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Published: March 19th 2011
Hi everyone!
It's my last night in Italy. Since my last entry I have travelled all around the country having a great time. Last entry i think I told you I was in Florence. We had a free day on the 15th to explore Florence. As I had already been there before I decided to take the train to the Cinque Terre with another girl from the tour (Abey). For those who don't know what the Cinque Terre is it is 5 small towns on a cliff joined by a walking track (google it!). I had been there the last time I was in Italy and loved it so was happy to go back.
So we got up nice and early 6am and was at the train station at 7am. We are not sure what happened to the first train it either didn't turn up, left early, or was delayed cause we ended up stuck at the train station until 8am waiting for a train to Pisa. At Pisa we had a two hour wait, so we went and had breakfast and a bit of a look around. There are some really nice buildings in Pisa outside the major tourist attractions. After the two hour wait we took the train to La Sprezia, and then from there we took another train to Riomaggoire which is the first town in the Cinque Terre. By this time it was 12pm
We completed the first walk in 15 mins was only 1 km long. We were all set to start the next walk when we were told the normal walk along the water is closed cause of the chance of landslides. So after looking at the map we decided to walk up the mountain to another town,
then across the mountain and down to the third town Cornigla. When I say mountain I am not exaggerating. It was straight up mostly stairs but extremely steep. It started to rain the moment we started the walk but we kept going. Took about an hour to reach the top. The views were amazing. You could see all villages below. From the top we walked along to banks. We were actually walking through peoples yards. There was vineyards each side. The path was really narrow, muddy and had nothing to hold onto to. On the right was the bank, on the left was nothing but a drop down the mountain. It continued to rain the whole trip! Once we had walked along the mountain we had to climb down. It was slippery and muddy as we were walking through a rainforest. The whole journey took about 2 and a half hours. We are not sure how long it was but what we can work out it was about 6 kms in total. While I nearly died on many occassions out of exhaustion it was completely worth it. The views were fantastic and the scenery you wouldn't find anywhere else. It was a pitty it rained cause the photos didn't come out fantastic.
We finished the walk around 3.30 and was starving. We hadn't eaten since 10. So looked around Cornigal looking for food but nothing was opened. We decided to take the train to the next village to try our luck there. Took another hour to find the train station!! Ended up being down about 200 steps to the bottom of the village to the station. Then it was 4.30 and we were wet and cold and hungry. We gave up on the idea of going to the last two villages and took the train back to La Sprezia. Got something quick to eat and then took the train back to Florence. We arrived back into Florance about 8pm and went and had tea. Cause we were so tired we accidentally took the wrong turn and ended up taking until 11.30 to get back to the hostel. Was the longest day I had ever had! Slept really well that night!!
Next day (16th) on the bus again to Rome. Only a 4 hour drive. We stopped in at Orvieto on the way. Orvieto is a town on a hill which you need to take a train up to it. Was a pretty town but didn't really have enough time there to look around.
Arrived in Rome around 3 and went for a walking tour around the City. The tour was great except for the fact it was raining and we all got soaked. It was pretty cold too! Saw all the major sights. I would recommend you all watch Angels and Demons (movie with Tom Hanks). All the sight in that movie is where I have been! Went back to the camping sight where we were staying and had a hot shower!
It was actually the 150th anniversary of the unification of Italy on the 17tj so it was a public holiday. There was meant to be fireworks at the colesseum and they were going to release 150 white doves to celebrate. However due to the fact that it was raining that was all cancelled.
I had a bit of a lazy morning and slept in a bit, did my washing and resorted my bag. Headed into the city around lunch time. Wondered around for a bit an then ended up in an Irish bar celebrating St Patricks day. Stayed there for 3 hours then met the group for tea.
Oh should mention that we found a gelati shop that had 120 different flavors. In two days I tried only 7!
Yesterday (18th) we left Rome and travelled to Venice. On the way we stopped at Verona. In total it was 7 and a half hours on the bus. Verona if you don't know is famous because it is where Romeo and Juilette is set. Very pretty city. It has the oldest Arena. Which was actually built before the colesseum and is still used today to hold concerts.
We are not actually staying in Venice. We are staying in Mestre which is only 10 mins away by bus.
Got up early today and headed into Venice. Stayed there until 5pm just wondering around. Did a little bit of shopping. Was a lovely day.
On the bus again tomorrow where we are leaving Italy and heading towards Austria. I actually really like the drive days as we are so busy when we are in each city that it nice to have a rest every other day. Only problem is half the tour group is now sick with a cold so I'm really hoping I don't get it.
Well that's all from me for tonight. I can't upload photos cause I'm only using my iPod (so sorry for the spelling!) will try to put some up in the next couple of days.
Hope your all well. B
ps. Oh here is a funny story I forgot to tell you: in Florence when we got up early and went to the Cinque Terre, I was really organized and had my bag packed the night before. So I got up and locked my bag and left. When we got home exhausted and tired I tried to get into my bag and realized I locked my keys in there!!! Good news/ bad news it's actually really easy to unlock the padlock with a hairslide! So yeah there is a laugh for you. How dumb!!
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Sophie
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HA! clever one locking ur keys in!! hope you dont get a cold, how are we goingto go for walks when you get back? walk around lindisfarne esplanade wont cut it for you. glad to hear your great xoxo