We went to both places, the first time, in October and November of 1999. We been to Italy at least 5 more times - Venice, Milano, Turino, Lake District, San Sicario and Pinerolo. Wonderful Country!!!

When we left the shores of England, I thought both places would have the same temperatures. I was right about Paris ..... it was the same, so we didn't have much trouble. But Italy was very warm! When we left the shores of England it was cold, windy & rainy (what's new) and in Italy with the clothes we brought, we were sweating. People were still wearing shorts in the daytime in Bergamo..... unbelievable!

If you have to compare Paris and Bergamo, I would say Bergamo was the best of our visits. The people were friendly, the place was romantic with beautiful scenery, the food was excellent and the prices reasonable. On the other hand in Paris, the people were rude, the place was congested, I got my purse stolen before I even left the airport/train station, the food was bad (meat came back raw, even when you asked for well done...other stuff came back floating in gravy ) and the prices were overboard (a cup of coffee was £3.00 - that is $4.80 in United States money). There was only one thing good going for Paris ....... and that was the Metro (train) system.... excellent service.

The first night we arrived in Paris we took a walk around town to see the sights. Very nice to see Paris by lights, especially on the water. The first places we saw were the Eiffel Tower and La Flamme de la Liberte (The Flame of Liberty). From far away the flame looks really nice, but when you approach you can see graffiti all over the monument. There were letters, post cards and flowers all over the place. Even after a few years, people are still leaving things by the flame for Princess Diana, who died on August 31, 1997, on the roadway underneath the flame.

This has a story all by itself. I promised to light a candle for a friend when I arrived at the cathedral. I didn't have a match, so I turned my candle on top of a burning candle and what happened then was a comedy of errors. My candle fell on top of a few candles and put their lights out (bye bye prayers...giggle). I tried to pick my candle up and wax was going all over the place..... down my arm, on my purse, down to my shoes. Then I noticed the brochure they handed me when I came in was on fire from leaning over the other candles.....HA HA HA.....well, there was my light to finally light my candle but in the process everything was getting on fire. So, I lit my candle and then had to blow the brochure off. To say the least, I couldn't say a prayer for a while. Had to walk around the cathedral until I stopped laughing. Finally find a nice, quiet place by a statue; looked up and saw it was Sainte Jeanne D'Arc (Joan of Arc). I could of swore I heard her whisper "gee, trying to burn me again?".

The people drove like maniacs here. No lines, no right-of-way ..... just enter at your own risk, and try to get through the best you can. Never seen such a helter skelter in all my life. We took a cab back to the hotel from this area at night and I think he had his eyes close cause cars were coming really close with their headlights right by each side of the vehicle.

As we say goodbye to Paris, France we give them a great big cheer.

It was nice, but once in a lifetime for just a few days is enough !

Bergamo is in the Northern part of Italy near the Italian/Swiss Alps. There are two parts to the city - the old (Citta Alta, which means the high city) and the new (Citta Bassa, which means the lower city). The Citta Alta is the original city built on a mountain with walls all around it for protection. The characteristic and elegant skyline of towers, cupolas and campaniles of the ancient city is a beauty to behold. There is a church almost every 1/4 mile and each church has more art, sculpture and marble than some museums. The scenery is the most breathtaking, calming place for the weary soul.

The Palazzo dela Ragione (1453 - left side) in the background and, in the forefront, the Contarini fountain (1780). Allot of the north part of Italy was dominated by Austria in the early and middle of the 1800's. The Colleoni Chapel (right side).

(first) Theatre in ruins _* (second) Gardens _* (third) Old Gateway into part of the Citta Alta

The Burghs started forming outside the Walls at the beginning of the 16th century and continued throughout the 17th century. Lots of beautiful vineyards are found along these hilly roads. You find old monasteries - some people have converted into apartments (villas) or, unfortunately, lie in a deplorable derelict state.

~ these mountains are very close to Bergamo.... just a 45 min. to 1 hour drive. ~

If you ever want to visit Bergamo - it's between Milano and Venice in the Northern part of Italy