Chicago, Illinois is a world class city on the banks of Lake Michigan. It has long been associated with working class America because of its stockyards and meat-packing plants. Later, it was known for organized crime with the likes of Al Capone, etc. But Chicago has emerged from its sometimes storied past as a beacon of culture and prosperity.  The public places in the city are adorned with fountains, sculptures and other artwork, and the quality of the museums rivals any city in the United States.  

            Its Skyline, certainly one of the most beautiful in the world, is particularly dramatic because it is fairly compact and rises directly above the sandy beaches of Lake Michigan and Lake Shore Drive.  It is most dramatic from the water, but, nevertheless, beautiful from several piers or land masses which jut out into the lake (in particular, the area beside the Adler Planetarium and the Navy Pier).  The skyline is even more appealing at night when the lights of the buildings complement one another. 

            The Field Museum of Natural History is one of the world’s best natural history museums. It is located just off Lake Shore Drive, near Grant Park, a lovely setting on the banks of Lake Michigan. The museum contains literally millions of specimens, including the world's most complete skeleton of Tyrannosaurus Rex, nicknamed “Sue”.  There are sections of the museum devoted to Gems, Native American Cultures, and Ancient Egypt. 

            Chicago also has great restaurants, probably the result of the many ethnic communities within the city.

            For spectacular views of the city and Lake Michigan, take the elevator to the Skydeck of the Sears Tower (now the Willis Tower), which, for several years, was the tallest building in the world (110 stories/1350 feet/450 meters) and is still the tallest in the US.

            A walking tour of the downtown will always include a stroll down the Magnificent Mile, a high-end shopping area in downtown Chicago, as well as a promenade along the waterfront.  Where else in the world can you see men and women in suits take their lunches across Lake Shore Drive to eat them on the beach with its skyscraper backdrop.

            Chicago is also a city which contains many green areas. Particularly popular are Lincoln Park which also houses the city zoo, and Millennium Park, right on the lakefront.

            Gary’s Gem:

             Florence, the birthplace of the Renaissance and once one of the most powerful city-states in Italy, may have more Art per acre than any other city in the world. Ruled by the powerful Medici family, patrons of the arts, for hundreds of years, the city became the home base for icons of the art world such as, Michelangelo, Da Vinci, Botticelli, etc. Much of their art remains on display in this wonderful city.

            The Duomo of Florence, Santa Maria del Fiore, has one of the most beautiful and most recognized exteriors in the world.  Its Brunelleschi Dome was the largest, built without scaffolding, in the world when it was completed in 1463. It has become a symbol of the city with its red roof and distinctive shape.  The outside of the church itself is covered in pink, green and white Tuscan marble.  Many statues adorn the facade. Unfortunately, the Piazza in front of the Duomo is crowded and narrow, preventing visitors from getting a more distant perspective.  Immediately across from the Duomo entrance is the Baptistry, with its beautiful, Ghiberti bronze doors (on the North and East sides of the building).  The panels depict scriptural subjects, such as, the expulsion of Adam and Eve from Eden, Moses receiving the Ten Commandments, etc.  Inside are colorful mosaics. 

            The Piazza della Signoria is a spectacular example of the incorporation of great art into a public space to make it more than special.  There are three notable statues in the square:  1. The Rape of the Sabine Women, by Giambologna, 2. Perseus, by Cellini, and 3. a copy of the David, by Michelangelo.  Bordering the piazza is the Palazzo Vecchio, the town hall of Florence, with its imposing bell tower, a landmark of the city’s famous skyline, and the Neptune Fountain. What a fantastic environment in which to have lunch or a glass of wine or beer al fresco!.

            Beside the palazzo is the famous Uffizi Gallery. The Degli Uffizi contains the greatest collection of Italian paintings in the world.  The lines can be incredibly long and slow-moving, so make reservations ahead of time.  Inside the Uffizi, marvel at the beautiful frescoed ceilings of the hallways, and enjoy the great art of Michelangelo, Botticelli, Giotti, Raphael, Titian, and others. 

            Must sees include the Botticelli room with his Birth of Venus, and Michelangelo’s Holy Family.

            To the west of the Duomo is the church of Santa Maria Novella, with its distinctive, striped exterior.  Also check out the interior of the Gothic structure which dates to around 1300 AD. 

            Continue on to the river for some shopping on the Ponte Vecchio, a covered bridge over the Arno which is lined with shops. It is the oldest (1345) surviving bridge in the city and another symbol of Florence. 

            Another famous house of worship is the church of Santa Croce which, besides another gorgeous marble façade, and some beautiful artwork, such as frescoes by Giotto and a chapel dome by Brunelleschi, contains the tombs of Michelangelo, Galileo, Machiavelli,  and other notables.   

            Another of the must-sees of the city is housed in the Galleria dell’Accademia.  Here visitors will experience the true impact of Michelangelo’s original David, one of the most important sculptures in the world. The David is extremely tall and imposing, on a large pedestal, and one marvels at the detail, such as the toenails, and the veins of the wrist. This statue stood in the Piazza della Signoria until 1873 when it was moved indoors to the museum for safe-keeping.

            Gary’s Gem:

            Istanbul sits at the crossroads of Europe and Asia.  As a matter of fact, the city straddles the boundary between the two continents, with its western end part of Europe and its eastern side in Asia. Formerly known as Constantinople and Byzantium, this city was also the capital of the Roman Empire from 306 AD until the fall of the Empire.

            Istanbul occupies a strategic location at the mouth of the Bosporus strait, where it joins the Sea of Marmara, an entry into the Aegean Sea and further into the Mediterranean.  To the north the Bosporus empties into the Black Sea. 

            It is a huge city, with a population of around 13,000,000.  Because of its location, it is also a cultural crossroads and the population is extremely diverse. The major tourist attractions are located on the European side of the Bosporus. 

            They include the Hagia Sophia, built by the Roman Emperor, Justinian, in 532-537 AD.  Hagia (or Aya) Sophia, is located west of the Bosporus, the strait which divides Asia from Europe. It began as a church, became a mosque after the fall of the Roman Empire, and is now a museum.  It was one of the most important and largest churches in the world.  It sported the largest dome in the world until St Peter’s Basilica in Rome was completed.  The inside is positively huge, covering an area of about 4 acres, and contains fabulous mosaics, dating from the 10th century.  The current building dates from the time of Justinian and was completed in 537 AD.  The minarets were much more recent additions, recalling the Turkish conquest of what was then Constantinople.  There is still debate today about whether the Aya Sophia is a church or a mosque.

            The Blue Mosque, reputed by many to be the most beautiful mosque in the world, is located next to the Hippodrome, part of the old Roman section of Istanbul.  It is called the Blue Mosque because its interior is covered in blue tiles and mosaics.  It is truly spectacular.  The visitor must remove his/her shoes and females must cover their heads during their visit. Also, shorts are not allowed.  The floors are carpeted and lights hang from the high ceilings by wires.  The Mihrab, the most sacred part of the mosque, the area which points the worshipper in the direction of Mecca, is gold and intricately decorated.  The interior is huge and is sometimes host to 25,000 devotees for prayer service.  The Blue Mosque is one of only two mosques in the world with six minarets (the other is in Mecca). 

            Topkapi Palace, another of the major sights of Istanbul, was the residence of the Ottoman sultans from the 1400’s to the 19th century. During their heyday, they ruled an empire which stretched from the gates of Vienna to the Indian Ocean, from North Africa to the Crimean Peninsula.  The palace complex is basically a city within a city, with interconnected courtyards and kiosks along with other buildings.  Within its walls were typically between 4000 and 7000 people who resided here and/or served the household.  The complex stands at the confluence of the Sea of Marmara, the Bosporus, and the Golden Horn and offers spectacular views over the water.

            Entry is through the Imperial Gate which accesses the First Court, now a public park lined with flowers and trees. At the end of this court are the ticket booths and the Executioner’s Fountain, where important enemies were beheaded. 

            Entry into the Second Court is through the Gate of Salutations.  Its two towers were used as dungeons to imprison those awaiting execution.  The Palace Kitchens, to the right, upon entering this court, are a series of rooms which now house a collection of Chinese, Japanese, and European porcelain.  The kitchens once prepared food for upwards of 10,000 people.  On the opposite side of this court are the Armoury, which displays weapons from Islamic empires, and the Council Chamber, where policy meetings were held (the sultan’s cubicle is directly above and he could listen in on the meetings to keep tabs on his officials).  Also in this court is the Harem, where the palace women were sequestered.  Harem tours require separate tickets and should be booked immediately upon arrival to insure a place. 

            The Gate of Felicity marks the entrance into the Third Court.  The most impressive attraction in this court is the Treasury, which contains unbelievable wealth in gold and jewels, including an 86-carat diamond (the “Spoonmaker”), the “throne of Ahmet III” which is inlaid with tortoiseshell and mother of pearl, set with rubies and emeralds, and the Topkapi Dagger which is set with huge emeralds (this item recalls the film, “Topkapi” which starred Melina Mercouri).  Also in the Third Court is the Pavilion of the Sacred Relics, one room of which contains the Door of Repentance, taken from the holy Kaaba of Mecca.  The second room houses objects associated with Mohammed, such as his footprint, hair, mantle and sword. 

            The Fourth Court contains the kiosks, or summer houses, in its gardens and leads to balconies overlooking the waterways mentioned earlier.

            The Grand (Covered) Bazaar is the ultimate shopping experience, the largest mall in the world with over 3,000 shops selling just about everything imaginable.  There are “streets” of jewelry shops, rug shops, ceramics, etc. Haggling is expected and required in order to get a bargain.  Just strolling through the tunnel-like lanes is an eye-popping experience.

            Other sights worthy of attention are the Spice Market, where an incredible variety of spices can be purchased in any quantity, and the Hippodrome, a relic of the city’s Roman chariot-racing days, which today contains several Egyptian obelisks (one dating to 1500 BC) as well as a relic from the Delphic Oracle/Temple of Apollo.

            Gary’s Gem:

                        1. Stroll down Istiklal Caddesi, a pedestrian-only street in the Beyoglu section of the city for shopping and dining opportunities. It runs roughly north to south from Taksim Square, a huge gathering place where frequent demonstrations and other events occur, almost to the Golden Horn, the waterway which separates the ancient city from the more modern areas.

                        2. Take a cruise of the Bosporus (boats leave frequently from a dock at the entrance to the Golden Horn, across from the Spice Market) for a look at the Asian side of the city and a peek at the Black Sea.

            The Acropolis, in Athens, Greece, dates back to the 5th century B.C. It positively stirs the imagination since it represents the origins of democracy and Western Civilization.  This was the home of Demosthenes, Socrates, Plato and Aristotle.  The plays of Aeschylus, Aristophanes and Euripides were performed here. 

            The Propylea was the entryway to the Acropolis and one can still imagine its splendor.  The Erechthyon, on the north side, is also impressive with its Karyatids (sculpted maidens) instead of columns (the real Karyatids are in the Acropolis Museum to preserve them; the ones outside are reproductions).  Also visible from the Acropolis is the Odeon of Herodotus-Atticus, an amphitheater still used during the summer months for the performance of Greek plays. 

            But the most impressive sight is certainly the Parthenon -- Phidias’ masterpiece is regal, graceful, and beautiful, although much-changed from its 5th century grandeur.  It dominates the Acropolis and remains a clear cut symbol of Ancient Greece, despite its ubiquitous scaffolding and seemingly perpetual restoration.

            From here there are also great views of the Agora (the marketplace/gathering place), the Temple of Hephaistus, the Theater of Dionysus (the oldest theater in the world), the Areopagus (Hill of Curses) which is associated with St Paul’s first visit to Athens, the Plaka (an old area of the city beneath the Acropolis which contains many shops, hotels, and restaurants), and Likavitos Hill, with St George’s Church at its summit.

            The Acropolis Museum is a treasure trove of original sculpture rescued from the damaging air pollution of Athens and also displays reproductions of what some areas of the Acropolis looked like before they became ruins.

            There are a number of vestiges of the time when Greece was under Roman rule in the city. These include the Roman Agora, near the original and similar to a Roman Forum. Noteworthy here is the Tower of the Winds. Also of Roman origin are the Temple of Olympian Zeus and Hadrian’s Arch, in a park not far from the Plaka.

            Elsewhere in Athens is Syntagma (Constitution) Square, which is anchored by the Parliament Building (and former Royal Palace). In front of the building is Greece’s Tomb of the Unknown Soldier where visitors can watch a Changing of the Guard Ceremony (most elaborate on Sundays). 

            Gary’s Gem:

                        1. Be sure to see the Acropolis at night -- the soft-lighting enhances its symmetry.

            Venice is certainly one of the most unique places on earth.  The entire city is composed of numerous islands within a huge lagoon.  It is pedestrian-only, with transportation provided by boat along the many canals which separate the over 100 islands.  Since Venice, in earlier times, was a major link in the trade route between East and West, it accumulated much wealth and cultural diversity which today is still on display. 

            Weaving its way through the center of the Old City is the Grand Canal, a wide thoroughfare which is perpetually busy with boat traffic.  The major tourist transportation along this waterway is the Vaporetto or water taxi.  There are numerous stops along the canal from which areas of the city can be accessed.  At one end of the Grand Canal are the train station and primary automobile parking lots. At the other end is the major tourist area, which contains the Piazza San Marco and other sights.  Beyond here is the lagoon and access to fringe areas of the city, such as the islands of Murano, Burano, and the Lido (beach). 

            From the Grand Canal, there are side canals which lead into the neighborhoods of the city.  There are also several (3) bridges which cross the Grand Canal and also numerous bridges which connect the smaller islands of the city. Venice is great for walking because there are no cars to dodge or corners to wait at.  Do expect to get lost, however, since there are so many tiny, narrow alleyways. 

            One bridge across the Grand Canal which is a must for any visitor is the Rialto Bridge, a beautiful white, stone bridge which is lined with vendors, selling their treasures. 

            Piazza San Marco, in Venice, is certainly one of the great city squares in Europe, even in the world.  It is huge, attracts large numbers of pigeons, and is the major gathering place in Venice because it is surrounded by some of the most famous sights in the city, including the Basilica San Marco, the Doge’s Palace, and the Campanile.  Because of Venice’s flooding problem, most noticeable after heavy rains, the piazza is sometimes under several feet of water, but the resourceful Italians drag out raised platforms to make walkways across the lowest part of the square, and restaurants take in their ubiquitous outdoor tables until the water recedes.  Things usually get back to normal in a surprisingly short period of time.

            St Mark’s Basilica is a blend of Eastern and Western architecture which coincides with Venice’s role, for many years, as the connection between those two worlds.  The mosaics along the main facade are spectacular. Much of the church is reminiscent of Constantinople, which is where the Four Horses above the main entrance were brought from. The “booty” from voyages far and wide adorns the church.  Much of the wealth is displayed in the Treasury (separate admission).  The altarpiece (Pala d’Oro), which stands behind the main altar, is made of gold and inlaid with numerous precious gems (some were stolen by Napoleon). A visit to the Galleria and Museum reveals the original bronze horses, replicas of which now grace the church’s facade. 

            The Doge’s Palace (Palazzo Ducale) was the home of the reigning duke or doge of Venice.  The architecture, as is normal in Venice, is a mix of East and West.  Entry through the Porta della Carta brings the visitor into the internal courtyard. 

            Upon arrival at the Hall of the Grand Council (Sala del Maggior Consiglio), note the huge Tintoretto oil painting Paradise (the largest oil painting in the world) behind the Doge’s throne.  As you walk over the Bridge of Sighs, so-named since prisoners sighed and said goodbye to the world as they crossed from here into the prison, imagine being sentenced to a dank, dark prison with no hope of ever seeing Venice’s canals again.   

            Exit is via the Giant’s Staircase, named for the large statues which straddle its doorway into the palace.

            Gary’s Gem:

                        1.  The Campanile or bell tower is also worth a visit, since the view of Venice and its lagoon from the observation level is spectacular.     

                        2.  Despite the cost, a gondola ride is a must when visiting Venice.  Many of the gondoliers will serenade their passengers, and all will narrate the trip through some of Venice’s small canals.  The effect of the gondola traveling through these tight places with an expert at the helm is both soothing and enchanting

                        3. Also be sure to stop at Harry’s Bar, located near the San Marco Vaporetto stop, for a delicious, but overpriced, Bellini, a drink made from a sweet white Prosecco wine and peach juice.