Rome
8 Julai 2023, Itali ⋅ ☀️ 34 °C
We then went for a walk around the areas close to our hotel and retraced some of our steps from yesterday. We climbed down the Spanish Steps and spent time at Piazza Navona. We also went back to theBaca lagi
Pisa
9 Julai 2023, Itali ⋅ ☀️ 33 °C
This morning we enjoyed a drive to Pisa through rolling countryside dotted with cypress trees, vineyards and olive groves. Quite stunning.
In Pisa, we saw the Leaning Tower in the Square of MiraclesBaca lagi
PengembaraWe had a stop in Naples for a couple of hours and missed out on climbing the tower by one spot. It was a perfect day however so not entirely wasted.
Santa Margherita
9 Julai 2023, Itali ⋅ ☀️ 30 °C
After leaving Pisa we drove along the coastline of the Italian Riviera with views of the Ligurian and Tyranean Seas. Possibly one of the prettiest drives we have ever been on.
But then we got toBaca lagi
PengembaraGlad you are still enjoying the sights and the drives just get prettier and prettier. I have never travelled for that length of time. Are you going to Pompeii?
The Cinque Terre
10 Julai 2023, Itali ⋅ ☀️ 27 °C
Today was a magical day - not because of the 40+ degrees temperature, but because of our time on the Cinque Terre - five villages on the coastline of the Ligurian Sea that date back to the 11thBaca lagi
PengembaraThose beers would have been essential for hydration. We stayed at Monterosso and caught the train down to the first village. We walked the first three from memory and then I caught the train back. The next part of the track was very rough we had been told. ‘Good decision’ said a very weary and mud spattered Wayne when he finally arrived back. Am I right in thinking they have not restored the walking track since various land slips after we were there? Not that you could have walked it in the temperatures you are having…we did this prior to joining James school History trip when he was in Year 12.
Pengembara> sure about the track condition but you would have been mad to try it yesterday.
Portofino
10 Julai 2023, Itali ⋅ ☀️ 29 °C
Portofino dates from the 10th century and is one of the most popular tourist spots in the entire world, especially with the rich and famous, including us.
It was very special to visit and walkBaca lagi
Lake Maggiore & Isola Bella
11 Julai 2023, Itali ⋅ ☀️ 30 °C
We left the Italian Riviera today and headed for the Italian Lakes. Lunch was at Stresa on the shores of Lake Maggiore and then we hopped on a boat and spent the afternoon on Isola Bella, touring theBaca lagi
Baveno
11 Julai 2023, Itali ⋅ ☀️ 30 °C
Our hotel is at Baveno on the shores of Lake Maggiore and we have a good view of the lake from our room. Our beer and pasta tour of Italy continued with dinner at a restaurant right on the water.
Venice
12 Julai 2023, Itali ⋅ ☀️ 28 °C
Just when we thought we had decided on the highlight of our trip - along comes Venice. Wow!!!
What a great day. We arrived in Venice around 2:30pm, were taken to our hotel by water taxi, then after aBaca lagi
PengembaraGood to see the weather still good. Enjoying revisiting Venice with you.
Venice by Gondola
13 Julai 2023, Itali ⋅ ☁️ 24 °C
Today was another highlight. We had a boat trip into Piazza San Marco, then a couple of hours to walk around and see the sights - the Doges Palace, Bridge of Sighs, the Rialto Bridge and shops withBaca lagi
PengembaraDid your gondolier sing for you? Our visit there was in 1994. We were the oldies in our group. Teamed up with two couples who were both fighting when we did this. They did not kiss under each bridge as we were told was the custom.
PengembaraHaven't heard of that custom.. He sang and whistled tines. Our group had a singer and guitar player doing Italian songs for us on one boat.
Murano
13 Julai 2023, Itali ⋅ ⛅ 25 °C
The island of Murano is the home of Venetian glass and we saw a demonstration of glass blowing and creating some objects - amazing skills from the 'glass master'. Very expensive but luckily someBaca lagi
PengembaraIt is always great to see the work and skill these master craftsmen have. Gives you a proper sense of the value of their creations.
Burano
13 Julai 2023, Itali ⋅ ☁️ 28 °C
Burano is another Venetian island and it is famous for its fishing and coloured houses. It also has a crooked bell tower. Here we had a sensational seafood lunch and also enjoyed the quirky shopsBaca lagi
Florence
14 Julai 2023, Itali ⋅ ☀️ 32 °C
We made it to Florence in Tuscany today - a bucket list place based on reputation, although after arriving, we are not really sure what the fuss is all about.
Its main sights are great, but it is theBaca lagi
San Gimignano
15 Julai 2023, Itali ⋅ ☀️ 25 °C
This morning, we headed into the Truscan countryside to visit San Gimignano, which dates back to the Etruscan times, preceding the ancient Romans. Most of its current buildings are from the 11th andBaca lagi
Ristorante Montebuoni
15 Julai 2023, Itali ⋅ ☀️ 34 °C
Tonight was pretty special - a dinner in the Tuscan Hills. The restaurant had views over Florence and the chef, Emilio, cooked two of the courses in front of us - Zucchini Risotto and a Grape Cake -Baca lagi
PengembaraAm envious of all the fabulous food. Will be hard to have to put on the chef's hats when you return!! So pleased the food has been so good.
Pompeii
16 Julai 2023, Itali ⋅ ☀️ 34 °C
As expected, Pompeii was spectacular. But it was extremely hot, although this didn't deter the crowds, as unfortunately once again the dreaded cruise ships were in town.
It may have been hot today,Baca lagi
PengembaraSuch an incredible place and they are uncovering more all the time. On James’ history trip we walked the streets of Pompeii for 9.5 hours.
Sorrento
16 Julai 2023, Itali ⋅ ☀️ 30 °C
After leaving Pompeii, we followed the Bay of Naples along the spectacular coastline to Sorrento.
We had dinner high over Sorrento overlooking the bay in another great restaurant, in the town ofBaca lagi
PengembaraHow wonderful to chance upon a unique local celebration. Your food looked amazing.
Isle of Capri
17 Julai 2023, Itali ⋅ ☀️ 29 °C
Today was a great day. Firstly, we travelled by ferry across to the Isle of Capri. It has amazing scenery, but that's about it. It would be even more amazing though, if you had amazing amounts ofBaca lagi
Positano
17 Julai 2023, Itali ⋅ ☀️ 31 °C
Once back in Sorrento, we hopped in a minibus and headed down the Amalfi Coast to Positano. This is one of the most scenic drives in the world and it was breathtaking. It is recognisable from the manyBaca lagi
Sassi di Matera
18 Julai 2023, Itali ⋅ ☀️ 37 °C
After leaving Sorrento, we travelled through the Appenines to Matera.
Here we saw the extraordinary Sassi di Matera, ancient homes and churches dug out of the rock. The caves were created in the 9thBaca lagi
Ostuni
19 Julai 2023, Itali ⋅ ☀️ 33 °C
This morning, we drove through many groves of olive trees thousands of years old on our way to Ostuni. We are in the Puglia region and it is home to the artisan Italian olive industry.
Ostuni is aBaca lagi
Alborobello
19 Julai 2023, Itali ⋅ ☀️ 36 °C
After leaving Ostuni, we went to Alborobello, before returning to our hotel for a lazy afternoon.
Alborobello has over a thousand 'trulli' houses. These are conical drystone wall structures.
TheseBaca lagi
Taormina - Sicily
20 Julai 2023, Itali ⋅ ☀️ 37 °C
Today was a big travel day as we left the Puglia region and followed the coastline of the Ionean Sea and the Adriatic Ocean through the south of Italy and down to Villa San Giovanni. Here we caught aBaca lagi
Mount Etna
21 Julai 2023, Itali ⋅ ☀️ 23 °C
Mount Etna is one of the world's most active volcanoes and is being very active at the moment. All the signs point to an eruption shortly. It does not shower rocks or ash, just slowly overflows withBaca lagi
Castelmola
21 Julai 2023, Itali ⋅ ☀️ 32 °C
Tonight we had dinner in the hills of Castelmola that tower high above Taormina. The drive up was not for the faint-hearted on steep winding roads with u-turns - the type of ones you see in the carBaca lagi
Pengembara
Great to see all of this and your commentary- brings back a lot of memories of my visit.
PengembaraOh my 36 degrees. That is an uncomfortable temperature anywhere…