Just got back from nearly 4 weeks in England, Ireland, Paris, Pisa and Rome. Spent a week with deeply loved family in England and followed it by searching paternal roots in Dungannon, County Tyrone, Northern Ireland. We saw the Titanic Museum and spent the day in Belfast, experiencing a family member's first 'pub lunch'.
Over the past year I was actually 'found' by a cousin through DNA on a local social media site, and also on a website for genealogy research who is a 5th cousin and lives in Dungannon. After rearranging plans, I was able to meet this cousin and thanks to him I met 25 others in the area and had a wonderful time meeting them all. Still a long way to go to finish connecting dots from previous generations to today, but it's a terrific and exciting journey.
Paris was an incredible experience, full of kind Parisians, extraordinary food and fun times. With a daily walking average of 4 miles, we enjoyed the Palace of Versailles and the Louvre. The Seine Cruise brought tears to my eyes having seen Notre Dame since the horrible tragedy. Through my tears I saw some happiness at the reconstruction progress, and also ALL of the famous landmarks Paris is known for.
Pisa was incredible - being well loved and enjoyed by hundreds of others from around the world. We stayed in Poggibonsi, apartment-shopped in a village called Barberino val d'elsa where he had lunch at Pico-Pizza e Cocktail (above the apartment for sale) and had dinner at Osteria Il Campanellino on the Piazza - the BEST gnocchi anywhere!! (we have it every time we visit). It was a short visit this time because we rearranged our itinerary to have 2 full days in Rome.
Off in 2 cars from Pisa, we drove to Rome and stayed at a 'rental' B&B behind the back wall of the Vatican Museum. Walking 20 minutes around to St. Peter's Square in Vatican City, we waited in a long, but fairly quickly moving line to go through metal detectors. We then had the pleasure of entering the Basilica and its pure magnificence. A Heads-Up: The Pieta is not available for enjoyment; the area is another under renovation inside the Basilica. On this trip we took the elevator to the Dome roof of the Basilica, and braved the 300-some-odd steps to the top. OY! We walked the entire top of the dome, taking videos from 4 vantage points. What a souvenir!
Another Heads-Up: Nearly everything in and around The Coliseum and The Forum is covered and inaccessible due to extensive renovation. Having not been to The Eternal City for nearly 10 years, there is SO MUCH NEW RENOVATION that can be seen. Columns that laid on the ground for a thousand years are now being resurrected and standing tall waiting for more love to happen.
The Metro still runs with normal Roman precision and timeliness. The maps got better and are more clear in detail. TREMENDOUS amount of tourist traffic - all showing limited patience for the wait: but at some of the exits to the sites, we saw the joy and happiness on faces of people experiencing what might have been their life's dream.
BEWARE OF PICK-POCKETS!! While standing near the door of a crowded train in the Metro, I had a near experience of being a victim. Being cautious from long-standing advice (from someone we all know and trust [yes Rick]), I had nothing within reach of that questionable individual. 2 others nearby warned me about him with their eyes.
Thought I'd share experiences from May 28 to June 17; hoping to go back there for my birthday at the beginning of this coming August. LOVING TRAVEL!! Seems the beginning of retirement started out great!
Be well and thanks for the continued guidance. Hope this helps someone enjoy as much as we have.
Keith
North Carolina