The Extraordinary Le Château de la Belle au Bois Dormant

 One of the most beautiful photos of Disneyland Paris' stunning castle, Le Château de la Belle au Bois Dormant left in the largest size possible! Makes for a perfect screensaver or desktop photo. Whoever the photographer was- Walt Elias somebody- deserves an award for this exquisite piece of art!

How does this castle rank compared to those in other Disney parks? Take a look at the ranking here.

Ring in 2026!

Celebrate tonight!You made it through another year! Were you blessed in ways unimaginable? Give thanks to the Lord for it! Was it a difficult year filled with pain, suffering, leaving you wondering what was to come? Thank God that He sustained you. His work is not done. The story is not over. God will bring something good out of it if you love Him and are called to his purposes. That's his promise in the Bible's book of Romans, chapter 8. They key word is "if". I'm holding on now for a better year. Let's see what God has planned for 2026 together.

Disneyland Paris A One and Done?

Have you ever heard someone say that the beautiful French parc is a "One and Done"? Not me! Disneyland Paris is perhaps the most visually stunning of all castle parks. It's got the depth and charm of Disneyland built on a scale that rivals Florida's Magic Kingdom.  

I was excited for some of our Disney World loving friends to go to London and Paris and of course for their day trip to Disneyland. That said, I was surprised by their assessment of the French park: Although it is extremely beautiful, for them it is a one and done. What? I asked for further explanation.

The castle was a hit and Big Thunder Mountain Railroad a standout, Pirates of the Caribbean solid, but in their mind, there were not enough of the classic attractions that they found in the California and Florida parks. They could see the Studios park had potential, but it didn't impress them in its current state. (Not that many would disagree at this stage.)

As a huge fan of Disney Imagineering, the art of theme park design detail, and Tony Baxter in particular, even objectively, I find the park to be a work of art. I go into great detail why I do here. Read it and tell me if you agree.

As for the French resort, I can't wait to go back! The only question is when!

(Photograph from DLP Welcome.)

A Bit of Paris on a Dreary Day

It's clearly cold outside, so my thoughts drift to vacations long ago... This little shop in Paris caught my eye one day. The golden lettering against the deep green and the black grillwork is stunning! But you could say that about most of what you'll see in the city. Ah, Paris! Ah, vacations! Ah, God's faithfulness to give me a break when I need it most!

(Photograph copyright Mark Taft.)

My Favorite Disney Park Photos: Disneyland Paris

In the series of "My Favorite Disney Park Photos", this particular one could seem to be a very odd selection. Yet, it tells quite the story of the excellence of Disney Imagineering and attention to detail. (I could have even saved this one for a "Design Detail" post.) When the Disney Imagineers created Disneyland Paris under the clear direction and leadership of Tony Baxter, nothing was left to chance. This meant digging deep into the French culture and giving the park an air of elegance that has never been matched since.

Eddie Sotto may not have gotten his 1920's America that he desired, but that doesn't mean he didn't knock Main Street U.S.A. out of the park. Take a look at this beautiful stained glass ceiling art! Stunning, right? It's a tribute to the Parisian stores like Galeries Lafayette that stun locals and tourists alike with its beautiful displays and absolutely gorgeous windows and ceilings. Was this necessary at Disneyland Paris? Of course not, but the park is made all the richer because of these decisions. 

The main park itself has not been given a major upgrade since its opening. But it is every bit as eye popping as it has ever been because of the original excellence of its design.

(Photo copyright Mark Taft.)

A New Autopia Poster for Disneyland Paris

Those great Imagineering attraction posters are some of my favorite pieces of Disney theme park memorabilia, and here's a brand new one from Disneyland Paris! (Will they create them for Disney Adventure World when the revised studio park opens in 2026? Let's hope so!) 

I'd say this new poster for Discoveryland's Autopia is not one of my favorites, but it does have some cool elements, particularly the shiny centerpiece red car. 

Now, I'll admit Autopia is one of few attractions I haven't ridden there. During our first trip in the 90's, my youngest son was this much too short for Space Mountain. My wife came to the rescue and took him for a spin in the cars. (Surprisingly, Star Tours is the other attraction I haven't ridden!)

Imagineer Tony Baxter's pet project for Europe is a park that must be seen to be believed! It's sets a very high standard for what a Disney castle park should be. So, go see it- even if you don't see all of it.  ;)

(Art copyright The Walt Disney Company.)

Fueling My Disneyland Paris Dreams

Really, I wasn't going to share this, but I just couldn't resist! This stunning poster of Disneyland Paris caught my eye. Definitely without a doubt, France's Magic Kingdom is the most beautiful Disney castle park of all! Imagineer Tony Baxter and team designed a masterpiece. Even without a few classic attractions, this one would be the castle park I would choose if I could only go to one. Why? It's almost because of what it doesn't have in addition to its strengths: There's no dated Tomorrowland (sorry, Disneyland in California); there's no misplaced attractions (sorry, Tokyo Disneyland, but the Haunted Mansion from Florida's Liberty Square shouldn't sit next to Dumbo nor does not belong in Fantasyland); and there's definitely no spinner in Adventureland (looking at you Magic Kingdom). To borrow a phrase from a famous umbrella wielding nanny- Disneyland Paris the Parc is practically perfect in every way. 

Le Spectacle ! La Pluie ! Les Jeux Olympiques !

Yesterday's opening ceremonies on the 2024 Olympics in Paris was a sight to behold! Three hours worth of drama, entertainment, and an unexpected game of where will the Olympic Flame finally come to rest. Oui, mais bien sûr! (Yes, but of course!) Suspended by a giant hot air balloon, the giant cauldron was blaze with more spectacle. Aside from the ridiculous fashion show as part of it all, this opening was one to remember.

(Photogaph by Olympia de Maismont/AFP/Getty Images.)

The End of Rome As We Know It: Day Three

The Eternal City earned its nickname- and we just love Rome! Like the two days before it, our next - and unfortunately last- day was filled with one adventure after another. Had we a bit more time, we would have explored the city at a more leisurely pace. We still had the southern part of the country to see (Amalfi Coast and Sorrento) as well as our last stop, several days in Paris.

The breakfast room- Beautiful!

After yet another wonderful breakfast at the Hotel Ponte Sisto, we decided to walk it off to our next destination, a tour through the breathtaking ruins the Palatine Hill. Next would be the Colosseum, right across the street. We walked, but if you wanted to take the Metro, the Termini station is literally at the base of all the tour operators. 

My measly photographs do not do it justice. 

If you are planning a trip to Rome, you'll definitely include these two destinations in your itinerary. If you are interested in history, you'll find the tours go by much too quickly. (Make sure you also do the Scavi Tour, which you must book way in advance. It's a very limited group that gets in and can be quite a pain to get, but it is the neatest thing we've ever done anywhere. Make sure you go through the official site here.)

Back to the ruins. Be prepared to do a lot of walking and on a variety of street conditions. It's often uphill. It's often rocky. It's often difficult. But it is always worth the effort! Buy the icy cold water offered by street vendors. You'll need it. Even in the early winter months, it is quite hot. I wish I'd remembered a hat.

With the area's rich, rich history and incredible views of the city, this is something you do not want to miss. Any of the tours will do the trick. Know that you will be placed into groups of about 20+ people. If you want to hear the narration, and you should, stay close to your guide. The place is buzzing with people. You'll hear dialects and languages from all over the world. 

As with every civilization, the more the people engaged in debauchery of all types, the quicker they went downhill. Then, another conquering people would come in and set up camp. You see opulence in full color on this tour. The wealth of the city's richest patrons is easy to see as the architecture and stonework make this a place like no other. When you add in the stunning views, it is just magnificent. The four of us may have taken more photographs in just this part of the city than anywhere else on our trip together. 

All this stone makes it very, very hot!

With the Colosseum across the street, this is the tourist hub of the city. The Vatican may hold more people in the wide open spaces of the outer courts, but this area of Rome feels absolutely crushing at times. Hold on to your children. They can easily get lost, and parents urgently looking for little ones will have a hard time finding them after a few minutes. These tours are not stroller friendly. Rome is great for families, but Pre-School aged kids will not be able to get anything out of these tours nor can they handle the decaying steps and difficult paths. 

The Colosseum is a marvel of engineering and a place of bloody spectacle. According to history, the local people would come by during their breaks from work to watch the epic battles which took place. Sometimes, it was man to man, gladiator to gladiator. Other times, it was a criminal (usually a Christian because Christianity was outlawed then) up against the lions. In either case, man to man or man to animal, it was a bloodbath. Once the faith of those who follow Jesus was recognized, eventually this cross (above) was placed inside the great arena. 

At both the Colosseum and Palatine Hill, the security is very tight. You will go through a complete search and check much like you would at any international airport. Be prepared for long waits. 

A little lunch, please.

Completing our tours, we were hot and hungry. There are plenty of places near these attractions, but we decided we would walk about one mile or so into some of the neighborhoods in town, away from the tourists. We found this worked to our advantage and the food and drink were usually better and the prices lower.

We stumbled into this busy little locals hangout. Like a lot of Europe these days, English language menus are offered when they have them. It seems Italians in particular like Americans, as everywhere we went we were warmly greeted, and everyone seemed to enjoy interacting with us. (Later, contrary to popular opinion, we also found this to be true in Paris.)

This just belongs here.

Our midday break with salads, pizzas, and a nice beverage created a terrific stop as well as a chance to rest and talk about the morning's adventures. Friendly, relaxed service and excellent food. Great friends and lots of laughs. What more could you want, right?

From the top of the Spanish Steps. 

Refreshed and reenergized, there was still much more to see. If you want to meet the world in a famous city, go to the public squares. One of the most popular in Rome is the location of the Spanish Steps. There is a small (for Rome!) fountain and lots of people to be found before you ascend to the top. The walk up was not quite as bad as we expected it to be, and the view from the top (shown above) is more than worth your time and trouble. It was late afternoon. The crowds were thick but friendly, and folks began lining up to watch the sunset and wait for the bars on the upper tier to open. One young couple was taking their wedding photos and the top of the steps, making the most of a very charming location.

The worldwide popularity of the television show Friends continues on.

Walking the streets of Rome is an experience in both caution and delight. When cars do go through here, you've got to pay attention. But when there's a stretch of empty road, you have a chance to see some unique shops and cafes and well known clothing chains. People watching is fun here! There's a collective mentality I find all through Europe where being out socializing is just the norm. It's pretty common to find folks just relaxing with coffee or gelato and letting the world pass by. The pace of life seems a bit slower and more focused on relationships. Being is important. One unique thing I did notice is that although there are cel phones, people don't seem glued to them as they do in the States.  

The was our last night in Rome. You'd think we'd go out to a fancy place for an elegant dinner, but you'd be wrong. Instead, we went home to our hotel later in the evening and sat at the garden patio under the stars. We each chose a different glass of wine and sat back, feeling the blessing of God to allow us this adventure together. 

Tomorrow, we'd take off for the southern parts of Italy, the Amalfi Coast and Sorrento. We couldn't wait, but then again, we could have stayed in Rome for a full week and not seen enough. I'd go back in an instant. There's nothing like it on this earth. 

(Photographs copyright Mark Taft.)

Dinner in Paris

A bottle of wine, good food, and great friends in one of my favorite vacation places: Paris, France. What could make for a better night? Nothing! The Lord has blessed us with all these things, and we are thankful for the trip together. No, I haven't forgotten about the trip reports. 

There's much more of Italy to share including a stop at the world's most beautiful restaurant. Then, afterwards, there's the City of Light. Without a single glance at Disneyland Paris, we still had an amazing time. 

I'm just so swamped with work that I cannot think straight. They will come, so I hope you'll be patient with me.

(Photograph copyright Mark Taft.)

A Quiet Corner in Italy

One of our favorite travel pleasures is to arrive someplace new and take a walk. Not just any walk, but one where we get lost and discover hidden alleyways and nooks and crannies. Sure, we see all the must-do sights we can, but there's something so real and charming about being off the beaten path. 

Here's one such example in Sorrento. It seems everywhere you go in Italy, you're stepping into a photographer's paradise. Sun washed walls and the rich hues of clay rooftops up against magnificent art in various forms of glass, bronze, and paint. Brightly painted flowers of rainbow colors spill across windows and onto cobblestone streets barely wider than a compact car. 

If you like this photo, check out the first two days of our recent trip to Italy and then Paris. More to come.

Day One- Italy Before France, Rome Before Paris

Day Two- The Best of Rome and The Coolest Thing I've Ever Done

(Photograph copyright Mark Taft.)

The Best of Rome- - and The Coolest Thing I've Ever Done

Day One of our trip to Rome, Amalfi Coast, and Paris was just about as good as it could be! We were excited for the next few days, but one small tour ended up being the best travel experience we've ever had. And I gotta say, because of God's goodness, the generosity of friends and family, and my part time gig as a tour guide, we've been blessed to do many, many amazing things. But this topped them all.

The full photo from above zoomed out to show just how huge this area is.

After meeting our friends for a delicious and leisurely breakfast in our hotel- Lavazza Coffee with hot milk is just wonderful- we headed off for our tour of the Vatican. 

Neither couple had been to Rome, but our friends did as much research as we did to prepare. Our friend the Professor happily stumbled upon something that very few folks know of or even care about: The Scavi Tour.

Just what exactly is this? A very limited tour where they receive only 250 people per day, approximately 12 people per group. You must be 15 years old, and the tours run only Monday through Friday and with shortened hours on Saturday. In order to qualify, you must first email them a passport scan. You'll go through an extensive security check before you are approved. Then you will know if you have been approved and for what date and time. 

But what exactly is this tour?

The Professor asks questions of the Swiss Guard officers at the entrance.

Everyone who goes to Rome for the first time must go to all the main landmarks, including Vatican City's magnificent St. Peter's Basilica. Just as they should. This tour, the Scavi Tour, goes under the basilica. What's there? An area called the Necropolis and the home to the tomb of St. Peter- which is directly below the grand dome everyone sees. The hour and a half excursion takes travelers somewhere in the neighborhood of 25 ft. below ground exploring what was once an above ground cemetery. This includes walking around ancient streets and houses now buried centuries later.  

Enter the tour here.

We arranged our entire tour of the our trip's tourist attractions to accommodate this particular tour. And we would advise anyone going to Rome to do the same. For all four of us, it was easily the highlight of our entire time in the region. 

Make sure you bring your passport with you. You will not be allowed in without it.

To find the tour entrance, walk toward the Dome, and then walk past it on the left side. Look for the Swiss Guard on the left. The uniforms make them easy to find. They will graciously point you to the Passport Control/Security entrance nearby. We tried talking to the local police to ask, but they appeared unable to direct us to the right location.

After going through security and a passport check (Vatican City is its own country. after all), we were escorted past the Swiss Guard to the tour office. Here, we were screened once more before being let into a walled off area. Dignitaries, some walked and some in vehicles, (and there were many) passed by us on their way to meetings and such.

The lobby area before descending below ground.

No photos allowed beyond this point.

Right on time, our tour guide came out to greet us. She was a local Italian woman with a doctorate in Christian Anthropology. Not only was she very knowledgeable, she was very likable, and her English was excellent. No question was too small or unimportant. After counting heads, the descent downstairs began. The halls became slimmer and slimmer as the lights got dimmer and the area colder.

The Necropolis. This is the official Scavi photo from their website.

I'll admit it took some time to get used to the chilly temperature below ground, the narrow and  dark precarious paths, and especially the thick security walls that closed behind us after entering each area. This is  definitely not for the claustrophobic! One woman in our group couldn't handle it all, and after entering the first darkened room way below the surface, she had to leave. Our very kind and understanding guide excused herself and accompanied the nervous woman back to the main lobby upstairs. We quietly waited for her to return. It was a bit eerie. 

One more official photo.

We had taken the underground aqueduct tour in Istanbul a year earlier. That certainly was incredible, but we were even more awestruck by this experience, the history, and stories told. The Necropolis (Greek for "City of the Dead") contains the Tomb of St. Peter, but that is to be seen toward the end. Before that, you walk among the pagan burial grounds and see a side of the era's life from a new perspective. (For the record, this is not like the famous catacombs of Paris, so you won't be viewing thousands of skulls.) 

The Professor found this photo on line after we all got home.

Based on historical data, Peter was martyred in 64 A.D. under the hand of Nero. The apostle Peter insisted he be crucified upside down, stating he was not worthy to be killed in the same manner as his Lord Jesus Christ. (Jesus himself prophesied Peter's death in the Bible's Book of John, Chapter 21.) Mourning but wise believers took Peter's body and hid it, fearing others would take it and destroy it.

For centuries, Christianity was outlawed, but that did not stop early followers of Jesus from hiding subtle references to God's Son in the paintings and other artwork as part of their families resting place. This included Peter and includes references to where he was buried in a manner that could only be described as ancient graffiti. All this is pointed out on the tour, and the guide lays it out in a very compelling manner. 

Once Emperor Constantine legalized Christianity in 313 A.D. by issuing the Edict of Milan, Peter's body was buried where it now is found. Right below the famous Basilica Dome. Once back above ground, if you look for the center metal grating at your feet, you can see the Necropolis deep below. 

St. Peter's Basilica. Just incredible.

This not-to-be-missed tour comes with a bonus: At the conclusion of the tour, you are taken upstairs to the Basilica, bypassing the lengthy lines. You can still veer off to the left side to go up into the dome itself, something we sadly forgot to do. To reach the entrance to the Basilica, you'll go through numerous hallways with the resting places of many other Popes to get there. This makes for a fascinating experience all its own.

To book Scavi Tour Tickets, go to the official site here. Don't be fooled by the numerous other companies' websites into taking a different tour.  They are more expensive- sometimes much more so- and may not include the underground experience.

Again, be sure to bring your passport with you.

I mean NO disrespect here,

but this cute photo makes me want to call them a "gaggle" of nuns 

because of their smiling faces.

What could top the Scavi Tour? Nothing actually, not even the Sistene Chapel in all its splendor couldn't match the powerful experience we had just witnessed. 

The dense crush of the crowds and the very limited time in the chapel itself made for a visit that was much different than we expected. It's loud, the poor security/guides have to yell to communicate with guests, and there's really no time to quietly enjoy the thousands of artifacts on display in the numerous hallways before hitting the chapel. 

Just unbelievable.

For all this, the payoff is worth it. The fresco by Michelangelo is just magnificent! The colors are quite rich, and it seems as if it could have been painted just a few years ago. This is due to the restoration that took place in the 1980s for several years. Contrary to what many think, the entire story of the Bible is painted on that ceiling and not just the creation. 

The Sister Chapel is surrounded by the expansive gardens.

Once we exited the Chapel, we worked our way out through a large maze of hallways that held very little signage in either Italian or any other language. We were rewarded with a nice bench and a break for a drink and a snack. The surrounding gardens are just lovely. Off in the distance is the entrance to the garages.

One of many "Pope-Mobiles" found in the garages below.

One of the most playful- if you can use that word- exhibits is found underground with very little announcement of its very existence. The carriages and cars of the Popes are housed below ground. There's no fee to enter. The plaques tell fascinating tidbits, and visitors are rewarded with a very views of everything from ancient carriages to almost James Bond type automobiles. Since few people go here, the touring is relaxed and delightfully peaceful.

Scenes from our walk back to the hotel.

Everywhere you go in Rome, history is found, and every turn of your head results in discovering beautiful architecture. We made a habit, (no pun intended), of walking into every church we found. Even the very humblest of buildings interested us with the variety of materials used. 

My more than average photo does not capture the beauty of this piece.

A full description.

We took the extra time to walk into the Cappella Della Pieta. I'm not a Catholic, but it was hard not to be moved by this sculpture. There's this feel about Rome that brings about a mix of emotions. The city seems to pulsate with youth and energy, a sense of respect for the ancient and traditional, and a combination of flighty carnality and rich spirituality. Where Paris feels both charming and glamorous, Rome has a sense of substance I've never felt anywhere else. The Eternal City indeed.

The next day would be our last full one here. The agenda held a tour of the Coliseum and Palatine Hill. There'd be a few surprises along the way before leaving the city for the towns of Amalfi. What a wonderful trip so far! Stay tuned.

(Photographs copyright Mark Taft.)

The Disney Haunted Mansion Attraction You've Never Seen

This one took some digging into my files. We all know that Disney's Haunted Mansion is one of Imagineering's finest achievements and an enduring fan favorite. At Disneyland, it takes it's classic look from the mansions around the South and is found in the park's gorgeous New Orleans Square. It's known as Phantom Manor in Paris. 

My guess, however, is that most Disney park visitors have seen it in its Gothic form at the Magic Kingdom in Walt Disney World or in Tokyo Disneyland. But they've never seen it like this! This piece of rare concept art by Imagineer Ted Rich in 1967 gives us the very first looks at ideas for what the attraction exterior might look like for its inclusion in Liberty Square. In contrast to its earlier sibling, this version takes on a wood clad look and is more similar to its French cousin. Just imagine what's in those Disney vaults that we haven't seen! 

(Art copyright The Walt Disney Company.)

No End of Year List

By this time in years past, I have posted on "The Best of Year______", my hopes and dreams for the coming one, and my disappointments and delights from the previous year. Not today. From the highs (like a trip to Rome and Paris with some of our best friends) to the lows (loss of a parent and more), 2023 was certainly a mixed bag. So as you celebrate the end of the year and the new one coming, know that in the midst of life's ups and downs, there's a whole new eternal life to consider. Jesus is calling people to himself. Is He calling you?

Italy Before France, Rome Before Paris

Do you daydream about your next travel adventure? I do! If you travel for work or you do it as work, deciding where you are going to go on vacation is always a challenge. Staying home is rarely an option for me. Racking up the frequent flier miles certainly helps cut the costs. Since I'm a sun person and a beach lover Hawaii is always in the running, and our many trips there attest to our love for those islands. Loving culture and history, Europe always calls me. Being a Disney park fan, the consideration of a trip to Walt Disney World definitely comes into play. 

Truth be known, I'm "Disneyed Out" as evidenced by our choice to go to Rome, the Amalfi Coast, and then onto Paris without going to the theme park I love. Yep, that's right- we skipped Disneyland Paris. And if you've never been to the City of Light, you'll need to make some tough decisions as there is so much to see and do there. But Italy before France, Rome before Paris.

 

When we were planning this trip, we decided to ask some of our closest friends to travel with us. They had never been to Europe, and we'd talked about doing that for years and years. This time, everything aligned together, so it was a go. We were all so excited to do this together- and it was the perfect choice of travel buddies for this once in a lifetime adventure.

Planning took us awhile. Just like all good trips. But since this wasn't Disney, we didn't have to deal with many advance reservations. Such a relief, honestly. Our itinerary played out with us starting in Rome, traveling by car to the Amalfi Coast, and then flying from Naples through Milan and onto Paris. 

 

Patio at the Hotel Ponte Sisto.
 

After all four of us searching for rooms- with Airbnb or a hotel- we found the perfect place in a perfect location: The Hotel Ponte Sisto, right across from the Tiber river. Centrally located to everything you'd want to see and just on the other side of the bridge, the old monastery now small hotel was just what we were looking for. Beautiful grounds, rooftop patio bar, lovely breakfast room and larger than normal guest rooms at a decent price for the luxury of it all. Our daily breakfast was wonderful- and of course, included- and we began each meal with a cup or two of Lavazza coffee with hot milk. Delicious new tradition. Rooms at the hotel are a bit of a splurge, but worth every Euro. 

Landing in Rome and getting through Customs and Passport Control was so fast and easy that it would give us extra hours on a day we had thought we'd lost to travel. The whole process took less than half an hour once we deplaned. Our luggage came quickly, although good old United Airlines ripped off my bag's handle through the metal in the center. Taxi service into the city and to our hotel was about 65 Euros- not cheap- but the 35 minute or so ride provided a nice introduction to the Eternal City.

 

One of many fountains.

After checking in, we took off for a walking tour and then a bit of a late snack. It seems everywhere you look, there are ancient structures and remnants of old columns and such. Much like Florence, traffic is thick and fast here. Be safe and stay in the designated walkways at all times. 

We explored around our hotel and then moved on deeper into the city, following the river and branching out from there for interesting spots we had to take in. A nice coffee break and a cornetto (the Italian version of a French croissant) gave us a chance to talk more about our plans for the rest of the afternoon. But we didn't really need an excuse, did we? It's vacation after all! 

Of course, the Trevi Fountain is a must and for good reason! Even in late October, the crowds are dense and it's hard to get close to the lowest level for a great photo. What a beautiful piece of art in a city where you can find it everywhere. The entire complex is larger than you think, and the amount of water pulsing creates a refreshing sound that doesn't quite drown out the crowd noice but makes for a pleasant visit. (I didn't know you could visit under the fountain- at least you can according to the Giadzy website, the home of recipes and tourist tips by celebrity chef Giada de Laurentiis.) We'd originally planned to return to this spot in the evening, but there was so much to explore in the city, it just never happened.

Since the pandemic, advance planning and reservations for a few key attractions are a must. After a bit of research, we discovered in Rome, several were necessary. One was for the Pantheon, one for the tour of the Coliseum and the Palantine Hill tour, and the others were for the Vatican and the Sistine Chapel. As we'd quickly discover, we were extremely glad we planned this out. 

 

The oculus at the Pantheon.

The Pantheon was next on our list with our reservations set for late in the afternoon. The line for folks with tickets was very long, and the square where this sits is much too small for the number of visitors that want to go in. Luckily, it was a pleasant and warm late October day. As with all the attractions in the city, you'd need more than a bit of luck to be able to get into one you did not have advance reservations for. With our reservation, it still took us about 45 minutes to get through the line.  

Originally a Roman temple for pagan gods and now a Catholic church (but seemingly most primarily a tourist hot spot), the Pantheon is an impressive structure filled with equally impressive art of all types. An audio tour is a must to understand it all, and the set of ear pieces helps push out the noise levels so you can concentrate on what you're seeing.  Even though it's an open area with an oculus (a large open hole) to the skies above, it is very noisy.

There's about 20 spots to stop and discover. Pay attention to the floor. The architectural design of the place is stunning and more advanced than you would imagine. Truly genius. (Planning note- the information for tours on line does not make it clear, but if you book an audio tour guide, you pick up your devices inside at a counter off to the left.) The wealth of history here as in all the city is overwhelming at times. So are the treasures as it seems so much is embellished with gold. We spent about an hour and a half inside. Little did we know this would be the least busy spot in all our tours of Roman attractions.

What could be more Italian than gelato? After our self-guided tour, we felt it was time for something playful and delicious. Of course, this became a regular habit! After walking anywhere from four to six miles a day, we all decided we could indulge a bit. While my wife and friends mostly had more traditional flavors, I generally opted for the weird ones. The "Blue Cheese and Pear" and "Baklava" were the two most unique. My order of these resulted in a few funny faces and sideways glances, but I was rewarded by many delicate, out of the ordinary flavors. I eventually did have a scoop of Mango and later Nutella (my favorite food ever), but my love of adventure extends to my palette as well. However, my first dinner was more traditional.

Across the Ponte Sisto bridge from our hotel of the same name, was the neighborhood of Trastevere. It would be the location for our first dinner in Rome. The area's very trendy, filled with bars, shops, and restaurants, a smattering of graffiti (unfortunately something you'll find throughout larger European cities) and lots of music. 

 

Could it get any better?

Once we got our bearings and the sunset came upon the city, we settled into a small square at an outdoor restaurant next door to a local church. Wine was a must. Although I maybe have an alcoholic drink at the most once a month and not more than one (I'm a lightweight), I did have a glass of wine with every evening meal. My order of cacio e pepe, a  tonnarelli pasta made with black pepper and pecorino romano cheese was everything you'd want. Along with great conversation, fresh warm bread, a glass of wine, a balmy Fall evening, and my wife beside me was all I could ever want. Every once in awhile, I'm very thankful to the Lord for His gifts, and I think, "Life is Good!" Yes, this was one of those moments. I love Rome!

We ended the evening with some window shopping and a leisurely walk home. All the traveling wore us out. There'd be much to do the following day, so a good night sleep was a must. 

Tomorrow would unexpectedly bring the coolest thing we've ever done in any of our travels anywhere. Little did we know!

(Photographs copyright Mark Taft.)

Paris, Oui. Disneyland Paris, Non.

France, Yes. Disneyland Paris, No. We just returned from a 12 day trip to Italy and France. We skipped Disneyland Paris. Yes, I skipped my favorite Magic Kingdom styled park. Do I regret it? Stay tuned for an upcoming trip report, including one tour that ranks as the single best, most incredible, travel experience we've ever had. I have over one thousand photos to go through first... 

(Photograph copyright Mark Taft.)

Fall's True Colors

Oh, the sweet days of Fall! Just a wonderful time in Colorado when the temperature is mild during the day, the skies are sunny, and the colors of the Autumn season are just spectacular in their display of God given hues. 

I installed and painted the garden travel sign years ago, and it began with real travel destinations to places we visited over the years. Everything from Paris to London to Walt Disney World and Victoria. But the individual markers mostly deteriorated. The one for Kapaula Bay, Hawaii, now sits on my office wall above the door. Years later, I replaced them with these storybook locations.

 

It has sort of become my custom to take photos of my yard this time of year. I guess 2023 is no exception. The photographer has his faults, and the end result is certainly not professional by any means. But the colors do not do justice to the real thing.  

Remnants of Summer are still to be found in my garden if I look for them. The hammock lies empty for now at least. Once the kids come back, it's a pretty popular spot to hand out- and in the case of the littlest guys, it's always a three person affair.

Hidden in the very corner is this little festival of color. A bit of each season. It will have to do until next year when things change again, and once more, my eyes wonder at the marvels of God's design. As a former Californian, Summer used to be my favorite season, but I have to admit, my heart has changed just like the colors of my garden!