When in Rome...

In Italy, a Westport family traveled around with Melanie Martin from the Westport Public Library's copy of The Diary of Melanie Martin, or , How I Survived Matt the Brat, Michelangelo, and the Leaning Tower of Pizza by Carol Weston.

Florence: magnificent views

When visiting Florence, don't miss the beautiful views from not only Piazzale Michelangelo but also the Basilica San Miniato al Monte that sits just beyond the piazza. It is from this point that one has a breathtaking view of the city below. The basilica has also been described as one of the most beautiful churches in Italy. As you can see from the photograph, even your teenagers will be swept away by the moment! Bella Firenze!!!!

Miss Kitty in El Mitad del Mundo

Miss Kitty at El Mitad del Mundo – The Middle of the World. No, Westport is not the Center of the Universe or the world! While this is the largest monument to the equator in Ecuador, I actually visited three other monuments. Two were old tourist stops and the other was newer and on the scientific side. Did you know that the exact equatorial line shifts over time? Of course with today’s scientific knowledge and instruments the “line” is much more accurate than it was years ago when someone thought to make it a tourist attraction.
http://www.cruisinaltitude.com/cities/mitad_del_mundo_quito_ecuador20010506.htm

Miss Kitty in Ecuador

The giant tortoises at the Charles Darwin Research Station on Santa Cruz Island in the Galapagos were not interested in anything but their breakfast
on the day we visited! One of the major efforts of the research station is to sustain the existence of these tortoises as well as many other indigenous species. They’re also trying to combat some of the many negative things human habitation of the islands has brought…like wild dogs, goats and rats!
http://www.mnh.si.edu/expeditions/galapagos/