Blogs from Italy, Europe - page 1577

At some point today or tomorrow, Leslie is going to publish a blurb about our day yesterday. You may believe everything she says about the futuristic toilette in Castellina in Chianti, about the beauty of Chianti country and the grandeur of the medieval castles we saw, the friendliness and lovely spirit of Radda in Chianti, and the delightful surprise of finding Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament taking place in Castellina in Chianti. However, do not, for one minute, believe her when she says that we went on a walk that was described in Italian as "facile et corte", meaning easy and short. HAH!! The Italian definition of "facile" means "go up and up and up via turns and twists in the road walking through lovely woods with beautiful scents but always go up and up and ... read more

Oh my goodness! This is seriously my fourth attempt at writing this blog!!! But I had to make sure that I share Venice with you! If it wasn’t for failed connections, or limited internet access, this would have been another story to share instead it’s the same one I have written over and over again so if it is dull this time, I apologize. Actually, Amy, being the genius that she is, informed me that Microsoft Word would be helpful at this point… what would I do without Amy!??? Okay! So Venice was, is AMAZING!!!!! Much smaller than Rome, but with so much personality. We arrived @ noon, after a train ride that lasted only 4 hours. However, it was really confusing to find our way into the coach, and we ended up sitting with two ... read more

I arrived in Florence Friday afternoon after a pleasant Eurostar trip accross the countrysides of Italy. After checking into my hotel and then taking alook around I found out that Nathan & Jodie were here for the week end and also Simon & Michelle Cook (on their honeymoon) it was great to spend sometime with some Aussies for a change. Did a touch of shopping in Florence, the markets and Deli's are just great and saw a few sites.... read more

Our complementary motorboat takes you to St Mark's Square, the Doges' Palace and Bridge of Sighs. See glass and lace-making demonstrations, wander the fascinating canal side-streets and why not treat yourself to a gondola ride. Amazing day in Venice, absolutely loved it. Got up at 6.45, still drunk. Had breakfast of cereal, yoghurt, and omlette thing with bacon, and juice that tasted off (or like cheese and bacon balls according to em). Caught the 8.30 scarfie into town, which took about half an hour. Dave and Nat M spent the trip chucking up off the back of the boat, and thus began Dave's tour of the garbage bins of Venice. Venice is such a cool place, it was built on 117 islands in a virtual swap by banging in huge tree stumps for foundations, then ... read more

...With a Friend Waving Goodbye to Italy I was told the city was dirty and anomalous, lacking the breathtaking, characteristic piazzas and palazzi characteristic of most Italian cities. No famous names, but that of Cristofero Colombo, who lived in Genova many of his young years. Few tourists, no famed artists. But other sources have named it the next European capital, famed for its port life and shipping industry. So we give Genvoa a go and arrive in time to find a hotel and take a short walk before it begins raining. First impression is already impressionable. Genova lives on hill, crawling from coastline up and over the immediate ascension, growing long and strong and keeping itself hugged close to its watery edges. Honest and humble, hard working and depressed, aging and serene, this city boasts the ... read more