Florence, Uffizi, Academia, Duomo, Ponte Vecchio et al

Kate says- Once we got in from the train, we had breakfast, hung out at the campsite for a bit, and then descended down into Florence to go see the Uffizi Gallery. We concentrated on art that was made during the 13th and 14th centuries, noting the styles of painting and underlying meanings. We're having a lot of fun here (despite the heat), and we're excited for more fun to follow.
Crystal says- My 2nd favorite thing the last few days was being able to see Michelangelo's David and his other unfinished works. We were able to see how he made everything and the process he took to make it all. Although it was alot of walking my favorite thing was the Duomo once we got to the top. I was taken back by the view. Neither pictures nor words can describe it. Cant wait for Tuscany!
Kerry says- Everything in Europe has been extrordinary. My favortie place so far had to of been the Valentino Exhibit. Just being able to see ALL of his amazing creations and designs. Currently we are at Camp Michelangelo waiting to leave for Tuscany. The camp "Hostile" is beautiful. The tents are nice and the view is amazing. Tuscany will be an amazing last visit!
Meredith Says- Currently my favorite place that we have been so far was the Duomo and the breath taking view that it gave us. Although the stairs were a killer it was all worth it. Im glad I chose to go up because i would have never seen something as amazing. My second favorite place was the Valentino exhibit in Paris. He is such a wonderful and creative designer it was really interesting to see his works and how he worked with fabric. I can't wait for Tuscany its going to be beautiful!
Adena says- This trip so far has been amazing. Paris had a beautiful city life during the day and especially during the night. We were able to see beautiful works of art including Monet's Water Lilies. Florence has a beautiful landscape and the view from where we are staying shows the best of it. The weather has been extrodinary and I hope Montebelli is as beautiful and exotic as Florence.

Final day in Paris

Becca says- On our last day in Paris we hopped on the metro and headed to the Monmarte District to see the Sacre Coeur. We sat at the bottom of the hill lookng up at the building and drew the beautiful towers. We then climbed up the hill and found an amazing view of the city. Here we drew paris from the highest point in the city. Then, a small group of us went into the building and climbed the 300 stairs to the top of the biggest dome. From here we looked out at the city of paris and rested for a few minutes before we could take in the true beauty of the city below us. It was georgeous!!!

Emily says- Our last day in Paris was amazing. We went to the Sacre Coeur and sat at the bottom of the hill and drew the building. It was difficult building to draw but I finnally finished it. Then we move the to top of the hill and drew Paris. The view was beautiful and you could see for miles. The best part about that was that I got the chance to draw the what I was seeing. After this we went inside the Sacre Coeur and saw a few gypsies. We later went shopping where I got a France soccer shirt. Overall, the expereience was something I will never forget and I can not wait to come back to Paris.

Tomi says- After we left Sacre Coeur we went back to the hotel and went to a little store called the shopi to get food to eat for dinner on the over night train. Then we grabed our bags and all got on the metro, which was a very interesting challenge, but we did it ! Once we got on the train we all found our rooms and got organized and had dinner. Each couchettes had 6 beds, 3 on each side. The scenary from the train was beautiful, we passed through the bottom half of France, the French alps, and then little towns in italy. After a good night sleep, we woke up in Bologna and got ready to pull into Firenze !!! Once there we had breakfast and took the bus to the campgrounds.

The Louvre, L,Orangerie, Pere LaChaise

We woke up a little later (jet lag) and strolled over for our 11:30 appointment at the Louvre. There, it was difficult to focus on any one thing: everything in there is so loaded with significance and there is just so much of it! We stared with prehistoric art, saw lots of Etruscan works (an amuse bouche), and then jumped to the French painters, focusing on Delacroix and Gericault. We also caught a lot of the Italian painters and, of course, Mona Lisa. After a relaxing lunch, we walked over to admire Monet s waterlillies at LOrangerie. Next, we hopped on the Metro to Pere Lachaise to visit Gericault, Jim Morrison and many others in the famous graveyard. After lots of drawing, we headed back for a delicious dinner at Chartier, a typical french bistro.

blu, blanc, rouge

After a hearty breakfast of fresh croissants, cafe creme, and yogurt, we headed to the Museum of Decorative Arts for our own private tour of a special exhibit all about the color Red and how it has functioned throughout history. The exhibit took pieces from throughout the collection and grouped them according to how red functioned to convey a meaning. Our wonderful tour guide gave us insights that we have been using ever since in all of the work we look at. We then saw an incredible Valentino retrospective, viewing some very famous dresses. Lunch in the Tuileries Gardens and then a too-short two hours in the Musee D Orsay. We spent a long time admiring as much as we could take in and then walked over to Sennelier to buy some beautiful art supplies. We dined at a cute little neighborhood restaurant (some of the kids tried frogs legs!) and then enjoyed an evening cruise down the Seine. A lovely day, all told.

Ahhhh Paris! June 16

After a grueling flight, we picked up our heavy bags and jumped on the Roissey Bus to the Opéra. As we walked several blocks to our little hotel, we regretted our lack of judgement in packing. We dropped our load at the hotel and headed to the rive gauche and Ste. Germain de Prés, one of the oldest churches in Paris. After admiring the groin vaults and symbolism-filled stained glass windows, we grabbed a traditional french lunch at a café. We then walked through the Latin Quarter and headed over to the Ile de Cité to Notre Dame. There we admired the flying buttresses and rose windows, taking in the evolution of gothic architecture. Finally we metro-ed to the hotel, cleaned up and devoured steak frites at Chez Papa. The evening was topped off with a warm cup of chocolate at out neighborhood café. Then we slept...Whew! And that was the first day.

Butterflies

This is such an exciting time, the day before our departure. It is hard to believe this day has arrived! As we all prepare for tomorrow afternoon, let us all keep a few things in mind. First: if you would be horribly depressed to lose it, don't bring it! Bring only the essentials. Don't forget chargers for cameras, ipods, etc. Bring the art supplies that you have--if you were unable to find something, we do happen to be going to some of the greatest art cities in the world. We are not traveling to the Outback. We'll find what you need. Again, don't forget to notify credit card companies/banks of where we will be heading. It might also be a good idea to scan those cards, just in case. Please post a comment if you have a suggestion or question.

Exciting update: Thanks to Blair Raber, mere extraordinaire, we will be getting a private tour of an exhibit on the history of the color RED at the Musée des Arts Decoratifs on Tuesday morning at 10am before we head off the the Musée D'Orsay. Hooray! Merci BEAUCOUP, Mme. Raber.

Next post will be from the airport...

A few Last Minute Tips--reposted...for this year!

Here are a few things that you might consider while you are packing up to go. First, make sure that you notify your credit card company that you (or your child) will be traveling and where that will be. That way, when they see charges in Paris they won't think that someone unauthorized has taken off with your card. Students: be sure to bring along your student ID or some other way of identifying how old you are so that you do not have to tote around your passport. Many attractions in Paris are free for under 18's and reduced for 18-25's. Also, for your carry-on, you may want to consider a comfortable bag that zips shut. That way, when we are walking around you will have piece of mind that your wallet won't walk! Also be sure to keep an eye on the weather...

Lastly, furnish your mind these last weeks before the trip.
Visit the Slow Travel site (the link is posted for you). This site is INVALUABLE! It gives lots of great advice on things you would never think of (like bathroom etiquette in Paris, who knew?). Brush up on your Art History (good book: The Story of Art) and look up the sights we will be seeing online. Look on google maps at the satellite view of the places we will be staying to give yourself a sense of space. Finally watch some movies, especially those with subtitles so you get used to listening to the language. Here is a list of some that I have enjoyed, but feel free to post others!! French: Amelie, Chacun Cherche Son Chat (have not seen this but have heard that it is great), Trois Couleurs: Bleu, Blanc, et Rouge, An American in Paris, Ronin, The Bourne Identity (some scenes, though it gives you a feel for Europe) and if you must: The DaVinci Code. Italy: A Room With a View (!!), Under the Tuscan Sun, Tea with Mussolini, Il Postino (about Neruda, the poet), Stealing Beauty (though this might be a bit risque, I've heard and read it is a great portrait of Toscana ). A bit of a warning: pretty much any movie about Tuscany has a subplot about some American being swept off her feet by her new-found lack of inhibitions or a hot Italian. Parisian movies sometimes have uncomfortably realistic love scenes. Just want you to be prepared...but don't let that scare you-just fast-forward. It is worth it to see the places and hear the language.
Books: The Hunchback of Notre Dame, Les Miserables, A Tale of Two Cities, DaVinci Code (hey, it's fun), The Lives of the Artists (Vasari), The Italians (fascinating), the Rough Guides to Paris and Tuscany, Rick Steves books and videos, phrasebooks, pod casts on learning French and Italian (!!)

Welcome to our Blog!

Dear Family and Friends,
Welcome to the blog for this year's art trip to Europe. Here you will find plenty of information about our trip, posts and pictures from last year's trip, and, eventually, posts form this year's trip. Please feel free to follow our progress. We will leave posts as often as possible, and we would love comments from you!

I hope that everything is going well in your preparation for the trip. Please feel free to use this forum for questions about what to pack, etc. Two weeks and counting!