Photos BY ELAINE WATKINS, Lake Como Area

On our Lake Como Cruise, we saw a lot of fine landscape and some fine houses. This chateau was used in as part of the set in "Casino Royale", the last James Bond Movie.



Just up the lake from the "Bond" house is another Chateau, recently bought by Richard Branson, of Virgin Fame. I could live there!



A more traditional Chateau is on the other side of the lake. This one was where Tom Cruise had his last wedding, and it is rumored that he is trying to buy it! Napoleon actually slept in this one.



The lake-side town of Bellagio is just around the bend from the cruise house, and is where we stopped for lunch and shopping, just like the rich folks do!



Our group posing on the lake-side at Bellagio, about half-way through our cruise.

PHOTOS BY ELAINE WATKINS, MORE GONDOLAS

Ah, Yes, the Bridges of Venice County!



The best way to view the Realto Bridge, from a gondola!

PHOTOS BY ELAINE WATKINS, GONDOLAS

More Gondola-eers



Cannot believe that Sam did not fall out!



Here is the one with me in it!




Christina certainly enjoyed her Gondola ride!



Duck under that low bridge, Ms. Lemay!

PHOTOS BY ELAINE WATKINS, PART 8

Sometimes, the best way to get your first look at venice is from the water taxi.



we came across the lagoon from Jesolo, blue sky, blue water.



From the boat, there did not seem to be any crowds.



At the Murano glass studio, they made a 1-minute glass horse for us. Sorry about the focus.



Starting our goldola ride, perhaps the high point of our trip.

PHOTOS BY ELAINE WATKINS, PART 7

The first in Elaine's series, Mother & Son, this is Sam and his mother Crystal.



The second in the Mother and Son series, this is Greyson and his mother Elaine.



On the bus between Pisa and Florence, Mses Lemay and Luckadoo relax.



Ou group poses in front of the Sante Croche Church in Florence. It is not a cathedral, despite all the famous people buried in it.


At a truck stop between Florence and Venice, some of us relax and stretch our legs.

PHOTOS BY ELAINE WATKINS, PART 6

These are called the Doors of Heaven, and they open into the Baptistry in Florence.



This is a view of the side and dome of the Duomo in Florence, fantastic brickwork.



One of the statues in the Plazza Signiorie of Florence, this one shows the aftermath of the beheading of Medussa, the snake-headed woman, whose look could turn you to stone.



Another statue in that Plazza is called the Rape of the Sabine Women, commemorating when Rome took over the Sabine area.

PHOTOS BY ELAINE WATKINS, PART 5

In the Duomo Square in Pisa, this is the Baptistry. They had a separate building to get baptized in because in the Medieval church, you could not enter the cathedral (the Duomo) until you had been baptized.



This is a bird's eye view of the Baptistry tank. Almost big enough to swim in.



In this photo, you can compare the lean of the bell tower of Pisa with the corner of the Duomo, and see just how much it really leans.



This is a well-preserved piece of the old Pisa city wall, over 1000 years old.



Moving on to Florence that afternoon, we did a walking tour, and here is Elaine's photo of the Florence Duomo and Bell Tower (Campenelia). It does not really lean, even though in this photo it looks like it.