Greetings All,
Everyone is up and ready for a 10:00 a.m. departure to Orvieto, a hill town which is approximately a hour and a half drive away. We hook up with Geoff and Tracy. Sandra, Keith and Amy are in another car with John and Adrienne leading the way. The convoy has Keith in the middle as he hugs Johns bumper so not to get lost. John take us through back roads to Orvieto through some spectacular countryside.
Orvieto and our first incident of the day. Keith mistakes John's hand signals and steals his parking spot. We of course see this a have a good laugh at their expense and remark we are sure John has a few choice words for Keith. Parking cost 2 Euros for two hours and Keith in his brillance uses his credit card rather than coin. You guessed it the card gets stuck in the machine. Well we all gather around push buttons trying to get the card to eject. No one has tweezers and they think because I have long nails I can get the card out. For anybody who has had acrylic nails, they are useless as they are too thick. Keith's luck is with him because he finds a flat thin wire which he fashions into tweezers and gets out his card. We all rib him saying that it happened because he stole Johns spot. The first stop of the day is at the Duomo (or Cathedral). The cathedral was built in 1330, has one of Italys most liveliest facades and has been compared to a medieval altar. The marble pillars tell a biblical storey starting from the creation of the world to judgement day and hell. The bronze statues represent the 4 evangelists, the Angel (Matthew), the Lion (Mark), the Bull (Luke) and the Eagle (John). Surprisingly the inside of the church is small in reference to the outside. There is a sign that appears to say "No Pictures" and we see someone inside taking pictures. Of course Fred and I comment about people who cannot follow instructions; this as it has been a thorn in our side on many occasions in various locations. We soon spy Adrienne taking pictures, she catches our look, smiles and asks what is wrong. So we tell her. It turns out that we did not read the sign properly. When the picture of the camera has a flash on it with the diagonal line, the sign means no flash photography and not no photographs. We then take a short walk around the town and have some gelato before heading off to our next destination.
Civita di Bagnoregio is the ultimate hill town in the area. In existence since Etruscan and ancient Roman times. The architecture in Civita is medieval as this is really two towns that were joined by a donkey path and bridge which were bombed in WW II. Today's bridge is a modern walking bridge built in 1965 and is quite the hike. Amy sits outside the Gelateria as she does not want to go back to the villa with John and Adrienne. The six of us troop off with three of the group uncomfortable with heights. I'm complaining because there is no place to really hang over and get a sense of how high we really are. The six of us grab sandwiches, wine, beer and water at a little cafe in Civita. It's here that we meet a group of Canadians from Richmond Hill, London, Mississauga , St Catherines and Windsor. I hear a camera clicking like mad and someone makes a comment about how many pictures are you taking? His answer is this way I know at least one will turn out, of course I shout "my kind of photographer!!" We order a sandwich for Amy who is still waiting on the other side of the bridge. Keith and Sandra have a quick walk about town and then head off to meet her. We continue to explore the town and a lady who is 80 plus offers us the use of her backyard to take pictures of the valley below. We kindly pass. Now we know how the old dears of the town make their money. The town was up until recently slowly dying because of the age of the population was 80 plus but rich Romans and Florentines are slowly buying up property and renovating for summer homes. As well we explore a cave like area that was a chapel in days gone by.
We are now head off to Spoleto with Geoff and Tracey to find one of the oldest churchs in the world. After much driving round through narrow streets we give up and head back to the villa having decided to try our luck finding it tomorrow.
Dinner is asausage risotto, salad of tomatoes, buffalo mozeralla, lettuce, basil, olive oil and balsamic vinegar. Dessert is fruit cake and stollen. Of course copious amounts of wine. It's now bed time and off to new adventures tomorrow.
Bouna Sera,
Sandy & Fred
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
Monday, September 29, 2008
Todi Bound with whole Family - Sept 28, 2008
Buon giorno All,
After breakfast we get a late start into Todi. Adrienne has booked a pizza place for lunch for the group for 1:00 p.m. John trys to get parking at the top of the town so that Amy does not have to walk too far, unfortunately because it is Sunday the parking lots are full with the churchgoers. So we all park at the bottom and take the funicular to the top and then have to walk up the hill and down to the pizza joint. A long slow process as Amy now tires easily. The view from the restaurant overlooks the valley and once again it is breathtaking. However it is chilly as we are outside and not in the sun and the wind comes across rather brisk. Margherita, prosciutto, prosciutto and funghi (mushrooms), porchini and salami and asparagus are the pizza's ordered. They are huge!! We end up taking home a box of leftovers of three different types.
We head back to the villa to relax and everyone does their own thing. Amy and I sit on the veranda out of the wind but in the sun and chat. She asks about Jonathan and Amy's Wedding plans and all about Christopher and Japan. I guess she has finally mellowed on that subject.
Supper is once again a three course special. I ask for a small portion of the appetizer, which is spaghetti with porchini and panchetta sauce, the main course is veal and roast vegetables. Fred and I got to do the veggies over a open wood fire. Of Course I did way to many veggies but my god were they good cooked over an open wood fire.
Dinner conversation was most interesting we talked about maids and the quality of their work. John and Adrienne have one and so do Keith and Sandra. Of course I jump in with both feet, fire them if they can't do their job!! Well then off to bed for everyone, tomorrow should prove to be an interesting day.
Buona Sera all,
Sandy & Fred
After breakfast we get a late start into Todi. Adrienne has booked a pizza place for lunch for the group for 1:00 p.m. John trys to get parking at the top of the town so that Amy does not have to walk too far, unfortunately because it is Sunday the parking lots are full with the churchgoers. So we all park at the bottom and take the funicular to the top and then have to walk up the hill and down to the pizza joint. A long slow process as Amy now tires easily. The view from the restaurant overlooks the valley and once again it is breathtaking. However it is chilly as we are outside and not in the sun and the wind comes across rather brisk. Margherita, prosciutto, prosciutto and funghi (mushrooms), porchini and salami and asparagus are the pizza's ordered. They are huge!! We end up taking home a box of leftovers of three different types.
We head back to the villa to relax and everyone does their own thing. Amy and I sit on the veranda out of the wind but in the sun and chat. She asks about Jonathan and Amy's Wedding plans and all about Christopher and Japan. I guess she has finally mellowed on that subject.
Supper is once again a three course special. I ask for a small portion of the appetizer, which is spaghetti with porchini and panchetta sauce, the main course is veal and roast vegetables. Fred and I got to do the veggies over a open wood fire. Of Course I did way to many veggies but my god were they good cooked over an open wood fire.
Dinner conversation was most interesting we talked about maids and the quality of their work. John and Adrienne have one and so do Keith and Sandra. Of course I jump in with both feet, fire them if they can't do their job!! Well then off to bed for everyone, tomorrow should prove to be an interesting day.
Buona Sera all,
Sandy & Fred
Sunday, September 28, 2008
Mandorelle, the Villa - Sept 27, 2008
Today was our first full day at the Villa (you can view the villa's website at http://www.lemandorelle.com/). The countryside is breathtaking. From the veranda on one side we overlook Todi and on the other and neighbouring farms. There are vegetable, herb, and flower gardens all for our use as well as fruit trees, including a pomegranate tree. There is a pool, however it is cold. It really is fall weather so sunbathing and swimming are out of the question.
In the morning John, Adrienne, Fred and myself head off to Perugia to do shopping for the family for three days of meals. We have a slight detour around town looking for the supermarket before we finally arrive. The place is massive and it takes us two hours to get supplies in for the gang. We just get things unloaded and put away when the balance of the family arrives. Fred's Mom, Amy is exhausted so we get her off to bed for some much needed rest while the rest fill in the afternoon by watching a footie match (Fred & John) Liverpool win 2-0, Tracey, Geoff, Sandra and Keith take Portia for a walk into nearby village of Monticello, Adrienne to the swing to read and myself down by the pool to catch some rays and read. Everyone doing their own thing.
Supper has everyone pitching in. Adrienne has organized the meal, I am the salad maker tonight, John has Fred and Geoff barbecuing the chicken and sausages on wood burning pits both inside and outside the villa, and Sandra and Tracey set the table. As Keith watches he'll be on clean up duty. This all being done while drinking copious amounts of wine. Fred and John figured that six bottles of wine should be enough for the nine of us, somehow I think they need to go back to the drawing board. Supper was three courses, starter was a truffle and sausage lasagna, extremely rich and delicious, main course chicken, sausage and salad. the dessert for Adrienne's birthday a profiterole cake and two other Italian cream cakes. We have enough dessert left over for future nights as it is all very decadent. Those who didn't cook get to clean up and I have managed to be on the team that cooks tonight so no KP duty. Keith, Sandra and Tracey are on duty tonight and do a fine job.
The new arrivals all head to bed by 9:30 as they flew in overnight so no real sleep on the plane.
Tomorrow we are all trooping into Todi at least that is the plan for now.
Ciao,
Sandy & Fred
In the morning John, Adrienne, Fred and myself head off to Perugia to do shopping for the family for three days of meals. We have a slight detour around town looking for the supermarket before we finally arrive. The place is massive and it takes us two hours to get supplies in for the gang. We just get things unloaded and put away when the balance of the family arrives. Fred's Mom, Amy is exhausted so we get her off to bed for some much needed rest while the rest fill in the afternoon by watching a footie match (Fred & John) Liverpool win 2-0, Tracey, Geoff, Sandra and Keith take Portia for a walk into nearby village of Monticello, Adrienne to the swing to read and myself down by the pool to catch some rays and read. Everyone doing their own thing.
Supper has everyone pitching in. Adrienne has organized the meal, I am the salad maker tonight, John has Fred and Geoff barbecuing the chicken and sausages on wood burning pits both inside and outside the villa, and Sandra and Tracey set the table. As Keith watches he'll be on clean up duty. This all being done while drinking copious amounts of wine. Fred and John figured that six bottles of wine should be enough for the nine of us, somehow I think they need to go back to the drawing board. Supper was three courses, starter was a truffle and sausage lasagna, extremely rich and delicious, main course chicken, sausage and salad. the dessert for Adrienne's birthday a profiterole cake and two other Italian cream cakes. We have enough dessert left over for future nights as it is all very decadent. Those who didn't cook get to clean up and I have managed to be on the team that cooks tonight so no KP duty. Keith, Sandra and Tracey are on duty tonight and do a fine job.
The new arrivals all head to bed by 9:30 as they flew in overnight so no real sleep on the plane.
Tomorrow we are all trooping into Todi at least that is the plan for now.
Ciao,
Sandy & Fred
Friday, September 26, 2008
Todi Bound A 3 Holy! Shit Day!!- Sept 26, 2008
Buon giorno,
Today was a travel day to Todi and the Villa, which is just outside Monticello a small village very near the town of Todi. The drive was highway for most part of the trip. The first Holy Shit of the day was when all of sudden Fred had to hit the breaks around North Florence. There was a accident north bound lanes unfortunately with a fatality. So here in Italy they stop, look and move on back to the speed limit. Had we been on the 401 traffic, would have been backed up for miles on both sides because of the rubberneckers. The drive is through the mountains and some through the valley. The farms have been harvested for the most part since our drive out to Florence and Venice.
Next Holy Shit, Holy Shit, Holy Shit!! was when we did not see any signs to indicate that the lanes were being reduced from 3 to 2. There are trucks on my side and cars on Fred side and no one is slowing down. The trucks are pulling into our lane and the cars are not allowing us to move over. Somehow we get through that unscathed.
We stop for lunch at a roadside rest area. Cheese, crackers, salami, grapes and cookies plus a glass of wine. Back onto the highway and forward to Todi. After leaving the autostrade (highway) we enter onto a two lane dual carriageway, which is not busy. We see a lake in the distance and I ask Fred to stop at the next pull over to get a picture. Well I can't see the lake or past the bushes as I am too short so I extend my arm and hope for the best. So can't tell until we download the pictures if I got the shot.
Last Holy Shit of the day is just near the villa. We climb up some steep hills towards the villa and the second last turn is a hairpin bend with no room for two cars. The car stalls and we start to go backwards. OMG!! Fred gets the car going again and lays rubber to get up going up and around the bend. We do arrive safe and sound.
The Villa is absolutely beautiful and the surrounding country side breathtaking. Vineyards, olive groves, herb and vegetable gardens. Wood burning ovens inside and out plus a pizza or bread oven and pool. Pictures to be taken tomorrow when we have better light. It is also very cool so we need to bring out the clothes for England. Definitely not shorts weather.
Ciao for now,
Fred and Sandy
Today was a travel day to Todi and the Villa, which is just outside Monticello a small village very near the town of Todi. The drive was highway for most part of the trip. The first Holy Shit of the day was when all of sudden Fred had to hit the breaks around North Florence. There was a accident north bound lanes unfortunately with a fatality. So here in Italy they stop, look and move on back to the speed limit. Had we been on the 401 traffic, would have been backed up for miles on both sides because of the rubberneckers. The drive is through the mountains and some through the valley. The farms have been harvested for the most part since our drive out to Florence and Venice.
Next Holy Shit, Holy Shit, Holy Shit!! was when we did not see any signs to indicate that the lanes were being reduced from 3 to 2. There are trucks on my side and cars on Fred side and no one is slowing down. The trucks are pulling into our lane and the cars are not allowing us to move over. Somehow we get through that unscathed.
We stop for lunch at a roadside rest area. Cheese, crackers, salami, grapes and cookies plus a glass of wine. Back onto the highway and forward to Todi. After leaving the autostrade (highway) we enter onto a two lane dual carriageway, which is not busy. We see a lake in the distance and I ask Fred to stop at the next pull over to get a picture. Well I can't see the lake or past the bushes as I am too short so I extend my arm and hope for the best. So can't tell until we download the pictures if I got the shot.
Last Holy Shit of the day is just near the villa. We climb up some steep hills towards the villa and the second last turn is a hairpin bend with no room for two cars. The car stalls and we start to go backwards. OMG!! Fred gets the car going again and lays rubber to get up going up and around the bend. We do arrive safe and sound.
The Villa is absolutely beautiful and the surrounding country side breathtaking. Vineyards, olive groves, herb and vegetable gardens. Wood burning ovens inside and out plus a pizza or bread oven and pool. Pictures to be taken tomorrow when we have better light. It is also very cool so we need to bring out the clothes for England. Definitely not shorts weather.
Ciao for now,
Fred and Sandy
Thursday, September 25, 2008
Venice (Venezia) - Sept 25, 2008
Buon giorno All,
Well today is our last day in Venice and we have once again headed into the historic town. A water bus down to the San Marco bus stop and then take a water bus to Murano. This is an island in the lagoon that happens to be on the very outer rim of old world Venice, due to it's industry glass making industry, which was due to fear of fire from the furnaces. We walk through the town and spend an hour on a tour of a glass making factory. This is a free tour and we see the glass being blown, sculptured and rowed in various shapes. A swan, balls and a vase are what we see from start to finish. As well as a flamingo that was just finished. The artisans work in teams of two or three depending on what is being created. What amazes me is that there is no protective gear being worn at all and the furnace's burn white hot. We purchase some Christmas presents today as well, so I will leave you all guessing as to whether we got anything for you!!
Lunch time was well past so we take a more direct water bus back, then walk some and then take a water bus back to the Rialto Bridge for a late lunch around 3:30 p.m. We again stop at a waterside cafe for Pizza all round and of course Vino Russo (red). Margherita for me and spicy salami for Fred. We meet a mother and daughter who are travelling around Italy and have rented an apartment in Florence along with other friends. They are Americans from Washington State and South Carolina. We also meet a English couple who were celebrating their 42nd wedding anniversary, the wife told her husband get your passport in order and have some euros as we are going away. She made all the arrangements, to stay in Venice off the Grand Canal and to take a water taxi from the airport. Unfortunately the water taxi driver was not very vigilant when they were docking, he didn't get the boat close enough to the pier and she fell between the boat and the pier. When we met them they had just got back from the hospital for their first dinner. They were rather cute as they asked us what part of America were we from and when we said Canada they were horrified and extremely apologetic. Canadians they said are definitely different then Americans, we are better :)!
Well not much done but a full slow relaxed day. Back to the hotel to prepare for the drive to Todi and the Family Reunion.
Ciao for now,
Sandy & Fred
Well today is our last day in Venice and we have once again headed into the historic town. A water bus down to the San Marco bus stop and then take a water bus to Murano. This is an island in the lagoon that happens to be on the very outer rim of old world Venice, due to it's industry glass making industry, which was due to fear of fire from the furnaces. We walk through the town and spend an hour on a tour of a glass making factory. This is a free tour and we see the glass being blown, sculptured and rowed in various shapes. A swan, balls and a vase are what we see from start to finish. As well as a flamingo that was just finished. The artisans work in teams of two or three depending on what is being created. What amazes me is that there is no protective gear being worn at all and the furnace's burn white hot. We purchase some Christmas presents today as well, so I will leave you all guessing as to whether we got anything for you!!
Lunch time was well past so we take a more direct water bus back, then walk some and then take a water bus back to the Rialto Bridge for a late lunch around 3:30 p.m. We again stop at a waterside cafe for Pizza all round and of course Vino Russo (red). Margherita for me and spicy salami for Fred. We meet a mother and daughter who are travelling around Italy and have rented an apartment in Florence along with other friends. They are Americans from Washington State and South Carolina. We also meet a English couple who were celebrating their 42nd wedding anniversary, the wife told her husband get your passport in order and have some euros as we are going away. She made all the arrangements, to stay in Venice off the Grand Canal and to take a water taxi from the airport. Unfortunately the water taxi driver was not very vigilant when they were docking, he didn't get the boat close enough to the pier and she fell between the boat and the pier. When we met them they had just got back from the hospital for their first dinner. They were rather cute as they asked us what part of America were we from and when we said Canada they were horrified and extremely apologetic. Canadians they said are definitely different then Americans, we are better :)!
Well not much done but a full slow relaxed day. Back to the hotel to prepare for the drive to Todi and the Family Reunion.
Ciao for now,
Sandy & Fred
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
Venice (Venezia) - Sept 24, 2008
Buon giorno All,
Well I have died and gone to heaven today, Venice has certainly measured up greater than my expectations to say the least. But now I must tell you about our day.
Breakfast is included here and the variety is very good. As well they know how to cook eggs (unlike the Novotel). Also, for those who drink coffee you can drink it without it dissolving your spoon when it is black. The Maitre d' was a pleasant man who seemed to really enjoy his job which is always a good start to the day rather then dealing with some sour puss.
We head out to get the 9:10 bus into Venice with a bit of a rush on our part. However, we need not have rushed as the bus just zoomed by leaving about 12 people with their mouths hanging open and asking what the hell! One women was particularly upset as they had a train to catch. You'd think if you have that kind of time table you would get your ass in gear so little set backs like this would not get in your way, leaving you with plenty of time to get where you're going. I joked with Fred that some tourists must have really ticked him off earlier so he was getting even :). When the next bus comes along 1/2 the group wave their arm frantically for the bus to stop. As luck would have it both Fred and I both get seats.
We take the water bus down to St. Marks Square, which is Venice's main square. Today we visit St. Mark's Basilica, the Doge's Palace, the Bridge of Sighs and the Frari Church. The Basilica is unbelievable and we bought post cards, which we will scan once we are home as pictures were not allowed. The pictures are not paintings as we've seen in other churches but rather mosaics (one piece as small a babies finger nail) thousands making up the various pictures of Saints, Madonna, and Christ. This is especially amazing to us at least when you take into account this was built in the 11th century, replacing a earlier church. The bones of Saints have been resting here since 830 A.D.We are able to climb up to the Loggia that is a parapet outside the dome which you can walk around. It allows for a great view of the lagoon and the square itself as well as a closer look of the horses, mosaics and statues that adorn the outside of the Basilica.
Next stop the Doge's Palace. This was the seat of the Venetian government and home of the ruling duke of the time. The Palace was built to show off the power and wealth of the republic at that time. What is interesting is the Doge was really just a figure head that was voted into the position by the rich and powerful of the time and could not act on any decisions on his own or even leave the palace once he was in this seat of power. Upon the death of a Doge, his seal was destroyed and a new Doge was voted in place before the previous Doge was laid to rest. The palace also housed a prison and the Bridge of Sighs. This bridge, which linked two sections of the palace was so named as the window's allowed the prisoner their last look of freedom out to the canal before they were imprisoned/executed. We have spent just over 4 hours at this site and decide it is lunch time as it is now approaching 2:00 p.m.
We board a water bus and head to the Rialto Bridge. This is a bridge that spans the Grand Canal and it also has a market area. We have lunch right by the canal in a open air restaurant called Ristorante Florida. Lunch is spaghetti all round. Fred has spaghetti bolognese and I Carbonara, plus a glass of red wine each. We relax and watch the world go by on the canal. After lunch I ask how much is it for a Gondola ride. Shocker here, 100 to 150 Euros, that's right you can do the math. I thank the gondolier and off we walk. I must have looked dejected as he came after us and said he would take us for 80 euros. I know a good ploy, Rick Steve's book said to expect to pay at least 80 euros in 2007. Fred's my knight is shining armour as he agreed and the one thing I really wanted to do while in Venice is now a reality. Luciano, our gondolier takes us along smaller canals and points out various points of interest, for example Casanova's home, which is being restored, Marco Polo's place of residence and a beautiful church whose outside is adorned with pink marble. Luciano himself lives near the train station on the water and does not drive a car or have a drivers licence he informs us. Fred quickly asks does he have a least a Gondoliers licence. Si Si is the reply. They do work long hours especially in the summer hours but he works 4 days a week with 3 off. Well we say our goodbyes to Luciano after a very relaxing and calming ride. By the way the canals themselves are very clean and do not stink as I have been previously told. I could see myself living here except for a couple of major restrictions. Price being the biggest 465,000.00 Euros for a one bedroom flat and secondly but not the least sun worshipping topless would get me hung and quartered I am sure given the religious severity of the area :) :).
Onward and forward as we head off to San Toma and a visit to the Frari Church. It's full title is Santa Maria Gloriosa Dei Frari, quite the mouth full. This church was first founded by the Franciscan Church of Brothers. Pictures are not allowed unfortunately, but the inside artwork and carvings in the structures of the portico and beams are just beautiful. Again the paintings are amazing .
Well we have spent a total of eight hours here today and head back to the hotel to plan our next day. I am sad to leave as we have only touched the major sites and there is so much more to see.
Our plan for tomorrow has changed, we had hoped to go to Bolzano close to the Alps but the drive is longer then Fred though so it's back to Old Venice tomorrow for more exploring!! Stay tuned for our new discoveries.
Ciao,
Sandy & Fred
Well I have died and gone to heaven today, Venice has certainly measured up greater than my expectations to say the least. But now I must tell you about our day.
Breakfast is included here and the variety is very good. As well they know how to cook eggs (unlike the Novotel). Also, for those who drink coffee you can drink it without it dissolving your spoon when it is black. The Maitre d' was a pleasant man who seemed to really enjoy his job which is always a good start to the day rather then dealing with some sour puss.
We head out to get the 9:10 bus into Venice with a bit of a rush on our part. However, we need not have rushed as the bus just zoomed by leaving about 12 people with their mouths hanging open and asking what the hell! One women was particularly upset as they had a train to catch. You'd think if you have that kind of time table you would get your ass in gear so little set backs like this would not get in your way, leaving you with plenty of time to get where you're going. I joked with Fred that some tourists must have really ticked him off earlier so he was getting even :). When the next bus comes along 1/2 the group wave their arm frantically for the bus to stop. As luck would have it both Fred and I both get seats.
We take the water bus down to St. Marks Square, which is Venice's main square. Today we visit St. Mark's Basilica, the Doge's Palace, the Bridge of Sighs and the Frari Church. The Basilica is unbelievable and we bought post cards, which we will scan once we are home as pictures were not allowed. The pictures are not paintings as we've seen in other churches but rather mosaics (one piece as small a babies finger nail) thousands making up the various pictures of Saints, Madonna, and Christ. This is especially amazing to us at least when you take into account this was built in the 11th century, replacing a earlier church. The bones of Saints have been resting here since 830 A.D.We are able to climb up to the Loggia that is a parapet outside the dome which you can walk around. It allows for a great view of the lagoon and the square itself as well as a closer look of the horses, mosaics and statues that adorn the outside of the Basilica.
Next stop the Doge's Palace. This was the seat of the Venetian government and home of the ruling duke of the time. The Palace was built to show off the power and wealth of the republic at that time. What is interesting is the Doge was really just a figure head that was voted into the position by the rich and powerful of the time and could not act on any decisions on his own or even leave the palace once he was in this seat of power. Upon the death of a Doge, his seal was destroyed and a new Doge was voted in place before the previous Doge was laid to rest. The palace also housed a prison and the Bridge of Sighs. This bridge, which linked two sections of the palace was so named as the window's allowed the prisoner their last look of freedom out to the canal before they were imprisoned/executed. We have spent just over 4 hours at this site and decide it is lunch time as it is now approaching 2:00 p.m.
We board a water bus and head to the Rialto Bridge. This is a bridge that spans the Grand Canal and it also has a market area. We have lunch right by the canal in a open air restaurant called Ristorante Florida. Lunch is spaghetti all round. Fred has spaghetti bolognese and I Carbonara, plus a glass of red wine each. We relax and watch the world go by on the canal. After lunch I ask how much is it for a Gondola ride. Shocker here, 100 to 150 Euros, that's right you can do the math. I thank the gondolier and off we walk. I must have looked dejected as he came after us and said he would take us for 80 euros. I know a good ploy, Rick Steve's book said to expect to pay at least 80 euros in 2007. Fred's my knight is shining armour as he agreed and the one thing I really wanted to do while in Venice is now a reality. Luciano, our gondolier takes us along smaller canals and points out various points of interest, for example Casanova's home, which is being restored, Marco Polo's place of residence and a beautiful church whose outside is adorned with pink marble. Luciano himself lives near the train station on the water and does not drive a car or have a drivers licence he informs us. Fred quickly asks does he have a least a Gondoliers licence. Si Si is the reply. They do work long hours especially in the summer hours but he works 4 days a week with 3 off. Well we say our goodbyes to Luciano after a very relaxing and calming ride. By the way the canals themselves are very clean and do not stink as I have been previously told. I could see myself living here except for a couple of major restrictions. Price being the biggest 465,000.00 Euros for a one bedroom flat and secondly but not the least sun worshipping topless would get me hung and quartered I am sure given the religious severity of the area :) :).
Onward and forward as we head off to San Toma and a visit to the Frari Church. It's full title is Santa Maria Gloriosa Dei Frari, quite the mouth full. This church was first founded by the Franciscan Church of Brothers. Pictures are not allowed unfortunately, but the inside artwork and carvings in the structures of the portico and beams are just beautiful. Again the paintings are amazing .
Well we have spent a total of eight hours here today and head back to the hotel to plan our next day. I am sad to leave as we have only touched the major sites and there is so much more to see.
Our plan for tomorrow has changed, we had hoped to go to Bolzano close to the Alps but the drive is longer then Fred though so it's back to Old Venice tomorrow for more exploring!! Stay tuned for our new discoveries.
Ciao,
Sandy & Fred
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
Venice (Venezia) Bound - Sept 23, 2008
Buon giorno,
After breakfast and signing out from the Novotel we are once again on the road. On the weekend the lights at a major intersection were not working and you can imagine the chaos to get across the road which is really busy. Thank god the lights are working as our way out takes us across this intersection. The drive up the highway takes us into a mountainous area. I am somewhat nervous as the truck traffic is unbelievable. Not just 20 or 30 trucks but 100 at least. I will say unlike North American truck drivers they do stay in their own lane except to pass slower vehicle's and they do have a speed limit that is lesser than cars. The drive takes us around and through the mountains; winding roads and tunnels. We can see that they are currently working on new tunnels through the mountains so in the future the trip may be faster and more direct. The landscape eventually levels off again to farmland and vineyards. The trip takes about 3 1/2 hours.
In Venice we again had a slight detour in getting to the Marriott, arriving at around 1:30. Our room is fantastic although we have separate beds but for 3 nights we can live with that as the rest in most elegant. We are far from the old town of Venice and its canals so we chose a room option that includes passes for the public transportation system. The bus ride into town takes approximately 45 minutes and then we to have transfer onto a water taxi to visit the local attractions. Prior to heading out we grab lunch in the hotel and head into Venice to get the lay of the land for tomorrow our first full day.
The pass while being paper like has a chip in it. The pass is held up to a reader that recognizes the fare on the buses as well as the water taxis. The bus ride into town took less than 45 minutes as the driver wastes no time and has few stops on the way in. We locate the slow boat that takes 40 minutes to get to the far end of the Grand Canal. It was a good way to see all that the Canal has to offer, getting off at the Piazza San Marco. We walk around the square were the buildings are both magnificent and undergoing repair and cleaning. There are three cruise ships in port, so the crowds are huge. We walk up into some small streets and alley ways and bridges over the smaller canals away from the crowds . Once back to the boat we head back to the Marriott as it is getting late. Getting off the water taxi we spot a supermarket and buy some crackers, cheese, cold cuts, grapes, beer and wine for the room as a break from pizza's, pasta and also a break to the pocketbook with restaurant food all the time.
Well I look forward to tomorrow as we are going for a ride in a gondola along the canal and to go into the museums and Church's.
Arrivederci,
Sandy & Fred
After breakfast and signing out from the Novotel we are once again on the road. On the weekend the lights at a major intersection were not working and you can imagine the chaos to get across the road which is really busy. Thank god the lights are working as our way out takes us across this intersection. The drive up the highway takes us into a mountainous area. I am somewhat nervous as the truck traffic is unbelievable. Not just 20 or 30 trucks but 100 at least. I will say unlike North American truck drivers they do stay in their own lane except to pass slower vehicle's and they do have a speed limit that is lesser than cars. The drive takes us around and through the mountains; winding roads and tunnels. We can see that they are currently working on new tunnels through the mountains so in the future the trip may be faster and more direct. The landscape eventually levels off again to farmland and vineyards. The trip takes about 3 1/2 hours.
In Venice we again had a slight detour in getting to the Marriott, arriving at around 1:30. Our room is fantastic although we have separate beds but for 3 nights we can live with that as the rest in most elegant. We are far from the old town of Venice and its canals so we chose a room option that includes passes for the public transportation system. The bus ride into town takes approximately 45 minutes and then we to have transfer onto a water taxi to visit the local attractions. Prior to heading out we grab lunch in the hotel and head into Venice to get the lay of the land for tomorrow our first full day.
The pass while being paper like has a chip in it. The pass is held up to a reader that recognizes the fare on the buses as well as the water taxis. The bus ride into town took less than 45 minutes as the driver wastes no time and has few stops on the way in. We locate the slow boat that takes 40 minutes to get to the far end of the Grand Canal. It was a good way to see all that the Canal has to offer, getting off at the Piazza San Marco. We walk around the square were the buildings are both magnificent and undergoing repair and cleaning. There are three cruise ships in port, so the crowds are huge. We walk up into some small streets and alley ways and bridges over the smaller canals away from the crowds . Once back to the boat we head back to the Marriott as it is getting late. Getting off the water taxi we spot a supermarket and buy some crackers, cheese, cold cuts, grapes, beer and wine for the room as a break from pizza's, pasta and also a break to the pocketbook with restaurant food all the time.
Well I look forward to tomorrow as we are going for a ride in a gondola along the canal and to go into the museums and Church's.
Arrivederci,
Sandy & Fred
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