Salzburg, Austria

"Sunny" Salzburg ~ taken from our hotel room

The Salzbug Cathedral ~ 1628 ~ Italian Baroque 

There are 5 organs is this clean and white interior.
The decorative color is orange 'n rust. Unusual !
Soaring dome/230 ft high , with exceptional stucco work thru out. 

This attached convent is where "Maria" would have lived...
when she became governess for the Von Trapp children.

The nearby cemetery is most unusual. Can be seen below @ bottom of pic = appears as narrow shed along the cliff walls. Unusual grave markers.

We took the funicular up to see the fortress built 1077.
This is looking down on the Cathedral / right. Other churches close by.

Mirabell Gardens, with that fortress, in background.

Munich

                                           We were here in '08 and tis great to return.....

...to the same hotel, with the same lovely breakfast room !

4 grand days !!!!

The town market Viktualienmarkt

and... it is Spargel Season !!!

Marienplatz...the town center. This large area is/has been their center for a thousand years. Filled with walkers, shoppers, street performers, etc.
It is a really fun and reallllllly busy place. The square is "full up" as folks come to see the Glockenspiel = the wedding characters come out at noon.

The Glockenspiel was added to the clock tower in 1907

The Residenz.....decorated in Rococo style / 18th century

We walked thru 90 rooms of color 'n gold and, and....

.....jewels ! jewels...

They even had an Opera House! ...which is still in use. 

Munich Museums

                                       We really enjoyed the B M W Museum...

Great displays ....

....and such innovative buildings. 

                       An enjoyable time was also spent at the Alte Pinakothek 

          and... the Neue Pinakothek. Saw many favorite artists in these museums .

Henry Moore ~ in front of the Old Pinakothek

....where there was a room full of Ruebens ! :)

Milan

                     This is the largest Gothic Cathedral in the World.

 The Milan Cathedral took 6 centuries to complete ~ it is third largest cathedral in the world.   We saw the largest cathedral = St. Peters when we were in Rome. 
The second largest cathedral = Seville, Spain 2013 . 
Awesome structures !

Side view...

Inside ...52 of these columns ! This Duomo was built to accommodate all the residents of Milan at the time...40,000 folks!

We took the elevator up + walked around on the top of this fabulous building!

Restoration is a "forever" project for Milan Duomo.

Glass covered Galleria ~ built 1861. Two glass arches.
High end shopping ! 
'tis certainly the place to be seen in Milan.

 

We toured their La Scala Opera House ~ 1778

   

Milan has a new underground transit system...  sooooo easy to use !

Or...these street cars from 1841 are also available .

~ Duomo color at dusk ~

Padua or Padova

From Verona we did a day trip, via high speed train, 

to the nearby University town of Padua 

to see.....

The Scrovegni Chapel....
..... was painted by Giotto and his assistants from 1303 -1305.
He placed real people in real scenes. The fresco were radical for their 

3-D nature, lively colors, and humanism! 38 panels tell the story of Jesus.
These paintings were a turning point in European art....showing a more human centered view.

Verona, Italy

We took the high speed train from Florence north to Verona. Stayed near their train station and were a short walk from this Roman amphitheater. 

We continued our walk to their market square, Piazza Erbe. People have congregated here since Roman times, when this was a forum. 
The pastel buildings + the market merchants have been here "forever"

Dinner with a view !

Their amphitheater is used for Opera + Musical performances each summer.

Florence, Italy

                                                       We have arrived .....

Chappelle Medici ~ as seen from our hotel room.

That same dome from the interior .

Below that dome are burial vaults of the Medici family.

....as well as several huge sculptures by Michaelanglo.

His original David was exhibited @ Museo di Palazzo Vecchio / City Hall.

Now.. David is in the Accademia 

The Duomo ....and the Battistero are center stage in Florence!

Baptistery ceiling ~ late 13th c 

The Baptistery "bronzed doors" circa 1400, are now in the Duomo Musee.

 ~ Galleria degli Uffizi ~

One room has the ceiling and side walls decorated with just abalone shells.

~ The Florence Duomo and Baptistery ~