Italy

Road to Eternity

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We followed the surging crowds that seemed to be heading in just one direction – towards the Sistine Chapel. With masses of people packed like sardines inside the chapel, it was hard to imagine it as a quiet place of deliberation. But cardinals have gathered here in conclave for centuries to elect new popes, broadcasting their results through smoke signals from a chimney. It’s also the only place in the museum where photography is prohibited. A world of discovery awaited us as we entered the Sistine Chapel – the pinnacle of western art.

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A hike to Montellegro

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A few more photo-stops and we realized that by the time we would reach up, it would be well above three hours. The hike was relentlessly steep but we had no way out now. To aggravate the difficulty, path was paved with rough stones and we had to look where we put our feet.

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Self-drive in Central Europe/ Alps – I (Intro)

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In the course of our travel, we stayed in a variety of accommodations, including pensions, home-stays , tent (tipi, as it is called locally, located in the midst of Slovak wilderness where Sharmi heard scratching noise on the outside in the middle of night) and an apartment, which was vacated by the occupant for our stay. In many places, we had kitchens to ourselves.

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Milan, Italy

Milan, Italy

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I happened to visit Milan for a technical conference for 4 days. When I heard of the impending visit, I was amused that of…

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Rome – The city of just-about-everything

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Like Delhi, Rome is also circular and even has a ring road (called Autostrada) that is about 56 kms long. So travelling from one place to another takes a maximum of an hour in regular traffic. Cab fares begin from 4 Euros and for a single hop should not exceed 30.

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Venice Calling

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While my son followed the boatman’s song with “row row row your boat”-my daughter’s lively imagination propelled her to the way people in the olden times. The gondola swerved into smaller water channels, compressed by the rows of houses projecting on either side. The balconeys of most houses were decorated by a riot of colorful flowers. I imagined fair maiden peeping out of the balcony, glancing shyly at the boatman who had purposefully directed his boat there-to glance at lady of his heart…hmmm I know too vivid imagination-but that’s was just the Gondola ride playing tricks on my mind.

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Benvenuto a Roma – Welcome to Rome!!

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ROME – doesn’t this word alone trigger your imagination? Doesn’t it make you feel the romance in the air? Doesn’t it talk about style, culture, history etc etc ?? Yes, it surely does! The city is full of offerings for all varieties of travelers. It offers its best to everyone and makes sure that no one person goes back unsatisfied!! Am I talking like an ambassador of Rome who is proudly publicizing about it?? Naah, but frankly, I don’t care how I sound right now. All I want to do is to share my experience about my 2 day tour to this city which SURELY wasn’t built in a day!

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Venice: City of Dreams

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The buzz of the place, sparkling water, numerous boats, quaint buildings – all combined to create an image like nothing we had seen before. Venice is enchanting, romantic and iconic, bustling with life yet crumbling and ghostly. Everywhere we looked, it seemed like we were inside a painting or a film set arranged around picturesque canals.

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A walk in the rainbows

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A day among the colourful masks and eighteenth century dresses in the carnival of Venice. Seven girls had been chosen to represent seven Marias of Venice, taken in a medieval procession.

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