Col and Lyn

At the foot of the Juliaen Prealps, on Via Augustus that connected Aquileia with Norienna (Austria), Fruili is a series of fortified towns dating from Roman times. Lombards came from Norway through the central plains of Europe in the 5th century, settled and controlled the area until its was annexed to the Republic of Venica in 1420, fell under Austrian rule in 1798, belonged to France for a short time and oscillated between Austria & Italy until annexed by Italy in 1866. What about Yugoslavia, just over the lesser hills? The people mostly speak their own language, Fruileano, rather than Italian and many don't move far from the village in which they were born. That is, apart from all those Fruili folks who emigrated to Australia in the 60's. Our friends live in Gemona del Fruili ... read more

I've listed a few things I found in the week or so we spent in Greece on our way to Italy - 1. In half an hour of arriving I fell in love again with the Greece I remembered from 30 yrs ago! It only took some friendly taxi drivers, lots laid back people and the beautiful Acropolis and I was hooked. Of course the friendly carefree mood I love is perhaps the country's biggest problem as they struggle with a huge deficit and await an EU bailout. 2. The statues are all still mainly headless- except for a lucky few like the “Hermes” and “The Charioteer of Delphi” which were buried unbroken and found intact centuries later. 3. Lord Elgin is not popular! The new museum is ready and waiting for the Parthenon friezes to ... read more

When we were staying in Kemer 9 further back along the coast towards Antalya) 2 years ago, we went by bus to Aspendos to see an opera being performed in one of the largest and best preserved Roman theatres still in use today. It has seating for 15000 people and we took our cushions as the Romans used to do to sit comfortably on the hard seats. We noticed we were the only ones on the bus with cushions as the others knew we were actually going to a replica theatre nearby called the new Aspendos (now Troy), not for opera but a Turkish version of River Dance. Classic case of confusion caused by language difficulties! Well we finally made it, but unfortunately the opera and ballet don't start until June. On our way to Cappadocia ... read more

After a couple of quiet 'blog' years we're back with a 2011 European trip to Turkey, Greece, Italy and London. First off is a month in Turkey 'cos we liked it so much last time. But this time we aren't doing long distance driving to get around the country but instead are using Dalyan as our base. It is still pre-tourist season and we are enjoyingy village life before we head on further. Dalyan lies between the sea and Lake Koycegiz on a loop of the river. Separating town and Turtle beach are lagoons and water canals where the rushes stand 5 metres high. You wind your way through them on little flat bottom boats to get down to the beach. The other end of the beach is where the Caretta Caretta (Loggerhead) turtles lay their ... read more

What a difference a day makes! Our 5 days in Heviz were so relaxing and quiet after the busy bussle of being tourists in Vienna and Prague. The four of us just stopped and enjoyed a holiday in this small spa town at the end od Lake Balaton. If you haven't experienced a European Spa then it is a memorable thing to do if you ever get the chance. Heviz is famous as having the largest European hot spring lake (the biggest in the world in is Rotorua) and the whole town is devoted to providing for people who come to 'take the waters'. This spa is said to cure everything from a sore toe to arthritis and everyone takes it very seriously. No running, jumping or having fun here. Those in the water are quiet ... read more