We arrived in wonderful Florence in a rush, by train which topped its speed at 266 kms per hour. The trip wasn’t as interesting as we had hoped as most of it was through tunnels, with only brief seconds of views of the world as we sped through stations, and into the nether world again. […]

Here are a few photos from our last day in Bologna. We visited a Library with Roman ruins under the glass floor. The Anatomical theatre where pioneering medical greats such as Galen’s gave demonstrations on human anatomy. We visited even more Medieval Museums. And a Basilica too many. We then packed for an early departure […]

We got in late from Ravenna and found our hotel superbly located in the market district of Bologna with shops and restaurants  at every turn. The aromas were intoxicating but unfortunately our hotel room was smaller than our previous bathroom. Dashing off to eat ourselves stupid we agreed to tough it out. First course. Bruschetta […]

Our last day in Ravenna began late because we were out late with dinner and a show. Fabulous food in a converted theatre showing Laurel and Hardy on the big screen. Cost $30 each. In the morning we set off in light rain across the Plaza del Populo where the local motorists all had the […]

Having left Venice on Sunday morning in the pouring rain, accompanied by rolling thunder and another rapidly rising tide, we woke in Ravenna this morning to a bright sunny sky. NO WELLIES RQUIRED. Our expensive luggage had let us down – we found that it wasn’t at all waterproof. Our room in Ravenna looked very […]

We moped about Venice for the last few days, changing our minds hourly as the tides rose and fell. Twice more we have been forced out by the flooding in our apartment, the first was on Friday so we bolted early and took the train to Padua. It was a grey and miserable day by […]

Acqua Alta alarms are loud and insistent, and I was surprised to have slept through one this morning, after a very restless night. We opened the shutters to an unusual sight – sunny blue skies, not a cloud in sight. You simply must make the most of these rare opportunities so despite the rising water […]

Having decided that we had imposed on Didi and Gorgiou the “Count and Contessa” long enough, we ventured forth into the street after donning our Must Have accessories, knee length plastic overshoes. While these come in a rainbow of colours we decided to choose blue ones. They are awkward things, difficult to get on and […]

When we first went to bed last night the water was lapping peacefully just outside our front door. By 10.30pm that had changed, a storm surge came into the laguna from the Adriatic and the expected flood level of 140cm kept going up,150, 160, and at 170 our front door burst open and the force […]

Ilze and I woke up three times this morning. We know jet lag is best beaten by keeping out and about so after tea last night we went for a short walk and only meant to go to Rialto but then there was “this”,  and then there was “that” and then “we have come this […]