The Meier's German Adventure

We left Pisa and drove north to the town of Camaiore where we checked in to our lovely inn - Locanda Le Monache. The Le Monache Inn, that takes its name from a monastery of Carmelite cloistered nuns (1590 -1901) that was located in the adjoining building, is in the heart of Camaiore's historical centre.The Inn was opened in 1923 and was a place where travellers and rovers could rest.The building has recently been renovated by the Bertozzi's who have always run this business and who have have been handing down the art of hospitality for 4 generations.This was the view from our window - the town square, where earlier this day - one of the stages of the Giro d'Itlalia took place.

The tower is 183 feet high - 8 stories tall. I suppose this is why Galileo conducted his experiments on the velocity of falling objects from here - it's a great drop! (Side note - CRAZY that we are standing where Galileo did hundreds of years ago, I love Europe).The lean in 1995 was 17ft 6 inches from vertical. It has been worked on in recent years and the lean has been decreased by 19 inches. It was a beautiful view, well worth the climb.

Two views from the top- the kids with Pisa in the background and the other is of the Duomo and the Baptistry. It was really strange at first walking on the top along the edge that is leaning.

The first picture is of one of the seven bells in the belfry, tuned to musical scale. The narrow steps in the next picture are the final steps that lead to the top of the tower. The last picture gives a good view of the open belfry.

The Tower of Pisa is the bell tower of the Cathedral - pictured in the background. Begun in 1173 on sandy silt subsoil, the Leaning Tower (Torre Pendente) started to tilt even before the third level was finished in 1274. Despite the shallow foundations, construction continued and it was completed in 1350. The top can be reached by climbing the 294 steps which rise in the form of a spiral on the inner side of the tower walls. It was a climb!

Another fabulous day in Venice! We ate some pizza at a place that we have eaten at before and the kids loved it - called Ae Oche, (www.aeoche.it). After dinner we drove back to Vicenza to get ready for more travelling tomorrow. Ciao Venezia!

Time for some shopping on the island of Murano!

During our last visit to Venice, this was covered up undergoing cleaning. It is the Torre dell'Orologio on the north side of the piazza. This richly decorated clock was built in the late 15th century. The face of the clock displays the phases of the moon and the signs of the zodiac. According to a gruesome local legend, once the clock was completed, the two inventors of the complex mechanism had their eyes gouged out to prevent them from ever duplicating the clock. The gilt and blue enamel face are beautiful. On the upper level, the winged lion of St. Mark stands guard. At the very top there are 2 huge bronze figures, known as the Mori, or Moors, that strike the bell on the hour - which we happened to view from the top of the clock tower!

Our visit would not be complete without feeding the kids' feathered friends!

This one of the lagoon -

Besides being used to aid those on boats, during the Middle Ages, the tower took on a less benevolent role - when offenders were imprisoned in a cage that hung near the summit.

Thankfully today,it only tells the time and allows us tourists a great view.

This is where we got off the vaporetto - San Marco's of course! Scott and I took the kids up the Campanile(clock tower) in the picture while grandma and grandpa went inside the church. This tower is not the original - the first was completed in 1173 as a lighthouse to assist navigators on the lagoon. It was from the top that Galileo demonstrated his telescope to Doge Leonardo Dona in 1609. In 1902, with little warning, the foundations gave way and it suddenly collapsed. The new tower was finally opened on April 25, the feast of St. Mark, 1912.

I love looking at all the beautiful old palaces that grace the canal. The one behind the gondolier is my favorite - look at the details on it.

The kids had fun too - chasing the peacock around the vineyard. From here we went into town and had a delicious dinner.

Apparently the winery was already closed but the gentlemen was very kind to let us taste and buy some wine. He spoke no English but we understood each other with no problems! We tasted a few from the vats. Scott and I bought a case of their yummy Marzemino.

We set out early this morning for our week long trip to Italy. The last big trip for the Meiers! We hit one more country along the way - the Principality of Liechtenstein. We had lunch in Vaduz - just below the Prince's castle (in the picture). Very friendly place to stop - even got the passports stamped! Next stop - Italy!