As I said.. I will be getting back into the groove here.. and I am usually as good as my word..lol
This is a scene from the terrace of our hotel..it’s actually a small and old church hidden away in an alley.. Unfortunately, I never could get inside..
Happy Travels!
For anyone that may be looking for more of my “Black and White” photos..feel free to stop by Hotshoe and follow along..
Ok..I admit it.. I have been lazy.. I promise to do better…back to my Photos of the day posts..
I did a little “photoshopping” (actually Lightrooming) with this alley scene from Rome.. It is in the “Weird Art” gallery on Fine Art America.. That’s the site I use to post prints for sale..
And since I am about a month behind, here’s one more 😛
Have a great day! and
HAPPY TRAVELS!
551 steps…
St.Peter’s Basilica.. One of the highlights of any trip to Rome.. and if you make the climb, one of the best veiws of Rome that can be found anywhere.
Of course, on the way to the entrance, before you enter the square, you have to deal with the hundreds of of people selling “fast pass” and “skip the line” tickets that range anywhere from 20 to 45 Euros.. The lines ARE usually pretty long but don’t fall for the 2 1/2 to 3 hr wait time they tell you..but be prepared for a 20 minute wait. The line moves fast and it’s only for security. The entrance to the actual cathedral is free..
This photo was taken from the end of the line and 22 minutes later we were inside…like I said, it moves pretty fast..
Once you pass security, you have to buy a ticket to the Basilica..the church may be free but the climb up is not.. It will cost 5 Euros to climb all those steps..or 7 Euros to take the elevator to the first level.. Unless you are feeling like you want the whole experience, take the elevator. I have done it both ways and the first 200 steps are pretty boring..nothing to see..just a hall with steps.. a lot of steps..
and there are still plenty of steps to enjoy after the lift… My advice.. buy the elevator ticket. Even if you want to climb all the way up, which gives you bragging rights, you can always use the elevator to come back down…
The first level leads up to a walkway around the inside of the dome where you can look into the church below and see the beautiful inside murals on the walls and the dome above. The first time I was here, there was a wire cage that you could actually shoot through.. that has been replaced by plexiglass which was dirty and scratched and darn near impossible to get a shot.. sorry but it’s true.
Now the fun part begins.. for the next 100 or so steps… you have the squeeze by people coming down…yep..exit and entrance is the same for this part..
Eventually…you will make it to the top.. huffing and puffing … but excited ..
There is no time limit on how long you can stay and gaze out over the city.. I am not sure if I stayed for 30 minutes because I was captivated by the views or just knew I had to walk back down…probably a little of both..but eventually …..
The second level, on the way down is a broad expanse of flat roof top.. you will find a restroom here, along with a clean water fountain, a small cafe and a gift shop..
and some pretty good views too…
There are also some perfect views of the Basilica itself..
The elevator to ground level is also here..
Then down, down, down….
The interior of the cathedral is a work of art… full of paintings and statues and ornate iron and stone work..
Like I said.. one of the highlights of any trip to Rome..
At the exit is a booth where you can buy tickets to the Sistine Chapel and the Vatican Museum…both of which, we skipped this trip..
Now time for some pizza, gelato..and my feet are begging me to rest… Still a long walk exploring this afternoon..
HAPPY TRAVELS!
Since we arrived so late in the day, we had just decided to rest and relax (after a few hours of walking and shooting) and get ready for a long day of walking, exploring and enjoying the city..
As always, the first stop was the Spanish Steps.. a large plaza and street guarded by the church, Trinita del Monti..
The Trevi Fountain was closed for repair or upgrading.. couldn’t really get the whole story but it was still crowded. The entire fountain was curtained by a 8′ high plexiglass wall so photos were useless..
Then we headed over to the river..I love to walk along the river. The architecture of the buildings found there is amazing..and there all kinds of little side streets and back alleys where you might find a hidden gem of a cafe..
The winding river paths bring you to the Ponte Vittorio Bridge…
Castle Sant Angelo
and Vatican City.. The first look at St. Peter’s Basilica is usually from one of the many bridges crossing the Tiber River..
Ok..so we had been walking for about 4 1/2 hours by this time and I wasn’t sure I was up to the climb.. 551 steps to the top of St.Peter’s Basilica..which might very well be the best view in Rome.. but still 551 STEPS…
Stay Tuned 🙂
HAPPY TRAVELS!!
I love visiting Italy… The history… the architecture… the food… Everything about Italy just begs to be explored.
This was my second trip to Italy, and like the first, it began in Rome … The home of the Coliseum, The Pantheon, Vatican City .. and countless statues and monuments paying tribute to the past of the glorious Roman Empire.
A quick word.. The public transportation system in Rome is hard to beat… so forget the expensive cabs heading to the center from the airport.. The Leonardo Express takes about a 1/2 hour non-stop to Roma Termini..and costs just 12 Euros..Buses are even cheaper but I like trains..
Anyway..we took the above mentioned train from the airport to the main train/bus staion – Roma Termini..
I usually stay in the Mecenate Palace Hotel, which is a 5-8 minute walk from the station.. It’s a nice hotel, excellent staff and a wonderful rooftop terrace where you can look out over the city.. The view from the room, as always, was amazing.. The Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore sits right across the street..
View from our window
It’s a wonderful, if smaller, cathedral and the entry is free..
It was a great way to start a trip.. especially since it was raining sporadically since we arrived..But with all the great cafes and museums, it was easy to find a place to stay dry..
Since we arrived late, we decided to just walk around and do some exploring, without worrying about “landmarks” and “touristy sites” .. Rome is very walkable, despite being very large.. And there are always interesting subjects to shoot..It is a photographer’s dream city..
Afterwards, we decided to help ourselves to some gelato..and relax.. Tomorrow was going to be a long day…
HAPPY TRAVELS!!
During a recent trip to Amsterdam, we decided to take in the sites of Antwerp on a loooooong daytrip. Easy, inexpensive trip by train with a transfer in Rotterdam.. Since our tickets were for any train, it just made sense to hop off at the Rotterdam Central train station and spend an afternoon exploring..
It was a little chilly and overcast but still a good decision..
It’s a newer city and that is reflected in the buildings than line the canals..and the waterfront..
Honestly I am not sure I could spend a protracted length of time here but it is well worth a daytrip from Belgium or Amsterdam..
Happy Travels!!
I am discovering new and fascinating things about the evolution, of both my travel philosophy and my photography… While I still believe that visiting the “iconic” landmarks is important..
I am finding myself wandering through the lesser known avenues of a city more and more.. Sure, I still make time to see the well known touristy locations.. I mean, can you really go to Antwerp and NOT see the Cathedral of our Lady?
or the Medieval Fort, Het Steen, along the river?
But, let’s be honest here, I travel for a couple of reasons.. exploration of new places and cultures AND taking photos that can be sold as prints for my fine art gallery, travel and blog articles and expanding my portfolio …
Ok, so I am doing a bit of self-promotion..there is nothing wrong with that..I mean, after all, who else is going to promote my work..
Anyway..back to Antwerp.. We originally started this trip in Amsterdam. The trip by rail to Antwerp varies depending on which train system you use.. Thalys is the high speed international train and runs direct from Schipol to Antwerp in about an hour and 15 minutes..
The Intercity train leaves every hour, is only a slightly longer ride (2 hrs) and is less expensive. This is the train we took.. These tickets can be bought at the Central Train Station in Amsterdam or the station at Schipol Airport.. Be aware that there is a connection in Rotterdam for this choice..
Trust me.. the train is a lot better than it looks from the outside. It is clean inside, the seats are wide and comfortable and have a fold down tray..
Either way, you arrive in Antwerp and the Central Train Station.. seems to be a theme in Europe.. the main train station is almost called “Central” …
This is a big, beautiful, and sprawling train station… and you can easily spend an hour here just taking photos.. so grab a 2 Euro Belgian waffle and explore a bit.. It’s well worth it.
It is a long leisurely walk from here to the center.. but you will pass through the diamond district, parks.. see churches and galleries…shopping galore..on your way. Exploration is a good thing..
The center square is where you will find the Cathedral of our Lady.. numerous restaurants, and chocolate shops.. Belgian row houses, statues and monuments
But my favorite places are the back streets.. narrow, cobblestoned and virtually deserted..which is a shame. There are myriads of quaint little shops featuring hand made items, food and beer… Not too mention, almost no people. These are where my favorite photos come from.. daytime, black and white..
or in color
Hidden gems and colorful graffiti around every corner..
Nightime shots, crafted in black and white, and my weird digitally manipulated art are my absolute dream photos..
Sometimes, as above, they are added to the sales gallery… some are sellable but more just for fun.. 🙂
Antwerp, Belgium.. a great city to explore..a beautiful city to photograph..
HAPPY TRAVELS!!
I never realized how much fun traveling can be.. exciting… mind-bending.. enlightening..
I worked for almost 30 years as an electrician in the USA, mostly in Colorado, but all over really.. I did what most employed people in the States do.. I worked for a whole year waiting to accrue that coveted week-long (sometimes 2) reprieve and get out and go somewhere on vacation. These trips could be as far as the Caribbean, Mexico, Canada or as close as the next city. Anything and anywhere as long as I was not at work..
Then an amazing thing happened.. I decided to broaden my horizons.. I decided to take a chance. I decided to explore. Damn the economy..full speed ahead..
I applied for and was hired by a contract company doing maintenance work overseas..at US Embassies, of all places, with a 2 year contract that could be extended up to 2 more years before you have to move to another post.. Currently, I am in Kyiv, Ukraine and having the time of my life..
Andrew’s Descent
It is an easy city to fly in and out of from Boryspil International airport and, for the past 3 1/2 years, cities in Europe (with the occasional trip to Turkey or the UAE) have been calling me almost monthly..
There are 196 countries in the world…unless of course you don’t include Tawain.. some countries do and some don’t..so let’s just include for grins.. That’s 196.. at one vacation a year to a new country..well, do the math..That’s right – 196 years to see them all..
As a US citizen and passport holder, I can visit 174 of them either without a visa or a visa upon arrival. It’s actually a little more complicated than that and over time, I will try to explain all the differences..
But for now.. just think..174 countries.. Right now, I am averaging a new country/city a month.. short trips of 3 – 5 days every month.. That’s still 14 years to see all of them.
Parliament Building in Budapest, Hungary from the south side of the river.
14 years!
Of course, living in Ukraine is a treat as well..and exploring this wonderful and beautiful country is an experience unto itself.. If no “out of country experience” presents itself, I spend weekends strolling through Kyiv or one of the myriad of historic sites in the vicinity.. Babi Yar is here.. Bykivnia Gravesites.. some of the oldest churches in Europe are here..
St. Sophia’s
St. Michael’s Golden Domed Monastery and Mykhailivska Square
My world view has changed… my prejudices are disappearing… Maybe eventually those will be gone completely.
For now.. Rome awaits (2nd time to Rome)…this time with a side trip to Florence and Pisa.. My photography skills have improved so maybe this time the photos will do it justice..
Happy Travels!!
Time again for my favorite doors…different city of course, but same general theme
This red door and brick wall combination might be my favorite of all time.. but there was quite the variety in Amsterdam..
Some of these were good enough to make it to the Fine Art America website…where you can find copies of your favorites too..Just in time for the holiday season..
Classical, metal, wooden and covered with graffiti and stickers.. Variety abounds
Happy Travels!!
Amsterdam…City of canals, boats and bicycles..
Last week found us strolling along the many canals of this beautiful city.. I honestly do not think I have ever seen so many bikes in my life.. But I came to see the waterways.. the myriad of canal houses..
Churches and clock towers adorned the small squares … people and bikes crowed the bridges and sidewalks..
The weather was pleasant…the crowds abundant
A wonderful city .. definitely worth a dding to your personal bucket list…
Happy Travels!
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