It’s said that you shouldn’t re-visit places you’ve already been to. That it won’t be as good the second time around. That’s partly true for us on this trip, as we’ve had our share of disappointments. Not so for Florence. Fabulous Florence. We woke this morning to thick fog, wet pavements – did it rain […]

“DARLING, THERE IS A CAMEL IN MY SOUP” Yesterday was a day of near misses. We travelled to Florence by bus from Sienna and then by train to Lucca. The time table for the departure of the bus said 10.10am. Arriving at the bus station meant a downhill walk, thankfully for one last time, through […]

FOUR PEAKS. Or. A failure to Blog. We were not going to blog today as we had planned to go off on the local bus to the famous mountain top town of San Gimignano. Only 25kms away and E6.80 and a must see according to the Lonely Planet guide and just about every other travel […]

We were woken this morning by more earth tremors, the second time in less than a week, first in Rome and now Siena.  In contrast, despite the number of times we have been to New Zealand (the so-called Shaky Isles) we have never experienced even a slight hiccup there. We decided this morning to go […]

Life begins early in the Cloisters of the Carmine Monks. Woken by the smell of coffee at the crack of 8.45am.  I look out of the window at the vast expanse of terracotta roof tiles towards the near by Basilica and the distant Duomo. I once more descend the marble stair case, pausebriefly to look […]

It’s another glorious sunny day in Sienna, so we’re off to do some exploring.  But the first priority is the washing of the jocks and socks!  A coin operated laundry is conveniently located just around the corner from our accommodation.  An hour, 6 Euros, and Job done. Walking through the streets of Siena is absolutely […]

ROME TO SIENNA. When planning this holiday nearly three years ago, Sienna was on the must do list after skipping it last time. That was the greatest of mistakes. We chose to come by bus, as it passed through some interesting towns,and we thought the slower speed would enable us to get a better look […]

Buon giorno amici! It’s Wednesday, and our only full day in Roma. And, of course, it’s raining. Never mind, on with the raincoats and off to the Paletine, Rome’s ancient ruins and the place where Julius Caesar (and many famous others), walked the walk , talked the talk and came to grief in the Forum. […]

NAPLES TO ROME. It is often said that you don’t get what you wish for. In one of yesterdays few quiet moments Ilze said, “do you know we have been here a week and have not yet been inside a church” Fatal words. First there was the Chiesa of the Sisters of Santa Chiara and […]

SUNDAY Another bright and early start today, thanks to the Sisters and their bells.  After a leisurely breakfast we decided to use our 3 day pass and go up to the Vomero on the funicular rail.  We expected sensational views on the way up but were disappointed as most of the journey was through a […]