We took a round-trip on the London Eye on our last day in town. Great views from up there! The trip takes about a half an hour. About 1/3 of the way round, with my perspective of London shifting at a blazing 10 inches per second, I decided to try my hand at a time […]
Russell Square
We stayed near the British Museum when we were in London. We enjoyed passing through Russell Square every time we headed to the nearby Russell Square Tube station. (See the map below. There are other routes, but we always went through the square.) Russell Square a fine garden park, with an ornamental fountain in its […]
Tower of London
There’s something pleasing about the buildings that make up the Tower of London, and it was a great day for panorama shooting. I love it here. I could sit in this courtyard all day. It’s so modern in many ways, it’s a surprise to remember it was started by William the Conqueror 1,000 years ago.
Cathédrale Notre Dame de Paris
What is it about a Gothic cathedral? I could walk around the outside of Cathédrale Notre Dame de Paris a dozen times and never get tired of seeing new angles, bits of grandeur, gargoyles, windows.
Eiffel Tower
I haven’t stood next to the Eiffel Tower in 32 years, and I’d forgotten it’s actually a beautiful, rusty, organic brown – not black.
Jardin des Tuileries
The Jardin des Tuileries is a stunning garden and courtyard in between the Louvre and the Place de la Concorde.
Chiesa di Sant’Ignazio di Loyola
Chiesa di Sant’Ignazio di Loyola keeps watch over the quintessential Roman piazza, with its cobblestones, apartments and outdoor cafés. We passed through many, but in my mind’s eye I always picture this one – the Piazza di Sant’Ignacio – when I think of “that piazza with the church.”
Piazza di Campo de’ Fiori
Campo de Fiori is a rectangular public space near Piazza Navona. It’s known for its tremendous daily produce market, in operation since 1869.
Chiesa di Sant’Ivo alla Sapienza
Designed by Francesco Borromini, the Baroque Chiesa di Sant’Ivo alla Sapienza was completed in 1660. Its spiral lantern is like no other church in Rome. Sant’Ivo alla Sapienza rises above the courtyard of Giacomo della Porta, which is only open to the public for a short time each day. I was fortunate to find the door to the courtyard open on a walk back from Campo di Fiori with the kids.
Scalinata di Trinità dei Monti
Scalinata di Trinità dei Monti (aka Spanish Steps) were built in 1717, and tourists have been climbing them ever since. At the top is the Piazza Trinità dei Monti and its dominant landmark Chiesa Santissima Trinità dei Monti (1585). The Roman-constructed obelisk was moved to the Piazza Trinità dei Monti in 1789. At the bottom […]
Pantheon
Completed in 128 AD, this is a massive building with a completely freestanding dome. No pillars. How did they do it?
Coliseum
Its official name is the Flavian Amphitheatre, but in America we all know it as the Coliseum. The ruins of the Coliseum are so iconic. Built in the first century, this structure has much history and carnage associated with it. Inside and out, I couldn’t help but think of American football when I was there.