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Nolene DE LUCA
Nolene DE LUCA

Nolene DE LUCA

traveled in 12 countries Read more🇳🇿Tauranga
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  • Nolene DE LUCAItalyNolene DE LUCA

    Notting Hill

    July 31, 2018 in England ⋅ ⛅ 21 °C

    Decided to walk to Notting Hill today, tried to look like Julia Roberts but couldn’t find Hugh Grant so had to give that up!!! Ha ha. Walked the length of Portobello Road, looking very drab and every stall holder was either Indian or Middle East. I was a little disappointed but it has been done now. Very busy today. Went across to Hyde Park again, today very busy, probably because the weather is a little better. I spent some time organising to do research when I get back here and rang a couple of relatives, so all good. Catch the train to Ely in Cambridgeshire at 10 tomorrow morning. Looking forward to being up there again.Read more

  • Nolene DE LUCAItalyNolene DE LUCA

    London

    July 30, 2018 in England ⋅ ⛅ 19 °C

    I set off this morning through Hyde Park just in time to get in a shower so had to take refuge under a tree. Walked a total of 13.6 km taking in Buckingham Palace, St James Palace walked around Mayfair and Belgravia before going to Harrods. As like 1998 NZ wines cheaper than in NZ, crazy. Saw the NZ war memorial and then walked back via Kensington Palace. Absolutely knackered. Good though. Lovely through Hyde Park. Typical tourist today!!!Read more

  • Nolene DE LUCAItalyNolene DE LUCA

    London

    July 29, 2018 in England ⋅ 🌧 20 °C

    After 30 degrees in London over the last ten days the rain and wind set in last night with the temperatures dropping today. Didn’t get out for a walk as too wet. High Tea at The Dorchester, amazing, what a place!!! Champagne poured from a magnum, beautiful dainty sandwiches then a series of little cakes beautifully decorated. Tea from Royal Doulton china. Very special indeed, but I couldn’t do that every day!!! Had to walk it off when I got back to my hotel, just as well Hyde Park is opposite!!!Read more

  • Nolene DE LUCAItalyNolene DE LUCA

    Salzburg to London

    July 28, 2018 in England ⋅ 🌬 19 °C

    Lovely time this morning with Bruno & Gabi, they took me to the airport where we had coffee before I said goodbye for now. I will be forever grateful for the wonderful time I had with them showing me their home country seeing places I would never visit. Superb to say the least. Plane to London uneventful, train to Paddington then cab to hotel. Just finished dinner at hotel, not too bad!!! Tomorrow s wall around Hyde Park then ‘High Tea’ at The Dorchester in Mayfair with Sandy, daughter of Bruno & Gabi. Will post photos, watch this space!!! Random photos now.Read more

  • Nolene DE LUCAItalyNolene DE LUCA

    Salzburg

    July 28, 2018 in Austria ⋅ ☀️ 21 °C

    Visited the old palace which really is a city in itself, such wonderful history and amazing catacombs in the cliff face. Visited the house where Mozart lived and another house where he composed his music, a very romantic city. Lovely dinner last night in an outside courtyard under large trees. Last dinner in Austria with Bruno & Gabi. The temperatures the last few days have been around 30 degrees, so hot.Read more

  • Nolene DE LUCAItalyNolene DE LUCA

    Destination Salzburg

    July 27, 2018 in Austria ⋅ ☀️ 19 °C

    Left our delightful hotel in the mountains heading for Salzburg, such different scenery now. On autobahn for some of the time but mostly on secondary roads. Stopped at the village of Hallstatt, very touristy but lovely to walk around. Houses with their decks built out over the lake. Found a picnic spot overlooking the town, so lovely to enjoy it all with Bruno & Gabi. Stopped at another little town on another lake, so picturesque. Settled into our hotel and caught a taxi in to town, driver an absolute rat, hated the English, thought the queen and everyone associated with England were terrorists, Bruno loved stirring, so funny. I just kept quiet!!!Read more

  • Nolene DE LUCAItalyNolene DE LUCA

    Last night & today

    July 25, 2018 in Austria ⋅ 🌙 16 °C

    We went out for dinner last night came home 10.30pm to find 5 German guys drinking wine so of course we had to join them, bad move as we didn’t get to bed until 1.30. Both Bruno & I were not too good this morning!!!! Drove to a small village where Bruno drove the car in to a covered flat deck carriage then us in a carriage. Train goes to next village through a tunnel in the mountains, only way to get there, amazing. We then rode the gondola up into ‘space’, it was a long way up and very steep. We were over 2000m. We then walked the suspension bridge. Great fun. Back to our new little village for a wander watching a waterfall in the middle that supposedly has healing purposes!!! Early night tonight, funny that!!!Read more

  • Nolene DE LUCAItalyNolene DE LUCA

    Swarkovski visit

    July 25, 2018 in Austria ⋅ 🌙 16 °C

    We also visited this site, not allowed into the factory itself but they have an underground display and show, this time it was focused around flowers. Incredible talent to put it altogether, outside was amazing too using their crystals on displays. Photos of the place we stayed the night before.Read more

  • Nolene DE LUCAItalyNolene DE LUCA

    Bad Gastein

    July 25, 2018 in Austria ⋅ 🌙 17 °C

    Big drive yesterday, we took a mountain road up into the Tirol mountains, the road was so windy and steep it took almost 2 hours to do 50 km’s. It didn’t matter as the scenery was spectacular, typical little Austrian villages, so good. The roading system is amazing and in such good condition.Read more

  • Nolene DE LUCAItalyNolene DE LUCA

    Alps & Innsbruck photos

    July 24, 2018 in Austria ⋅ ⛅ 17 °C

    Quaint little villages and large ski resorts used in summer by trampers. We were at 1700-1900 meters whilst driving and the mountains still towered above us. Lovely shops with all sorts of traditional Austrian food goodies.Read more

  • Nolene DE LUCAItalyNolene DE LUCA

    Innsbruck

    July 24, 2018 in Austria ⋅ ⛅ 16 °C

    Fantastic drive yesterday through the Alps, pity the cloud was around and we had rain at times, very warm though. Photos cannot do the mountains justice. Ski lifts everywhere and all join up at various places, very clever. Went to the ski jump where the Winter Olympics have been held twice, went to the very top and had lunch. Ski jumpers have to be nuts!!! Innsbruck is lovely, wandered around last night until midnight, everyone enjoying themselves.Read more

  • Nolene DE LUCAItalyNolene DE LUCA

    Art in Leichenstein

    July 23, 2018 in Austria ⋅ 🌧 17 °C

    Wonderful art in the heart of the city, the Prince is into art in a big way apparently and pays for everything, a very rich country. His castle on the hill overlooking the town.

  • Nolene DE LUCAItalyNolene DE LUCA

    St Gallen, Leichenstein & Carmen

    July 23, 2018 in Austria ⋅ 🌧 17 °C

    Went back to the town of St Gallen to have a look at the world famous library and old books. The room is spectacular and books even better, I didn’t realise that the Irish were in Austria in the 1500’s!!! Then went to Leichenstein and well up into the mountains to a ski resort, 1700 metres, breathtaking. Then our highlight, Carmen on The lake at Bergen’s. It was touch and go if they were going to perform because of rain but it stopped 5 mins beforehand. Wow, words cannot describe the performance and stage props. 2 and a half hour show, went to a bar after and got home at 1.30am. Opera started at 9.45pm. Off to Innsbruck today. This place is beautiful.Read more

  • Nolene DE LUCAItalyNolene DE LUCA

    Catania to Zurich

    July 21, 2018 in Austria ⋅ 🌧 17 °C

    Flight to Zurich this morning, wonderful to catch up with Bruno & Gabi. On the road again, how about four countries in one day, Italy, Germany, Switzerland and Austria. Love the countryside and the lovely homes, real picture postcard stuff. Great to be with B & G who speak the language. Went to great waterfalls, volume of water incredible, visited a lovely town for a drink. Had dinner at hotel near the mountains, bit too much wine so now off to bed!!!Read more

  • Nolene DE LUCAItalyNolene DE LUCA

    My next adventure

    July 20, 2018 in Italy ⋅ 🌙 27 °C

    Sad in a way for us all to go own way but I am ready for my next adventure in Austria with Bruno & Gabi. The hotel Ravesi was an amazing place to stay,a photo of our little friend who was wandering around last night under the light. Lovely views of the hotel gardens and of Lipari. Boat trip uneventful but trip from Milazzo to Catania took an age. Staying at a hotel close to the airport as I have an early flight to Zurich in the morning. Hotel and the service is crap, maybe they have a monopoly??? Better to come, I am sure. Bon voyage Italy, look out Austria.Read more

  • Nolene DE LUCAItalyNolene DE LUCA

    Drive to Rinella

    July 19, 2018 in Italy ⋅ 🌙 25 °C

    Lovely drive to Rinella for a swim on a ‘sandy’ beach stopping to view Pollara from a great height, such a beautiful spot. Had a great swim even though it was at a port and loads of people, the water is so clear and warm. I then took over from Claire on the scooter, whopper, the ‘flying Nolesy’ amazing!!! Lunch at a beautiful place with loads of fun with the owner/waiter, too many courses so no dinner tonight. Just nibbles & drinks. Back for a swim in the pool, and a walk around the village. It is going to be hard to leave this place😍Read more

  • Nolene DE LUCAItalyNolene DE LUCA

    Salina & Lipari

    July 18, 2018 in Italy ⋅ 🌙 25 °C

    Relaxed brekkie by the pool this morning, then off on our trek to Lipari. On line schedule says leave 10.30am, get to wharf - oh, left at 9.50 next one 11.30. Much swearing xxxxx. Finally on boat black smoke billowing from engine but made it to Lipari. Brought back many memories from 2001, I lit a candle for Mike in the local church, shed a few tears then went walking. A delightful place, lovely shops and narrow lanes. We had a lovely lunch in the town and generally just wandered. Our ferry was half an hour late (so what’s new) then about the same to load!!! Back safely on Salina it was time for a swim. We love our hotel and it’s pool. Short walk to dinner which was great then on to a movie in the Piazza, unfortunately all in Italian, no sub titles!! Salina is a delightful island to just relax, Italian time and we have had a lot of that. Deli’s with wonderful capers, aubergines cheeses and all sorts of goodies.Read more

  • Nolene DE LUCAItalyNolene DE LUCA
    1

    Explore day on Salina

    July 17, 2018 in Italy ⋅ 🌬 24 °C

    Slept in this morning then went in our car with Claire following on her motor scooter to Santa Marina for a swim and explore. Quaint little place. Had our swim at a beautiful clear water rocky beach. Unfortunately not a lot of sand here. We decided to go back later in the evening as most of the shops and markets would be open as there was a festival with live music and fireworks. John drove the scooter back with Cait on the back. Speed limit on the island is 30kph but I am sure the locals go faster!!! Another swim then siesta before a drink and 6pm nibbles here at the hotel. Went to Santa Marino again and did the shops, markets xxxx. Too tired to wait for the music festival and fireworks which started at midnight!!! Great day in beautiful weather. Night photo of the pool shows our rooms on the first floor, such a great spot.Read more

  • Nolene DE LUCAItalyNolene DE LUCA

    Petralia soprano to Salina

    July 16, 2018 in Italy ⋅ 🌙 26 °C

    Left at 9am this morning heading for Isle of Salina, a 2 and a half hour trip to catch our ferry at Milano then an hour and a half ferry trip stopping for coffee at the small town of Tisa. What should have been 10 mins off the autostrade took about 45 mins as the road was shocking. Autostrades great, we lost count of tunnels and viaducts, but local roads you would not believe. Arrived Milazzo to find our ferry was ‘broke’ so we had to wait for the next sailing an hour later. Our accomm. on the island made up for it especially the infinity pool, we had a swim after we had settled in. We have our own private deck overlooking the pool and ocean, just magic. Went for a walk before dinner, had a drink at a bar carved into the rocks then on to have pizza.Read more

  • Nolene DE LUCAItalyNolene DE LUCA

    Last day on Sicily

    July 16, 2018 in Italy ⋅ ☀️ 23 °C

    Lovely day yesterday, visited a little village high up in the mountains with amazing views. Then usual story, supermercato, lunch, (food much cheaper here than home, even saw zespri kiwifruit cheaper than home) swimming, sunbathing then siesta before more swimming and going out to dinner. I think we could all get used to this life!!! Dinner was at a village called Gange, set very high up in the mountains, very narrow winding roads. We were so high up when we came out from dinner we were in the clouds, just amazing, eerie and weird. The village itself set on a mountain was awesome. Drive to Messina today to board the boat for Salina.Read more

  • Nolene DE LUCAItalyNolene DE LUCA

    Petralia Soprana

    July 14, 2018 in Italy ⋅ 🌙 23 °C

    Said goodbye to our appt and left Syracuse this morning after stocking up for lunch and headed to the mountains of Palermo Region. Had our picnic under a tree at a delightful little place called Enna. Roads in this region are rather hit and miss unless you are on the autostrade, they are a dream. Good driving from John in shocking conditions at times. Found our wonderful accommodation in the middle of nowhere, lovely rooms and an inviting swimming pool, just what one needed in 36 degrees although it wasn’t ‘burn’y’.
    Went out to a local restaurant miles away from anywhere and just went with the flow, we didn’t know what we were getting until it arrived with an explanation from the chef. 7 courses later and we all agree that it was the best ever. Ready for bed now. Might just have a chill day tomorrow!!!    Read more

  • Nolene DE LUCAItalyNolene DE LUCA

    Syracuse

    July 13, 2018 in Italy ⋅ 🌙 27 °C

    The girls and I went to the Greek Theatre today whilst John headed to Catania to pick up Sarah who was flying in from Rome. We got there just on opening so no one around, ticket salesman took a liking to us and only charged 10 euro instead of 10 euro each. Liked him!!!!! Greek amphitheatre is huge and the caves equally so. As we were leaving the buses were arriving full of tourists, good choice to go early. We went home then wandered down to the waterfront and swam and sunbathed, so lovely and warm. Usual story, lunch then siesta. Just arrived back after a lovely dinner. Five of us now and ready for our next venture into the mountains.Read more

  • Nolene DE LUCAItalyNolene DE LUCA

    Noto

    July 12, 2018 in Italy ⋅ 🌙 25 °C

    No early start but a pleasant drive to a small town 32 km west of Syracuse at the foot of the Iblean Mountains, a
    Lovely drive through orange orchards and olive groves. A lovely town with so much history. Beautiful churches and wonderful architecture. Thank goodness John was driving, typical Italian, no plan, total chaos but totally organised!!! FOR THEM!! Back to appt. in heat of afternoon, then a swim in beautiful clear water. The girls and I had Fish Therapy, different to say the least!! Dinner at 8pm (a lovely little restaurant in a small street/alley, superb food. Then a glass of wine (John and I) and discussion with the girls on world politics, interesting but time for bed!!!!!!!!!Read more

  • Nolene DE LUCAItalyNolene DE LUCA

    Syracuse, Sicily

    July 11, 2018 in Italy ⋅ 🌙 26 °C

    Another early start for a 2 hour train trip to Rome airport. Beautiful scenery on the way lots of grass being cut for hay & acres of sunflowers. Met John & girls, now all in our appt in Syracuse. Went out to have a swim on the waterfront, so lovely and warmI could have stayed in forever. Supermercato to stock up, home for shower & snack. Just back from waterfront after a drink and light dinner. So nice, lovely temperature.Read more

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