Ludmila, our Russian/Italian friend, has been a member for 14 years. We're in the branch where our good friend's son, Rob Callister, served his mission recently. Everybody remembered him, too!
We told you there were lots of Santas...every day Christmas week!
Florence's famed Duomo from a hilltop outside the city.
John's favorite painting of the Transfiguration discovered in an obscure church in Florence.We loved the beautiful, vibrant colors. A choir was getting ready for a Christmas program up front so no one objected to our photo op.
Ghiberti's golden Doors of Paradise at the Baptistry across from the Duomo.
Enjoying a great day of sun in Sienna!
Window shopping! Time for (herbal) tea or hot chocolate.
In St. Peter's Basilica "basement"...the famed tomb of the great apostle Peter. 
Swiss guards at the Vatican still watching over the Pope after all these years!
Bernini's last sculpture...a bust of Christ. Located in a small church along the Appian Way near the catacombs (1st and 2nd century Christians). No security! John was quickly making plans for it in our living room! Wouldn't you? Absolutely stunning!!!
I had been here 43 years ago...with my brother and some friends. I finally got my romantic kiss in the moonlight (from John, not a friendly Italian)!
Inside the Coliseum!
Inside the Vatican Museum on Christmas Eve Day...tour was 3 hours long! And every step magnificent!
We're posed outside the Vatican Square on Christmas Eve Night...but we didn't hang around for the Pope at midnight mass!
OOPS...can't seem to delete it!
Pompeii ruins near Napoli. This is not a real person...just a cast of one who was caught in the cinders in 79 A.D. Residents didn't believe they were in danger...surprise!
Pompeii's excavation is now a huge area...their community was quite vast and more social than I ever imagined.
Swarovski crystals filled the dome in the outdoor shopping mall in Milan. It left us breathless!
Duomo, Milan...on New Year's Eve. It was COLD...even snowed that night. Yes, we think that's an angel on top!
The Flower Market in nice Nice, France...sunnier and warm. Our oldest son served part of his mission here years ago.
A much photographed hotel along the French Riviera.
Monte Carlo Casino, Monaco...at dusk..."the name is Bond...James Bond."
Monaco harbor where the mega rich gather for cocktails in the evening.
New Monaco train station...all underground.
Best pizza! Found in an out of the way street in Pisa. John's second slice!
Gail and John the first hour in Pisa.
The final night in Pisa. Stayed nearby in a 400-year old inn.
Arrivederci!
3 comments:
What spectacular photos!! And that pizza John is chowing down - yum. What a mission you guys are having. Wishing you every blessing, from behind the Redwood Curtain. Love, LA
Wow that was fun! I love traveling with you guys -- even vicariously! May I say that you both look absolutely wonderful! I miss you.
Dearest Gail, Thank you for posting such fabulous pictures of Italy! Loved every moment of it, brings back lots of memories of when Frank I saw those sights in 2004.
WOW! How time flies.
Love and hugs, Jeanne
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