The Colosseum in Rome

On April 30, 2018 By Isobar ExpeditionsIn Italy4 Comments

The Colosseum in Rome, Italy, is one of those iconic locations that anyone who visits the city must take the time to explore. Because of its popularity, be prepared for long lines and you will likely have tour guides offer to let you jump to the front of the line if you are willing to pay for a tour, which isn’t actually a bad idea. Another good idea is to buy the bundled ticket that includes the Roman Forum as well, which is equally fascinating. There have been many movies that have attempted to recreate what it must have been like to have gone to one of the performances at the Colosseum with all of the animals, gladiators, and other performers. Visions of those elaborate shows, called munera, must have been truly amazing and in many ways was a predecessor to the modern Walt Disney World theme parks.

View of the Colosseum from the Roman Forum

One of the amazing features of the Colosseum is the two-story structure called the hypogeum that was underneath a wooden floor that was covered by sand. It is a series of tunnels and cages that housed all of the animals and gladiators that would be brought up to the floor of the arena so that the crowd didn’t get a glimpse of them until the performance began. Obviously, these performances were often bloody battles between the gladiators as well as animal hunts that featured exotic creatures such as rhinos, giraffes, elephants, and of course lions. It must have been truly exciting and almost magical for the people of first century AD that attended these elaborate performances.

Hypogeum at the Center of the Amphitheatre

Even with the paintings depicting the many different performances that also included battle reenactments, dramas based on the mythology of the time, and even mock sea battles, it is still hard to truly comprehend the sophistication of these shows. With audiences as large as 80,000 and averaging around 65,000 people, there was more than just the thousands of animals, gladiators, and performers needed to amaze the crowds. Hundreds of talented artists created props and sceneries with intricate details to add to the overall ambiance of the massive exhibitions.

An Appreciation for the Size of the Colosseum

Today, the Colosseum, also known as the Flavian Amphitheatre, is a unique landmark in the heart of Rome that is often the subject of paintings by local artists. In this world with all of our skyscrapers and other modern buildings, it is often taken for granted how much creativity and ingenuity it must have taken to build such an arena during the period in which it was created. There are many fascinating things to see in a city that is so rich with history and art, but the Colosseum is definitely one sight that must be seen. It can be viewed in as few as a couple of hours, but you will probably want to spend more time if you want to truly understand and comprehend its historical significance.

Walking the Side Streets of Florence, Italy

On April 23, 2018 By Isobar ExpeditionsIn Italy16 Comments

There are many cities in Europe that are very walkable and one of the most walkable is Florence. With its cobblestone streets, beautiful architecture, and plazas with cafes and restaurants, you can literally spend all day just wandering around the heart of the city. Don’t limit yourself to the main streets, though, as some of the most interesting shops and restaurants can be found by wandering the side streets. With the Duomo visible from almost every corner of the city, even if you get yourself a little lost, you can always head for the dome in order to get yourself back to bustling tourist areas.

We found it completely safe to wander the side streets and never worried about the people that were around us, but we also limited our wandering to the daylight hours. Walking the narrow streets will take you on a trip back in time as you get a feel for what it must have been like to live in the city hundreds of years ago when artists and philosophers wandered the same passageways. One of the best ways to get a true sense of the beauty of the city is to walk along the Arno River with views of Ponte Vecchio. Obviously, these streets will be a little busier, but the crowds reduce as you get farther away from the main bridges.

Crowed Street with Wonderful Architecture

As popular as Florence is as a destination, you will often find yourself surrounded by throngs of people clambering to see the same sights as you. Sitting in one of the outdoor cafes and watching the crowds go by while having a wonderful glass of Tuscan wine can be a great way to relax and recharge in the beautiful surroundings. If you have the energy, walking up the hill to the Piazzale Michelangelo will provide you breathtaking views of the city. As you come back down the hill, you will find some wonderful restaurants and shops if you decide to spend some time on that side of the river before crossing back over to the heart of old town. The streets on that side of the river will also be a little less busy as well, but the quality of the locations will not disappoint.

There is something truly romantic about wandering the side streets of such a beautiful city as Florence. Regardless of the city that you are visiting, there can be many treasures to be found if you are willing to just turn off of the main streets. Obviously you need to be careful in some places as pickpockets can also be found once you are away from the crowds and are more vulnerable, so always be aware of your surroundings. Stop, go into the shops, talk to the locals, and perhaps enjoy some gelato, you will find those moments as special as seeing the Duomo or going to the museums.

Florence, Italy

On March 2, 2018 By Isobar ExpeditionsIn Italy24 Comments

There are only a few cities in the world that leave an impression on your soul that will remain with you forever. Florence is definitely one of those cities. There is something uniquely special about the way you feel when walking the streets of this historic city with all of its art and medieval architecture. It isn’t just that it retains its old world charm, there is something very romantic about Florence that is hard to explain. It is a place where time seems to stand still and you feel as if you can just truly relax and absorb the culture and history while sharing some pasta and wine.

View of Florence from Piazzale Michelangelo

It is clear why so many of the great artists spent time in Florence, the city as well as the countryside of Tuscany are incredibly beautiful. One of the places that you must visit while in Florence is the Piazzale Michelangelo. The views from this hillside plaza are simply amazing as you gaze over the city. The Duomo dominates the skyline as it towers above the buildings that line the narrow streets of the city. As you turn away from the city, you can see the ancient wall that surrounded the city and the lush green hillsides of the Tuscan countryside. Of course, the replica of the statue of David is worth seeing, but the original marble statue in the Accademia Gallery is definitely even more stunning.

Replica of David in the Piazzale Michelangelo

Certainly, Ponte Vecchio is something that you must visit during your time in Florence. As you cross this historic bridge, you have the opportunity to buy jewelry and other souvenirs in stores that have been there throughout its history. In the past, these store fronts were obviously not for tourists as they are today and were used by butchers and other more common merchants. Amazingly, the bridge survived World War II and not destroyed like all of the other bridges in Florence. If you do decide to visit the narrow pedestrian bridge, be prepared for heavy traffic as it is definitely a tourist hot spot. We would recommend having dinner at one of the restaurants that overlook the Arno River next to the bridge as the views at night are well worth the hefty price tag.

As you walk the streets of Florence, you will undoubtedly eventually end up at the Duomo or Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore (Cathedral of Saint Mary of the Flower). Having seen many different cathedrals all across Europe, this is definitely one of the most unique and most stunning cathedrals to gaze upon. The architecture, artwork, and white façade have so many details that you could spend hours just enjoying the views from various angles. There are plenty of restaurant options available around the Duomo, so it is a perfect place to enjoy a pizza at one of the many pizzerias on the surrounding streets.

Although you could spend a couple of days in Florence and probably see all of the major sights, if you really want to enjoy everything that the city has to offer, you should probably consider a minimum of four days or possibly a full week. Florence is truly a magical city with beauty around every corner and will forever hold a special place in our hearts.