Last time I wrote we were returning from South Africa at the end of a wonderful holiday, with just a hint of the chaos that was to follow. Lockdown was announced five days after our return. The rest, as they say, is history. We are grateful that we have been so fortunate and emerged relatively […]
Italy – April/May 2023
Arrivederci
So our three weeks in Italy have come to an end – its unbelievable how quickly it has flown by. I’ve given the details in previous posts but here are some of our thoughts. Italy is as wonderful as everyone has told us, the history, the scenery, the people, the coffee and the food and […]
The big empty swimming pool
Everyone says the Amalfi coast is stunning. Guess what – they are right. Amalfi is bigger than Sorrento and whilst Sorrento has the charming narrow streets and shops in abundance, Amalfi has the nicer harbour and seafront. Whilst all our hotels have been great, we quite deliberately saved the best to last. Welcome drinks, fruit […]
We can see the sea!
After the hectic pace of Rome, we have made it to the seaside. Just what we needed. And its wonderful. Sorrento’s quaint narrow streets remind us of Garda. They are so colourful with all the rich porcelain, leather and of course the lemons. I’ve never seen so many oranges and lemons growing on trees in […]
Caput Mondi
The capital of Italy, the eternal city – we made it to Rome on Friday morning. Weather was glorious and in less than 10 minutes from leaving the station, we were checking into our hotel. We had to make use of the good weather and set off for the Trevi fountain. My goodness, the crowds […]
“The best pizza, ever” he said
Italians are still in thick jackets and jumpers but we’re hardy northern Brits and 23C is summer for us. So it’s officially shorts and sun tan lotion weather, woo hoo! Yesterday after a leisurely breakfast, determined to make the most of our hop on hop off bus ticket we decided to get the bus to […]
Firenze
I know you are all desperate to find out who won the Isaacs V Insects saga on our last night in Venice – I am pleased to report that Isaacs won! The new room was a success, cool and insect and therefore bite free. A perfect end to our time in Venice After a very […]
“Venice, the most touristy place in the world, is still just completely magic to me.” – Frances Mayes
From one city beginning with a V to another and Venice is the part of the trip I was looking forward to the most. On Friday we managed to negotiate the Italian rail network and as Steven never serenaded me in Verona, the man behind me serenaded us both with his not so gentle snores. […]
Veni, Vidi, Vici Verona – except the rain won
Our three wonderful days around Lake Garda ended with a torrential downpour through the night. Still the (baby) plants and Lake need the water and it stopped for our transfer to Verona. I did think I was seeing things when we went round a massive roundabout, filled with sheep. Yes, real live sheep, loads of […]
Ciao
We have arrived and stayed a night, so I guess that’s it – we can say we’ve been to Italy🤣 Of course that doesn’t tell the story of the journey with the hand luggage debacle, the passport and security checks with triple looped queues for the transfer in Frankfurt, and then the 2 hour delay. […]