On our last day in La Spezia we followed our host’s suggestion and caught the local bus to Portovenere. The locals are always willing to help and go out of their way to make sure that we are at the correct bus stop etc. The bus took 30 minutes and the scenery around and across the bay was spectacular. At one stage we were stuck in a traffic jam, it was a narrow one way road with a garbage truck emptying bins, so we were going nowhere. We overheard some English guys saying it was 11 minutes to walk down the hill. All the Italians got off the bus so we followed and it was a pleasant walk down to the town. This is an area that the poets Byron, Shelly and D H Laurence came to for their inspiration. It appears that Byron was quite a swimmer and he swam across the bay to see his ‘mate’. The water was looking rather rough so don’t know how he did it!
A good wander up to the ruins and through unknown back alleys gave us the opportunity to see the place. Lunch was out beside the water. If you ask for a drink here you always get some nibblies but this place outdid all others – bread, olives, salami, caper berries and chips. We also added a plate of fried anchovies!

Heading to Milano was a 2.5 hour train trip initially hugging the coast but then inland. Views were once again spectacular and the closer to Milano the snow capped mountains came into view. Our apartment is 5 minutes from the Central station is very handy. It’s another large place with room to move!
What was supposed to be an easy start to the day for our trip to Venice became rather manic when I completely misjudged the time to catch the train. With the train leaving in 45 minutes there was only enough time to throw on clothes and get out the door. Luckily our train was 5 minutes late and had a buffet car so some semblance of a breakfast was had on  the way! It took 2.5 hours to get to Venice but well worth it when we stepped from the train straight to the Grand Canal!

We decided to meander around the streets and back canals whilst admiring all the glass items that Venice is so famous for. A few brave, well it does cost an arm and a leg, people were in gondolas. Although we had no idea where we were we came upon a restaurant overlooking the Grand canal where I could distinctly remember having lunch with Al, Kerry and Justin – so many years ago! We also had lunch there. Food was very good added with a touch of nostalgia! After lunch we hopped on a vaporetto and ‘cruised’ around for an hour or so. A perfect day.
Wednesday was the day for checking out Milan. Found the hop on/off bus the easiest way to get our bearings. Milan is so much bigger than I thought and even though it appears to have a great transport system with the metro , trams and buses there are still so many cars and scooters. Narrow streets and little parking seem to aggravate the whole scene. Before looking into the Duomo  we had a coffee/ chocolate and although the drinks were large so was the price! It took us quite a while to get over that especially as lunch – pizza and a glass of wine – was cheaper!
The Duomo  was really interesting. – all that marble - and the fact that it took close to 6 centuries to build. We did not venture into the great heights of the building. Security was very tight here.

Thursday saw a really early start for our trip to St Moritz. Left Milan at 7 am and drove for a couple of hours to Tirano, close to the Swiss border. This was where we were to pick up the Bernina train which travels through  alpine landscapes and a UNESCO  World  Heritage site.
This train has opening windows – you are allowed to lean out! – and although it’s freezing and snow was coming in it was brilliant. The train almost spirals its way up and you see the front of the train many times as it twists up the track. It was a little misty at the start but the higher you got it started to clear and the snow got deeper and deeper!

Arriving at St Moritz after 2 hours was breath taking with the sun just topping the mountains. The lake was totally frozen and was being groomed for a forthcoming event. I think the event which is a horse race but where the ‘jockeys’ are on skis being pulled by the horses would be the one to see! A quick look around and a coffee – comparable with Milan only better – saw us taking the bus back to Milan only this time we descended  on the other side of the mountain.

It’s  basically our last day – fly home on Sunday – so there are some other places in Milan we want to visit.
All in all a fabulous trip. We have been so lucky with the weather! “Ciao” until the next time!

From one side of Italy to the other!

Rimini, a place I remember going to in my childhood, has a number of roman ruins around. No, I  didn’t remember it -we used to stay at the beach and we are in the town.
Following advice we went to a seafood restaurant. The fried sardines were wonderful but the crab pasta was a let down as I pick out the tiny claws and body parts! We finished with what we thought was going to be a glass of limoncello when a small bottle arrived! We didn’t know whether we just poured a glass or should it be two? When the bill arrived we noticed that 2 euros had been nocked off but when I asked if the limoncello had been included the bill was taken away and came back with another euro off! We just paid that and tried to find our way back to the hotel!
It’s much colder on this side of Italy and as we were on the bus to San Marino (a country within a country, a republic) the temperature dropped the higher we went! It was certainly freezing as we were walking around but the views from so high up were spectacular. It is a duty-free place and I was able to get some perfume at a very reduced price. It’s obviously a place which is more lively in the summer. One surprise was the number of gun shops – they seemed to be everywhere!

Thursday 10th saw us drive from one side of Italy to the other. The drive was good until trying to find the car hire drop off spot – we must have passed it about 3 times before eventually noticing it. A short taxi ride bought us to our accommodation. The apartment is situated in the oldest building in La Spezia (handy for the Cinque Terra villages), and when it was being renovated they found frescoes on the ceilings which date back to the 17th century. The ceilings are amazingly high.

We have spent the day going from village to village in the Cinque Terra. Started at the furthest one, Monterosso – large beach - and spent an hour or so there then on the train to number 4 -Vernazza. Lovely little fishing village. Had a delicious lunch of anchovies, freshly caught, then ravioli with a fish sauce. Next stop Corniglia – not our favourite village. Village 2 – Manarola was very interesting and we watched how the fishermen have their boats hoisted up to the main village. Number one village – Riomaggiore was by far our favourite.
As I do not like coffee I tend to have hot chocolate and I don’t think I’ve had it the same way twice – sometimes it comes like a thick custard sounds bad but it’s actually very warming and then it thin and as you’d expect!

Florence and beyond!

Arrived in Florence in good time on the fast train and then made our way down the cobbled streets to Ponte Vecchìo. Found the accommodation quite easily because it was just around the corner from the bridge! Whilst waiting for the owner to arrive my sister and b-i-l turned up – so good to see them.

Our apartment is on the second floor and is spacious and well laid out. We were a bit concerned about the triple locks on the front door though! Luckily a supermarket is directly across the street so supplies were soon stashed away!

After a cuppa we decided to have a wander. The views  from the bridge as the daylight was disappearing were rather special but as the night drew in the bridge was bought alive with different lights /scenes playing on it.

Next day, after a late breakfast, we went in search of ‘David’ and a favourite leather shop. I had forgotten how large the Duomo is and there were long queues of people trying to get in! Found where ‘David’ was and the queues were long there as well. Found the leather shop and unfortunately there was  a jacket with my name on!! We did get some good advice from the shop owner – go to the museums at 3pm because that is when the Italians go for lunch! With this in mind we headed for lunch. Amazingly at around 3 we walked straight into see ‘David’ – no queue or wait at all!

We were not sure that his hands and feet were in proportion to the rest of him but what would we know. He’s still impressive even though I’ve seen him a couple of times!

Sunday dawned and as it was the first Sunday of the month all museums were free. As we were very close to the Uffizi gallery we got tickets and as the wait time was about 1.5 hours we nipped home for breakfast.

We spent a good 2 hours there and as well as aching feet we just could not face one more religious picture! Luckily at 2pm, outside our apartment we were able to watch the Epiphany parade. It was really spectacular. A late lunch followed and then back to the apartment to get our shoes off!

Monday dawned just as cold and beautiful as other days but no museums were opened so we wandered into unknown places 1. To increase our steps and 2. To se other parts of Florence. We pushed the boat out and had our first gelato which was delicious! The temperature during the day is down to low units 0C one morning and the paths were rather frosty!

Tuesday – Today was the day we said goodbye to my sis and b-i-l.  Sad to see them go but will catch up in about 5 months. Valda and I  headed to Rimini, on the east coast, and are now ensconced in a pleasant hotel.

Roaming in Rome!

Forgot to mention that I tried the speciality of Naples – fried pizza. It was very tasty!

On the train to the Termini in Naples a guy walked passed and I noticed he had a gun tucked into his waistband. Perhaps he was to do with the police I  thought.  I then saw him bring the gun up push in the clip and  then I started to pray! I saw the hat in his hand and it had ‘Vigilante’ on it. I was very glad when we pulled into the station and we got out unscathed!
Managed to find way to apartment but were  ripped off by the taxi driver. We have a great view of the Vatican  and it looks good lit up at night. The apartment is large and on 5th floor  - luckily there’s a lift!
As we have an early start in the Vatican we set out to find the easiest route to the meeting point – got lost a couple of times so it was a good thing we checked it out.
Today, 2/1, we headed to the Australian Embassy. My name was on the list  so I was allowed in! There were a couple of other people waiting and they had all been robbed of everything! Forms were filled in and then I was sent to get my photo taken – had to go to Miss Click (we did laugh). $193 later and I can pick it up tomorrow – it lasts for 7 months!! So that’s a job to be done when I get back.
Went to the Colosseum. So many people! I went inside many years ago and Valda did not want to join the queue so we go the Hop on/off bus and enjoyed the sights before reaching the Trevi Fountain. I think Valda thought it would just be a little non descript fountain and it was good to see the amazement on her face when she first saw it!

3/1 Today was an early start as we had to get to the Vatican by 7:15 for our early morning tour before all the tourists arrived ! It was bitterly cold as we stood for 30 minutes before entering but once in it was definitely worth the early start! There was hardly anyone around and to have time in the  Sistine Chapel to view all the art without feeling like a crushed sardine was great. We then went to St Peter’s Basilica. The artwork and tapestries were amazing and you got a crick in you neck from looking up! We saw the changing of the Swiss guard in all their finery. We took the lift to view the scene from the top of the Basilica – wow it was high up!!

By the time the tour ended we were ready for a cuppa and were able to sit down for a while. Next we headed back to the Australian Embassy to collect my emergency passport. That was already when I arrived and the staff were very pleasant although we both hoped we wouldn’t see each other again!!

A taxi ride and then the Metro once again saw us back at the Spanish Steps where we hastily entered a restaurant to get out of the cold! A good bowl of gnocchi and glass of red  soon warmed us up! We slowly ate our meal so that we could stay in the warm as long as possible but eventually we had to leave! You do notice in restaurants that they don’t believe in you having personal space! Eventually the call of a warm apartment was too strong and we headed back.
Tomorrow we are off to Florence to catch up with my sister and b-i-l.