Nice shots. Did it rain at all?

A little here and there, but not much. We missed the flooding in Venice by about two weeks, thankfully. More than anything, it was a lot colder than I was led to believe it was going to be from the research I had done before we left. Darn that Rick Steves!!

These are lovely! Inside sources inform me that there are some 562 other photos that you have not yet shown. I want more!

Personally, I love the narrowness of alleyways and the clutter of rooftops.

Gorgeous photos.

I want to visit Italy now. :-)

I was really taken by that element, too Rob! So it's not just me!?

Kaysong, I only stopped dreaming I was still there a few nights ago! I really miss it!

Blake, I love these, and seeing through your eyes/lens. Keep me on any future notification list of your stuff. Hope you are well.

I'm going to be down your ways at the end of January. Did you see Julies post on a hookup? http://open.salon.com/content.php?cid=63714

Thanks Barry, that's quite a compliment coming from OS's most accomplished photographer!

Yes, I did indeed see the post about the meet-up. I might actually make it--you never know! ;)

You make me want to go back to Italy so much I can taste it. More photos, por favore. Pronto!

These five are sort of a tease, aren't they, Sally?

Great stuff, Blake. If these are not among the most interesting of the 500+, I will look forward to an update or a new post!

Ah, that shot in Rome brings back memories. How is Verona?

Thanks Lonnie. I just feel like these shots don't really tell much of the story. They just work thematically.

Sandra--You know how when you travel you keep asking yourself if you could actually live there? Verona was the place I most felt like I could actually move to and live happily. Rome was my favorite, but it might get to me after a while. I dunno. I really love big cities, generally. (Austin is kinda too small for me. I get bored here.) But Verona had plenty of charm and lots of the historical stuff you look for when traveling. But it's not as over run with tourists as some other places. Venice was cool, but I don't see how you could live there!

Blake these are awesome, and yes you are a tease, and yes I want to see the "interesting" ones. You have such a nice sense of composition and I love the whole alleyways perspective. More please.

You're on the cover, dude. Nice!

Beautiful--and the narrow alleys between the buildings are one of the most charming aspects of Europe. I love the colors of the buildings in the photos, also. Yes, please feel free to post more so that I may continue to wish I was in Italy. I have never been there and it is on my Must Be Done Eventually list.

Wonderful pictures. I especially love the Sunset in Asissi picture, since I had the good fortune to actuallly visit that particular city.

But I can identify with the excitement of looking out the window and seeing Italy. One of my favorite countries on Earth. Thumbed.

Gorgeous photos, Blake. Did you get to the Amalfi Coast? I once spent 3 weeks going 33 miles on that gorgeous, scary road doing a guidebook. Because I have written alot about travel people tend to ask which places I like best. Your photos would answer that question without the need for words.

Unfortunately we did not make it to the Amalfi coast--that's next time!

I love the shot over the rooftops in Verona. Beautiful photos.

We were in Italy almost the exact time of year 4 years ago. I was VERY glad I had taken a long coat. We started in Venice and went south.