Rome, Italy

 We found this wonderful hole-in-the-wall pizza place with the best pizza ever!! Then we found the next most wonderful place to eat, the gelato store; that's Italian style ice cream.

We walked some more and found the Supreme Court Building, a beautiful church and walked along the river Tiber. An interesting fact: there are boat rides along the Seine in Paris, the Thames in London, etc.

(to be continued) 

Rome, Italy, Day 1

 Today we left Malta and flew to Rome, Italy!! We got here about noon, checked into our beautiful hotel and met our new guide, Luca. 

He gave us a short walking tour around our hotel to show us the many places to eat. He also covered the schedule for the rest of the week. He then left us on our own. We're with another couple, Roger and Sandy. We strolled the streets to find something to eat.

(to be continued) 

Malta Three Cities

 We then visit The Three Cities. They are three historic fortified towns of Cospicua, Senglea and Vittoriosa. This where the Knights of St. John made their headquarters before Valletta was built.

 Tonight is our Farewell Dinner. We will say good-bye to most of our wonderful and interesting traveling companions. Most of them go back home to the US but a few of us fly off to Rome for another week of exploring.

(to be continued) 

Malta Archaeological Park

 It now has a protective tent covering it to reduce any further deterioration. Stone balls of different sizes are located alongside the walls of the northern temple and other parts of the structure.

These are theorized to have been the rollers used to transport the megaliths (huge stones).

(to be continued) 

Malta Archaeological Park

 The Archaeological Park was amazing and so interesting. The ruins date to way way before Christ was born; about 3600 BC! It must have been the first human beings. How did they build such structures? That's where the archaeologists come in and figure these things out.

Hagar Qim is thought to be one of the most ancient religious sites on Earth. The builders used the local limestone in the temple's construction.

(to be continued) 

Malta The Blue Grotto

 Following the conquest of the Holy Land by Islamic forces, the knights operated from Rhodes, over which they were sovereign, and later from Malta. The Order of Saint John is still operating today, world wide, providing health care to everyone.

Today we start out bright and early. We head for the Hagar Qim and Mnajdra Archaeological Park.

On the way we stop and take pictures of the Blue Groto.

(to be continued) 

Malta Order of Knights

 I must tell you a story of Malta that I didn't yesterday. There was an Order of Knights of the Hospital of Saint John of Jerusalem. They arose around 1023 to provide care for sick, poor or injured pilgrims coming to the Holy Land. After the conquest of Jerusalem in 1099 during the First Crusade, the organisation became a military religious order under its own charter, charged with the care and defense of the Holy Land.

(to be continued) 

Medina, Malta

 Malta was given its independence from Great Britain in 1964. The country became a republic in 1974. It joined the European Union in 2004.

Mdina (we spell it Medina) is a fortified city in the Northern Region of Malta. It served as the island's capital from antiquity to the medieval period. The city is still confined within its walls and has a population of just under 300.

(to be continued) 

Petrograd, Rusija 1618

 

 Foto: Janin

Petrograd, Rusija 1614

   Foto: Janin

Petrograd, Rusija 1613

   Foto: Janin    

Petrograd, Rusija 169

     

 Foto: Janin

Valletta, Malta

 
Malta became a British colony in 1815, serving as a critical way station for ships. It played an important role in the Allied war effort during World War II, and was subsequently awarded the George Cross (from Britain) for its bravery in the face of the German siege. In the photos, you'll see letters sent from the US and Britain commending the Maltese people for their bravery.

(to be continued) 

Valletta, Malta

 It has been inhabited since approximately 5900 BC. Its location in the center of the Mediterranean has historically given it great strategic importance as a naval base. 

A succession of powers having contested and ruled the islands, including the Phoenicians, Carthaginians, Romans, Greeks, Byzantines, Arabs, Normans, Sicilians, Spanish, French and British. Most of these foreign influences have left some sort of mark on the country's ancient culture.

(to be continued) 

Valletta, Malta

Malta is an archipelago in the central Mediterranean between Sicily and the North African coast. An archipelago is a stretch of water having many islands.

 In the Republic of Malta, only the three largest islands are inhabited.

(to be continued) 

Siracusa, Sicily, Italy

 Siracusa was part of a Greek colony in the eight century BC. Before the colony settled in what we know as Siracusa today.

Europe's oldest ritual baths can be found in the Jewish quarter.

And of course, Silvia had a surprise for us again. Coffee, canneloni, and a wonderful chocolate cookie.

(to be continued) 

Pula 001

 

Pula 313

 

Pula 022

 

Pula 332

 

Madrid 41

 

Madrid 42

 

Madrid 35

 

Madrid

 

Old Fortress of Sicily

 Since we were at sea this morning sailing to Sicily, we had a lecture on the Mafia. Very interesting how crime syndicates can rule a country. You will see a "Godfather" t-shirt we saw in a shop.

 It was a beautiful sunny day!! Finally!! We had a walking tour through the city; visiting a beautiful cathedral.

(to be continued) 

Otranto, Italy

 We got back to our boat early since it is leaving at 1230 for Sicily. It will take 24 hours to sail to Sicily so we have time to ourselves on board. Of course, the crew and tour guides do things to keep us entertained. We get a tour of the boat's bridge; cocktail hour in the lounge; towel folding lessons (James makes towels shaped into animals); 6:45 pm port talk; 7 pm dinner!!

(to be continued) 

Otranto, Italy

 
Otranto is in the far eastern corner of Italy's boot heel. Once a strategic port during Roman times, today Otranto is known for its white-sand beaches, famed Aragonese Castle, and eleventh-century Romanesque cathedral. 

The Strait of Otranto, to which the city gives its name, connects the Adriatic Sea with the Ionian Sea; all of which are part of the Mediterranean Sea. The harbour is small and has little trade.

(to be continued) 

Sassi di Matera 3

The present local administration has become more tourism-oriented, and it has promoted the regeneration of the Sassi as a picturesque touristic attraction with the aid of the Italian government, UNESCO, EU and Hollywood.

Rich people have now moved into the Sassi since it has been cleaned up. There are hotels and spas, pubs and thriving businesses. You can stay in a original cavern for over $2000 per night.

a cavern that is furnished like it would have been, with furniture and tools of the time.

(to be continued)