Italy so far!

The Ponte Vecchio at dusk

Hello from Italy!

Italy is a wonderful place!  In my travels here so far I have stayed right on the Mediterranean Sea in Northern Italy.  Our campsite there was so beautiful that we spent a lot of time just hanging out.  My daughters had to do school work while we were there, but it was so nice out that they didn’t mind doing that.  We sat at a picnic table on the seashore and did our work while enjoying the sun.

Even though Italy is a northern country, our campsite had all kinds of palm trees.  The sea keeps the air warm so that palm trees can grow here.  

Ferrari Formula One Race Cars

After our time at the seashore, we went to a city called Modena.  It is in Modena that great Italian sports cars are made.  I got to go into the Lamborghini factory and got a tour.  I saw how they make these special cars.  When I get back to June Avenue, I think for simple machines we will have to make Lamborghinis and Ferraris instead of just cracker box cars!  (I also went to the Ferrari museum and factory).

Near the centre of Italy is a wonderful city called Florence.  I know that in grade 4 you study about medieval times, but do you know what came after medieval times?  It was the Renaissance.  Renaissance means “re-birth” and it is all about coming out of medieval times and developing art, culture and science.  Florence was where the Renaissance began.  

Florence has the best gelato!

We saw tons of beautiful art work here, including Michelangelo’s statue of “David.”  We also visited science museums about Leonardo Da Vinci and Galileo.  I saw models of tons of simple machines that Da Vinci designed--they were cool.  I’ll put some pictures of them in.  

Florence also has a neat bridge called “Ponte Vecchio”  which means “Old Bridge”  (I think--check with Mrs Pennesi on that).  That bridge has stores built all along it, and lots of them are cantilevered off the side of the bridge.  Ask Mrs. Stockton what cantilevered means.  

Today I am on the highway heading to Rome.  There will be lots to see and do there, so we’re quite excited.  Are you doing any fun stuff for the holidays?  Are you having a ho-ho-holiday countdown like we did last year?  

Take care, from,

Mrs. McMillan