Our last stop Milan Hotel Baviera. Very friendly staff who assisted with luggage. No other hotels did!! This meant sometimes struggling up two or three flights of narrow, steep steps.
Milan is like any other big city except for one thing. A fashion show on nearly every street. Hence the title "Fashion Capital". We are not cheap but we are fancy.
Our flight was 10:22pm. At about 5:45pm the heavens opened up. Thunder, lightning and torrential rain. Our transport to the airport arrived at 6pm. The price was 95 Euros and well worth it as it turned out. Weaving through the normal Friday night Milan traffic was bad enough but now compounded by the thunder storm was making for some interesting traffic rules. We finally hit the freeway and at 185Km an hour we arrived at the Malpensa Airport......ALIVE !! Thank goodness we visited all those churches.
The flight from Milan to Perth is best forgotten. Cramped seating, swollen legs and ankles and bad backs that are still recovering. I now know why the Pope kisses the ground when he touches down. Its not intentional--he falls down but does a good job of covering up.
Sunday, September 26, 2010
Wednesday, September 22, 2010
21_22nd Sep
 |
| Lake Como |
 |
| From Hotel Lenno Balcony |
 |
| Another View |
===================
We left Venice and drove up to the Lake Como area. Our base station for two nights is Lenno. Go wherever you must in Italy but this is the place to spend a few days before you leave. Our hotel, Albergo Lenno is right on the banks of Lake Como which lies below the Pre-Alpes mountains and the Alps lie beyond them. On one side of the lake lies Italy and the other Switzerland. Access to our hotel involved crossing the lake on a ferry.
on our first full day in the Lenno we drove into Switzerland for most of the day then returned. You just can't get tired of the scenery. Its jaw-droppingly stunning.
Tomorrow morning we head off to our final destination, Milan before flying home. Leaving Milan at 22:50 hrs Friday and arriving Perth Sat morning.
Monday, September 20, 2010
17th to 20th Sept
17th & 18th & 19th Sept
=========================
Two nights at the San Lino Hotel in Volterra. The hotel used to be a Convent at some stage.
The Hotel served as base station for two nights. On the first day we drove into Florence where we met our guide Violetta who explained and showed us the high-lights of the city. The afternoon was ours to wander a round some more, more churches and more museums, lots of stores and lots of people and also some rain. I'm looking forward to some country scenery soon. We returned to Volterra for the night.
_____________________________
We left Volterra this morning and set off for the famous Leaning Tower of Pisa (not Pizza, I'm contantly reminded). More crowds, market places and overcast weather but no rain. Of the fifteen of us about ten climbed or attempted to climb the 56m high tower; yours truly made all the way to the top. As I naturally lean to one side myself, due to a bad knee, it was all in a days work.....
On our way to Luca, our next overnight stop, we had a late lunch at the winery Il Poggio.
The light meal of pasta and antipasta (those against pasta) was very good and so were the three types of wine, Dry, Semi-sweet and Mature. All three available in the white and red form. The dry seemed to have won as the preferred wine. I don't think anyone was game enough to do anything other than this sniff the Grappa.
Booking in to the hotel Albergo San Martino also meant lugging the baggage up two flights of narrow stairs. The evening was spents walking around the town. Luca is walled town so its almost impossible to get lost. We wandered outside the walls. One of our travelling companions, fortunately, has a GPS navigator and we were able to work our way back to the Hotel.
______________________________-
19th Sept.
today we set off for Venice, a two-night stop. We drove through some of most spectacular country I've seen. The scenery was Viagra for the eyes. I would have been happy if this part of the journey was an endless loop. Some eight hours later at 5pm we arrived at Venice. My first stop was at an ATM. The notes dispensed out of the machine were soggy and have to be treated very gently. So they are safely stowed away in my wallet and we are using Belinda's dry notes. WE haven't seen much of the city due to the hour of our arrival but will do so tomorrow. Meanwhile more heavy bags and more narrow, windy stairs....
Ciao
---------------------------------------------
20th Sept Monday
==========================
We awoke to a beautiful Venitian morning.
The showers have broken all records - they had curtains so that you could move a little easier. The room was a standard size with extremely high ceilings. I guess they allow for the floods. Went to St Marks church and square - piazza. Its hard to imagine a city with no cars, trucks or motor cycles. The only wheels were on wheel chairs - very sparse. Kids came out in the evening with their trikes.
Had a meal of fish in one of the local hotels. Yes it was noisy but great fun
After the visit to the church we went to a glass outlet. Have taken pics of the glass blowing process. Got a little carried away and bought our most expensive vase. They are shipping it back - hopefully!
Took a ride on the local vaporettas - water busses. Visited Burano - it was a quaint little village. They specialise in lace and embroidery. Unfortunately no time to shop.
Took a ride on the grand canal ending at the Rialto.
We spent the evening getting lost and then eventually wound our way back to the hotel.
We climbed 4 flights of stairs to bed after an evening of drinking. Not a mean task I might add.
Chris did a wonderful job! It must be the fancy hat he bought for the boat ride. Kept his feet firmly planted. If you think things are a litte lopsided dont blame the drink it IS. There are more leaning towers here than in Pizza.
Considering that we're surrounded by the canals = its not smelly or damp. They do a great job here. There are some 400 bridges here and the feet are getting a good workout.
The next day we're heading for Lake Como. Told to rug up as its getting closer to the Swiss side
=========================
Two nights at the San Lino Hotel in Volterra. The hotel used to be a Convent at some stage.
The Hotel served as base station for two nights. On the first day we drove into Florence where we met our guide Violetta who explained and showed us the high-lights of the city. The afternoon was ours to wander a round some more, more churches and more museums, lots of stores and lots of people and also some rain. I'm looking forward to some country scenery soon. We returned to Volterra for the night.
_____________________________
We left Volterra this morning and set off for the famous Leaning Tower of Pisa (not Pizza, I'm contantly reminded). More crowds, market places and overcast weather but no rain. Of the fifteen of us about ten climbed or attempted to climb the 56m high tower; yours truly made all the way to the top. As I naturally lean to one side myself, due to a bad knee, it was all in a days work.....
On our way to Luca, our next overnight stop, we had a late lunch at the winery Il Poggio.
The light meal of pasta and antipasta (those against pasta) was very good and so were the three types of wine, Dry, Semi-sweet and Mature. All three available in the white and red form. The dry seemed to have won as the preferred wine. I don't think anyone was game enough to do anything other than this sniff the Grappa.
Booking in to the hotel Albergo San Martino also meant lugging the baggage up two flights of narrow stairs. The evening was spents walking around the town. Luca is walled town so its almost impossible to get lost. We wandered outside the walls. One of our travelling companions, fortunately, has a GPS navigator and we were able to work our way back to the Hotel.
______________________________-
19th Sept.
today we set off for Venice, a two-night stop. We drove through some of most spectacular country I've seen. The scenery was Viagra for the eyes. I would have been happy if this part of the journey was an endless loop. Some eight hours later at 5pm we arrived at Venice. My first stop was at an ATM. The notes dispensed out of the machine were soggy and have to be treated very gently. So they are safely stowed away in my wallet and we are using Belinda's dry notes. WE haven't seen much of the city due to the hour of our arrival but will do so tomorrow. Meanwhile more heavy bags and more narrow, windy stairs....
Ciao
---------------------------------------------
20th Sept Monday
==========================
We awoke to a beautiful Venitian morning.
The showers have broken all records - they had curtains so that you could move a little easier. The room was a standard size with extremely high ceilings. I guess they allow for the floods. Went to St Marks church and square - piazza. Its hard to imagine a city with no cars, trucks or motor cycles. The only wheels were on wheel chairs - very sparse. Kids came out in the evening with their trikes.
Had a meal of fish in one of the local hotels. Yes it was noisy but great fun
After the visit to the church we went to a glass outlet. Have taken pics of the glass blowing process. Got a little carried away and bought our most expensive vase. They are shipping it back - hopefully!
Took a ride on the local vaporettas - water busses. Visited Burano - it was a quaint little village. They specialise in lace and embroidery. Unfortunately no time to shop.
Took a ride on the grand canal ending at the Rialto.
We spent the evening getting lost and then eventually wound our way back to the hotel.
We climbed 4 flights of stairs to bed after an evening of drinking. Not a mean task I might add.
Chris did a wonderful job! It must be the fancy hat he bought for the boat ride. Kept his feet firmly planted. If you think things are a litte lopsided dont blame the drink it IS. There are more leaning towers here than in Pizza.
Considering that we're surrounded by the canals = its not smelly or damp. They do a great job here. There are some 400 bridges here and the feet are getting a good workout.
The next day we're heading for Lake Como. Told to rug up as its getting closer to the Swiss side
Thursday, September 16, 2010
Internet Access Again
Day 4 Tuesday 14th Sept.
Today was dedicated to The Vatican. The Pope remained reclusive and I didn't get the chance to ask why St. Christopher had been struck of the list of saints? Not a Bishop or Cardinal in sight so, tough questions remained unanswered!
Our experience at the Vatican must be classified as disappointing. According to our guide,she had not witnessed such great hordes of people before. So marching through the SistineChapel was very much alighting or boarding a train. If you stop to admire you were in danger of being trampled. Perhaps the morning would have been a better time rather than the afternoon.
Our morning was spent at the Catacombs. Our guide through the labyrinths was a Fr. Anthony who also was the parish for Don Bosco in Liluah for 5 years!!! At least he was gracious enough to come out to meet me unlike someone else we know.
Ciao!
Day 5 Wed. 15th Sept.
We left Rome around 9am and set off for our next overnight stop at Perugia. Our first stop was Rieti and can only be described as quaint…get used to this word.!! Next town was Spoleto. The high-light was a great escalator ride that we took to the top of the mountain to look down on the town and grand country side. Next stop Assisi.This was a much more appreciated visit with more of a religious feel to it. As everything here is built on steep inclines one feels cleansed to some degree on reaching the shrines. Numerous shops lined the lane to the Church, most of selling souvenirs with some religious connotations. Except, for the one that was selling replica pistols and crossbows! Finally, Perugia. A beautiful town set high up in the hills. This is also the town where University students come to study all things Italian and most of all the language. To encourage this the store owners have been instructed to converse only in Italian. An interesting night at dinner followed. The hotel room at Hotel Fortunato returned to normal size which meant we need a map to negotiate the shower. See day 1 Hotel Nerva!
Ciao
Day 6 Thursday 16th Sept.
Woke to a sumptuous breakfast in a dining hall with Candelabra .
The change of breakfast menu was a appreciated. The ceilings in the hotel rooms were painted – not quite Michael Angelo but very close. We had our own sitting room and a balcony to check out the views. It truly felt were stepping up in life.
We then proceeded to Rieti and through the grand Tuscan countryside. It is hard to explain but all the pics are true. You are stepping back in time when you visit this part of the world.Sienna was next on our list to visit. Again, magnificent! Lots of pics were taken. Chris even brought out the big guns. San Mag?? Cant spell the rest. Visited the Basilic that held the Head, Thumb and the Self flagilitating (spell check not workingh) tool that she used were on display. Taken pics of her thumb. It has not deteriorated a bit and you can even see her face on display. No decay. Must be a miracle. Had lunch in the town before moving on.
We are spending the night in another glorious hotel actually, the next two nights. Having wild boar for dinner – Cant wait.
Hasta la pasta to each of you and wish you were here.
Chris and Bel
Today was dedicated to The Vatican. The Pope remained reclusive and I didn't get the chance to ask why St. Christopher had been struck of the list of saints? Not a Bishop or Cardinal in sight so, tough questions remained unanswered!
Our experience at the Vatican must be classified as disappointing. According to our guide,she had not witnessed such great hordes of people before. So marching through the SistineChapel was very much alighting or boarding a train. If you stop to admire you were in danger of being trampled. Perhaps the morning would have been a better time rather than the afternoon.
Our morning was spent at the Catacombs. Our guide through the labyrinths was a Fr. Anthony who also was the parish for Don Bosco in Liluah for 5 years!!! At least he was gracious enough to come out to meet me unlike someone else we know.
Ciao!
Day 5 Wed. 15th Sept.
We left Rome around 9am and set off for our next overnight stop at Perugia. Our first stop was Rieti and can only be described as quaint…get used to this word.!! Next town was Spoleto. The high-light was a great escalator ride that we took to the top of the mountain to look down on the town and grand country side. Next stop Assisi.This was a much more appreciated visit with more of a religious feel to it. As everything here is built on steep inclines one feels cleansed to some degree on reaching the shrines. Numerous shops lined the lane to the Church, most of selling souvenirs with some religious connotations. Except, for the one that was selling replica pistols and crossbows! Finally, Perugia. A beautiful town set high up in the hills. This is also the town where University students come to study all things Italian and most of all the language. To encourage this the store owners have been instructed to converse only in Italian. An interesting night at dinner followed. The hotel room at Hotel Fortunato returned to normal size which meant we need a map to negotiate the shower. See day 1 Hotel Nerva!
Ciao
Day 6 Thursday 16th Sept.
Woke to a sumptuous breakfast in a dining hall with Candelabra .
The change of breakfast menu was a appreciated. The ceilings in the hotel rooms were painted – not quite Michael Angelo but very close. We had our own sitting room and a balcony to check out the views. It truly felt were stepping up in life.
We then proceeded to Rieti and through the grand Tuscan countryside. It is hard to explain but all the pics are true. You are stepping back in time when you visit this part of the world.Sienna was next on our list to visit. Again, magnificent! Lots of pics were taken. Chris even brought out the big guns. San Mag?? Cant spell the rest. Visited the Basilic that held the Head, Thumb and the Self flagilitating (spell check not workingh) tool that she used were on display. Taken pics of her thumb. It has not deteriorated a bit and you can even see her face on display. No decay. Must be a miracle. Had lunch in the town before moving on.
We are spending the night in another glorious hotel actually, the next two nights. Having wild boar for dinner – Cant wait.
Hasta la pasta to each of you and wish you were here.
Chris and Bel
Sunday, September 12, 2010
Sunday 12th Day 2
Sunday Day 2
Another leisurely beginning with breakfast at which we met up with most of our tour companions. Two Sydney siders (female), two Victorians (couple) and the three amigos (read The Golden Girls) from America. I think we are the young ones of the group.
Belinda and two of the GGs were keen to attend Mass in the Holy City. So, the search for a Church began shortly before 9am and abandoned shortly before 10am. All Churches were shut and I think opened around 11:30am.....No Churches open in Rome on a Sunday!!!!!
We then set off for our wander. No mishaps today and it all ended peacefully. A lot more crowded around the tourist traps today.
Tonight marks the official start of our tour when we meet our tour organisers, Back Road Tours, at 6pm in our hotel. After a brief head-count and introduction we will be off to dinner somewhere.
Ciao for now!
Chris and Bel.
==================
Another leisurely beginning with breakfast at which we met up with most of our tour companions. Two Sydney siders (female), two Victorians (couple) and the three amigos (read The Golden Girls) from America. I think we are the young ones of the group.
Belinda and two of the GGs were keen to attend Mass in the Holy City. So, the search for a Church began shortly before 9am and abandoned shortly before 10am. All Churches were shut and I think opened around 11:30am.....No Churches open in Rome on a Sunday!!!!!
We then set off for our wander. No mishaps today and it all ended peacefully. A lot more crowded around the tourist traps today.
Tonight marks the official start of our tour when we meet our tour organisers, Back Road Tours, at 6pm in our hotel. After a brief head-count and introduction we will be off to dinner somewhere.
Ciao for now!
Chris and Bel.
Saturday, September 11, 2010
Day 1
We are in Rome, arrived safe and sound and very tired.
Day one of our Italian holiday began early (very early) on Friday 10th at 3am at the Perth Airport.
The entire flying time of some seventeen hours left us very cramped and sore.
Eleven hours later, Homo eructus----still in the shape of airline seats---raised a few eyebrows at Dubai Airport.
At the end of this two hour break we assumed our usual shape. But wait there is more!!
Six hours after departing Dubai we arrived in Rome. No instructions from the cabin crew left us wandering around an airport
which we assumed was Rome as all signs were in Italian.
Thank God for the large group of Japanese tourists with a guide!! We latched on to the end of the group and finally
found our baggage and the exit.
We finally met our Hotel rep. who met us and took us to Hotel Nerva. Our journey by air seemed tame by comparsion
to the twenty-minute car ride from the Airport to the hotel.
If AFL is the sport of Australia then driving very fast and very close to the car in front is the Italian sport.
Traffic rules exist I would have to assume, as our driver reacted angrily when someone else broke one or all.
I can't say for sure.
The Hotel Nerva staff are friendly and helpful. The Hotel Nerva is small. The shower is the smallest I ever seen. In fact,
if I were to write this in shower there wouldn't be space enough for all 26 alphabets. Makingthissentencelookabitlikethis.
Any smaller and the water drops would have to replaced with steam. We have adjusted and while shower before meals.
Today we wandered around, ending up about a kilometer away and at 90 degrees to where we intended to be.
Didn't bother us too much, seeing we were still in Rome and we have torromow to get it right.
I don't how many others have missed the Colloseum by as much as we did.
Maybe they should have built something bigger!
On the way back to the hotel we stopped into a little shop to buy something for lunch. Assuming the woman behind the counter
didn't speak English we began our purchase with sign language. At some stage we signed incorrectly ( I Think).
The lady "freaked out"..Apparently we should have asked for two sandwhiches.... in English!!!
which she informed us she spoke quite well.
Along with Portugese, French, Chinese and Filipina. We thanked her in English and Italian "gratzia", she said "Bravo"
and we promised to return tomorrow at her invitation for lesson two.
Thank goodness she mistook us for ignorant Americans (her words, I WOULD NOT DARE MIS-QUOTE THIS ONE)
so we left it at that keeping our nationality a secret for now. There's always tomorrow!!
A hairy Verderci for now!
Chris
Hi Folks
At last, at last my dream comes true. Just imagine waking up in the morning, opening the
window and seeing an ancient monument. Not Chris, really. Yes, we are truly 10 metres from
the forum.
Everywhere you go there are reminders of history that I have only read about. I am feasting
my eyes on sights I have never seen. The weather is just wonderful here.
Glad to be in the warmth. Not too hot just enough to thaw out. There seems to be adequate
public transport available. Plenty of busses, trams and trains to get about in.
We visited the Basilica today. The entrance was built by Michael Angelo. Chris tries to get
me to behave myself but cant help walking about with my mouth open. Everywhere you look
there is something to paint. I will try to paint something when I get back. Unfortunately,
not enought time to learn here. We're goint out to dinner tonight. Looking forward to eating
real Italian food.
As usual, doing the tourist thing. We walked for miles and found the most interesting sights
were on our doorstep. Have taken plenty of photos of Chris among the ruins!
Nothing else to add for today. Will keep you in touch.
Lots of good cheer
Bel
Day one of our Italian holiday began early (very early) on Friday 10th at 3am at the Perth Airport.
The entire flying time of some seventeen hours left us very cramped and sore.
Eleven hours later, Homo eructus----still in the shape of airline seats---raised a few eyebrows at Dubai Airport.
At the end of this two hour break we assumed our usual shape. But wait there is more!!
Six hours after departing Dubai we arrived in Rome. No instructions from the cabin crew left us wandering around an airport
which we assumed was Rome as all signs were in Italian.
Thank God for the large group of Japanese tourists with a guide!! We latched on to the end of the group and finally
found our baggage and the exit.
We finally met our Hotel rep. who met us and took us to Hotel Nerva. Our journey by air seemed tame by comparsion
to the twenty-minute car ride from the Airport to the hotel.
If AFL is the sport of Australia then driving very fast and very close to the car in front is the Italian sport.
Traffic rules exist I would have to assume, as our driver reacted angrily when someone else broke one or all.
I can't say for sure.
The Hotel Nerva staff are friendly and helpful. The Hotel Nerva is small. The shower is the smallest I ever seen. In fact,
if I were to write this in shower there wouldn't be space enough for all 26 alphabets. Makingthissentencelookabitlikethis.
Any smaller and the water drops would have to replaced with steam. We have adjusted and while shower before meals.
Today we wandered around, ending up about a kilometer away and at 90 degrees to where we intended to be.
Didn't bother us too much, seeing we were still in Rome and we have torromow to get it right.
I don't how many others have missed the Colloseum by as much as we did.
Maybe they should have built something bigger!
On the way back to the hotel we stopped into a little shop to buy something for lunch. Assuming the woman behind the counter
didn't speak English we began our purchase with sign language. At some stage we signed incorrectly ( I Think).
The lady "freaked out"..Apparently we should have asked for two sandwhiches.... in English!!!
which she informed us she spoke quite well.
Along with Portugese, French, Chinese and Filipina. We thanked her in English and Italian "gratzia", she said "Bravo"
and we promised to return tomorrow at her invitation for lesson two.
Thank goodness she mistook us for ignorant Americans (her words, I WOULD NOT DARE MIS-QUOTE THIS ONE)
so we left it at that keeping our nationality a secret for now. There's always tomorrow!!
A hairy Verderci for now!
Chris
Hi Folks
At last, at last my dream comes true. Just imagine waking up in the morning, opening the
window and seeing an ancient monument. Not Chris, really. Yes, we are truly 10 metres from
the forum.
Everywhere you go there are reminders of history that I have only read about. I am feasting
my eyes on sights I have never seen. The weather is just wonderful here.
Glad to be in the warmth. Not too hot just enough to thaw out. There seems to be adequate
public transport available. Plenty of busses, trams and trains to get about in.
We visited the Basilica today. The entrance was built by Michael Angelo. Chris tries to get
me to behave myself but cant help walking about with my mouth open. Everywhere you look
there is something to paint. I will try to paint something when I get back. Unfortunately,
not enought time to learn here. We're goint out to dinner tonight. Looking forward to eating
real Italian food.
As usual, doing the tourist thing. We walked for miles and found the most interesting sights
were on our doorstep. Have taken plenty of photos of Chris among the ruins!
Nothing else to add for today. Will keep you in touch.
Lots of good cheer
Bel
Sunday, August 8, 2010
Welcome to Coppia Di Zingari " A Couple Of Gypsies "
I'm full of good intentions at this stage and will try to keep a log of our travels, haps and mishaps. I'm full of other things too but lets stick with the good intentions for now. We are a month away from departing on our first European holiday. Tuscany has been Belinda's dream destination for a few years and finally, overcome by my devil-may-care attitude she has decided to take the plunge or rather should I say, soar up up and away to Rome where the adventure begins.From there, over the next fortnight we will work our way north to Milan and then return back to Perth.
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