, and worth of note.

Additionally its columns, quarried in Egypt, weight upwards on 60 tons. Those large pieces of stone were transported by large barges and other sea vessels. Also inscribed on the columns is a dedication to Marcus Agrippa, not Hadrian. Seeing as Emperor Agrippa raised the first Pantheon and Hadrian just rebuilt it.

This truly is a piece of history that will always fascinate us.

Piazzale Michelangelo

Piazzale Michelangelo is a famous square that provides a panoramic view that will astound locals and tourist alike. It gives you a beautiful hill side view of Florence Italy, and is found in the Oltrarno District of the city.

This location was erected in 1869 and designed by Giusesppe Poggi during the period when Florence was the capital of Italy. This location, just south of the city was part of a city wide urban renewal and rehabilitation, meant to rebirth the middle class.

The square, dedicated to the great Michelangelo, the square has copies of some of his works found elsewhere in Florence. The Bronze copies include Items such as; the David and the four allegories of the Medici Chapel of San Lorenzo.

Interesting Facts:

Poggi's dream was to have this be a museum to Michelangelo's work being house in the wall of the city with a large patio for viewing.

The monument was pulled up by 9 pairs of oxen in June of 1873.

Ateliers

An Atelier is a place where working Parisian artists draw their inspiration. It is the place in which they work. Every type of art work will be made here. People can be seen drawing, painting, and throwing on a wheel. These studios are for artists of all types.

My friend told me that in Montmartre, outside of Sacre Coeur there is a carousel. She said that there are always tons of people just sitting around painting the entire day. She said, "It's exactly what I think of when I see Paris. It's not about all the touristy stuff. It's about the culture and the lives of those living it!"

To see an Atelier visit this website!

http://www.atelier-cezanne.com/anglais/visites.htm

Assisi: Saints, Art, and Culture

It was the birthplace of St. Francis, who founded the Franciscan religious order in the town in 1208, and St. Clare (Chiara d'Offreducci), the founder of the Poor Sisters, which later became the Order of Poor Clares after her death. The 19th-century Saint Gabriel of Our Lady of Sorrows was also born in Assisi.

Assisi was the home of several saints. They include:

Agnes of Assisi

Clare of Assisi

Francis of Assisi

Gabriel of Our Lady of Sorrows

Rufinus of Assisi

Vitalis of Assisi

Art

Assisi has had a rich tradition of art through the centuries and is now home to a number of well-known artistic works.

Artists Pietro Lorenzetti and Simone Martini worked shoulder to shoulder at Assisi. The Basilica of San Francesco d'Assisi includes a number of artistic works. Simone Martini's 1317 fresco there reflects the influence of Giotto in realism and the use of brilliant colors. Lorenzetti's fresco at the lower church of the Basilica includes a series of panels depicting the Crucifixion of Jesus, Deposition from the Cross, and Entombment of Christ. The figures Lorenzetti painted display emotions, yet the figures in these scenes are governed by geometric emotional interactions, unlike many prior depictions, which appeared to be independent iconic aggregations. Lorenzetti's 1330 Madonna dei Tramonti also reflects the ongoing influence of Giotto on his Marian art, midway through his career.

Culture

Festival Calendimaggio, held on 1–5 May, is a re-enactment of medieval and Renaissance life in the form of a challenge between the upper faction and the lower faction of the town. It includes processions, theatrical presentations, flag-weavers and dances.

Assisi Embroidery is a form of counted-thread embroidery, which has been practiced in Assisi since the 13th century.

Today the town has many groups coming to enjoy the simple peace of St. Francis. One such group has restored an 11th-century room and added altars to the world's religions. Other organizations, such as Assisi Performing Arts, complement Assisi's tranquility with music and other cultural events.

To see pictures and other cool facts, visit the website below!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Assisi

Stato della Città del Vaticano

History of Popes and the Vatican City:

The Vatican City is 110 acres and has a population of just over 800 people. The pope, Benedict XVI, is the worldwide leader of the Catholic Church. He resides in the Vatican City, a sovereign city-state. Rome enclaves the Vatican City entirely. Pope Benedict XVI is the first Polish pope. He was elected on April 19, 2005. The popes ecclesiastical jurisdiction is often called the "Holy See" based upon the Church tradition that the Apostles Saint Peter and Paul were martyred in Rome.

Early popes helped to spread Christianity and resolve doctrinal disputes. After the conversion of the rulers of the Roman Empire, the Roman emperors became the popes’ secular allies until the 8th century when Pope Stephen II was forced to appeal to the Franks for help, beginning a period of close interaction with the rulers of the west. For centuries, the Donation of Constantine provided support for the papacy’s claim of political supremacy over the entire former Western Roman Empire. In medieval times, popes played powerful roles in Western Europe, often struggling with monarchs for control over the wide-ranging affairs of Church and state, crowning emperors, and regulating disputes among secular rulers. (There was quite a bit of corruption in the history of the Catholic Church and it’s popes.)

Gradually forced to give up temporal power, popes now focus almost exclusively on religious matters.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pope

Check out this other website for a virtual tour of Basilicas and Papal Chapels in the Vatican City http://www.vatican.va/various/basiliche/index_en.html

Arc de Triomphe

Napoleon I wanted to honor the Grand Armee in France by erecting a large triumphal arch, the Arc de Triomphe. Construction on the Arc was started in August 1806 and was completed in 1836. Unfortunately, Napoleon was never able to witness the spectacular arch he commissioned to be built because he died before it was completed. The names of "558 French generals" who fought in the Napoleonic wars are listed inside the walls of the monument, and the generals who died in battle have their names underlined. Under the Arc, the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier from World War I resides. The Unknown Soldier was initially going to be buried in the Pantheon, but "a public letter-writing campaign led to the decision to bury him beneath the Arc instead."

Stained Glass in the Notre Dame Cathedral

The celestial Court displays sixteen prophets from both the Old and New Testament. It is located below the South Rose Window.
The central medallion of the South Rose Window is pictured below.

The Notre Dame Cathedral has a wealth of beautiful stained glass. There are three rose windows, and the religious symbolism of Christianity is shown on each of the windows. The central medallion of the South Rose contains an image of the "Christ of revelation." Christ is shown in the middle of the medallion with a sword coming from his mouth and stars shining around the "wounds of his hands." St. Matthew, St. Jean (John), St. Luc (Luke), and St. Marc (Mark) are pictured around the image of Christ. Each of the stained glass works represents the story of an apostle or prophet in the Old Testament or New Testament. There are also windows dedicated to honor specific Frenchmen, as well as "wise virgin Saints and Martyrs."

http://www.microsofttranslator.com/bv.aspx?from=&to=en&a=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.notredamedeparis.fr%2FRose-Sud

Florence - The Gelato Capital of Italy

Here's a great article on Gelato in FLorence

Vivoli in Florence: Can Famous Gelato Live Up to the Hype?


When I was planning my last trip to Florence, I checked my friend Sara’s Tour del Gelato for a list of the gelaterie I should make sure to sample when I was there. Florence is recognized by many as a gelato capital of Italy, where it’s harder to have bad gelato than it is to have good gelato – so imagine my surprise when I found that there was only one entry on the Tour del Gelato in Florence! Folks, I knew right then what my mission had to be – eat as much gelato in Florence as I could. It’s a tough job, but I knew I had to do it. For the children.

As I said, Florence is known for its gelato. So in this City del Gelato, is there one shop that is considered by locals and tourists alike to be the pinnacle of the art form? In fact, there is – it’s Vivoli. In my previous visits to Florence I hadn’t yet sampled Vivoli’s gelato, so I made a beeline there on this last visit. With all the build-up to how amazing the gelato at Vivoli is, and how famous the shop is (Frommer’s says, “Exactly how renowned is this bright gelateria? Taped to the wall is a postcard bearing only “Vivoli, Europa” for the address, yet it was successfully delivered to this world capital of ice cream.”), I was surprised at how understated the exterior of the shop actually is. I visited on a Saturday afternoon in mid-March, and I still thought there’d be a line outside the door and around the block. But no, there was only a small neon sign above the door and a trio of locals out front scooping some of the Vivoli gelato into their mouths.

Inside, the space is cramped; you pay the cashier who is perched in front of the doors and take your receipt to the left where you’ll choose your gelato flavors. There are no cones at Vivoli, only cups – and all of the sizes are more expensive than most other shops I tried in Florence (and outside Florence, for that matter). I suppose with the reputation Vivoli has they figure they can get away with that – and I guess they do, because I didn’t walk out!

Vivoli prides itself on (among other things) selling only the flavors of gelato that they have made that day, so everything is made fresh and the flavors can change frequently. While I normally get cream or chocolate based flavors, I saw a flavor in the Vivoli case I couldn’t resist – pera con caramello, or pear with caramel. It was basically pear sorbetto with pieces of caramelized sugar in it, and since I’m a sucker for both pear and caramel it was a done deal as soon as I saw it. The problem then was, what to order with it?

As an aside, I have a bad habit of choosing one gelato flavor that I simply must have, and that flavor is extremely difficult to marry well with another flavor. I have a hard time finding a good pairing for chocolate orange, for instance, or licorice. But that’s for another post. Getting back to my dilemma at Vivoli…

Generally, when I’m faced with my one must-have flavor and stuck with what to get with it, I ask the person behind the counter to suggest something. Usually I get good advice. At Vivoli, I got a blank stare. The gal who was scooping my gelato wasn’t interested in being my gelato sommelier, she just wanted to put some gelato in a cup for me and be done with it. So, in a split-second decision I chose mela verde (green apple) sorbetto to go with my pear/caramel sorbetto.

Both flavors were, I’m happy to say, splendiferous (that’s a technical gelato term). The green apple tasted like a crisp green apple, and even had pieces of apple throughout it. The caramel pear had the texture of a pear, and the subtle flavor of the caramelized sugar chips was lovely with it. Vivoli isn’t exactly generous with the portions (this on top of higher prices, remember), so you don’t get to savor your gelato for too long before you hit the bottom of the cup. But what you get is really good, and made with excellent ingredients.

If you’re a gelato connoisseur, then a stop at Vivoli is a must – if for no other reason then to tell your other gelato connoisseur friends that you’ve been there, done that. If you’re pinching pennies, Vivoli might be €1 more than you’re willing to spend on gelato – especially with the smaller-than-usual portions. And the good news is that’s okay. There’s plenty of other great gelato in Florence, too.

Gelateria: Vivoli
Location: Via Isola delle Stinche 7 50122 Florence; it’s roughly a block northwest of the Piazza Santa Croce
Open: Tuesday-Sunday, 09:00-01:00 (closed in August and January-early February)
More Information: http://www.vivoli.it/, tel – +39 055 292 334
Good to Know: The portions are a little smaller, and prices are a little higher – so if you can splurge, get one size bigger than you usually get. Also, there are no cones available at Vivoli – only cups.
Go or No? The gelato is great, and made with high-quality fresh ingredients – and it’s still not my favorite gelateria in Florence. It’s a good gelato experience, but not necessary if you’re not in the neighborhood or determined to try the famous Vivoli.

Be sure to study these Italian gelato flavors, read my guide to good gelato in Italy, learn how to order gelato, and remember to check out the other stops along the Tour del Gelato – you can easily eat your way through Italy on gelato alone, so why not give it a try?


http://www.italylogue.com/food-drink/vivoli-in-florence-does-famous-gelato-live-up-to-the-hype.html

Shopping in Paris

The city of Paris is famous for a variety of reasons—from the Eiffel Tower to the Louvre and the Arc de Triomphe. Despite all these world-renowned landmarks, Paris is perhaps most famous for its shopping! Many shopping districts are scattered across the city, from department stores and retail stores that we all know and love, to upscale designers that some of us can only dream about. Whether you are looking to buy souvenirs, do some window shopping, or you happen to run out of clothes to wear, there are countless places to do plenty of shopping.

The Galeries Lafayette is France’s largest department store, complete with its own McDonalds on the 4th floor—just in case we want some American food. The store is known for showcasing French fashion, as well as for its gourmet food store. The nearest metro stop is Havre Caumartin. (Pictured above)

Au Bon Marche is the oldest department store in Paris, and is most famous for its wide selection of French food. La Grande Epicerie has a large selection of cheeses, baked goods and pastries, wine and champagne. The nearest metro stop is Sèvres Babylone.

The Louvre/Tuileries neighborhood is not only home to the Louvre Museum, but it also contains the Rue Saint-Honore Fashion district. The Rue Saint-Honore is one of Paris’s oldest medieval streets and is full of high end designers. Some of the designers with flagship stores in this district include Hermes, Lancome, and Lanvin. The nearest metro stop is Tuileries (Line 1). (Pictured above)

The most famous shopping district in all of Paris is undoubtedly the Champs-Elysees. At the western edge of the neighborhood lies the Arc de Triomphe. This neighborhood is great for simply walking around and enjoying the sights of Paris, offering many places to eat and shop. The Avenue Montaigne in particular is a must see for fashion lovers. This street is famous for its variety of designers such as Louis Vuitton, Dior, Chanel, Fendi, Valentino, Ralph Lauren, Bulgari, and Harry Winston. A friend of mine visited Paris a few years ago and absolutely loved visiting the stores in this district. Even though she knew she wasn’t going to buy anything, the staff of each store was impeccably polite and accommodating! The nearest metro stop is Franklin D. Roosevelt. (Pictured in two pictures above)

The Boboli Gardens

The Boboli Gardens is a famous park in Florence that is home to a collection of sculptures that date back to the 16th-18th centuries. The gardens are also home to many Roman antiquities. They were first laid out for Eleonora di Toledo, the wife of Cosimo I de' Medici. The first stage of the gardens was begun by Niccolo Tribolo before his death and then was continued by Bartolomeo Ammanati. Giorgio Vasari and Bernardo Buontalenti also contributed to these beautiful gardens, with Vasari laying out the grottos and Buontalenti sculpting parts of the grotto that separates the palace from its garden.

The main axis, which is centered on the rear facade of the palace, rises on the Boboli Hill from a deep amphitheater that resembles half of the hippodrome or racecourse. The center of the amphitheater is home to the Egyptian obelisk, which was brought from the Villa Medici at Rome. This main axis terminates in a fountain of Neptune (also known as the "Fountain of the Fork") with the sculpture of Neptune by Stoldo Lorenzi. At the top are beautiful views of Florence, painted by Camille Corot. There are also a series of terraces and water creations with bosquets on both sides.

The design of the Boboli Gardens was based off of the royal gardens in Europe, including Versailles. Late editions to the gardens included the Coffeehouse, the Lawn of the Columns, and the Lemonary, all of which were installed by the Lorriane in vogue. It was Pietro Leopoldo who made the decision to open the garden to the public in 1776.

There is a solitary and private area in the grounds of the gardens, called the Giardino el Cavaliere, or Garden of the Knight. This can be found at the top of the hill, with the small palace that now houses the Porcelain Museum.

Pictures and other helpful information at http://florence-tuscany-italy.com/gardens/boboli-gardens-2/

The Eiffel Tower

The Eiffel Tower is nicknamed La dame de fer and is located on the Champ de Mars in Paris. It was built in 1889 and has become both a global icon of France and one of the most recognizable structures in the world. The Eiffel Tower is the tallest building in Paris, and it is the most visited paid monument in the world. More than 200,000,000 people have visited the tower since its construction. It is named for its designer, Gustave Eiffel (the same man who is responsible for the Statue of Liberty's iron framework), and it was built as the entrance arch to the 1889 World's Fair. The construction was only suppose to last for the duration of the Exposition, but it still stands today, despite all of the protests.

Many contemporary artists feared that the Eiffel Tower would be an "eyesore" because its architecture did not fit in with the rest of the buildings in Paris. Fellow Parisians also protested the tower's size, saying that it was too big and stuck out too much.

The Eiffel tower is 324 meters tall and was the tallest man-made structure in the world for 41 years until the Chrysler Building was built. However, due to an addition in 1957, the Eiffel Tower is still taller than the New York landmark. The Eiffel tower has 3 levels for visitors and the walk to the first level is 300 steps. The first and second levels feature restaurants, and the third level is only accessible by elevator.

Some interesting facts of about the Eiffel Tower: The tower was almost demolished in 1909, but was saved by its use as a telecommunication tower. The Eiffel Tower actually shrinks 6 inches in the winter. However, solar heating can cause the Eiffel Tower to expand up to 3.25 inches.

The Louvre

Here is some helpful information on how to "survive" the Louvre!

The Louvre Museum in Paris is immense, and one could spend a week exploring its exhibits. Unfortunately, most of us don't have that kind of time. Find out how to get the most out of one of the world's top art museums, the Louvre Museum.

Study the map before you enter and decide what you want to see. You will have to commit to a section before you buy your ticket. If you want to see the Louvre Museum's trademark piece, the Mona Lisa, buy a ticket for the permanent collections and temporary exhibitions (Richelieu, Sully and Denon).

To see the Mona Lisa, head straight for the 13th-15th century Italian paintings section (on the first floor). You can always work your way to other exhibits afterwards. Expect a crowd of people elbowing their way close to the painting.

Besides the Mona Lisa, prioritize what you'd like to see. The museum has a vast range of exhibits, ranging from fascinating Islamic art and Egyptian antiquities to sculptures and art prints. The paintings section includes extensive works from France, Italy, Germany, the Netherlands and England.

Be sure to hold on to your map of the exhibits. It will help you avoid getting lost in the maze-like corridors. Try to avoid getting sidetracked too much (although this is a fun place to wander). Or, if you don't have a priority of what to see, indulge in some aimless wandering. When it's time to leave, leave.

If you get hungry, don't despair. You needn't leave the museum. There are several restaurants in the museum and in the mall below it. They have a bit of a food-court-esque feel to some of them, but it is food. Just a bit on the low-quality, high price-tag side.

Free Things to do in Florence

Anyone wanting to check out free sites and attractions, check out the places below.

Florence is one of the most popular travel cities in Italy and holds many free sights and attractions for the tourist. One of the best things to do in Florence is just walk around and admire the beautiful squares and buildings. Florence is a good city for walking. Walk around the historic center or pick your favorite neighborhood and take a stroll.

Florence's most famous square, Piazza della Signoria, is the heart of the historic center and a free open-air sculpture exhibit. The Loggia della Signoria holds important statues including a copy of Michelangelo's David. The piazza has been Florence's political center since the middle ages and Florence's town hall, the medieval Palazzo Vecchio, sits on the piazza. You'll also want to admire the fountain in the square.

Piazza del Duomo - Cathedral Square

Florence's most popular site is its Duomo (cathedral), the Cattedrale de Santa Maria del Fiore. The huge Gothic cathedral has an exterior made of green, pink, and white marble with elaborate doors and interesting statues. You can go into the church itself for free. The Baptistery dates from the 11th century making it one of Florence's oldest buildings. Its exterior is made of green and white marble and has three sets of amazing bronze doors (reproductions - the originals are in the Duomo Museum). Also in Piazza del Duomo, the square in front of the cathedral, is the impressive bell tower.

Ponte Vecchio - Old Bridge

Ponte Vecchio, old bridge, was built in 1345 and was Florence's first bridge across the Arno River. It's the only surviving bridge from Florence's medieval days (others were destroyed in World War II). Following a flood in 1345, the bridge was reconstructed and changed from defensive to public, adding rows of shops to the bridge. More shops were added later, and Ponte Vecchio became a top place for gold and silver shopping in Renaissance Florence. It's still lined with shops selling gold and silver jewelry today, a good place for window shopping.

San Lorenzo Market - Florence's Central Market

San Lorenzo Mercato Centrale, San Lorenzo Central Market, is an interesting place to wander around. You may see foods you've never seen in a market before, like several kinds of cow stomachs and intestines at the Tripperia. There are stands selling all kinds of fowl, meats, and fish. You'll see shops with displays of local Tuscan products including wine, biscotti, cheeses, and salami. To get inside the market, walk through Piazza dell Mercato and the stalls outside selling leather goods, clothing, and souvenirs to the door in the big building. Open mornings only.

Tip: There are inexpensive eating places inside the mercato or you can buy goods for a picnic here.

Piazzale Michelangelo - Panoramic Views of Florence

Piazzale Michelangelo is a large square atop a hill with panoramic views of Florence. It's above Piazza Poggi, on the south side of the Arno River and east of the historic center. Steps lead to the top of the hill from Piazza Poggi. In the piazzale, a large panoramic terrace designed in 1869 by Giuseppe Poggi, are a replica of Michelangelo's David, a cafe, parking lot, and vendors selling drinks and tourist items. If you don't want to walk, you can take bus 12 or 13 from the center (but that makes it not free).

Source: http://goitaly.about.com/od/florenceitaly/tp/florence-free.htm

Rome-The Belly Button of the World

There are plenty of cities that could credibly claim to be the center of the world, but only one has gone through the trouble of marking the exact spot. The timeless city of Rome is home to the Umbilicus Urbis Romae (the "navel of the city of Rome"), a spot in the Roman Forum from which all distances in Rome and the Roman Empire were measured. It was situated in the Roman Forum where its remnants can still be seen. These remains are located beside the Arch of Septimius Severus, behind the Rostra. Originally covered in marble, the Umbilicus is now a forlorn-looking brick core some 2 metres high and 4.45 metres in diameter. Constructed by the Emperor Augustus around 20 B.C., it was once marked by a grand marble tower, but all that's left of it is a sad little pile of bricks with a plaque. Still, it represents an excellent starting point or endpoint for any Roman adventure.

Roman legend related that Romulus, when he founded the city, had a circular pit dug in the Forum. The first fruits of the year were thrown into this pit as a sacrifice and all new citizens of Rome had to throw in a handful of dirt from their place of origin.

The Mundus (Latin, “world”), known only from literary sources, was an underground structure considered a gate to the underworld. It may be that the Umbilicus Urbis Romae was the external (above ground) part of the subterranean Mundus. The Mundus was ritually opened only three times each year. These days were considered dies nefasti — days on which official transactions were forbidden on religious grounds —– because evil spirits of the underworld were thought to escape then.

Source: http://www.jaunted.com/story/2009/2/7/112051/0405/travel/The+Belly+Button+of+the+World+and+Other+Neat+Facts+About+Rome