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Italy 2024
  • Debra Parnell

Italy 2024

Starting in Vienna and then going all the way around Italy! Read more
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  • Debra ParnellItaly 2024Traveler

    Salerno 2

    May 17, 2024 in Italy ⋅ ☀️ 25 °C

    Amalfi - By the sea, by the beautiful sea.
    A lovely trip by ferry to Amalfi - unfortunately along with hoardes of other tourists - mainly tour group members.
    10.30 and already the place was packed with people. That and the prices for food, coffee and souvenirs did detract a little from the beautiful town and sparkling waters via the Mediterranean.
    Derek was planning on doing La Sentieri degli Dei (the Walk of the Gods) but after being given wrong bus time (though this did give us time for more exploring) and waiting in the sun for more than 30 mins for the bus to arrive (late) Derek gave up on the idea. We decided not to go on to Pisitana which would likely be even busier, and instead had a lovely lunch in a cafe a little off the tourist route, a scrummy ( but pricey) lemon sorbet, and looked in some shops.
    We caught the bus back to Amalfi, braving the windy road, traffic, crazy drivers (including our bus driver!) And the packed bus and standing room. On top of all that, the heat got to me where I was standing in the bus doorway, and I fainted (has never happened to me before!) elegantly subsiding to the floor. Bless the people who got the bus driver to stop, helped me off the bus, found me a seat at the front in airconditioned comfort, and the man who gave me his cap to fan myself! I was ok, but had a quiet lie down before we nonetheless headed out for dinner.    Read more

  • Debra ParnellItaly 2024Traveler

    Naples 1

    May 18–22, 2024 in Italy ⋅ ☁️ 21 °C

    In old Napoli - that's amore!
    Managed to get out for a morning run along the waterfront in Salerno, before heading off for our train to Napoli!
    We started out on a warm morning, and stopped for coffee at a cafe near the station before pretty impressive thunder and lightning and subsequent rain put a bit of a dampener on things!
    Arrived in Naples about 12.15 and in lovely Vomero about 1. Just a 10 min walk to our airbnb which is in a lovely building and location. However the continuing drizzle and cool weather convincedbus to focus on washing clothes and resting up for a big few days.
    Our dear friends Elisabetta and Vincenzo had invited us to join us them at their friend's house for dinner. We only later found out that it was said friends birthday! Luckily we had bought some flowers and I had chocolate with Australian flavours that I had brought from home to offer as a gift and thanks for inviting us. Judith decided to have quiet night and so D&i put on our best and cleanest clothes for the occasion.
    It was lovely reuniting with Elisabetta and Vincenzo and Stella ( who we thought was somewhere else in Europe) and Angela and Luigi who we had met previously, and making new friends over the course of the evening such a privilege to be invited and spend time with these wonderful people. And so much wonderful food!
    It was quite a late night - and we were the first to leave (at 12 30), making our way through the busy and lively streets of Volmero on a Saturday night.    Read more

  • Debra ParnellItaly 2024Traveler

    Naples 2

    May 19, 2024 in Italy ⋅ ☁️ 22 °C

    Naples - so many memories - and making new ones!
    A fabulous day with dear friends and re-familiarising ourselves with the historic centre.
    A walk to Floridiana Gardens to start the day followed by a panoramic breakfast ( caffe and sfogliatelli at San Elmo Castel) with our dear friends. Unfortunately, haziness prevented the spectacular views of Vesuvio, the city and the bay that we were hoping for - but nonetheless beautiful and always a highlight.Then the walk down to the Spanish Quarter and along SpaccoNapoli (the street that bisects Naples) to the historic centre. A beautiful lunch of pizza finished off the first part of our day. Then it was wandering and enjoying the vibrancy of Naples, with drinks at the lovely Piazza Bellini and a visit to the 'Presepe Street'. Finally, home by funicular for a night in.Read more

  • Debra ParnellItaly 2024Traveler

    Naples 3

    May 20, 2024 in Italy ⋅ ☀️ 25 °C

    Sorrento - the original!
    A beautiful day in Sorrento. We travelled by ferry which was lovely, but would have been better without haziness, and with sunshine sparkling on the blue waters of Bay of Naples - but you can't have everything I guess!
    The port at Sorrento is at the base of towering cliffs, but fortunately someone thought to put in a lift! Lots of people sunning themselves in the beach clubs and enjoying the waters - made me wish I'd brought my bathers (I have been lugging them around for 4 weeks!).
    Not surprisingly Sorrento was bursting with tourists, but we entered the fray with gusto enjoying a bit of retail therapy. And we found a lovely restaurant tucked away off the tourist trail.
    Ferry trip back to Naples later in the afternoon, and after visiting some key locations- the Galleria ( which does look more than a little like Milan's galleria and even a bit like Melbourne's Block Arcade) and Piazza Plebiscito (which does have a passing resemblance to St Peter's Square) I took the chance to add to our presepe collection.
    Dinner in after another long day.    Read more

  • Debra ParnellItaly 2024Traveler

    Naples 4

    May 21, 2024 in Italy ⋅ ⛅ 23 °C

    Pompeii
    Yes 4 nights and almost 4 days in Naples - but still not enough!
    Today we headed off to Pompeii, so big day of walking, cobble stone hopping and heat. Amazing nonetheless.
    My second visit and I really can't feel I have 'seen' it. There's more to discover, new views to take in, and of course the sheer size, extent of devastation, and the miracle of it being unearthed and preserved, makes a return trip worth it.
    Home for a bit of a rest and to start packing.
    Dinner with Elisabetta, Vincenzo and Stella to mark our final night and say goodbye. We went to same restaurant as last time we were here - so excellent pizza. Lovely time with them, and sad to be saying goodbye when it feels we've only just got here!
    Not too late a night in preparation for our final leg of the trip - Rome!    Read more

  • Debra ParnellItaly 2024Traveler

    Rome 1

    May 22–26, 2024 in Italy ⋅ ⛅ 23 °C

    Farewell Naples! Hello Rome! - And what can you say? It's Rome - in Spring!
    A nice start to our final morning in Naples with a walk to St Elmo Castle to get a final glimpse of Vesuvio ( but still not coming out to play) and a coffee at our little Cafe by the funicular station. Then it got a bit hectic - finding ourselves locked in our apartment building (thankfully a neighbour came tou our rescue) and then having to run to catch our train to Rome.
    But all good and we made it.
    Another train to Trastevere ( with a walk to the platform so long we were halfway there!) and then a longish walk to our apartment. But it is a lovely place in residential area with graceful buildings and lots of trees/greenery.
    Settled in, had a rest, then walked to a nearby piazza for a lovely meal.    Read more

  • Debra ParnellItaly 2024Traveler

    Rome 2

    May 23, 2024 in Italy ⋅ ☀️ 24 °C

    When in Rome...
    Four days in Rome - what luxury - so we could afford to take it at a bit of a slower pace.
    Derek and I went out for an early walk through Trastevere as it was coming to life, and along the Tiber River. After a compulsory coffee and pastry it was time to get back and start to make plans.
    Judith and I caught the tram to Piazza Venezia ( while Derek decided to head off to explore in the historic centre). After a visit to the Tourist Info Centre ( battling the crowds, construction of the new Underground, and the building of stands for the Giro finish) to arm ourselves with some maps and useful info, we headed into the centre towards the Pantheon, hoping to meet up with Derek. Needing a toilet stop we opted to stop at the aptly named 'Snack Bar' in a side street behind the Basilica di Santa Maria Sopra Minerva. The bruschetta was fine, but we must remember -Don't order caffe latte/cappuccino! -as they are usually all milk and little coffee! Derek joined us there. We stopped in at the Basilica and thrilled to see a Michelangelo sculpture and what appeared to be presepe but was the story of the life of Jesus. And the on to the Pantheon. The lines were pretty long, so we opted for gelato instead, at what we had heard was a fabulous gelato shop. It was good (lovedvthe lemon and badil flavour) but for the price it should've changed our lives! Admittedly they were big cups - but still they replaced lunch and probably dinner!
    Derek headed off to continue exploring and Judith and I headed to Campo di Fiori, enjoying window shopping as we went. We stocked up on a few things at the market and then found a cafe for a drink of wine and people watching.
    Found our way back to the tramline and back home.
    We opted for a night in with Prosecco and nice nibbles.    Read more

  • Debra ParnellItaly 2024Traveler

    Rome 3

    May 24, 2024 in Italy ⋅ ☁️ 26 °C

    Oh Rome! My country! City of the Soul! (Byron)
    Derek left early planning on beating the crowds at the Pantheon, then more wandering before going to the Vatican for his tour of the museums and Sistine Chapel (which he said was fabulous and overwhelming).
    I managed to buy tickets online for the Palantine Hill and the Forum last night, so that was our plan for the day. Judith and I caught the bus at the end of the street to the Via di San Gregorio entrance to the Palantine Hill. Much quieter than the Forum entrance, and getting there reasonably early ( before 10) there was almost non-one else there to disturb the beauty and quiet of the parkland and our viewing of the ruins. It was fabulous and the viewing areas spectacular. The crowds didn't grow until we got closer to the Forum, and fortunately we were going against the flow of traffic. Loved the Forum too - it was our first time being in the Forum and so glad we did it.
    We left the Forum by a side entrance and after only a short walk we were at Circus Maximus, and a nice cafe for lunch. Then we crossed the road to enter the Roseta di Roma ( city Rose Garden) which was lovely and featured prize winning roses of the International Rose competition. We then walked to nearby Giardino degli Arancini (Orange Garden) which was a real highlight with a magnificent Belvedere ( viewing terrace) from the Avantine Hill.
    We walked down the steep escarpment of the Hill, along the river to tram stop and back to apartment
    After a little rest we headed back to our little piazza in Trastevere - this time enjoying pizza. Another lovely evening    Read more

  • Debra ParnellItaly 2024Traveler

    Rome 4

    May 25, 2024 in Italy ⋅ ☁️ 23 °C

    Saturday in the Park -
    It's Saturday and that means ParkRun!
    Derek and I headed off nice and early travelling by bus to Colli Albani ( at least that was the name of the nearby station) to join the Cafferalla Parkrun. We were quite early and had time for caffe and pastry. Again there were a few tourists and expansion at the park including a few Aussies. The run was good but all that pasta and vino was starting to take its toll- still PB for Parkrun Roma!
    After a reviving caffe we decided to walk across the expansive parkland to the Via Appia Antica - the Appian Way, which was on our list of things to do. Judith was happy for us to go without her - and I think it was a good idea as I'm not sure she would have enjoyed the walk and it wasn't what we were expecting ( a parkvwith an ancient cobble stone road thru it surrounded by ruins). As it turned out we joined the road near where it did become exactly that, but we turned towards the entry to the park and missed the best bits! We did see some beautiful ruins and can only bemoan that we missed more. Instead we were walking on a narrow road edged by walls with plenty of traffic. We did find a place to fet off the road and onto a pathetic crossing fields which was lovely. Oh well next time we will do it differently.
    Back home later than intended, so we ended up having (a late) lunch in very busy but nonetheless beautiful Trastevere.
    A bit of a rest and a start on the packing before we went out for our last dinner in Italy. We went to a fab restaurant on the edge of Trastevere called Ercoli.
    Can't believe we have come to the end (almost) of our trip!    Read more

    Trip end
    May 28, 2024
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