First time posting pics. Recently visited Rome and Tuscany. Italy has the most amazing light and sights...Pantheon Piano Man Italian Chocolate Fisher Man of Cinque Terre Old Church Streets of Tuscany Vin Santo

This is a beautiful place we visited a few years back in Italy.
These particular pictures were in and around the town that was built in ancient times on volcanic rock. The town is in the Tuscany area of Italy.
Pitigliano6 Pitigliano1 Pitigliano2
The whole city was built out of the volcanic rock and there are hundreds of caves that they use for storage.
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Within the city walls
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Just another shot taken on my European adventure.

Venice, Italy

It was windy here all day yesterday so I drove down to Marina di Pisa to try to get some shots of the waves and the sunset.  It was fun to try to get a decent picture and not get soaked by a random wave that would make it to the street.  These pictures are the better ones I could get:

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I tok these two pictures in Perugia, italy.  I went there for a chocolate festival they were having.
@ the Perugia Chocolate Festival Perugia, Italy This picture was taken in Oak Island, NC Sunset in Oak Island, NC

Saint Peter's Basilica Dome

Saint Peter's Dome Light

It's all Latin to Me

The Pantheon's Dome Light

Duomo, Isle of Burano Don't tell me the Tower is Leaning, It is Supposed to be, it has for Centuries. Italians.. Great Masons... Foundations.. Eh, not so good

The clock tower taken from the balcony of the Municipal building, Faenza,Italy. Both the Italian and European Union Flags are displayed in the central plazza.

A cold blustery day here on the lake.  I got out some boxes of shots I took in Italy, and scanned a few to share with you.  These are film, prior to going digital several years back.  Anyway, hope you enjoy my daydream!

A Bird on the Head is worth 2 in the Bush!
Assisi
Stairs to Where?
Smells Good
Tastes Good
Ummm  Terra Cotta
Italian Moon

Here are some standard Europe pics...
Florence 1
Florence 2
Venice Gondala
Latin Quarter in Paris

and experiment..driving home from work on a rainy day.
Rain on Windshield

Just a few...

One from Rome - it's nothing major.  The Pantheon is behind me, but this image is what I remember of Rome outside of the ancient monuments.


Several days ago, I shared a few B&W - here's some color from the same morning.

 Relics II
 Primary Colors

Thinking about our new challenge prompted me to share some shots I took in Spain last year.  I was surprised at the amount of Roman influence still visible.  But then again, I guess the Holy Roman Empire stretched a long way.  Driving south of Sitges, we pulled off on a little roadside rest, and stumbled across this ancient Aquaduct that was built by the Romans. You could actually go up and Walk on it, so we did.  Farther south in Terregona, there are remains of a Cosiseum also built by the Romans.  It isn't as big as the one in Rome, but it does have a nicer view!  

One of the highlights of Spain for me was Traveling up the Mountains to the Monestir de Montserrat 9'th century.  It is on the highest point in Spain (4,055 ft.) and you can see The View of Barcelona in the distance.
The Waterfront in Gerona gives you an idea of their urban housing.  I will end this tour with a glimpse of Salvadore Dali's Museum in Figures.  The Upside Down Boat in front of the museum's sphere was a nice whimsical touch!  Hope you enjoyed this little tour!

And not in the nuthouse variety, just busy with the "w" word - you know, w - o - r - k.... brrrr...  I've got to wash my mouth out now..

Anyway, things are slowing down for a moment and I've missed seeing the great work here and having time to share my own stuff (nevermind time to wander with my camera - soon...).

So, I went to Rome for New Years. It was beautiful, although I think my heart still calls to the UK more.  But how many places have such unforgettable landmarks.  And then there's the   Pope's Home.  

I also saw some of Southern Italy with a friend including an afternoon on the isle of Capri.  

There are of course, tons more, but I skimmed through and those are the ones that called to me.  

More photos from my month long stay in Italy. We stayed at villa Mondomino, built by an Italian poet on a cliff overlooking the Med. Fiore Villa Mondomino Villa Mondomino 2

Fiore is between Positano and Amalfi near Ravello. Ravello Ravello 2 Ravello 3 Amalfi Amalfi 2

The locals were very acceptable to leisure. Italian Conversation Italian Shopkeeper

The countryside was a photographers dream. Hayfields Hayfields 2 Vineyards

A side trip to Pompeii and the eternal remains of the inhabitants. Pompeii Pompeii 2 Pompeii 3

And finally a side trip to Assisi. Assisi Assisi 2 Assisi 3

I hope you enjoy.

And you thought you'd seen the last of my Italy pix! Ha! These are shots I took stitched together by a Photoshop wiz friend of mine. He'd asked me to do this while I was there, and I think he did an amazing job with my raw photos--all the credit goes to him: [update]check 'em out again--I goofed and removed the scrollbars, which are now back so you can see the entire picture. the Dolomites + Siena at sunset + the Coliseum post-thunderstorm + Rome's Forum, from the Coliseum + St Mark's Square, Venice.

These are the Italian Alps, the Dolomites. They speak more German than Italian here, as the area used to be part of Austria.
the Schlern at dusk - again - once more - and then at dawn!
mountain meadow barn - fight the urge to yodel - a fence for what? - one more barn.
The rocks on the barn roofs are to melt the snow quicker.

I was in Gubbio (Umbria, Italy) for work last week, and had the time for a short visit to the city. I took these shots:
Piazza dei Consoli
Bike
what are these plants called??
the Roman theatre
and my girlfriend took this, which is the one I like best!

When you walk in the Margutta road in Rome (ancient and fascinating road of the artists), the Fairies look at you

The Fairies .....

Did you know how wonderfull it is in Italy?

The now so called "old Europe" has really some beuatifull sights and locations!

click here to get med resolution picture

click here to see more pictures

Blue trees taken in Torino, Italy :)