Burgs in Ireland: June 2013

Wednesday, June 26, 2013

Pompeii, Italy

1900 years ago, Pompeii was a thriving Roman town built at the foot of Mt. Vesuvius. It was a very advanced society with fancy homes and gardens. Aquaducts provided water for irrigation systems and water pipes. Unfortunately, Pompeii was devastated when Mt. Vesuvius erupted in 79 AD. The city was buried in 30 feet of volcanic ash and the people were buried alive. Today it is an amazing archaeological wonder because the lavish temples, mansions and paintings have been perfectly preserved; excavations continue a the site.

Mt. Vesuvius

The Forum

Street with Stepping Stones & Sidewalk

Vatican City

Founded in 1929, the Vatican is both the headquarters for the Roman Catholic Church as well as the smallest nation in the world. The Pope lives here along with 450 citizens. Security is provided by the Swiss Guard (boldly striped uniform designed by Michelangelo).

Swiss Guards
Vatican City

Basillica of Saint Peter is the largest church in the world; it contains 800 pillars and 44 altars.

Basillica of Saint Peter
Vatican City

Michelangelo's Pieta: masterpiece; completed in 1499 by Michelangelo.

Michelangelo's Pieta
Vatican City

Gilded Bronze Baldachin; completed in 1632 by Bernini.

Gilded Bronze Baldachin
Vatican City

Rome, Italy

On Thursday, June 13th we docked in Civitavecchia, Italy and boarded a tour bus headed for the ancient ruins of Imperial Rome.

Matthew and Nicole made wishes and tossed coins into the very special Trevi Fountain. According to tradition, a coin tossed into the water guarantees a visitor's return to Rome.

Trevi Fountain
Rome, Italy

Next we saw Circus Maximus, a huge stadium where the Romans raced their chariots.

Circus Maximus
Rome, Italy

Our final stop was the Roman Forum, the heart of ancient Rome where the ensemble of ruins reflects the advanced society the Romans created. Julius Caesar is buried here, and one can see the tall columns of the original Temple of Castor.

Temple of Castor
Rome, Italy

The nearby Arch of Constantine is very magnificent, the largest and best preserved arch in Rome.

Arch of Constantine
Rome, Italy

One of the best preserved monuments in the Forum is the Temple of Antoninus and Faustina.

Temple of Antoninus and Faustina
Rome, Italy

Last, but not least is the very impressive Roman Colosseum. Construction was started in 72 AD by Emperor Vespasian. It took 8 years to complete and is made of travertine stone. Even today you can walk up the stairs to the grandstands to view the arena where the gladiators fought. Lions, tigers and elephants were brought in to entertain the 50,000 Romans in attendance.

Roman Colosseum
Rome, Italy

Roman Colosseum - Matthew, Nicole & Greg
Rome, Italy

Monday, June 24, 2013

Pisa, Italy

After docking at the Italian port, La Spezia, we boarded a tour bus for the one hour drive to the town of Pisa. We arrived at the San Rossore National Reserve and from there we took a trolley to Pisa's main square, The Field of Miracles. The Field of Miracles has several magnificent buildings including the famous, Leaning Tower of Pisa.

The tower was constructed in 1180 AD and is made of Italian marble. Shortly after construction began, the tower began to tilt. Efforts to straighten it up have been met with mixed results and it is ~16 feet off from perpendicular.

La Spezia, Italy

Leaning Tower of Pisa
Pisa, Italy

Baptistery - Matthew & Nicole
Pisa, Italy

Cathedral & Leaning Tower of Pisa
Pisa, Italy

French Riviera

On Tuesday, June 11th Greg, Matthew and Nicole explored the French Riviera, "Cote d'Azur" for those in French class. Greg wanted to see if Matthew's French classes were paying off so he put Matt in charge of conversing with the locals. They made it to Villefranche, Nice and a beach. Way to go, Matt!

Harbor
Villefranche, France

Beach
Nice, France

Friday, June 21, 2013

Royal Caribbean Mediterranean Cruise

On Sunday, June 9th we boarded the "Liberty of the Seas" and set sail on a 7 night Mediterranean Sea cruise. This ship is spectacular; it features an on board ice rink, a surf simulator and 5 swimming pools.

Liberty of the Seas

Cruise Itinerary

Matthew and Nicole spent many hours practicing their boogie boarding and surfing skills on the "Flow Rider." Enjoy the videos.

Barcelona, Spain

On Friday, June 7th we left Belfast, Ireland to fly to Barcelona, Spain. Barcelona is a very historical city and the site of the 1992 Olympic games. We walked and explored the main drag, Las Ramblas, and stopped for a picture in front of the Art Museum.

Bread for Sale - Las Ramblas
Barcelona, Spain

Art Museum - Nicole & Matthew
Barcelona, Spain

Further afield, we traveled on 10 different trains and cable cars to reach Montserrat. Montserrat is a dramatic mountain monastery where Benedictine monks have lived since 900 A.D. In 1811, Napoleon of France destroyed Montserrat, but its famous "Black Madonna" survived, hidden away by monks. The Basilica and monastery were reconstructed in the 1850s. Montserrat's top attraction is La Moreneta, the statue of the Black Virgin. Pilgrims flock there to touch the Royal orb she holds in her hands. The Montserrat Escolania, or choir school is the oldest music school in Europe.

View of Monastery
Montserrat, Spain

View from Cable Car
Montserrat, Spain

Basilica
Montserrat, Spain

Tuesday, June 4, 2013

Dingle Penninsula / Ireland

This past week Jennifer, Matthew and Nicole had the exciting opportunity to explore this beautiful west coast penninsula on horseback. Thanks to our friends at DingleHorseRiding for an outstanding day!

Matthew Riding Dubai

Matthew & Nicole

Nicole on Blondie

Nicole Riding Blondie

Jennifer Riding King

Nicole & Friendly Pony

www. dinglehorseriding.com if you want to go!

Spectacular coastline views:

Great Blasket Island

First land spotted by Charles Lindbergh after his transatlantic flight

Cliffs of Dingle Penninsula

Blarney Castle: Home of the Blarney Stone

A visit to Ireland is not complete without seeing the famous "Blarney Castle." The tradition of visiting this castle goes back to the late 16th century when Queen Elizabeth I conquerred Ireland and demanded that the Irish clan chiefs recongnize the British crown. One of those clan chiefs was Cormac MacCathy, Lord of Blarney Castle. He was supposed to turn over the castle to Queen Elizabeth I. While pledging his loyalty to the Queen in a series of never ending, lengthy letters, he some how managed to remain in control on his castle. In her frustration, the Queen declared his endless words to be nothing but "Blarney." Legend has it that whoever climbs up to the top rampart of the castle to kiss the stone will receive this "gift of gab."