During the summer of 2011 I took my Nephew Matt to Italy to celebrate his high school graduation. I wanted him to experience my joy of travel. I gave him many options and he chose Italy. I dubbed this trip “Matt and Dave’s Excellent Adventure.”

We arrived in Venice 2 days before the tour officially started and had a great time visiting the major sites as well as wandering the back streets and canals of this historic place.

In Florence I surprised him with a Segway tour of this city center. I thought that would be a great surprise, though his highlight of Florence was found when we headed back to the hotel. While I had never seen the show, on the walk back Matt hollered out, “Uncle Dave, it’s “J-WOWW” from the Jersey Shore!” Yes, The Jersey Shore was filming in Florence while we were there and he had the chance to see some of the [so-called] stars of the show. If I remember correctly, the fine citizens of Florence were “not” sad to see them leave.

Our hotel in Rome was an excellent location just a few blocks from the Coliseum. We did much walking throughout the city although I had to opt for a taxi for the final ride back to the hotel.

We had a great time and enjoyed our fair share of pizza and pasta along the way.

Dates: June 6-15, 2011
Tour Operator: Gate 1 Travel

Venice

Madonna dell’Orto Church, 15th Century, Venice

Tour Itinerary

Palazzo Mastelli (House of the Camel)

Venice

Ponte Chiodo – The bridge with no parapet – unique in Venice

In Awe of Venice (Nicely Posed)

Along the Canals

Along the Canals

Venice

Venice

Venice

Gondolas of Venice

Venice

View from San Giorgio Maggiore

Venice

“Leaning” Campanile of San Giorgio dei Greci Church, Venice

Matt learning the rules of the Church

Basilica of San Marco

Piazza San Marco

Basilica of San Marco

Venice

Piazza San Marco (St. Marks Square)

Venice

Piazza San Marco

View from San Giorgio Maggiore

Uncle Dave, Lets get a brew! Okay, lets!

Venice

Palazzo Ducale (Doge’s Palace)

Gondola Ride

Palazzo Ducale (Doge’s Palace)

Venice

Saint Apollinare Church, 16th Century, Venice

When if Venice, one must take a gondola ride

What did they do before cell phones?

Venice

San Zaccaria Church, 15th Century, Venice

Venice

Cathedral at Pisa

Campanile (Leaning Tower) of Pisa

Baptistery at Pisa

Campanile (Leaning Tower) of Pisa

Street market in Florence

Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore

When you are 18 years old, this pose is a must!

Basilica of San Lorenzo, Florence

Duomo (Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore), Florence

Michelangelo’s David (copy) at the Piazza della Signoria, Florence

Cathedral of Santa Maria de Fiore

Tempio Maggiore (Great Synagogue of Florence)

Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore

View from the Campanile at Cathedral of Santa Maria de Fiore

Santa Croce Church, 15th Century, Florence

Segway Warriors in Florence

Santa Croce Church, Florence

Ponte Vecchio Bridge, Florence

Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi, Assisi

Jenni “J-WOWW” from the Jersey Shore

Assisi

Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi, Assisi

Assisi

Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi, Assisi

Assisi

Coliseum, Rome

Coliseum, Rome

Arch of Constantine, Rome

Coliseum, Rome

Rome

Dome of the Pantheon, Rome

Coliseum, Rome

Piazza Navona

Pantheon, Rome

Church of Santa Maria di Loreto, Rome

Trinita dei Monti Church, Rome

Base of Obelisk near the Pantheon

Trevi Fountain, Rome

Too much wine for dinner?

St. Peters Basilica, Vatican City

St. Peters Basilica, Vatican City

Ceiling of Vatican Museum

Dome of St. Peters Basilica, Vatican City

St. Peters Basilica, Vatican City

Vatican Buildings

St. Peters Basilica, Vatican City

St. Peters Square, Vatican City

Basilica of San Clemente

St. Peters Basilica, Vatican City

Michelangelo’s Moses, Church of San Pietro in Vincoli, Rome

Crazy decorations at the Church of San Pietro in Vincoli, Rome

Rome