Wednesday, December 25, 2013

Leeds Castle

Leeds Castle is in Kent (not Leeds). It was first built in 1119 and has been rebuilt through the centuries.



Lord Conway described it as the "loveliest castle in the world"



The Gate into the castle








We walked along the moat to the entrance at the back of the castle

Victoria Coach Station

It is the largest coach station in London. We have booked a day trip to Leeds Castle, Canterbury Cathedral and Dover and the pick up point was at this station. 









Dinner at Gourmet Burger Kitchen

We flew back to London and had dinner at Gourmet Burger Kitchen in Earl's Court before going home.



Buffalo burger with skinny chips




Trevi Fountain

We wanted to come here to throw a coin into the fountain so that we will be back to Rome again!








We now believe that it is true if you throw a coin into the fountain then you will return to Rome sometime in the future!

We went back to the hotel and took a taxi to the airport for our flight back to London.


Piazza del Popolo

We took the metro here but unfortunately Santa Maria del Popolo was closed. So we proceeded to Trevi Fountain.




Piazza del Popolo



At the piazza in 2004





Santa Maria del Popolo


Monday, December 23, 2013

M is for Metro

This is the sign for Metro (not McDonald's) in Rome.





Taking the metro to Piazza del Popolo


St Peter's Basilica

We decided to skip lunch to come back here.









Pilgrims have for centuries touched the feet of St Peter when they passed by



St Longinus by Bernini





St Helena by Bolgi





Dome of St Peter's



Monument to Pope  Alexander VII
Bernini's last work in St Peter's was finished in 1678 and shows the Chigi Pope among the allegorical figures of Truth, Justice, Charity and Prudence



Bernini's Baldacchino stands above St Peter's tomb

















Pieta by Michelangelo





St Peter's Square

We walked to St Peter's Basilica from the Vatican Museum. This is the third time that we visited St Peter's Basilica.  





The element of Air in Angels and Demons













June 2004
Please see my earlier posts on Italy



Again in June 2004



A Swiss guard in the Renaissance styled uniform.


Tuesday, December 17, 2013

Vatican Museum : The Staircase

This is one of the world's most famous staircases. Designed in 1932 by Giuseppe Momo, the staircase consists of a double helix, one leading up and one leading down. Those coming up the staircase will not meet those going down.