Day 11 : Monday 16 September 2019 : Sorrento to Florence We’re all sad to leave Sorrento, its been awesome to swim in the azure clear waters and Sorrento was surprisingly delightful in its own right. We’re off to Florence (train AUD176 prebooked). The local train back to Naples was terrible again. The fast train or frecciarossa is the most comfortable and quickest way to travel at 300kms/hr. We board that in Naples. Arrive in Florence, still hot and more people, but the City is beautiful. Everyone said to go, but I wasn’t keen, but it looks very ornate, very grand, glad we came. First task, find accommodation, then supermarket. Found it, tiny little elevator ? and we can see the Duomo from our window, so close to it all. We’re off already, to the Ponte ... read more

Day 9 : Saturday 14 September 2019 : Sorrento and Baths of Queen Giovanni Originally we were supposed to head past Amalfi to do the Northern part of the coast, but after our disastrous bus trip and our great day anyway, we agreed not to go back. Decided to keep it chill and walk to the ‘Baths of Queen Giovanni’. Not sure what it is, but seems like a little swimming hole with some ruins. Sleep in, did the washing and hung it outside the window like a true Italian (don’t want to drop it tho) and late morning headed out for our walk. Walking upwards, there were stunning views of Sorrento to be had. We took the skinny road, and then the part with no path or road verge on bends with cars flying by…..us ... read more

Day 7 : Thursday 12 September 2019 : Isle of Capri The ferry to Capri (€150) was smooth and quick. Love being on the water again, and the water is so clear and inviting. We arrive at the Capri Marina Grande harbour and there are so many boats and even more people. What to do…where to go. Jodie hits the notes and we head off to find a bus to Anacapri. Scammers offering rides. The bus (€2.5pp) is tiny, we’ll be on the next bus, this one is crammed full……wrong!! All four of us are getting on, and more, and more!!!. Not sure how, you could have picked all my pockets and I wouldn’t have felt it between the crushing people and well the bus driver was exceptional. He came within centimetres of poles and kerbs….how ... read more

Day 5 : Tuesday 10 September 2019 : Rome and the Vatican Up early to hit St Peters Basilica (€32). We were there by 8.30am and there was still a queue, but it moved quickly. The whole square is huge. Visited the Dome and walked to the top…wow what a walk, part of it is only one person wide and is on a lean, very claustrophobic and Hot! Amazing church and lovely view from the top. Onto the Vatican (€94) which was a mission to find as its not in the square. We had prebooked self guided audio tours, so walked straight through. Stunning and so much effort and money spent on it, but the rooms become much the same but interesting stories to go with them. At around 2pm we are all starving and tired ... read more

Day 3 : Sunday 8 September 2019 : Rome and the Appian Way We got up and walked the cutest back streets across to Venezia to take Bus 118 (easy to catch once you work out how to validate your ticket, on the bus!) to the Appian Way, the ancient road that the Romans used to move their troops and visited the catacombs of San Callisto (€8pp).The Catacombs don’t have any bones left in them, but they are a little creepy. The holes of the kids/babies was the worst. Interesting though. Extremely long walk home. Was heading to the Giardini degli Aranci,(Orange Gardens) but got distracted and walked back via the Colosseum and Palantine Hill, so imposing. So many people late in the day, and still hot, so decided to get some photos of the Colosseum ... read more