After Florence, we relaxed at Casa Rondini, had some gelato at our favorite place in Piegaro, and ate a wonderful dinner at a restaurant there later that evening.  On Friday, we did laundry and packed for Rome.  We turned in the rent car in Rome on Saturday May 24th, and got a taxi to the hotel.  We were hustled at the airport to a taxi that overcharged us by about 25 Euros.  The hotel we had reserved was horrible.  We dropped off our luggage and went on the open air bus around Rome, and decided to go ahead and see the Vatican Museum and the Sistine Chapel.

When we got back to the hotel, we decided that we couldn't stay there.  We found another one nearby that was excellent.  We had not unpacked, so we checked out of the first.  It was old and dirty and smelled like cigarette smoke.  The name of the hotel was Hotel King.  We had to pay for one night, even though we didn't stay.  That cost us $218.00. 

The hotel we found that was really nice was called Hotel Cecil.  It was a privately owned hotel with a wonderful staff and a great continental breakfast.  We stayed there for 3 nights. 

The next morning, I went to see the "Ecstasy of Santa Teresa" in the church of Sta Maria della Vittoria.  Since it was Sunday, I stayed for mass, and later took pictures.  I took Kathy back for the evening mass, so she could see it.

Ceiling at Santa Maria della Vittoria

Ecstasy of St. Teresa

Front of Church

I later took a long walk around Rome and went to the Ara Pacis, the "Altar of Augustan Peace". 

We had a lovely dinner that evening at a restaurant by the Bernini Neptune fountain.

The next day, we went to the Vatican, the Trevi Fountain, and the Pantheon.

We had dinner at the Piazza Navona in front of the Bernini fountain of the four rivers.

 
 On Tuesday, May 27th, we flew to Paris.

Yesterday, we took the train to Florence.  It was a full, fun day.

On the train to Florence

Florence Cathedral

Kathy in front of the Cathedral

The Duomo

Rape of the Sabine Women

Hercules and the Centaur

Kathy relaxing at The Loggia of the Signoria

Abduction of Polyxena

Kathy admiring the David

Santa Maria Novella

Today was Siena!  What a wonderful day!

Back at Casa Rondini...

Etruscan Museum

Sunday, we went to the Etruscan Museum in Chiusi.  It's an amazing museum.  Here are some photos.

 Sphinx

Head sculptures for graves

Canopic urn

Food skewers

Tomb with sarcophagus

 

Feeding mug 

Serving Dish

Belt Buckle

Play kitchen for child

Augustus