A Trip to Italy

It was in 2004 that our family traveled to Italy, and Mark and I decided—a little last-minute—to return at the end of April, a consolation for missing Matthew for his birthday. We homed in on Rome and Florence this time and included Assisi for the Basilica of St. Francis. With so many photos, I’m cutting to the chase with some of my favorites. Hopefully, they will remind Mark and me of what we loved most: the glorious art in the churches where they were meant to be, the fascinating history—both beautiful and ugly—of the Roman Empire and the Renaissance, and the sheer pleasure of sitting at those rooftop cafes overlooking Rome’s ancient ruins and the orange-tiled rooftops of Florence. Rome’s Capitoline Hill was a favorite of Mark’s. Santa Croce, the largest Franciscan church filled with artistic treasures, was one of mine. It was also fun being among the locals in Trastavere, the area across the Tiber which seems to be the anti-Rome. The neighborhood bookshops, record stores, and casual cafes are the quieter alternative to the glitzy energy around the Spanish Steps. Both were wonderful. And now we understand why Assisi is so loved. The life of St. Francis is perfectly told in Giotto’s frescoes adorning the walls of the basilica, and when you enter, their spiritual beauty with the architectural majesty of the place can move you to tears. What’s more, the basilica overlooks the peaceful green valley on its high perch in that hilltop town, and minus all the tourists—and we were two of them—it is the perfect testament to St. Francis’s simple life and love of nature. In some of the churches we visited, it was the natural settings of the cloisters that slowed our pace—along with our long walk to the Piazzale Michelangelo with its panoramic views of Florence. We’re grateful for Jack and Benjamin’s love of the outdoors. Goodwill seems to go hand in hand with simple wonder at the natural world.