Venice and Burano

We have had two days in Venice and I love this city on islands. Our hotel is in a great place on the Grand Canal and we have a little balcony overlooking the canal. Our room looks like a set from Phantom complete with chandelier. Even our reading lights are mini chandeliers. I was a bit worried the first night that the Phantom would come swinging in on the Chandelier!!! Above our bed is a big gold mask!!! All very over the top Italian.

Beautiful Venice!!

We have walked Venice---and yes got lost or as Brenda puts it "temporarily disorientated!!!" All these little bridges look the same after a while!!

The Doges Palace--Venice

We went to the Doges Palace yesterday and it was breathtaking in its beauty! I loved it here.

Today we went by ferry to the beautiful islands of Brurano and Murano. At Murano we saw the beautiful Venetian glass and Brurano is a painters dream---would love to sit here and paint!!!
Tonights dinner is on the balcony overlooking the Grand Canal---bread cheese tomatoes and a bottle of wine!! Bellissimo!!!

Walking Florence

We have spent two days walking around Florence and discovering the sights, churches.sculptures and beautiful buildings around Florence. We have loved this way of walking a city and have kept it up throughout our trip---no buses or taxis----except to stations or airports. It has kept us very fit but best of all been the best way to find all those nooks and crannies around cities that are not on the maps!!

To turn a corner and discover a beautiful Doumo or even a lovely lane way has been a joy to us!! Brenda is the map reader----I am the explorer!!

Bridge over the Arno River

WE both loved the Doumo ---Santa Maria del Fiore. WE went early this morning to get in but the queue was so long we went back later in the afternoon and walked straight in----I cant stand these groups that have to have leaders. You know the umbrella or flower held high people!! So when they all went we had the best time in this amazing doumo. I loved the peace inside this massive architectural masterpiece. The beautiful mosaic floors were breathtaking and the frescos on the dome were spectacular. WE also loved the Baptistery of San Giovanni. This has a dome of beautiful mosaics in Byzantine art. I had to sit and just soak in the beauty here. It really is the most beautiful doumo and I lit a candle for ,y family here.Santa Maria del Fiore

Tonight was our last night in Florence and it has become tradition to have something/ or do something special; on our last night in a city. You may have picked up on this---staring with fish and chips in our beautiful Dublin park!! So for Florence we went to this special restaurant in the piazza we love called Piazza del Republica

WE had our favourite wood fired pizzas ----for me a glass of red and Tiramsu!!! Then we walked to that beautiful bridge Ponte De Vechio and I took photos of the sunset and lights on the beautiful river of Florence---The Arno. We have loved our time in Florence and enjoyed every special discovery here.Florence at Night.

Cinque Terre 17-9-10

Today we set off early in a minibus for Cinque Terre---a coastal region in Italy with little fishing villages. Again we travelled over the mountains with horrific (for me) drops down the side of the mountains. Our driver was a typical Italian who waved his hands as he spoke---while driving----loved that!!! Anyway if I ever bought a tshirt it would be one that said "I survived Italian roads!!!" Know I had an angel with me today!:)

Riomaggiore

Mangarolo

Anyway after that drive we arrived at this incredible little town called Riomaggiore Its just so pretty I will show you a photo----Do you see the walk around the cliffs? We did that and it was pouring with rain. Then we walked to the next town called Manarolo. Then we caught a train----this was to be a boat ride but weather was too bad and ocean too rough!! So the train took us to the third town called Vernazza. Brenda and I had a lovely lunch here----Seafood spaghetti----you can imagine how lovely the seafood is in this fishing village!! Have to tell you that boats are in the main street----our driver told us that there was no room for them in the harbour!!

Vernazza

Then we travelled by those winding mountainous roads, with the Italian driver waving his hands and answering his mobile. to Corniglia another beautiful town on the Cinque Terre.

Brenda and Sue with Corniglia in background.

When we reached the bottom of the mountain I cheered!!! This drive was in fog and heavy rain so it was stressful to all but the cheery driver who continued to give a commentary with waving hands!! The scenery in these villages was so beautiful and my fingers are itching to start painting!!

To Firenze 16-9-10

Today we travelled by Eurail to Florence. Love Eurail----very comfortable train and fast!! Passed through the beautiful Italian countryside. All the many fields of sunflowers were drooping and past their prime but it is easy to imagine them standing straight and so yellow.

We love out hotel here---very old world and beautiful Italian marble everywhere. My criteria for a good hotel is NOW----a lift that feels safe, Air con and a roomy room---we have all three so that's good. Also have internet at not such an expensive price so good news all around.

Rome--The Forum

Ceiling in the Vatican museum.

In Front of the Basilica---the Vatican

Throwing coins in Trevi Fountain!!

For my girls,and Wendy and Marj!!! The shops here are just soooo beautiful!! Leather bags to die for and of course leather jackets that are so soft and beautiful!!! WE went ina few shops and I wanted to bring you girls all a bag but with a price tag of 700 Euros it has to wait----sorry girls!! For Shelley---shoes here are amazing!! Will take some photos for you Shell---sooo high heels and fur on boots with such high heels and bags with fur that match!!! Of course these were only 800Euros!!!! EACH!!! This really is a fashion capital---beautifully dressed women and girls---feel really shabby in my pants and t-shirt!! NO photos yet so I'll throw in a few favourite Rome Photos that I couldn't fit in before!!

Amalfi Coast and Pompeii and Tasmanian friends---15-9-10

Yesterday we had a wonderful trip in a mini bus to the Amalfi Coast and Pompeii. It was a long ride but lovely Italian countryside to pass through. To reach the Amalfi coast you pass around mountainous roads that made me feel sick but Brenda kept saying what amazing views----just took her word for that!! WE had lunch at Positano that is a little fishing village but now home to the rich an famous. It was so beautiful with so many houses perched on cliffs and a beach at the bottom of the cliffs----pebbles and nowhere as good as Tassie beaches!! However there were thousands of people around this stunning town. All kinds of boats were in the harbour and we had lunch at a restaurant that was on the beach. Steps wound back to the road and shops wound around the steps. Bought a lovely top here that is defianately for the boat!!!

Amalfi Coast

Pompeii

Pompeii was just an amazing place. We didn;t get there until 5 and finished at 7pm!!We had the best local guide who brought it all to life!! I couldn't believe how big it all was!!
We met up with my friends from Tasmania tonight Viv and Dennis and shared a pizza and a glass of vino---then we walked them to our favourite icecream shop!! Had to finish the night with a Trevi Fountain shot!!

Sue,Viv and Den---our Tassie Friends!!

We leave for Florence tomorrow---another train trip. Cant say I'm sorry to leave this city with thousands at every corner you turn/ So much history but so many people and lines everywhere!! I'll leave you with the funniest quote when we were in the Vatican. lining up with thousands--again!!--to get in to the Basilica--two young girls---obviously backpackers---asked us why we were lining up!! I said to see the Basilica---and they said whats that!!!!! I had to tell them about St. Peters!!!! Bit funny but maybe not!!

River Thames Cruise

Tower Bridge

Trevi Fountain!!

Last night we had the best cruise down the Thames on a boat with dinner. Can really recomend this one. To see the sights of London at night was so beautiful with a lovely dinner to add to the ambiance!! This was a special way to farewell London!!  Today we headed to Rome---hate travel on a plane as you all know! But when the taxi driver dropped us off near our hotel and we were at the Trevi Fountain it all was worth while!! Our Hotel faces the Fountain---amazing!! So I am doing this blog at a window watching the thousands of people around the fountain!!! Tomorrow we are off walking Rome but tonight we had a pizza in a little side street and loved sitting outside----temp was 290!!!

Surrey,London and More

Today Angela and I walked the streets of old London town. We went to Liberty shop and had a lovely browsing time not buying browsing!!! Cant believe they had a beautiful Christmas Grotto so ooohed and aahhed over beautiful decorations even if they are a bit early!!!

We went to The National Gallery yesterday and loved the beautiful paintings. Hard to stand in front of a Constable and Reynolds and not feel overwhelmed!! Angela loved a horse painting by Stubbs and took home a souvenier of this. Unfortunately I hurt my knee in London so I am limping a bit with a support bandage but its not stopping me much---jsut slowing me down!!

Tonight Brenda and I have a last night in London and we are doing a dinner cruise on the Thames-----should be a good way to farewell London. Tomorrow we are off to Rome so I'm not sure how internet connections will go!! I found Europe was bad for internet with poor service in holtels----or most hotels----unless you wanted to pay massive ammounts for downloads!! I'll leave with some fond memories of Angela and my time in Suffrey.

Angela and Derek

Last glimpse of St.Pauls.