Days 9/10 Dolomites

Renting a car, we drove from Venice to a town called Cortina d'Ampezzo, which is located in Northeast Italy in the Italian Alps. The mountain range is specifically called "The Dolomites", derived from the mineral dolomite that gives the mountains their characteristic "pale" appearance. We must credit our friend and Radiology partner Scott Bolton with giving us the idea to visit this region, as we had not heard of it before. Great advice! Beautiful alpine village (think Aspen on steroids) nestled among some of the most rugged and downright spooky cliffs/rock formations we had ever seen.

"A room with a view"  (from our bedroom window)

Again, a picture from the bedroom window. Town of Cortina has more of an Alpine/Swiss/Austrian look. 

We naturally decided we needed a closer look and went hiking the next day. After a brief conversation with the concierge, Eric said we probably needed to try to plan our hike ahead of time, and not "wing it" so as to avoid "climbing any ladders". Upon further investigation, we realized this area is known for extreme climbing including free climbing etc (Think Sylvester Stallone in the movie "Cliffhanger" filmed on location here!) We definitely wanted to avoid the via ferrato (Italian for "iron walk"). The name is self explanatory....

This is not us!!!!!   In spite of helmets, still didn't appear safe enough for us sea level dwellers...

This is us!! Note moderate slope, foliage (not pure rock) and hands in pockets!

The cable car ride up was enough adrenaline for us, elevation approximately 3000 meters (just under 10,000 feet)

Plus if you are hanging on for dear life, how do you enjoy the view and take these great pictures?!

Some sort of abandoned building from a mining company

Scattered clouds added to the surreal atmosphere  and overall incredible beauty of this place.

After our day hike, we strolled the streets and felt very "American" ! In all our travels so far, we ran into the fewest number of Americans here. We saw one other American couple the whole time we were in Cortina, but felt a friendly vibe from local people and travelers through this area. Plus it helps that Europeans try to speak English to each other when traveling from one country to another. (American Express also part of the universal language :))

Quite a few people with their dogs inside stores. Very big dogs, not even sure the breed. It caught our attention but didn't seem "red" like seeing a Pitbull at PetSmart in Dothan, for example.

Have to be careful with the food pics. There is a fine line between a "foodie" and a "fatty". That being said, tasty fresh pizza with an egg in the center. And  not even salty ! :))

Ciao !!

Day 4 Louvre Museum/Paris Sight seeing

Heading out like local Parisians who know where they are going!

Our "apartment" was located on a residential/business street, just a few blocks from the Champs Elysees. Local businesses, markets and restaurants populated the street, however we were away from the tourist-type shops and throngs of people. 

Of course one street over and we begin looking lost again....!!!!

The Louvre Museum is insanely huge and is one of the most visited museums in the world. The glass pyramid is the actual entrance, which definitely stands out and can't be missed, even by savvy travelers such as ourselves.

Parents attributing yawn to heat and hunger. Definitely not boredom.

Eric and 1,000 of his closest friends on a pilgrimage to to see the Mona Lisa

As there are over 35,000 pieces of art, we decided on a guided tour to "catch the highlights". We were lucky: our guide was from Birmingham, England (not to be confused with the one in Alabama) therefore her english was better than ours, not to mention a prettier accent.

Alexander's head may be bigger than the actual painting!

After jockeying for position up front, this is the best I could do. No flash photography allowed, not to mention it's behind protective glass. In any event, very cool to see "up close" the most well known painting in the world. Leonardo da Vinci  (early 1500's)

Day 3 Normandy

Train departed from Paris, arrives in picturesque town of Bayeux in region of Normandy

Broze statue "The Spirit of American Youth Rising from the Waves"

American Cemetery in Coleville-sur-Mer

Valerie and her daughter Rosanna

We were so fortunate to have met a wonderful local woman who takes care of my great Uncle's grave (and helps WWII veteran's and their families in many other ways, too) 

German bunkers in foreground

Cemetery overlooks Omaha Beach, beautiful bluff along the English Channel. Surreal to see remains of German bunkers along such a beautiful beach.

Rosanna, age 9

We spent a wonderful day exploring and learning and then returned to Bayeux for the train ride back to Paris.

waving goodbye to our new French friends

Rest in Peace, Edwin Alexander. Died age 18, Utah Beach, Normandy France.

Day 7 Paris to Venice

Venus de Milo: 130-100 BC artist: not entirely known. Louvre Museum. Commonly referred to as "intravenous de Milo" by the Lunds. Ref: movie Spinal Tap

Saying goodbye to France...

Bridge along Seine River with numerous padlocks. Lovers put their names and date on the lock, and throw away the key into the river below.

Chapel at the American Cemetery 

View of the Eiffel Tower at night from one of our venues.

Designed by engineer Gustave Eiffel, for the World's Fair 1889. Worth taking the time reading about the construction of this structure, with so few workers (300ish) over a relatively short time.  And guess who built the elevator to the second floor (along the curve of the legs)? Otis Brothers from the good ole' USA!

Alexander's first and favorite French word:

Saying Hello to Italy..

On Rialto Bridge, overlooking the Grand Canal

Venice: an amazingly beautiful, romantic and truly one of a kind city. We only spent 2 nites here but got a good feel for the city. It is comprised of over 100 little islands, separated by numerous canals which are crossed by hundreds of bridges.

Water taxi is one method of transfer from airport into the historic portion of Venice.

Like a postcard! View of the Grand Canal. Various boats and gondolas. 

Typical "street scenes" seen along canals. Approximately 50,000 or so tourists come to Venice daily (including large cruise ships). The canals don't reflect this volume and seem peaceful and relaxing.

Our hotel is seen on the left, with the red and white "barber striped" mooring. It is a bit odd unloading suitcases from your boat directly into the hotel lobby. Picture below is Eric looking out from our balcony. There was a puff of breeze causing shirt to billow out a bit, definitely not too much gelato. Bad camera angle ! :)

The next day it rained, all day. We definitely made the best of it and did some site seeing, undeterred by the weather.

 Piazza San Marco (aka St. Mark's Square). This is the main public square in Venice. Only moderately packed with people today because of the weather.

St. Mark's Basilica seen in background.

Next we went inside The Clock Tower (circa 1499) and ascended to the top for amazing views of the city, rain notwithstanding.

Our day concluded with a wonderful dinner in an outdoor cafe. This is what I will remember about the restaurant:

 This is what Alexander and Eric remember about it! Evidently the world's lowest "toilette". Whatever!

Something we can all agree on: Gelato :)