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UK / Europe

A 45-day adventure by Julia J Read more
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  • Trip start
    September 3, 2024
    Julia JUK / EuropeTraveler
    Up from the Underground

    Lets Go

    September 3, 2024 in England ⋅ ⛅ 23 °C

    Departure from NZ was interesting. Our flight leaving Auckland was turned back so as a disorderly behaved woman could be thrown off! Procedure then apparently calls for the Police to come on board and check nothing sinister has been left behind or occurred, in addition to hauling off the offender. Next on the list was to replace the wasted fuel! Once tanked up and ready to hit go, alas - another plane had spilled hydraulic fluid on the runway so now that needed to be cleaned up before we could finally lift off.
    At least this meant a shorter transfer in San Francisco.
    I was met by long time friend Rachel at Heathrow (now the 4th September) and we had a bit of a tour about, had a coffee, and dropped in to Marks and Sparks prior to settling in to my Airbnb.    Read more

  • Julia JUK / EuropeTraveler
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    Easy Does It

    September 7, 2024 in England ⋅ ☁️ 20 °C

    The knee had been grumbling a bit so a quieter day was in order. Rachel, Scarlett and I went to the Victoria and Albert Museum. It’s quite mind blowing. We had lunch which was pretty out the gate. This is a museum after all - not Harrods. I don’t know which was more luscious, the food or the dining room!
    Rachel and I went on to see the Thin House and Mews Arch in Ennismore Gardens., strolled about Kensington/ Knightsbridge, negotiated protestors and also took a Squizz at the Royal Albert Hall. It really was by then, simply, beer o’clock. Another great day and now also sadly, time to say Cheerio to Rache.
    I had dinner at a cute little cheap n cheerful Italian on my way back and what lovely guys they were. They brought me a little bowl of Brie? (Not exactly Italian but nice!) and one of olives, ‘From us’, he said. That’s so nice, I thought. Next I was finishing my glass of red and he comes over with another - ‘On the house’ he tells me. That truely tops your day off!    Read more

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    On the Road Again… (foot)

    September 8, 2024 in England ⋅ ☁️ 20 °C

    With knee sufficiently catered for, having had a half day prior, it’s back to the ground pound! I waited for London to get out of bed and open things up including Harrods. I haven’t put Harrods first in the photo line up mainly because the Graffiti Tunnel in a way was more interesting. I’ve obviously got my cultural hat on at the moment! I think I went in at least one circle but know I covered a lot of ground. A cheat/cheap way of visiting the inside of grand churches is by going to an Eversong Service and then you get the singing too! And sneak in some photos. 3/4 or an hour long. It was timely as I’d just been dumped on big time and I could sit and dry everything out. Honestly, whenever there was blue sky / it lasted about ten minutes. Sun girl could not do this. I wanted to the bar up the shard and get the view but I got so far up, it just wasn’t worth it - the weather turned to porridge. I went back down. Prior to this I’d been at Tate Museum. They had some interesting exhibitions. 26000 steps….Read more

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    Great Missenden

    September 9, 2024 in England ⋅ ☁️ 17 °C

    Last day so last opportunity to get some countryside snd experience a quaint old village. I chose Great Missenden because nobody else would. Home of Roald Dahl and other well known folk! There’s a photo of Roald’s latest dwelling. The old Abbey has been converted to a Conference Facility and the Church looks well used by the community - not sure about services though! It dates back to 1400. The countryside is definitely stunning. Even in London, the plentiful number of huge, ancient trees - so many Oaks and some lovely parks. The village was closed (perfect) and school was just starting to come out when I left so suddenly there were more people about. Back on the train and … to Germany tomorrow.Read more

  • Julia JUK / EuropeTraveler
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    Not the best of Travel Experiences

    September 10, 2024 in Germany ⋅ 🌬 18 °C

    This covers two days:
    An early rise of about 5.30 to take a bit too much of a brisk walk to the station- as maps didn’t t keep up with me and I overshot my 2nd turn by quite some distance, thus missing my planned train to Heathrow! Luckily I’d allowed for such. The upcoming tsfer at Amsterdam had been on my mind since booking months prior - a 40 min timeframe. That would be fine if the gates were close together and since I’m travelling with hand luggage only. However my gates were on either side of the airport and to make matters worse - first flight was delayed. Even if it wasn’t- this tsfer was impossible unless you had a bike. I ran my heart out (2nd time this day) hoping the next flight also would be delayed but alas. I knew there wasn’t another till hours later. So that was me assigned to the bar. The young guy next to me on the plane did all he could with directions, clearing a quick exit and running with me. So cool of him.
    By the time I reached Arne and the four legged baby Lotte at Bremen airport - it had been about 12 hrs for what is 2x 1 hr flights tail wind dependant. Got to admit - I was looking forward to flopping in to a car by this time with running round and all the London public transport but Arne says ‘Oh btw we’re on the tram.’ They’re used a lot around Bremen. We went to Arne’s office to drop bags and Lotte and have a tour of his newly refurbed offices. Arne then took me for a much needed dinner. A good end to not the best day but this is what travelling is.
    The family was all in bed when we got to the house.
    Bremen is rather lovely. Very green. Winter set in overnight apparently. The previous week to my arrival they were in the 30’s. Now dropped to 7 low / 14 high.
    We started the next day with a long walk - like I needed more haha but it was beautiful. We went as far as the river which has the city area on the other side. They use lochs here. Very watery! A power plant on the river has been converted from coal to hydro. The public are now paying for this in their power bills.
    While Arne had a couple of morning meetings I wandered Bremen. No English in sight! Not a word to be heard and not many speak it when you ask. I knew that it has become compulsory in schools so when in public the idea is head for the teenagers!
    That afternoon we walked through this beautiful park and picked up a car (company) and went to see where Arne and Franz lived (prior to Franz death when Ben was 8 weeks old). It’s been a process being here - pretty emotional at times but very good in the long run.
    I got some flowers to bring home to Clara and Arne got bits and pieces for a family dinner. So now I finally meet Clara (now wife), Mia (Clara’s daughter nrly 18) and Leo 10 (shared). Ben (born to Franz and Arne) comes down later in the week (nrly 16).    Read more

  • Julia JUK / EuropeTraveler
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    31121232113When one forgets their power bank and has to charge in the disabled toilet!

    Hamburg… eventually!

    September 12, 2024 in Germany ⋅ ⛅ 15 °C

    Leaving the house in a bit if a panic as I wanted to catch the 8am bus to Hamburg for the day and realised I had no way of knowing how to pay for the trams or buses (no English and archaic systems - no contactless pay to zap on and off) so it was Uber. Well, ‘computer says no’ moment. No cars available 🙄 Thankfully Clara was still home so I ran in and got her to call me one. Arne had left earlier for a mtg in another town. Get to terminal - go to buy ticket - closed! Now I was archaic because I’m sure I could have got one online there and then (I’ve just purchased one now, for Prague). Anyway, I thought - train! Shot over there - tried to keep warm in shops etc until I could get on the train set to leave at 9.30. We sat there for an age and then they said we’d go at 10.30. A guy across the way said this was good - it could be a lot worse. At 11 they said get off! There’s a bus out front. Well the swarm two’s and froe’s around different places with no buses to be seen anywhere and there were way too many people for probably two buses. I decided to head back to Flixbus but went for train refund first - oh you have to apply, fill forms out and wait 4 wks! Took the forms and scarpered. I was just in time for the bus. However- the woman on the desk said she couldn’t give me one because I wasn’t 20 mins early. It sat there, I had no luggage. It wasn’t going yet. Again though - I’m embarrassed now that I didn’t think to buy online. Have no idea why! Anyway - back to train as I knew there was another due at 1.30. Finally - Yes!! So we set off. We stop at a few towns but I did not know that there is a Harburg as well as a Hamburg. I hear the announcement in thick German and of course jump off. And you guessed it - at Harburg! I don’t realise till I get outside and start to map out my first destination and think - that’s not right! Where am I? Look up …. mmmm. Luckily there was another train up on the board but you have to watch like an Eagle. They changed the platform to the other side of the tracks literally in the last two minutes. In this case, I was helping the local! She was confused. We dashed to the other side in the Nick of time.
    Finally I get to Hamburg and raced about … on foot again and got to see the things on my list. I’ll only put a couple of my many photos of Miniature Wunderland up. Something that from quite young, I’ve thought I’d love to see that was so special.    Read more

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    Old farmhouse of BurgerparkRules about ice skating and nesting owls?The Stehnken abodeAnother home on the waterwaysSome lovely Bremen homes

    Bremen & Blockland

    September 13, 2024 in Germany ⋅ ☁️ 16 °C

    The day began today with Arne’s A1 coffee coming with me in the car! We went to the huge park called Burgerpark ( not a 🍔 in sight). It is Bremen’s pride and joy - run purely on donations. It’s massive - 300 hectares.
    This is where Franz’ memorial bench seat is - in a beautiful spot. A bit of a moment visiting here but very glad to have done so.
    Following this, we headed to a most interesting place. Just out of Bremen is an intriguing area named Blockland. There are waterways everywhere, it’s tidal and I expect must run in to the Bremen river - eventually reaching the North Sea. Three hundred people live out here including farmers but there are also many little holiday batches. They lease the land from the farmers. It’s fascinating.. There are deer which can be hunted, fish, snakes, cows, frogs, nutria ( introduced from South America with fur trade in mind - big mistake) which are like beavers and they ruin the place, burrowing up the land between waterways. Arne has replaced a derelict and built a place out here. There are a limited number - new ones are not added. Land generally stays in families. One very large area, flatter than the rest, becomes an ice skating rink in winter. The water looks terribly dirty but is apparently clean - it looks this way as there is so much peat about. Some swim there in summer.
    There are some lovely country homes on the way there, many cyclists and tree lined roads. What was a massive family farm house originally, is now a function facility.
    We walked some gorgeous areas later with Ben, including along the river side which I lack photos of unfortunately. We had dinner down there with the boys, me joining them in a traditional schnitzel (pork). Was great.    Read more

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    1This is a great idea. There is a boat which as well as taking folk deep sea fishing, it also people21

    Bremerhaven & Schwanawede

    September 14, 2024 in Germany ⋅ ⛅ 17 °C

    We’re off to Bremerhaven.
    Most of the emigrating Jews left from here and the remainder from Hamburg.
    Looking out to the North Sea from the copy of the Dubai ‘Sail’ bldg - a bit smaller and much less opulent of course!
    If you’d like to purchase the old lighthouse it’s for sale for 1 Euro (apparently). Needs 1 mill Euro spent on it. It’s a bit like Pisa. Leaning a little. Cute though huh. We walked around the area and watched the loch working.
    The big air ship looking bldg is the climate experience - and next door is the Emigration Museum. All done as if you are leaving - on a ship. You go through the experience. Quite well done.
    Out front we have as Im sure you’ve guessed - one of the carriages that Jews were crammed in to and shunted off to concentration camps in.
    There is quite a lot of reference made in all areas I’ve been - to the treatment of the Jews. Good to see.
    Note the plaques on the poles. Great idea - a boat that takes folk out deep sea fishing also does trips taking people out to scatter the ashes of their loved ones. Their details and the scatter coordinates are recorded on those plaques.
    On the way back to Bremen (generally at 140 km/hr - Arne drove conservatively - plenty of cars were passing us and some areas have no limit at all), we stopped in at Schwanawede where Arne grew up - next to a forest. Pretty lovely! Thatched roofs etc around that area.
    Back in Bremen we went through the rather high end car wash. You go through on a conveyor belt. Excellent value - faultless job, totally unlike our local Z.
    I wanted to go in to the pharmacy in town and we were so glad to have done so as it was gorgeous - particularly with the quartet playing.    Read more

  • Julia JUK / EuropeTraveler
    Bye Arne... great catch up. Till next time ... Auf wiedersehen.
    41Home for the next week.2Ver cool Hostel.A bit of spare time 3d Printing

    On the Buses

    September 15, 2024 in Czech Republic ⋅ ☁️ 9 °C

    Early start - 6.30 am bus to Prague. Due to the floods I’ve emailed ahead and they assure me it’s all good. 4 people died in Romania. Pretty sad.
    Not a word of English in announcements until the very last one - arrival!
    No English spoken when we were to change buses (who knew!) Thank goodness half the Germans had no idea either or else I may have gone on to who knows where. All of a sudden some were being yelled at to get off the bus! The driver seemed to remember those ones were meant to be going on to Prague. So like a lamb, I followed!
    We arrived after 10 hrs travel, to the rain. The journey was comfortable. The time passed just fine. Thankfully, I’d made a roll and grabbed a coffee at the 1st stop because the following ones were not long enough!
    I was looking forward to booking in to the Hostel. It’s a cool place and I wanted to meet some travellers.
    Needing some exercise, I’d covered my backpack and had my rain coat on and went for it.
    Best Hostel! Gallery? Hostel… lovely and clean. Nice room mates. One in particular is interesting to talk to. All much younger of course but they don’t seem to care. Good laughs. Our room is too messy to show - maybe later. :-) There are five to our room. Two up, three down with our own bathroom. Massively high ceilings - two up are on a mezzanine floor. Super lovely girls.    Read more

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    1121133Wasn't good - needed heat, tasty cheese and salt!

    Wandering Prague Old Town

    September 16, 2024 in Czech Republic ⋅ ☁️ 17 °C

    Well…. I have about a trillion architecture photos…. I pretty much just wandered all day but had to buy a hat to keep warm. Hopefully enough items have been used and eaten to balance the weight of a hat to stick to my 12kg total!
    One of the young girls who doesn’t drink at home (because she lives with strict Asian Mum and Dad!) thought we should get some beer. True Hostel style! Naturally, I didn’t have to be asked twice to go get some nibbles and a drink so off we went - but of course the one thing I didn’t bring but did contemplate was a cork screw. (Bit heavy). So they had great entertainment watching me deal to that cork! I got it eventually.
    Interesting hearing about another one’s month in Peru. Her favourite trip.    Read more

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    1It's of Sigmund Freud and holding on by one hand!Cuba style! With many adjustments to 'fit in' to get past the Authorities.1Shame about the constructionNote - different sizes!1

    Prague Old Town Tour & History

    September 17, 2024 in Czech Republic ⋅ ⛅ 21 °C

    The piling on of both interesting and sad history. I’ve learned so much and forgotten so much. Just like school really. We stood where the Germans invaded - I took a pic of his pic! Then the Astronomical Clock. Put together in 1410, it does a number of things besides telling the time! Calendar etc, Has moving characters - Google it! Where we stood in the square - the medieval buildings are beneath - 6 or 7 ft (not metres like the Tour Guide’s slip of the toungue) 2-4 metres below. Flooding was an ongoing problem so they’d raised the area, I think with earth from the moat around the Castle?
    The upside down horse with King Wenceslas astride, is in the Lucerna Palace built by a wealthy entrepreneur Václav Havel who financed, designed and constructed it. Lucerna comes with a Mall, Cinema and an enormous Ball Room downstairs - a pillar-less one. They still hold Proms there. All the family go to the Proms! Big entertainment night but the school leavers at least have their after party. Havel’s grandson later became President. The horse - on that skinny rope, and suspended by not much - is polystyrene . Artist: David Černý.
    There are Churches / Synagogues for Africa. Bldg upon beautiful bldg. and some - so incredibly old!
    Bata shoes - it’s Czech! Head office is here. We had Kolaches which I had avoided because I thought they looked too bready but oh my - it’s special pastry - is thin under the filling and they are gorgeous. I had raspberry and custard. They like dense poppyseed fillings in cakes here. Czech Republic is a big producer of the Poppy Seeds. They’re still banned in Dubai I think. Come summer, Police are kept busy arresting the ‘campers’ in the poppyseed fields making očka which mimics heroin. That’s from my research! Tour Guide in the making.
    I had a hearty trad lunch - Goulash - Beef option which was I believe corned beef. Was good and good price. The homemade lemonade delicious. Not so cheap / half as much as the Goulash! About $NZ25 all up.
    Check out the pram. I’m sure Paris Hilton has this one. They had radical buggies! All sorts of radical baby stuff.
    -Mmm, buggy couldn’t fit sorry. Limits on number of photos which is a good thing!    Read more

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    Prague Castle

    September 18, 2024 in Czech Republic ⋅ ☀️ 24 °C

    On today’s agenda is the Prague Castle. The day starts with selecting a hearty breakfast and head for Charles Bridge and up the hill to the Castle ( more like a palace to us) but this also had a serious moat! Attacks were a very real thing. So many pics but I think I’ll put another page in with rest of the days points of interest. Well hopefully they are.
    The gardens at the Castle are gorgeous and I loved that building down there - so did the couple getting married obviously!
    I was disappointed not to get to tour inside the ‘old palace’ area. You get allocated areas. I haven’t met anyone who has got in there yet. Maybe out of bounds. Golden lane is quaint and has been well kept. A Jewish area housing skilled workers. They’re set up as they would have been in the day. Very small. Note the ‘first’ of pointed shoe fashion! The chain armour - date being 1300! The armour and weapons were out the gate and there were heaps of them - all different to each other. The Czech jewels happened to be on display- only happens periodically but the queue was more than I could take- mainly because it went up stairs and turned corners with everyone packed together and it was hot! Shame - they have stunning jewels but you gotta know your limits!    Read more

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    Some Extras

    September 18, 2024 in Czech Republic ⋅ ☀️ 24 °C

    This must have been another of the 26000 steps days I think . I’ve not used any public transport here. All foot and Uber home a couple of times. Taxis are dodgy here. Uber rules and there is Bolt.
    Some of the design shops have my tongue hanging out.
    Smokers abound!
    It’s a safe feeling city with a good police presence. There are a few peeps about super messed up on drugs. It’s obvious. They look half demented, their teeth are shot if any are left and quite a few have dogs with them! However I find Old Town Prague to have a better vibe to walk around in solo at night than Wellington.
    It’s the biggest beer drinking city in the world per capita and kids drink beer, Folk are drinking at 10 in the morning like it’s their morning coffee, Becks is from here - among numerous others and the beer making all started in medieval times when they had picked up diseases from their water by having animals in the back yard over their wells.
    The abandoned wells then became dumpling sights which today makes them an archeologists dream all these years later,
    with artefacts piled up in one place.    Read more

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    The lumps on the sides of the buildings were to stop carriage wheels damaging the property.Jewish Synagogue223111

    Medieval Underground and Dungeons

    September 19, 2024 in Czech Republic ⋅ ☀️ 22 °C

    This day began with a Tour of Underground Prague as well as some above ground points of interest. Those medieval dudes were a pretty sadistic lot by the sound. Executing someone (which could be for merely stealing a piece of bread) wasn’t enough - breaking their bones or stretching them may precede the death.
    We heard an interesting story about the local executor. Saw his pub of choice where of course nobody would sit next to him. He was actually trained in medicine but long story short because of lost love he wound up being in this heinous profession. He made lots of money of course.
    Pretty much all the houses and palaces have these underground areas. One we went to was a private Palace from 1300 and the servants lived in their underground rooms. You can see an old original window in the photos.
    Many basements have been broken down by floods but the cost makes it prohibitive for the owners to repair. One image shows 2002 written on the wall by the stairs. This is where the water came to in the 2002 flood.
    Some professions who needed to work incognito would have underground premises- the likes of a chemist. They were at risk of being labelled as performing Witchery type behaviour so they had formulas hidden in books, secret doors etc which we saw.
    These buildings, though seven hundred yrs plus old, look fresher since they have been plastered over on the outside. The bumps on the outside of lanes and up against buildings are to prevent the wagon wheels from damaging the properties.
    I visited a number of Jewish Synagogues and the Jewish Cemetery. The earliest tombstone dates back to 1439. Although the cemetery was expanded several times over the centuries, it was still not big enough to meet the needs of the Jewish community. As space was scarce, bodies were buried on top of each other, with graves layered up to 10 deep. The surface of the cemetery is higher than the surrounding streets because of the soil that was heaped on top of the graves. Retaining walls were built to keep the soil and graves in place. It’s estimated there are up to 100,000 buried there.
    Next I headed for Letensky Profil as I’d heard you got good views of the Bridges from there. Further up was a gorgeous restaurant/cafe.
    An Aperol Spritz was required by this point - I headed for a rooftop top bar and a lovely view.
    Later that night I went to listen to the Royal Czech Orchestra at what they call the Mirror Synagogue - ( mirrors in ceiling). The concert was outstanding, including a woman who played the Organ which appeared to be a major workout. An Opera singer featured too. All stunning.    Read more

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    Roaming Day incl Sculptures

    September 20, 2024 in Czech Republic ⋅ ⛅ 22 °C

    A bit of a free day and the plan for Jazz Club by night. It was soooo good. The club is in a 1400 Century underground cellar. Unfortunately the more decent video I have is too long for this site.

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    2121112Note the toilet near the corner of the building. Outlet now blocked!1ToiletTraditional Czech food. Beef cheeks were great.A beautiful town.Prague Museum1See notes.

    Kutná Hora

    September 21, 2024 in Czech Republic ⋅ ☀️ 23 °C

    Off to Kutnâ Hora today which is best known for the Sedlec Ossuary or ‘Bone Church’. In medieval times when the cemetery area reached 3.5 hectares, there was no space left to expand. The old graves were exhumed and the remains placed around the Lower Chapel wall perimeter, both inside and out. It is estimated to contain the skeletons of between 40,000 and 70,000. They were deteriorating so a decision was made to clean (sonic) and store them. An artist was appointed to arrange the bones - thus these decorations and furnishings we now see. Some remain stacked and the operation is not yet complete.
    It’s a cute little town and is also known for St Barbara’s Cathedral. This was a well off silver mining town where the locals wanted their own place of worship rather than the one at distance and so began this incredible build - a Gothic Unesco World Heritage Listed masterpiece.
    We had a traditional lunch and I went for a degustation of beers. I was quite pleasantly surprised but not keen at all on their random cherry liqueur one.
    This is my last day in Prague so on our return I made a mad dash for the Grand Prague Museum.
    Those of you who have seen the movie ‘One Life’ with Anthony Hopkins - you will understand the train door tribute to the Brit Nicholas Winton, kept at Prague Main Station. Very touching. He saved close to 700 odd Jewish children from the gas chambers.    Read more

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    1Ambulance2Department Store - very $ - Designer everything.112

    To Venice

    September 22, 2024 in Italy ⋅ ☁️ 22 °C

    Morning mission: get to airport early to get seat moved up front as I have another quick tsfer - this time 25 mins! They tell me Vienna is easier than Amsterdam though. I must have been impressive in my approach as I got in to Row3 and additionally, a bottle of Prosecco and special snacks were laid out on my table awaiting me!! Nice treat. Others had water handed out and water only :-( My gate for the connecting flight was of course the very furtherest. We had to bus in to the airport from the plane and then another speedy run past 33 gates to my gate - 34 but I made it. Big ups to those who convinced me to travel with hand luggage only.
    From Venice airport you can actually bus in to the city but who would? I grabbed a water taxi in and met Nicki at our accomodation. We were both pretty overwhelmed. Venice is such a special place. We spent the afternoon wandering and sipped on the compulsory Aperol Spritz. Maybe 2.
    The next day we were treated to a tour from an ex tour guide! A very interesting gentleman who has lived in Venice for 20 years but I discovered went to Khandallah School and Onslow College! David is the brother of a friend of Nicki’s and he showed us buildings with special historic significance, back street neighbourhoods and their local facilities, along with bits and pieces of fascinating info. He wasn’t a bit interested in the sculptures that caught my eye though!
    Prior to this we had hunted down the specific bridge we wanted to catch our Gondola from - for quieter canals. That was great. Our punter did his best to serenade us but ah - mm, it was nice of him❣️    Read more

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    12Accomodation night oneSame place, different room next two nights

    Florence

    September 24, 2024 in Italy ⋅ ☁️ 23 °C

    We had a smooth departure to Florence. That afternoon we went to see Ponte Vecchio which was nuts - just so many people. On the other side of the Arno river, we climbed the hill to the Bronze David. It was very surprising to see how tourist spots and their precious historical monuments are simply not maintained. There were high weeds in lots of areas in public places and overgrown grass.
    Walked around the sights. People love this city but we weren’t overwhelmed. Mind you I was at my worst with a revisited chest infection so not in great spirits.
    Our accomodation was terrific with a roof top terrace so we ate in, got a candle and a bottle. Best ever Dona kebabs.    Read more

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    1Fishing322

    Cinque Terre

    September 25, 2024 in Italy ⋅ ☁️ 21 °C

    An early start to take in the five villages of Cinque Terre which is just what the name means (five lands). We had a spectacular day. First, a train to La Spezia which we expected to be a quaint little town but alas it’s quite big and quite ugly. A shame. It was apparently once beautiful but got bombed to the max and rebuilt at speed with minimum budget. This is the gateway to the Cinque Terre. You can hike between them but we would have seen less and frankly, we weren’t up for it on top of all we’d been doing! Train it was. We tried to keep ahead of the crowds - starting at the second and returned to the first at the end of the day via ferry but by that time it was manic all over! They are fascinating places - for goat people! And not in the new sense of the word! They have restored the terraces up behind the village further up the hills, for grapes and olives mainly - as was originally started by their ancestors over a thousand years ago.
    Check out the water spout at the end and spot the guy rod fishing somewhere near the beginning.    Read more

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    Florence - A quieter day.

    September 26, 2024 in Italy ⋅ ⛅ 26 °C

    Missed off yesterday: First photo is showing an ancient aqueduct on our way to La Spezia and second isn’t very clear, it’s on our way back and getting dark but up in the mountains - the white bits are the exposed Carrara Marble - where they’ve been mining. It’s good, as they’re putting restrictions on the mining now.
    A slower morning, a meander and visit to Mercato Centrale - a fabulous food market - must visit! Had lunch there - was great.
    We took a hop on hop off bus and never hopped off! Till we lapped and were nearest home! We needed some chill. Some pics of diplomat neighbourhood.
    We booked in to a whole new experience at a flash Hotel Spa. - steam room, cold spray, sauna, ice massage (life size and roll up against it, ice shavings to wash down and the best part - a room where you lay on a bean bag with yr feet dug in to salt and it’s in the air and you just pass out! All followed by massage.
    Back to base - our digs are quite spacious and much character.    Read more

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    22112134

    Rome

    September 28, 2024 in Italy ⋅ ☀️ 25 °C

    Off to Rome. The high speed trains are fantastic. Our accommodation is in Monti - a very picturesque part of Rome. This day and the following- we did the rounds of the usuals. Even though it’s shoulder season there are still many people. Thankfully not too crazy hot though. It’s a real shame that basically every attraction is under maintenance due to next year being the Jubilee so this is disappointing but there you go. We’ve been so fortunate with good weather, no train strikes, smooth runs.
    St Peter’s Basilica was pretty impressive. Could put four football fields within!
    The guy playing the instrument - no idea what it is! However it is stringed but he plays it as a percussion. Crazy.    Read more

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    View from our apartmentOur view1

    To Sorrento

    September 30, 2024 in Italy ⋅ ☀️ 21 °C

    We had our high speed train and then the reality of a regional one! Like night and day!! The first regional that we planned to get on - we wouldn’t if we could - it was so sardined and we’d decided if the next wasn’t any better we’d pay for a better class train and go drink Aperol Spritz and wait! We got lucky - and a little wiser at where to place ourselves. It was not a flash train but got us there.
    Our apartment looks out to Naples and Mt Vesuvius. Pretty nice. Good to have a few days here. A wander and a plan made - a trip on a boat to Capri booked for next day and another to Positano and Amalfi for the following day. The next day - chill.    Read more

  • Julia JUK / EuropeTraveler
    2
    22Leaving Piano Sorrento behind1Yes houses up the top there!11See the road!Caio CapriCheck out the lagoon - can see people in thereMarina do Puolo

    Capri

    October 1, 2024 in Italy ⋅ ☀️ 22 °C

    What a beautiful thing to get out on the sea! A great day had by all. That’s our boat but first we had to get down the zig zag in the van and at every end they had to do a back up to get around the tightness of the bend! The first cliff photo has a statue at the top of a guy who in Roman times was known for throwing his enemies off the cliff here. Or if you’re a Yellowstone watcher ‘take them to the train station’
    The water was lovely. Not warm but just perfect actually.
    You see little outposts dotted along the way - where they’d keep watch for pirates.
    Check photo captions.    Read more

  • Julia JUK / EuropeTraveler
    The Fjord of Furore where they have the diving competitions annually
    Sophia Loren's home3Check out the stairs! Popular Beach Club and Hotel1Stalactites and stalagmites inside the cavesAmalfiAmalfiAmalfiTunnels cutting through the back streets and hills1Amalfi2Caio Amalfi1Buongiorno Positano3Positano1PositanoPositano12Lots of fish!

    Amalfi snd Positano

    October 2, 2024 in Italy ⋅ ⛅ 21 °C

    Another day on the water (mostly). Fine by me :-) Leaving from a different marina. Fab day. Photos captioned.

  • Julia JUK / EuropeTraveler
    11A lot of peeps here!15

    Sorrento

    October 3, 2024 in Italy ⋅ 🌬 23 °C

    We expect a rainy day but it didn’t happen. A quiet day around town and a nice lunch
    This region is the big lemon grove area. They’re even I. The middle of town. Shops are bursting with all the lemon paraphernalia.
    Dinner in and pack ready for a very early start - 2 trains, probably 3 and a plane to Dubrovnik.    Read more

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