Reset search
The Shifting SpannersThe Shifting Spanners
Satellite

The Shifting Spanners

Its finally time for a Gap Year! After 33 years of working we have decided to bite the bullet, hitch up the van and do the Big Lap of Australia.
Living in: Cairns City, Australia
  • The Shifting SpannersEurope 2019
    Day27

    Amalfi Coast

     October 16, 2019 in Italy ⋅ ⛅ 22 °C

    Had an amazing four night stay on the Amalfi coast. Stayed at a beautiful AirBnB in Sorrento, and travelled from here. We had a seperate 2 bedroom house high up in the hills of Sorrento with stunning views of the township below, and the ocean across to Naples and Mt Vesuvius. The hosts recommended a local restaurant that picked us up and dropped us home so we ate there twice...it was even higher up on the hills and offered fantastic views.

    We pre-booked boat tours to Isle of Capri and Amalfi, and they were fantastic! Swimming into the Green Grotto on Capri was a highlight. Loved our stops in Positano and Amalfi as well.    Read more

    2
    Map
    • Explore, what other travelers do in:
  • The Shifting SpannersEurope 2019
    Day24

    Pompeii

     October 13, 2019 in Italy ⋅ ⛅ 22 °C

    We caught the Freccarossa fast train from Rome to Naples...reaching up to 298kph on the way. Our driver and mercedes van were waiting for us at the station and drove us to the Pompeii ruins. A private guide then took us for a 2 hour tour of the ruins which was fantastic! After the tour she took us back to a restaurant, where the driver was waiting, who then summoned the waiter who set us up at the best table in the place...we felt like VIP's! After lunch the driver (who had waited for us for 3 hours by this stage), took us to our AirBnB at Sorrento.

    Unbelievable story of the burial of Pompeii from the rocks and ash from Mt. Vesuvius. Very interesting...    Read more

    11
    Map
  • The Shifting SpannersEurope 2019
    Day23

    Rome

     October 12, 2019 in Italy ⋅ ⛅ 22 °C

    Arrived in a much warmer Rome on the flight from Amsterdam. The AirBnB apartment was great...no lounge area, but fully self-contained and 2 huge bedrooms with their own ensuites. Literally 400m from the Colosseum, and walking distance to all the attractions.

    Visited all the major attractions except Vatican City...we simply didn't have time.

    We pre-booked a guided tour of the Colosseum including underground and Tier 3 which were great. Not many people are allowed to get to Tier 3. Really enjoyed seeing the underground tunnels, lions cages and a rebuilt lift that took the animals up to the arena floor. Tier 3 offered fantastic views of the whole colosseum and outside ruins.    Read more

    Map
  • The Shifting SpannersEurope 2019
    Day21

    Amsterdam

     October 10, 2019 in the Netherlands ⋅ ⛅ 15 °C

    We stayed 2 nights in Amsterdam after the cruise at an AirBnB house boat! We decided on this months ago and were really glad...a very different, quaint little boat. Fully self contained, and the owner baked fresh bread every day, and stocked the fridge with everything we needed for our stay. Tea, coffee, milk (including soy milk for Christine), cereals, eggs, cheeses, condiments etc were all replenished each day...fantastic!

    The first day in Amsterdam was a bit wet, so after walking in to the city (20 mins) and checking out a few sights, we decided to get on board the 24hr hop on hop off canal boat. This turned out to be great as we got out of the rain for 2.5 hours as we cruised around the beautiful canals. It even had a stop very close to our houseboat so was very handy. We were also able to use it till 5pm the next day, which, being a sunny day allowed for some great photos etc.

    Went to the Anne Frank House which we booked months ago...very interesting. Also decided to check out the Red Light district (including the prostitute windows), and went through the Red Light Museum which was pretty ordinary.    Read more

    Map
  • The Shifting SpannersEurope 2019
    Day19

    Kinderdiijk

     October 8, 2019 in the Netherlands ⋅ ⛅ 14 °C

    The ship docked at Dordrecht and we bussed it to Kinderdiijk for a guided tour of the windmills.

    These are World Heritage Listed working windmills dating back to the middle ages. Very interesting to see how they managed the water in and out of the dykes. Even got to climb the 3 floors inside a working mill...

    Last night of the cruise tonight...the cruise director (Leonard) presented a slideshow of his photos during the cruise...very entertaining. At the final dinner, we gave our favourite waiters a gift of Aussie Stubby coolers...not sure they understood what they were though...😂    Read more

    Map
  • The Shifting SpannersEurope 2019
    Day18

    Cologne

     October 7, 2019 in Germany ⋅ ⛅ 11 °C

    A very cold day out and about in Cologne as our guide showed us around the massive Cologne Cathedral. The allied forces largely spared the cathedral during WW2 due to it's value, so it is in original condition.

    Also checked out the Eau De Cologne store (Farina fragrance museum), Lovelock bridge, and the city shopping precinct.

    We were warned about pickpockets, so were careful, but one of the young male passengers from our ship was shoulder charged by a young german bloke in the city...probably an anti-American sentiment we think.    Read more

    Map
  • The Shifting SpannersEurope 2019
    Day17

    Braubach

     October 6, 2019 in Germany ⋅ 🌧 9 °C

    A cold and showery day as we cruised from the Main to the Rhine river. Woke at 5am and watched the lights of Frankfurt through our cabin window...no stopping here as we sailed on to Braubach.

    The top deck was finally opened after being closed for the last few days due to low bridges...amazing how everything folds down including canopys and handrails, even the wheelhouse is lowered to deck level.

    Spent half an hour up on deck, but it was bitterly cold and wet, so retreated to the lounge for the morning...beautiful towns and castles lined both sides of the middle Rhine as we sailed past.

    Had a guided tour of Marksberg Castle, perched high on a mountain behind Braubach. Amongst the better tours we have done! An 11th century castle with all the trimmings...torture chamber, blacksmiths room where they made the swords and armour, chapel, kitchen, dining rooms etc all set up as they were in medieval times.    Read more

    1
    Map
  • The Shifting SpannersEurope 2019
    Day16

    Wertheim

     October 5, 2019 in Germany ⋅ ⛅ 12 °C

    What a beautiful little village Wertheim is. The Cruise Director, Leonard told us it is his favourite place and we can see why.

    Caught Choo Choo trains from the dock to the town centre, and had a walking tour after which Bob and I walked up the hill to the castle which offered fantastic views of the area.Read more

    Map
  • The Shifting SpannersEurope 2019
    Day15

    Wurzburg

     October 4, 2019 in Germany ⋅ ☁️ 11 °C

    Another overcast day in Wurzburg as we left for the guided tour of The Residenz (Wurzburg Palace)...a very opulent home for bishops and princes. We weren't allowed to take photos inside but needless to say the extravagence was unbelievable...way over the top!

    PS...I managed to find some photos online which I've attached.Read more

    Map
  • The Shifting SpannersEurope 2019
    Day14

    Bamberg

     October 3, 2019 in Germany ⋅ ⛅ 9 °C

    A cold bleak day in Bamberg today...no rain but about 10° maximun temperature made for a chilly day.

    Did a 2 hour walking tour of the town which ended at the Bamberg Cathedral and Palace. Great views of the township from here.

    Wandered back down the hill and looked around the market stalls and stopped for hot chocolate and of course the obligatory german sausage...Read more

    Map
Never miss updates of The Shifting Spanners with our app:

FindPenguins for iOS FindPenguins for Android