Europe

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Well, this blog won't let me list more than one country, but this summer Linda and I along with Wendy, Linda's sister, and Marlys, Linda's mother traveled to London, Venice and Northern Italy, Croatia, Athens and various Greek islands. These islands included Mykkonos, Corfu, and on the Peleponese, Katakolon (where we took a train to Olympia, and walked around the ruins of the Olympic village where they still start the Olympic tourch). I enjoyed Italy the most. I was able to practice speaking Italian, and try to get a little more fluent. Greece was more challenging because I don't speak or read a word of Greek. Mykkonos was very exotic and beautiful. We toured the island of Corfu, and had a cab driver/tour guide give us a guided tour. Let me tell you: that's worth the price. Split four ways, the fourty euros wasn't much for what we got. We drove throuth the mountains to the other side of the island. Saw deep blue coves from high in the hills, and up close; drove through little villages; stopped at a small winery and olive farm; went to a monistary that overlooks the Adriatic. ...On this trip, we took Rick Steves' advice and explored Europe through the back door, trying to avoid being obnoxious tourists and "ugly Americans".
I was impressed with Venice. Once you get away from the crowds of tourists in St. Mark's Square the twisting streets and canals are facinating. Here and there one can come upon an interesting local shop that sells more than just tourist stuff. We found a little wine shop where locals buy their wine. It was on tap, a liter costs about three euros, and it was good. We then found a small dellicatessin, bought some salami, bread and olives, and had a picnic by the Grand Canale.
The first night in Italy we stayed in Mestre, in a very nice hotel called Hotel Centrale. It was a very nice place, but inexpensive, and within close walking distance from old-town piazzas (town squares or plazzas). There was a celebration going on, and a big running race in the main piazza. We then stayed in a very nice bed and breakfast called Ca Florian. I'd recommend Ca Florian (about 20 miles from Venice). The rooms are spacious, newly renovated, and the people running the place friendly and helpful.
We rented a car, but even with a map it was hard to find our way around. Other than the autostrada, the highways are narrow, and markings confusing. Getting around was fun though. It was easiest to park our car and take a train. From Ca Florian it is about five miles to the train station where you can park and take a train to Venice, or to Bassano Del Grappa at the foot of the Alps. There are a lot of nice bicycle trails around Ca Florian as well. It's in a natural reserve area.
London was overwhelming. There is so much to see and do. When we got there, there was a 'tube' strike, so we had to take the bus for a couple of days. That turned out to be a good thing, because we got to see a lot of the city that we'd have missed if we'd taken the underground. Later, the strike ended and we were able to get around a lot faster on the tube. It was worth buying a London Pass and Travel Pass. With that you get into places such as museums and attractions like the Tower of London and don't have to wait in lines, and you use the Travel Pass to ride busses and the Underground. It was also good for a river tour.
Croatia was a surprise. It was beautiful. We toured a small city called Split. There were ancient Roman ruins where the emperior Diocletian had built his retirement palace complex. Modern shops were built right into the ancient walls of the palace... Getting away from the tourists, we walked up narrow medieval-like roads into the hills where a botanical gardens was. I'd recommend hiking there. Part of the trail overlooks the adriatic. It's a great place for a picnic.
Later... David

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Photos

The Europe Trip 2009
Having Fun In Europe

Looking at the Adriatic
From the Botanical Gardens near Split, Croatia

Split, Croatia
Linda overlooking the town and the Adriatic

Corfu
At the monestary

Corfu
From the monestary on Corfu

Athens
The Temple of Nike at the Acropolis

Mykonos
Linda and Wendy at Mykonos

Mykonos
Windmills on Mykonos

Mykonos
Mykonos claims 365 churches, one for every day of the year. They're very small though.

Venice
Bridge in the evening light

Venice
Linda and David at a small pizzaria by the Grand Canale

Venice
Canale

Venice
Wendy, Linda and Marlys in Venice

Venice
Canale

Venice
Shrine on a Wall

Venice
Wendy and Linda

Venice
Wendy and Marlys, St. Marks Square

Bassano Del Grappa, Italy
Thousand Year Old Bridge in the Old Town

Bassano Del Grappa, Italy
Looking from the Old Town, across the river to the foot hills of the Alps

London
The Tower of London

London
View from the Thames