Blogs from Europe

April 21 Last night I asked the desk for a Tapas Bar close by. Following his directions I came upon the source of last night’s activity. Not a protest, not a political demonstration but rather a religious parade of a sort with drums, Roman candles, little devils and a dragon. Everyone seemed to be enjoying the show so I did too. I never found the place recommended but did find a small restaurant where I settled in with a view of the street with a glass of wine and a bowl of mussels . Might go there again today. One hour to Basilica. Wish it was warmer and the sun was shining but you can’t have is all, all the time. Entered on time and roamed around visiting all the remembered spots. Unfortunately it was overcast ... read more

Crossing another country off my bucket list! Technically I have been to the UK before when I was one and a half but I have never been to Scotland. Castle ruins, abbey ruins, amazing scenery and the Scottish accent are the reasons I have long wanted to visit. SAS had a great sale where I was actually able to fly into Edinburgh for not a lot of money. I booked the flight back in August and finally the day arrived to leave! Original flight plan was O'Hare to Stockholm, 11 hour layover which would allow me to get out and explore a little bit and then on to Edinburgh. However SAS changed the itinerary and here is how my travel day went. I worked until 2, did some last minute stuff at the house and then ... read more

Back when I was an active tennis player, I had the goal of attending the four Grand Slam events. I doubt if I will make it back to Australia, but one never knows? From Passing Thru Travel, about the Grand Slam of Tennis: Embarking on the Grand Slam circuit is way more than a journey through the world of elite tennis; it’s an exploration of diverse cultures, cities, and the spirit of competition that defines the sport at its highest level. Each tournament offers a unique blend of athletic excellence and cultural experience, reflecting the distinct character of its host city. From the sun-drenched courts of the Australian Open to the historic lawns of Wimbledon, the clay of Roland-Garros, and the hardcourts of the US Open, the Grand Slam tournaments are all about the trophies and ... read more

Today we decided to go to Mount Etna. We consulted Google Maps and then got into the Volkswagen Taigo and we were ready to go. Pedro has been doing very well with his Sicilian driving. It seems that he may have some Italian heritage as the roundabouts and driving have not been very difficult for him. The trip was supposed to take about an hour from Giardini Naxos to Etna. We navigated the tollway and then off to the side roads through the small towns. We followed one of the tour buses part of the way, but we were able to overtake it on a straightaway. We were glad we were in a small vehicle as we navigated the small towns along the route. At Etna we made our way to the center of the assortment ... read more

April 19 Packed up and ready to go. No room service today unlike in the past so I dressed and dragged my carryon, cane and pocket book to the Lido. A packed house. Circled the dining room twice but no seat available. Sat in a random chair until I spied an empty table. Asked the server to wipe it down and that was the last I saw of her. Went to the coffee bar, no cups and when the cups arrived, no coffee. Returned to my table and another server took my order for coffee and juice. Never saw him again. Finally decided to leave. Snagged a wheelchair and proceeded smoothly through customs and immigration, snagged a porter and we three headed to the taxi stand along with about a hundred of my best friends. That ... read more