Sunday Story...European Vacation

John Mariotti • June 12, 2026

Simply amazing

Sunday Story... European Vacation

I just spent two weeks in Europe. We traveled to Nice, France; Pisa and Florence, Italy; and Paris, France. We managed a side trip to Monaco as well. This was my first experience of Europe, and it was truly eye-opening.

So many of the things that I've read about and seen pictures of came to life right before my eyes. As a very limited student of art history (thank you, Gonzaga), it was amazing to see so many of the works I studied in class. There is a huge difference between pictures and the real thing. Those things become so much more real and relevant when you're looking at the work of art. I have to say that after four hours in the Louvre, my eyes were completely overwhelmed, almost on fire. It was art and beauty everywhere you looked. Something different to see, something different to imagine, thinking of the artist pouring out his soul as he lay upside down, painting a ceiling in the most vivid and bright colors, with a story or an allegory that he's trying to convey to his audience.


Of course, I have a ton of pictures, none of which do justice to the sights and sounds we experienced.


More next week!



If you're interested in building muscle and strength, sign up for a free fitness assessment at www.crossfitodyssey.com or reach out to me directly, and let's get you started on your journey to extraordinary results.

John Mariotti

www.sunday-stories.blogspot.com

www.crossfitodyssey.com

775-338-2412