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Sorry folks, but as you have noticed, I’m now two weeks behind on my posts, and it is hard for us to believe we are already leaving next week. So here is a quick run down on all the activities:

Sunday (07/15/2007) — The kids and I went to Rome to meet Huguette at the airport and help her get the train to Camucia. And since we had not yet visited Rome, we stayed until Wednesday afternoon to tour the city. We loved Rome, and I will have to eventually create a post detailing everything. But for the time being, here is a quick rundown of our Rome experience…We stayed in the very simple yet very comfortible and very well located Hotel Pomezia at Campo di Fiori — just a couple of minutes walk to Piazza Novana and within walking distance to all the other sights in the Old Center. That evening, we had a great dinner at Piazza Novana, and the kids really enjoyed all the street performers.

Monday (o7/16/2007) — We pretty much spent most of the day at the Vatican City. We visited the Museum — the kids were a bit overwhelmed by its size, but they really enjoyed the Rafael Room and the Sistine Chapel; they played at the fountains at St. Peter’s square; we went up the Duomo; and we marveled at the scale, beauty and richness of the Basilica. We had a fantastic dinner by Campo di Fiori, and walked to the Patheon in the evening.

Tuesday (o7/17/2007) — We had another very busy day. We went to Galleria Borghese (my favority Museum so far in Italy); we then walked to the Spanish Steps area, where we had another awesome lunch; afterwards we walked to the Trevi Fountain and enjoyed some much deserved gelati — it was very hot that day. We then took the Metro to the colosseum, where we spend the rest of the afternoon. The Colosseum is simply fantastic, and the kids loved it. We then took a taxi to the hotel, took a nice nap, had dinner, and walked back to the Trevi Fountain, via Piazza Novana and the Pantheon, so that we could enjoy Trevi at night. It was a bit crowded, but it also very beautiful.

On our last morning, Wednesday (07/18/2007), we headed back to the Pantheon, since both times we went by it, at night, it was closed. We timed it just right, for as soon as we were leaving, there were groups of buses arriving and the whole piazza and building filled up fast. Not counting the Colosseum, the Pantheon is our favorite building in Rome. We then walked all the way back to the Colosseum through the Roman Forum — another fantastic site, and both kids enjoyed it. We then took a taxi back to the hotel, got our luggage, another taxi to the Roma Termini station, and headed back to Cortona. Like I already said, we loved Rome. It was very easy to get around; it is quite lively, and it is not as chaotic as it is famed for; Rome is “happening” — the Romans really seem to enjoy their town too.

Thursay (07/19/2007) — after sleeping in, we went to Camucia to enjoy their market day. We took it easy in the afternoon.

Friday (07/20/2007)– We convinced Huguette to conquer Via Margherita, or the “Goliath Hill” as the kids have come to called it, and the kids had to literally push Grandma up the hill. We visited the Church of St. Margherita, and then walked all around the mountain; we showed her the very nice place where Tina & Family stayed; the beautiful house where the author of “Under the Tuscan Sun” lives; and all around the park.

Saturday (07/21/2007), Huguette joined us on our last field trip to Orvieto, which turned out to be yet another fantastic place — very trendy. And did I mention, it is quite famous for its “vino bianco classico superiore”? (More on that later)

Sunday (07/22/2007), we went to mass at St. Domenico Church, and took it easy again.

Monday (07/23/2007), Huguette left early in the morning for Paris; and this evening we watched the sculpture class cast their bronze pieces. It was quite amazing, and I took some great shots. Again, I will post them after we return. (I’m afraid this is my last internet access until we are back in Athens.)

From Tuesday (07/24/2007) until Thursday (07/26/2007), we took advantage of the great spirit in the program, and thanks to Vince (ceramics professor) and Mary (jewelry professor), the kids were given the opportunity to create their own pottery and silver pieces. They turned out great!

On Friday (07/25/2007) the UGA Program in Cortona held their Exhibit Opening displaying everyone’s work. It was opened to the public, and it was nice to see many locals and visitors stop by. The students did a great job, and I was impressed with the quality of their work. All the kids were also given a chance to display one of their work, so Chloe displayed a beautiful photograph she took in Assisi (already posted at flickr), while Lorenzo displayed a very nice ceramic tree he created earlier that week.

On Saturday (07/26/2007), we decided to check Lake Trasimeno up close. We took a bus to Camucia and then a 15 min train ride to Tuoro. The Lake was just around the corner from the station. It was not Cinque Terre, but it was fun nonetheless. The kids were specially fond of the paddle-boat with a built-in slide. We paddled all the way to the middle of the lake and let the kids enjoy the slide. Fun!

So that’s puts us with a week left in Cortona, and a few days in Venice before we head back home. I can only say that I will miss this place. We had a fantastic time, and I do hope we get back here soon.

See you guys soon. Ciao!!!