Our previous blog focused on the amazing Sagrada Familia as it just overwhelmed our senses, so now we can focus on other interesting spots in Barcelona. Just that name conjures up a certain waiter from Fawlty Towers, but fortunately we met many funny and competent waiters bearing no resemblanceContinue reading “Barcelona!”
Category Archives: City scapes
Inspirational Gaudi…
Antoni Gaudi – What a man, what an imagination! We had been introduced to some of his works in and around Barcelona on a hop-on hop-off coach tour of this beautifully planned and laid out city… However, we were not prepared for the visual WOW! of the Sagrada Familia designed by Gaudi as an ‘exceptional placeContinue reading “Inspirational Gaudi…”
Monaco & Toulon
As we glided into Monaco, our waiter said “Now you will start to smell the money!” What an accurate description of this principality where the cost per square METRE averages 60 000 Euros, and each letter on the Yacht “Lady Moura” docked beside us is printed in 24 carat gold! We assumed that Monaco andContinue reading “Monaco & Toulon”
Livorno & Pisa
We witnessed a lovely sunrise as we approached the very busy port of Livorno in Tuscany and travelled to Pisa, home of that amazing leaning tower. En route we were surprised to pass a huge American army base. Camp Darby was first established in 1951 and is apparently the largest base outside of US territory. It seemed anContinue reading “Livorno & Pisa”
Naples – Sorrento & Pompeii
We slid into the huge port of Naples and it was not long before we were off on a long day out… Driving along the Sorrento Peninsula was interesting – we were happy not to be driving the bus on a cool and rainy day along the narrow road with so many hairpin bends! AllContinue reading “Naples – Sorrento & Pompeii”
Corfu & the Messina Straits
Our only stop in Greece was the island of Corfu. How many people remember reading “My Family and Other Animals” by Gerald Durrell?! It was such a fascinating story about his family’s experiences living on Corfu, as well as all the ‘beasties’ they nurtured. We enjoyed our scenic (hairpin) drive around the island, and seeingContinue reading “Corfu & the Messina Straits”
Croatia
After 10 days, we sadly had to say “Ciao for now!” to Italy. It has been a wonderful time and we have learnt so much from many special people – we hope to return one day. This map shows the places we will be visiting over the next 13 days on the Mediterranean. We sailed on the Viking StarContinue reading “Croatia”
Venice – Water City
And so we headed east through Northern Italy to the famous City of Water to start our cruise of the Mediterranean… We recently watched a documentary about the considerable social, economic and environmental stressors for native Venetians, and frankly it was quite tragic. Few local people can afford to live in Venice itself, so thoseContinue reading “Venice – Water City”
Florence to Turin
Our favourite market in Florence was the Mercato Centrale, literally 30 steps around the corner in San Lorenzo Square. On the ground floor are outstanding artisans – the rules ensure that only “healthy, good, tasty food” is provided and it truly was like heaven for food lovers. Outstanding seasonal fruit and vegetables, meat and fishContinue reading “Florence to Turin”
Ponte Vecchio & Galileo Museum
Of course no visit to Florence would be complete without walking across the Ponte Vecchio – the Old Bridge – across the Arno River. There have been shops here since the 13th century including butchers, fishmongers and tanners. You can imagine the pong! A happy solution: King Ferdinand 1 decreed in 1593 that only goldsmithsContinue reading “Ponte Vecchio & Galileo Museum”
2020 Travels 