Southern Italy

Hi

Unfortunately we cant show any photos today since the computer wont let us!
We have left ROME and have come south. We are now in a place called Alberobella.
Over the past 2 days we have visited three strange places.
The first place is Alberobella and there are buildings called Trulli which have rooves made of stone slabs.
We then went to a place called Matera and part of this is called the Sassi. In this place they filmed the movie with Mel Gibson when he was acting being Jesus. In the movie it was meant to be in Jerusulam but in actual fact it was filmed in Sassi. There the houses are mostly carved out of the limestone rocks.
Then today we went to a third town called Ostuni with all white washed houses not quite like Greek islands but on the way!
Tomorrow we get on board a ferry to go to the famous island of Sicily where we spend a few days.
Catch you later. It may be a couple of days until I can find a computer again.

Day 34 - Murano

Well a relaxed start and finally managed to get internet connection – so downloaded 3 days at once before heading out.


Decided today to visit the island of Murano – famous for all the glass. We took a ferry to get to it. This island is also made up of about 5 bits and you have to go by bridge to get from one part to another.

Murano is all about glass – statues, necklaces, ear rings, animals, trays, vases, plates, beads etc. They seem to be able to make anything out of glass – they were fantastic in all sorts of colours, shapes and sizes - and some were very expensive – the best ones were worth many thousands of Euro’s. We decided they could wait for another rich person to do the purchasing! But they were certainly fantastic.

Unfortunately all shops had no photo signs so haven’t got any photos other than these two from outside. The blue is glass)

Once again a fantastic day – now watching Giro I’talia – found a channel that is commentating in English finally!. Off to Rome tomorrow by train to join our bus tour of Southern Italy – not sure what internet access will be like so may be erratic!

Day 30-32 Florence and Venice

Day 33 – In Venice

Well we woke this morning in Venice – bit strange after all our experiences so far.

We walked to Rialto bridge which is very famous and then tried to find a church on the other side of the canal – after getting lost and walking way past it we eventually found it – hadn’t realised how big Venice was and what a maze of streets there is. One minute you are walking with hundreds of tourists – take a turn and you are by your selves as if miles from everywhere. Prices certainly rose the closer to St Marks Square you got. There are cool shops everywhere on the island!( Shona addition)

We eventually went to St Marks Square – but it was pouring so everybody was under the shelter or had umbrellas up! We walked heaps – dodging the showers and hawkers selling bags! Great city you could obviously spend days exploring. Rain was very threatening at times – see our photo! (Shona again – so much for doing my hair!)

On the way back it was fine for a little time so all the gondola boats came out carrying people – one man was singing to them while he pushed his boat along. It sounded neat in the narrow canal.

Now recovering in hotel. ( Shona again – I don’t think I have done so much walking in my life!- Unfortunately internet has been down for a couple of days (they have the technicians in) so not sure when this will get posted!

Hopefully it will be fine so we can go and get some pizza and pasta for dinner! Tomorrow we might get on a water bus and visit some of the other islands of Burano and Murano – will depend a bit on weather!

(Shona again- this place is FANASTIC!!) Shops and eating places everywhere! Heaven!

Day 32 – Florence to Venice

Well a lazy start to the day – no pressure to arise! Wandered the streets looking further at the sites of Florence – found this amazing streets of market stalls just behind our hotel as well as market places full of fish, meat and fruit – bit smelly in places and the stands of some internal animal organs didn’t impress!

Off to the train station early – then the train was late! But all okay about 30 minutes of tunnel when we left Florence then very flat land until we got to Venice itself.

Caught our water taxi and discovered our hotel wasn’t that far from the rail station – but probably a bit far to walk! ESPECIALLY with our heavy bags and us not really knowing where we were going!!!!

Then Shona was in shoppers heaven with stall after stall within 50 metres of our hotel.

( Shona here) it was really really cool. And we have only gone one street from our hotel which is the other side of the big canal. FORGET the other side I say!!!!

Did stop for a wine – I ordered again and ended up with white wine again!!!!! was so sure I had it right too They don’t understand red! So we said Merlot -- they repeated it ! BUT wine came – must work on my Italian!!! Shona was not impressed – she ordered when we had tea later!!! ( Shona here again) I said NOW yes we do want wine! BUT not white The lady said they will probably understand more if you say it in English!!! YEAH right !!!! It made us laugh though. I think neat time I will bring pictures!!!

This is a wonderful fantastic place and can see it is going to be difficult to explore this place in only 2 days! We shall see.

Karen our travel agent you have done really well. Hotel fanastic!!

Hope you are all well at home XXXXXXXXXXXXX Shona and Barrie.

Day 31 – San Gimingano to Florence

Well last day in San Gimingano – a great place to visit. (view out our bedroom window - coolaye!)

Had a ride back to Florence about 9.30 after saying goodbye to Darren.

Once in Florence we all headed off in our different directions. After visiting our hotel (just 5 minutes from the railway station and Duomo) we went on a walk and visited many of the spots we had been to 16 years ago.

 Including the Duamo, Ponte Vecchio (shopping bridge), and joined the dozens of other tourists. Climbed the tower by the Duomo (all 410 steps – whew!) – like being in a plane from the top.

Had planned to go to the top of the cathedral but the tower is just as high so that was enough steps for one day! Feeling a bit zapped today – still getting over the cycle race I think and all the walking we did yesterday, so back to hotel relatively early for an early night – just as well since it poured just after we got back. Hopefully better weather on the other coast!

Day 29 - San Gimignano

Well last day at Fottorie del Colle – almost got used to the country life style and quietness – only broken by the sound of pigeons in the morning.

A very relaxed start and then by taxi to San Gimignano. Travelled through a fair bit of Tuscany that we had been riding on over the past few days. On the way the storm clouds gathered and as we got closer the rain pelted down – not a good sign for tomorrow’s race.
However after lunch it did start to clear – so finger’s crossed – four to six hours in the pouring rain doesn’t sound like much fun!

Arrived at the historic hilltop town of San Gimignano (still having trouble pronouncing it properly). Our hotel is fantastic – right in the middle of the town – overlooking the main piazza. With terrific views in both directions.
Even people walking in wedding gowns in the square below our window.

Went for a walk and braved ordering and Italian lunch on our own – selections worked out okay!
Terrific views everywhere and being on a hill from the hill top fort you have terrific views in every direction – my only concern was the sight of so many large hills around the horizon that we have to go around tomorrow!

Many many tourists around (us included I guess) as well as many cyclists come for tomorrow’s race or having gelato.

Oh well a large pasta tea I guess (carbo load for tomorrow) and an early night since the race starts relatively early. Chaio – catch you all tomorrow (hopefully – I suspect I will be sleeping while Shona writes any messages!

Day 27 - Pienza

Well arose to some sun showing through so fingers crossed we hoped to stay warmer and dryer today! Breakfast as usual and made plans.

Barries – cycle tour - Had to struggle once again with a 15% climb into the local town Trequanda which although only 2 km away makes it tough before being warmed up. Then a repeat of yesterdays first 20 km but without the rain and chill factor. Road to the bottom of Montepulcianao which is where we gave up shivering yesterday then on to Monticohiello which including a terrific 4 km down hill – all switch back turns just like Tour de France! 

 This is a fairly hill top small village which was apparently heavily involved with the resistance during the war (like most of this area) and had a number of local inhabitants shot by the Germans for working in the resistance and helping allied soldiers.

Wonderfully beautiful little village.

Shona caught us up here and we enjoyed another great Italian meal – mine was rabbit pasta again!! Of course including the compulsory wine (before a ride of course!!!!).

Following this another fantastic downhill – chasing Shona’s car (and passing) and then the natural steep climb again – this time up to the walled town of Pienza.

Julio shouted us some chocolate- yum, and some went and inspected a cheese shop (huge cheeses well priced (?$12 a Kg).

Managed to find a toilet before going – but oops no signs just Italian for boy and girl and couldn’t read either so had to guess – and then both were squat type and no toilet paper – oops!

There were some storm clouds gathering so we headed off rapidly to S Anna.

When there, Darren said the rain was coming so four of us headed off full steam for home with the others joining Shona in the taxi – got home just before the rain arrived!! So a great days riding – rest day tomorrow for the Grande Fondo on Sunday. Tonight we are having a barbeque dinner – Italian style.

My driver took me to see an Abby Abbazia di I think. It was fantastic.

The paintings on the wall were excellent. The detail in some of the faces was amazing.   We then drove off to lunch.   Scene after scene of Beautiful country.

It was good catching up with them for lunch. Another incredible day.

day 27 Biking

Hi I hope you are still out there?

This place is just fantastic. It is better than I expected. I would recommend this to any group who wanted to come and stay.

Today said bye to the bikers with the promise we would meet them in Montepuliciano. I had all their bags with their spare clothes in it.

Montepuliciano is another beautiful old town in a hill. As you can see from this photo. Everywhere you look there are these villages or towns on hills.

The towns as you guess, because they are on hills, have steep roads. The locals are they only ones allowed to drive through the narrow streets of the towns. This was cool because as it was raining and cool I could take photos in the van. I am glad I wasn’t driving!

We drove through the streets looking for a park these are some great shots we got of the town.

This is a photo from the town looking out.

Look at the rain cloud moving across!

After a little look around we sat and had a coffee and waited for the bikers to arrive

They were so grateful for dry clothes! They couldn’t get warm. SoDarren decided they could come back with us and then he stayed to take the bikes back.

Sun came out as we drove back. But no-one said they wanted to get back on their bikes today!!!

We had a light vegetable lunch which was wonderful. Barrie is at present nearly asleep on the bed! Tonight there is a pizza cooking lesson at 6 then tea at 8. One more day here.

I will catch you later

Hope you are all well at home.

Thinking of you all XX love  Shona and Barrie

Day 24

After a huge dinner last night (courses just kept coming!!!) we slept well in our 16th century villa.


Then a leisurely breakfast and then meet our other riding guide Julio – who didn’t speak hardly any English but made up for it with hand gestures and enthusiasm.

Part 1 of day (Barrie) – headed out on our brand new road carbon bikes – different gear systems but got to grips with that during the day as well as reminding ourselves constantly to ride on the right hand side of the road. I kept expecting to meet traffic on the sharp right hand blind corners all day!

Fantastic landscape – was chased by big threatening black clouds all day but escaped with no rain. Certainly hilly – if you weren’t going down you were going up and up and up!!!!

But gave some tremendous views of the rolling landscape - olives, crops, vines, ploughed land and large bits in bush. For the cyclists – the roads are neat to ride on very smooth and rolling and part of what we road on will be used for the Giro Italia coming up in a few weeks.

Downhills are well curved and graduated and potential to go very fast, and today at least they weren’t too steep although quite long climbs in places. Did about 75km today, but included a coffee stop and a lunch stop with local food etc in local restaurant – with Julio ordering for us!! Don’t feel too bad since only 2nd ride on 3 weeks.

Went up to the local village for gelato after the ride – but they were all closed!!!!! Tomorrow maybe.

Now resting before another huge tea I am guessing.

Now for Shona who spent the day at our place with cooking lessons with a Dutch “coach”.

I had a great day- Had to follow directions and NO I can’t cook yet!!!

We had fun altogether cooking though. My pasta was not good! The men did better. Then we had wine and ate our food. It was really super.

2nd May 2010

Day 23 – Tuscany


Lazy start to Day 1 of Tuscany Tour but unfortunately the first day of rain – which lasted most of the day. After a visit to breakfast area which was the cellar of the hotel (It had a painting of the sky on the curved ceiling)

We skyped Mum for her birthday. It was good to have a chat.

We loaded up into van with our group of Darren (tour director),Aaron, Phoebe and Bernadette (all from Australia) and headed off to Tuscany for real. On four lane most of the way – but all looks very hilly (speaking as a cyclist!). Unfortunately on way Shona was not well, necessitating two stops at a little village!

However onto our accommodation which is about two km from Trequanda – a hillside village – which we can see from one of our bedroom windows. ( Shona still vomiting so we sent her to bed!)

It is an old winery estate (still in operation) dating back to the 15th Century and for a large chunk of that time has been in one family, They operate now a number of local farms/wineries and appear to be one of the top wineries in the district with where we are staying is called Fattoria del Colle (336 hectares). They make olive oil, wine and truffles. It is an amazing place.

We certainly aren’t going to go hungry – for lunch they brought out a plate that I thought was for everyone to share – no that was just mine!!!! We also got it hinted that they get insulted if you don’t eat things!!!! Certainly full after lunch (Shona was sleeping at this stage!)

We then got a tour of the main ”villa” which was more like a museum with paintings everywhere, painted ceilings and very old stuff everywhere – the place has a very interesting with history dating back to 1500.

We then got shown the cellars and shown everything including given tips on wine tasting etc (pity Shona missed this!) and got to sample two of their better known wines. (Red).

We then got our new (not new) carbon bikes delivered that we get to use over the next few days and got them set up. Hopefully the newness of them will count when we leave tomorrow morning and have to bike the first hill up to the local village which Darren tells us is the steepest climb we will do all week – with 20% gradient – and we will have had about 1 km of practice on our new bikes before tackling it!!!

Anyway back to room Shona has appeared – and dinner (like I need more food) in an hours time. Hopefully it will be warmer and finer tomorrow.

Shona here- (next day) found the internet- feeling better - this is an amazing place. 

Day 22 - Florence

Well we are here - but no else is??? Hopefully they willbe here soon.

Grabbed our fist Italian train - coach 9 - Oh no finished at coach 7!!!! After some persistent Shonaism we got onto a carriage - I forgot to tip one guy - he reminded me!!!! Got moved seats twice but got here in the end!!

Then battled with italian and using the local bus service - after waiting about an hour finally got the right bus and now at Hotel Classic.

Walked to local Gardens Boboli -  they were huge - some climb aswell - but statues everywhere and some terrific views over Florence and the surrounding country side. Fabulous.

Now back at Hotel - there are mosquitos or a close cousin in Italy have found!!!

Time to meet our guy in charge - hopefully he has turned up.

As said before internet after today may be very chancy and may be out for a number of days -we will see.

Day 21 - Rome

Today started very fine – and stayed that way all day – we fortunately threw in hats at the last minute. Guessing but temp was in very high 20’s. Some glow on the arms tonight. Impressions of Rome – noisy, vibrant, people, vehicles, chaotic, busy, amazing.

You could easily spend days here and still not see a fraction of the city. We took a hop on hop off bus which seemed a good option (still does). Went around once (about 2 hours) then only hoped off at 2 places in the end – so plenty of options when we return!!!! Got off at Colosseo and got tickets to see the Palatino, Forum and Colosseo.

The first 2 is the area of very old roman buildings etc – and is a huge area. It was very hot and it was near mid day so enthusiasm wasn’t as high as it could have been, but a great place – I could see for someone who a roman historian buff you could be there days!

Although we had seen the Colloseum before briefly it was neat to see it again with a bit more time – it is just so big and awe inspiring – especially after seeing the film Gladiator!!!!

Following this (after the bus got stuck in a traffic jam for a while) we got off to visit the Trevi Fountain. Last time we saw this at night and our small group were the only ones there. Not today. Hundreds of people –extremely noisy and busy place so different but the fountain as neat as ever.

 We then strolled through some small narrow streets. Being in Rome we bought a Turkish kebab for tea and headed home. To hopefully get this written up.

Tomorrow off to Florence by train (a new experience on Italian trains!) and then to join our/my cycle tour. We are in a Florence hotel tomorrow night so may have access to internet, but the place we are going to after that hasn’t even got phones for us to use so strongly suggest internet may be out for at least 8 to 9 days. We shall see. Obviously if I write tomorrow we have access for the first night anyway!