Jun 2, 2013 - Republic Day

So June 2nd is Republic Day in Italy. It was described as Italy's "Forth of July", and so I had looked online for advertisements of festivities for Venice but found none. In Rome we saw many preparations a week ahead of time but found no similar preparations in Venice on Friday. Sunday morning I asked the hotel desk attendant whether today was Republic Day, which he affirmed. However, in response to my query of whether there would be festivities, he responded: "Si, in ROME!!! In Venice it is a DARK DAY!!!". He was somewhat joking, but I...

Jun 1, 2013 - Venice

Venice was a delight! The only way to get around this city of canals is via boat or foot. We stayed in a little apartment in a residential part of the city that was just lovely. I found Venice to be one big maze and felt like a rat trying to get to the cheese. Getting where you wanted to go was trial and error going down little streets that dead ended, so you would have to turn around and start again. We all got lost multiple times but found our way in the end. Shopping in Venice was especially fun. I rediscovered my love for masks that...

May 17, 2013 - Italian Cuisine

Today we woke up and were happy to see that the weather was much better: cloudy with some sun breaks but no rain, for the most part! We bought a train ticket to La Spezia (the main train station in and out of the Cinque Terre) so we could figure out our long train ride back to Rome on Sunday. We walked around the market in La Spezia and then we hopped back on the train for a town called Riomaggiore. It is similar to the other towns: situated up a steep hill, surrounded by vineyards, has a cute center street, has a pretty harbor with lots of...

May 14, 2013 - Blown Glass and Lace

Today we slept in and ate breakfast in our hotel. After reading through the Rick Steves book, we decided to purchase an all-day public transportation (by boat) pass, so we could go on a ferry ride to the different islands near Venice. We went to two islands: Murano and Burano, with our first stop in Murano. Murano is known for its blown glass. The whole island was lined with blown glass shops. There were also huge glass pieces displayed outside throughout the island, which was amazing to see. We next went to Burano, which is known for its...

May 13, 2013 - A Sinking City

High-Five!!! No, seriously, I am giving you an air-five at this very moment… Today, we woke up, packed, and hit the road for Venice. With our luck, or lack of (in regards to public transportation), we decided to leave extra, extra time between all our connections. We hopped onto a bus from our hotel to the train station. From the train station we caught a train from Siena to Florence. Then we transferred from that train to a second train which took us into Venice. Everything ran smoothly…hence the high-five! The train station is in the...

Apr 30, 2013 - Verona to Venice

As mentioned, I got up early to take pictures in the rain of Baveno.(See previous entry) What a small quaint place! Someday I want to return to the Lake region of Italy, especially to see Lake Como and the many small towns surrounding it. Now we are off to Verona and Venice. Since we are driving across northern Italy, passed the southern fringes of the Alps, there is no chance we can get to Verona before the crowds, so upon arrival we basically are walked to the city center to see their Roman Arena. This arena is very much still in use,...

Apr 17, 2013 - Ah Venice

Today was our longest travel day. We caught the 7:20 am train at Corniglia, then transferred at La Spezia, then again at Parma, then Bologna, and we finally arrived in Venice at 2:30 pm. What a welcome when you step out of the train station. The Grand Canal! We found our accommodation with only a little difficulty. Once we got settled we wandered aroung and had a bite to eat. By four thirty the M and Ms we ate on the train weren't cutting it any more. We enjoyed some yummy homemade ravioli. Tomorrow we plan to take in some of the major...

Jan 8, 2013 - Venice

Hi we are in Venice, I found a great jigsaw shop and I am eating lots of pasta. Nick Hi this is Ben, this trip Nick has discovered his new favourite soccer player his name is Totti. I have bought 3 jerseys and soccer shorts, Nick bought a jacket, jersey and shorts. We went on a gondeiler ride it was so fun because we got to take in the real Bueaty of Venice from the water. Hope everyone is surviving the heat :)

Nov 8, 2012 - Venice

Oh my! I was able to spend an entire afternoon in Venice Italy! I felt as if I was in a movie. The buildings of st mark's plaza were spectacular. Then to top off the day we saw the most spectacular sunsets. Hope the pictures do it justice. Geek that I am I was all excited to turn on my Tv and found an English speaking star trek. I love Italy. Tonight's room is spacious but the bathroom has too much equipment in it. Then it took us all a good ten minutes to figure out how to turn the room lights on. They only work if you place your room key...

Oct 27, 2012 - The Great Escape

The Great escape We were woken in the early hours of the morning with what sounded like an air raid siren and a series of loud bursts of something that may be interpreted as a warning of potential nuclear atttack. Who knows; we never did find out. Anyways, we had planned to depart about 9am to pick up the car rental. I have to say that there are benefits to being a smoker because having to go outside to smoke I was able to discern that the water was rising to a level that would make our departure uncomfortable. The 4 of us have concluded...

Oct 20, 2012 - Venice

Hi All, Yesterday was another day to remember. We took a train trip from Florence to Venice. What an amazing city this is! As soon as you step out of the station, you are greeted with the Grand Canal of Venice! I thought Sydney Harbour was busy. This place is just crazy. Boats, boats, gondolas and more boats! As crazy as it looks, there is an actual system to it - I think. Shops of masks and more masks - all so beautifully made and the colours are so beautiful. Murano glass everywhere. It's such a crazy, hectic, wonderful place to visit....

Oct 17, 2012 - Venice day 5

Today was our last day in Venice and we decided to have a 'get lost' day where we just wander and as long as we find our way back before dark it's ok. We started by going to the Rialto and wandering further into the back streets on the other side of the canal. We saw some of the real markets here, they had fresh seafood on ice in an open shed and around the corner fresh fruit & vegetables. I couldn't tell all the types of seafood on offer but it looked and smelt very fresh, and the fruit & veges were wonderful. The only fruit I saw that we...