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.
Mount Lycabettus
Mount Lycabettus is that tall hill you can see from everywhere in Athens – even from the Acropolis.
Héphaïstéion
Down the hill from the Acropolis, we took a walk through the ancient Agora of Athens. The Agora is a complete ruin, except for one temple – The Héphaïstéion (or formally: The Temple of Hephaestus). Looking up at this majestic structure, it’s possible to imagine how amazing the Parthenon must have been once. The Héphaïstéion […]
Parthenon & Erechtheion
Back up on the Acropolis on our last day in Athens. It was another beautiful, hot day in Athens, but there was a breeze today. I just kept shooting. I think it was the heat.