Hi Everyone,
Before I start talking about three very different destinations I wanted to set the scene for you at the moment. We have just had a lovely home made tuna salad made in our room and I am sitting looking over the Adriatic Sea which is a little blown out today but nonetheless very hot thus we are not venturing back to the beach till some of the sting goes out of the sun.
FLORENCE
Not our favourite place to visit. We caught the train from Certaldo and arrived at a very large mainly chaotic terminal. First impressions not the best but obtained a map and set off to see the Galleria dell 'Accademia first off as we had an appointment to see Michelangelo's David at 11.45 as we booked tickets online. This was the most impressive and only highlight of the days visit to Florence. The crowds were unbelievable and vendors everywhere all selling the same thing throughout the entire city. Decided to get a gelato, as you do, to brighten the day to be told that two small buckets cost 15 euro a total of $21. Word of warning always ask the price as the same thing in Siena was only 6 euro.
Florence for me has been marked 'not to be returned to'.
ROME
Rome was next destination so we decided to leave the car at Orte and catch the train to Rome after hearing and reading about the streets and drivers of Rome. Chickens, you may be thinking but let me tell you once we got in the taxi from the train we knew instantly that we had made the right decision. Even the taxi driver(with good English) said that Rome drivers were mad.
Why Orte? well it was on the train line from Certaldo to Rome(the way we were heading) and far enough out of Rome not to get caught up in the mayhem of their roads.
Managed to get a car spot in white marked lines(free parking in Italy) but there was also some other sign that was not totally understood so needless to say the prayers were said so that the car would be there on our return.
We stayed in Trastevere, a suburb of Rome, 10 min max tram ride to the centre of Rome. Trastevere as it turned out is the sort after location for the Romans to live in with many restaurants - very quaint.
Just had a little break and did something very naughty. We went downstairs to the gelato bar at the front of the hotel and had the best gelato. Gail you are going to be jealous I had a small scoop of extra extra dark chocolate it was to die for among other flavours.
Back to blog. Over the three full days we did all the usual touristy spots eg. Piazza Navona and the church of Saint Agnese in Agone,
Pantheon and Piazza Della Rotonda,
,
Trevi Fountain,
Spanish Steps,
Colosseum and some of the Roman Forum.
Also it took us most of one day to see Vatican City with St Peter's Basilica, the Vatican Museums and the Sistine Chapel. This particular day started with us of course getting lost. We thought we had it sorted- got off the tram onto bus 64 but we found out at the end of the route that we had gone the wrong way. So instead of us being at Vatican city we were at the other side of Rome. It would be like, as Mez was saying, catching a bus at Gladesville thinking you were going to the city and ending up at Parramatta. Lucky we asked and were put on the right bus - got a good view of the streets of Rome our own private bus tour.
We also decided to get smart and to book the Vatican City tours online at a cost of an extra $6 each to avoid the queues only to find there were no queues at all except for the massive one in 200 degree heat to St Peter's and the pre booked tickets didn't work as all churches in Rome have free entry. Mez's comment ' no wonder the church in Rome is wealthy getting money for nothing' - too true.
We met some very helpful young Italians at a bar that we found where all the locals hangout- the only original bar still operating in Rome. The old Italian guys take their tables and sit in the middle of the small car park off the bar and play cards. It became our local as well before we went out to dinner each night-cheap beer and wine.
We had some great conversations with the locals and a few younger ones just graduated from Uni think that we (Australia) are a wise country looking to the future not like Italy - interesting.
One evening, on local advice, we went to a restaurant- pizzeria. Had to queue up along the footpath at 9.45- everyone eats late in Italy they don't think of going out to dinner until at least 9. Haven't seen anything like this place before in my life. Hundreds of pizzas being made so fast it was an experience just to watch, people yelling orders, waiters running, wine and food being consumed by at least 400 people all at once and it was in the total control of two very assertive Italian Mummas. The atmosphere was electric and the goings on had to be seen to be believed.
Rome is a lovely city and there is so much to see that it does not seem too crowded and touristy as other places even in peak season. After a busy few days we boarded the train back to Orte and to hopefully the car.
Boarding - what an experience- people pushing and shoving as if they needed to get on the last train out of a burning city, all with suitcases and here we were with two very large suitcases and backpacks. I tried to get the suitcases on the train while Mez held back the manic crowd. Two girls in their 20s were particularly pushy and all over us shoving us all the way to our seats. After settling into our designated seats I found that all the zips on my backpack had been undone and of course panic set in as to what was missing. Those prayers must have been answered on this day as nothing was taken. We think only for the fact that Mez kept one of them behind her and she couldn't get to me was what saved a certain disaster. So its not the usual suspects that you think are pick pockets.
And the car - yes it was there.
SENIGALLIA
Trip to Senigallia on the east coast was uneventful which was just lovely. We are in a coastal town not like anything back home. Surfers Paradise and Coolangatta don't have anything on this place but in a strange way it is really good as it is where all the Italians go for their annual holiday. Not much English is spoken as there are not too many tourists. The beach is about 10ks long and every inch is taken up with beach umbrellas and sun lounges, of all colours, all set out in neat rows with only a few gaps for the free parts where you don't pay to enjoy the water.
Vendors with their goods line the shore and are frequented by the locals who constantly stroll up and down.
At the back of all this near the road there are all sorts of games that you can play if you feel energetic that are there to entertain you such as beach volleyball, half court basketball, soccer volleyball where you can only use your feet and head to propel the ball over the high net( very athletic), racquetball, sand bowls, sand boccie, lawn bowls on synthetic grass or as we saw today the old guys had created their own green on the hard wet sand. Every inch of land is taken up with competitions that attract the passing crowds to stop and watch. Yes, Jessie you and all those competitive souls that I know would love this place for a short time.
We look out of place here, every one looks at us as if we have two heads. Firstly we are probably the whitest on the beach, we don't speak the language and we really do not look like true Italians(probably because we aren't). I had to buy a bikini top at a local vendor didn't know if it would fit or if it would fall apart when wet(it was very cheap- $7). I couldn't wear my normal swimmers I was so out of place even the oldest wear two piece swimmers and they don't seem to care what they look like in fact they seem proud of who they are no matter what the shape. Its such a great way to be I would love it if we were like this in Aussie land.
So far we have spent our days people watching(one of my favourite pastimes) laying on the beach in the shade most of the time. Bike riding(hired bikes) as well, as they have special very wide lanes, as everyone rides a bike cars are not the norm.
We have had a very relaxing and interesting time here it has been good.
Tomorrow we are heading to a small town outside Venice for two nights.
Hope you are all safe and well.
love Ann
Before I start talking about three very different destinations I wanted to set the scene for you at the moment. We have just had a lovely home made tuna salad made in our room and I am sitting looking over the Adriatic Sea which is a little blown out today but nonetheless very hot thus we are not venturing back to the beach till some of the sting goes out of the sun.
FLORENCE
Not our favourite place to visit. We caught the train from Certaldo and arrived at a very large mainly chaotic terminal. First impressions not the best but obtained a map and set off to see the Galleria dell 'Accademia first off as we had an appointment to see Michelangelo's David at 11.45 as we booked tickets online. This was the most impressive and only highlight of the days visit to Florence. The crowds were unbelievable and vendors everywhere all selling the same thing throughout the entire city. Decided to get a gelato, as you do, to brighten the day to be told that two small buckets cost 15 euro a total of $21. Word of warning always ask the price as the same thing in Siena was only 6 euro.
Florence for me has been marked 'not to be returned to'.
 |
| Above and below are pics of The Duomo(Cattedrale Di Santa Maria del Fiore) |
 |
| Street leading up to The Duomo |
 |
| The Ponte Vecchio - the oldest bridge in Florence. In 1500s butchers and tanners lined the bridge but today the descendants of goldsmiths and diamond cutters in medieval- looking boutiques sell the most expensive jewels. |
 |
| Street vendors are everywhere. |
ROME
Rome was next destination so we decided to leave the car at Orte and catch the train to Rome after hearing and reading about the streets and drivers of Rome. Chickens, you may be thinking but let me tell you once we got in the taxi from the train we knew instantly that we had made the right decision. Even the taxi driver(with good English) said that Rome drivers were mad.
Why Orte? well it was on the train line from Certaldo to Rome(the way we were heading) and far enough out of Rome not to get caught up in the mayhem of their roads.
Managed to get a car spot in white marked lines(free parking in Italy) but there was also some other sign that was not totally understood so needless to say the prayers were said so that the car would be there on our return.
We stayed in Trastevere, a suburb of Rome, 10 min max tram ride to the centre of Rome. Trastevere as it turned out is the sort after location for the Romans to live in with many restaurants - very quaint.
Just had a little break and did something very naughty. We went downstairs to the gelato bar at the front of the hotel and had the best gelato. Gail you are going to be jealous I had a small scoop of extra extra dark chocolate it was to die for among other flavours.
Back to blog. Over the three full days we did all the usual touristy spots eg. Piazza Navona and the church of Saint Agnese in Agone,
Pantheon and Piazza Della Rotonda,
,
 |
| trying to figure the next corner to turn in Piazza Della Rotonda |
 |
| Some German tourists asked us to take their photo and them ours |
 |
| Street leading to the Spanish steps lined with very expensive shops |
 |
| Top of the steps they were too busy to get a clear pic |
Colosseum and some of the Roman Forum.
 |
| Very touristy sporting a hat bought from a side walk vendor |
Also it took us most of one day to see Vatican City with St Peter's Basilica, the Vatican Museums and the Sistine Chapel. This particular day started with us of course getting lost. We thought we had it sorted- got off the tram onto bus 64 but we found out at the end of the route that we had gone the wrong way. So instead of us being at Vatican city we were at the other side of Rome. It would be like, as Mez was saying, catching a bus at Gladesville thinking you were going to the city and ending up at Parramatta. Lucky we asked and were put on the right bus - got a good view of the streets of Rome our own private bus tour.
We also decided to get smart and to book the Vatican City tours online at a cost of an extra $6 each to avoid the queues only to find there were no queues at all except for the massive one in 200 degree heat to St Peter's and the pre booked tickets didn't work as all churches in Rome have free entry. Mez's comment ' no wonder the church in Rome is wealthy getting money for nothing' - too true.
 |
| The wall behind the alter of the Sistine Chapel. It was so very impressive but I imagined the chapel to be more showy. |
 |
| Vatican Museum |
 |
| Watching over all the treasure of the Basilica |
 |
| A rare pic of St Peter's without the massive crowds |
 |
| To see Michelangelo's Pieta was worth every minute waiting, every bead of sweat in the heat. It unfortunately, since 1972, has to be protected by bullet-proof glass after an axe-wielding fanatic attacked it. It is truly a masterpiece. |
We met some very helpful young Italians at a bar that we found where all the locals hangout- the only original bar still operating in Rome. The old Italian guys take their tables and sit in the middle of the small car park off the bar and play cards. It became our local as well before we went out to dinner each night-cheap beer and wine.
We had some great conversations with the locals and a few younger ones just graduated from Uni think that we (Australia) are a wise country looking to the future not like Italy - interesting.
 |
| Bar Calisto - just behind me is the car park where they all play cards- great find. |
One evening, on local advice, we went to a restaurant- pizzeria. Had to queue up along the footpath at 9.45- everyone eats late in Italy they don't think of going out to dinner until at least 9. Haven't seen anything like this place before in my life. Hundreds of pizzas being made so fast it was an experience just to watch, people yelling orders, waiters running, wine and food being consumed by at least 400 people all at once and it was in the total control of two very assertive Italian Mummas. The atmosphere was electric and the goings on had to be seen to be believed.
 |
| Queuing for a seat(notice I am in most pictures on this post that's because Mez is the typical tourist with a camera in readiness on all occasions). |
Rome is a lovely city and there is so much to see that it does not seem too crowded and touristy as other places even in peak season. After a busy few days we boarded the train back to Orte and to hopefully the car.
Boarding - what an experience- people pushing and shoving as if they needed to get on the last train out of a burning city, all with suitcases and here we were with two very large suitcases and backpacks. I tried to get the suitcases on the train while Mez held back the manic crowd. Two girls in their 20s were particularly pushy and all over us shoving us all the way to our seats. After settling into our designated seats I found that all the zips on my backpack had been undone and of course panic set in as to what was missing. Those prayers must have been answered on this day as nothing was taken. We think only for the fact that Mez kept one of them behind her and she couldn't get to me was what saved a certain disaster. So its not the usual suspects that you think are pick pockets.
And the car - yes it was there.
SENIGALLIA
Trip to Senigallia on the east coast was uneventful which was just lovely. We are in a coastal town not like anything back home. Surfers Paradise and Coolangatta don't have anything on this place but in a strange way it is really good as it is where all the Italians go for their annual holiday. Not much English is spoken as there are not too many tourists. The beach is about 10ks long and every inch is taken up with beach umbrellas and sun lounges, of all colours, all set out in neat rows with only a few gaps for the free parts where you don't pay to enjoy the water.
 |
| Mez relaxing o our allocated sun lounges |
 |
| Rows and rows |
 |
| Behind me one of the few free stretches of beach. |
Vendors with their goods line the shore and are frequented by the locals who constantly stroll up and down.
 |
| Vendors on the beach - this was a rough day on the beach as the (nor easter) was blowing but only about hip deep miles out |
At the back of all this near the road there are all sorts of games that you can play if you feel energetic that are there to entertain you such as beach volleyball, half court basketball, soccer volleyball where you can only use your feet and head to propel the ball over the high net( very athletic), racquetball, sand bowls, sand boccie, lawn bowls on synthetic grass or as we saw today the old guys had created their own green on the hard wet sand. Every inch of land is taken up with competitions that attract the passing crowds to stop and watch. Yes, Jessie you and all those competitive souls that I know would love this place for a short time.
 |
| The oldies with their home made green |
 |
| One of the many courts and games that are played |
We look out of place here, every one looks at us as if we have two heads. Firstly we are probably the whitest on the beach, we don't speak the language and we really do not look like true Italians(probably because we aren't). I had to buy a bikini top at a local vendor didn't know if it would fit or if it would fall apart when wet(it was very cheap- $7). I couldn't wear my normal swimmers I was so out of place even the oldest wear two piece swimmers and they don't seem to care what they look like in fact they seem proud of who they are no matter what the shape. Its such a great way to be I would love it if we were like this in Aussie land.
So far we have spent our days people watching(one of my favourite pastimes) laying on the beach in the shade most of the time. Bike riding(hired bikes) as well, as they have special very wide lanes, as everyone rides a bike cars are not the norm.
 |
| Best view of me on our bikes heading to the supermarket to buy salad for dinner. This is a quiet time in the cycle lane. |
 |
| Entrance to there area we had to go to on the beach because of the hotel we were in. Just so happens that we had green and gold umbrellas- meant to be. |
 |
| Afternoon strolls by the locals |
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| Even the umbrellas have to go to bed |
We have had a very relaxing and interesting time here it has been good.
Tomorrow we are heading to a small town outside Venice for two nights.
Hope you are all safe and well.
love Ann
I don't think you'll admit it, but I know that you are now addicted to blogging. I'm loving it!
ReplyDeleteGlad you finally sound like you getting some r & r
ReplyDeleteDying for chocolate now lol