2013 European Adventure June -July
Latest news
Kilometres walked
Total to date: 418 klms
Average /day: 10.7 klms
Total to date: 418 klms
Average /day: 10.7 klms
Tuesday 16th July.
Updated to include Assisi.
Today is our last day in our beautiful Tuscan Convent. Greg has done his early morning trip to the local shop for fresh crusty bread. Steve and Erika have had their usual sleep in!
Shortly we are going to Assisi. On our last visit here in 1999, the church ofSt Francis of Assisi left such an impression we are keen to revisit.
Yesterday we made the trip to Pisa. No visit to Pisa would be complete without visiting the Leaning Tower. On our last visit the tower was undergoing extensive works to stop it falling over. It was held up by cable stays, and had great weights around the base, so access to the tower was not possible. This time however the area was an absolute picture. They have really done a good job arranging the area, and managing the tourists, because although there were lots of people, it didn't feel overly crowded. We had an assigned time to climb the tower, which was a great experience. The Baptistry and Cathedral were beautiful.
All in all a great day.
Our GPS (nicknamed Maria) has been trying to take us down little laneways as shortcuts. Yesterday coming home we decided to follow Maria's instructions. Interesting!! Little narrow roads, sometimes dirt, but we arrived safely home. Sometimes you need to force Maria to direct the way you want on major roads!
On Sunday we went to Cortona, which is the next town south of Castiglion Fiorentino. Cortona was made famous in the film "Under a Tuscan Sun". It is recognised as one of the best medieval towns. I think they mean the one with the steepest hills! A great little city, but quite an effort on a hotsummers day.
Some of the Cathedrals have mummified Saints in glass cases as part of their altar. Saint Margherita died in 1297 so here remains are over 700 years old! In Pisa, the saint was about 900 years old. Ummm!
Tomorrow we head for Rome.
I am a bit behind updating photo gallery, sorry- holidays are busy. The great Canasta challenge keeps intervening.
Greg
We are sitting on the side of a lovely lake between Assisi and Castiglion F, having stopped here on the wayback from Assisi.
Last time we were in Assisi it was just after a major earthquake. What a difference this time. The town has been restored beautifully. The buildings and churches have been loveingly retored, and there is a real sense of pride in their town. Tourism is arranged well. There is a parking station that has escalators up to the main part of town. A welcome relief to some foot weary travellers!
Saint Francis of Assisi is well known for his prayer of peace, and Assisi calls itself the town of peace. Saint Francis' cathedral maintains some of this peace, although a lot more tourists then 1999 meant that some of the quietness and serenity was lost.
Steve and Erika enjoyed a cooling dip in the lake. Interestingly in a chat with kiosk lady when buying drinks, she said how she wanted to come to Australia because Italy was kaput!!
Still tossing up whetherto drive direct to Rome in the morning and have extra half day sight seeing ( or shopping!) or go via the coast road and see some of the Mediteranean.
Greg
Updated to include Assisi.
Today is our last day in our beautiful Tuscan Convent. Greg has done his early morning trip to the local shop for fresh crusty bread. Steve and Erika have had their usual sleep in!
Shortly we are going to Assisi. On our last visit here in 1999, the church ofSt Francis of Assisi left such an impression we are keen to revisit.
Yesterday we made the trip to Pisa. No visit to Pisa would be complete without visiting the Leaning Tower. On our last visit the tower was undergoing extensive works to stop it falling over. It was held up by cable stays, and had great weights around the base, so access to the tower was not possible. This time however the area was an absolute picture. They have really done a good job arranging the area, and managing the tourists, because although there were lots of people, it didn't feel overly crowded. We had an assigned time to climb the tower, which was a great experience. The Baptistry and Cathedral were beautiful.
All in all a great day.
Our GPS (nicknamed Maria) has been trying to take us down little laneways as shortcuts. Yesterday coming home we decided to follow Maria's instructions. Interesting!! Little narrow roads, sometimes dirt, but we arrived safely home. Sometimes you need to force Maria to direct the way you want on major roads!
On Sunday we went to Cortona, which is the next town south of Castiglion Fiorentino. Cortona was made famous in the film "Under a Tuscan Sun". It is recognised as one of the best medieval towns. I think they mean the one with the steepest hills! A great little city, but quite an effort on a hotsummers day.
Some of the Cathedrals have mummified Saints in glass cases as part of their altar. Saint Margherita died in 1297 so here remains are over 700 years old! In Pisa, the saint was about 900 years old. Ummm!
Tomorrow we head for Rome.
I am a bit behind updating photo gallery, sorry- holidays are busy. The great Canasta challenge keeps intervening.
Greg
We are sitting on the side of a lovely lake between Assisi and Castiglion F, having stopped here on the wayback from Assisi.
Last time we were in Assisi it was just after a major earthquake. What a difference this time. The town has been restored beautifully. The buildings and churches have been loveingly retored, and there is a real sense of pride in their town. Tourism is arranged well. There is a parking station that has escalators up to the main part of town. A welcome relief to some foot weary travellers!
Saint Francis of Assisi is well known for his prayer of peace, and Assisi calls itself the town of peace. Saint Francis' cathedral maintains some of this peace, although a lot more tourists then 1999 meant that some of the quietness and serenity was lost.
Steve and Erika enjoyed a cooling dip in the lake. Interestingly in a chat with kiosk lady when buying drinks, she said how she wanted to come to Australia because Italy was kaput!!
Still tossing up whetherto drive direct to Rome in the morning and have extra half day sight seeing ( or shopping!) or go via the coast road and see some of the Mediteranean.
Greg