Travelling around Italy we see amazing frescoes in the most unlikely spots. While in Oaxaca Mexico we toured a fresco repair workshop & learned so much about the process. It has given me a new appreciation for the art form.

Ok – enough! We are so fortunate to see so many different art forms. Mosaics – Frescoes- Masters – street art. Amazing!

Greg went out for an early morning run & caught coliseum with great light

We strolled out around 8:30 before throngs of tourists

We did not plan in advance to visit Rome on Easter Sunday – it just happened. We bought our return airfare & it made sense to be in Rome. So we did not try to score tickets to any of the big papal events. Which turned out great. We had yummy chocolate croissants & cappuccino at a favorite spot. Met an interesting German woman winding up her vaca. Wandered over to our selected church – a fabulous French cathedral with amazing organ & choir music. And. On the way visited Pantheon. Later we wandered St Peter’s square. Here are our photos of the day.

Ask me about the kind nun we met on the bus!

There are 3 canals in our hotel neighborhood. People kayak, sup, & groups propel these boats – usually kids & their coaches encourage them with loud chants – they are having a blast!

Loved this place! Housed in an old distillery they are having fun and making a statement through art.

After our bike ride in Puglia, we sought out sunshine & warmer weather – we found that in Milano. Much to our surprise, we stayed here for 6 days. Transportation around town is easy – both walking & metro system. G found some pb games & I found lively neighborhoods.

We toured Duomo & its terraces and are transcended by both. We have seen some of the great ‘houses of worship’ and I think Duomo -Milan is our favorite. There are 130+ spires – hard to imagine the craftsmanship that went into creating them and now to maintain them. We also found the cathedral interior to be incredibly inviting. Especially when you consider that it holds 40,000 people. ( forget about getting tickets for Easter – gone!). So I am going to post too many photos – cuz we liked it!

We finished our bike trip today. Rain was predicted & we dissected the weather maps & for the most part – dodged the raindrops. We biked for 4 days and each day was spectacular. Small charming towns. Archeological ruins. Spectacular shorelines. We think the best we have seen. Whether you want to bike, hike,take cooking classes, or shop. This area is worth a visit- just make certain it is not rainy, windy, & cold!

We saw a number of hikers & this area seems to be popular for group hikes.

Really do not expect you to be – wowed- by these photos – rather just an idea of beauty in area.

Oh yeah – when you want a break – stop in one of the local shops for a cappuccino. Cap is great. Shopkeeps fun! Supporting local biz. And you will never ever pay more than $1.50.

Thank goodness the weather in Puglia has broken. Rain & wind stopped & sun came out.

We started in Lecce – on to Gallipoli. Biked on quiet country roads past vineyards, olive orchards, abandoned ancient olive oil mills. Through small towns & lots of locals. And through a beautiful park with amazing water views.

Day 2 of bike trip is Gallipoli to Santa Marta de Leuca. Perhaps one of the most scenic water/shoreline rides ever.

Day 3

Santa Maria de Leuca to Otranta.

Gorgeous shoreline ride – this time with major climbs – spectacular.

…find a time of year when weather is good – not too hot & not too crowded & treat yourself to a visit to Puglia. So much natural beauty & not overcrowded!

In Florence -Gallery Academia – adjacent to David.

In the gallery, there is a small (50) collection of musical instruments. Stradivarius, harpsichord & of course…2 Hurdy Gurdys. What? Indeed part of the collection. Beautiful.

Wait…isn’t Hurdy Gurdy Man a song by Donovan?

Yes to both. Kind of fun. Definitely a flashback to songs of the 60s.