2013 European Adventure June -July
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Kilometres walked
Total to date: 480 klms
Average /day: 1o.8klms
Total to date: 480 klms
Average /day: 1o.8klms
20th July Sorrento
Wednesday 17th.
Arrived in Rome Wednesday just after lunch. Pulled up to our little hotel in a narrow street to find a parking spot right outside the door! After checking in and settling into our rooms, returned the hire car- after driving around the block a few times trying to find the right entrance for car rental return. Had a great time in the afternoon visiting the Colleseum, the Palantine and the Roman Forum. Whist Dayle and I had been to the Colleseum and Forum before, I am fascinated by the engineering in these places, and marvel how they constructed these huge structures.
Found a nice little Tratorria in a back street to celebrate my birthday!
Thursday 18th
Set out to visit the Vatican and St Peters. Decided to prebook a tour to avoid the long queues. This worked well, but the Vatican was still just so crowded. This spoilt it a bit, but the absolute majesty of the place is mind blowing. The artwork is spectacular. Obviously the Sistine Chapel is special, but so too is much of the remainder. Rafael's rooms are amazing. In fact nearly every room is fascinating.
St Peters is huge, and very impressive. You could just imagine some of the recent gatherings for the Pope's inaugeration.
This day was spoilt by the pick-pocketing of both Steve's and my wallets simultaneuosly as we boarded the train. It was an extreme crowd and a real surge as we were carried onto the train. We had both taken some extra precautions. Steve's wallet was in his shoulder bag, and mine in my front shirt pocket. I thought I had tagged the guy, and challenged him - obvious denials, but he got of at next station and as he left he said look on the floor. Sure enough Steve's wallet without money was found, but mine was nowhere to be seen. "C'est la vie" or more correctly "Che รจ la vita".
We were so exhausted after the vatican crowds and the heat, we had a quiete afternoon before going out in the evening to Trevi Fountain etc.
Friday 19th Rome
Whilst Steve and Erika headed off to do some shopping, Daylle and I went in search of the Baths of Caracalla.we hadreadabout thesebeing a great untapped tourist place. And they were. Very impressive ruins. The baths were on a massive and opulent scale and there wasn't huge crowds. I had another smallfalse start to the day- got pickpoketed again on the Metro train. I had a little coin wallet in my pocket- same scenario- gettingonto the train, surge of pushing, no coins! Gen- we said a few B, B, B!!!
Notwitstanding we had a good morning and got back to hotel at lunchtime just as the heavens opened. After a few hours, the rain stopped and we enjoyed exploring with much lower tempertures.
Saturday 20th
An early morning pickup to travel to Naples, Pompeii ans Sorrento.
Naples- grotty and not particularly interesting.
Pompeii- fascinating. They have done a remarkable job in reconstructing the town. Very interesting guide who has a good sense of humour in explaining the history.
Sorrento- arrived at our hotel. Wow! What a fabulous hotel Capodimonte. We have just come back from lovely dinner on terrace overlooking Sorrento and the Amalfi Coast. The food was great- probably the best meal in Italy.
Tomorrow. Go to the Isle of Capri, which we are all really looking forward to.
Sorry I have been slow in updating photo gallery. Some pretty slow internet connections. I will update ASAP.
Wednesday 17th.
Arrived in Rome Wednesday just after lunch. Pulled up to our little hotel in a narrow street to find a parking spot right outside the door! After checking in and settling into our rooms, returned the hire car- after driving around the block a few times trying to find the right entrance for car rental return. Had a great time in the afternoon visiting the Colleseum, the Palantine and the Roman Forum. Whist Dayle and I had been to the Colleseum and Forum before, I am fascinated by the engineering in these places, and marvel how they constructed these huge structures.
Found a nice little Tratorria in a back street to celebrate my birthday!
Thursday 18th
Set out to visit the Vatican and St Peters. Decided to prebook a tour to avoid the long queues. This worked well, but the Vatican was still just so crowded. This spoilt it a bit, but the absolute majesty of the place is mind blowing. The artwork is spectacular. Obviously the Sistine Chapel is special, but so too is much of the remainder. Rafael's rooms are amazing. In fact nearly every room is fascinating.
St Peters is huge, and very impressive. You could just imagine some of the recent gatherings for the Pope's inaugeration.
This day was spoilt by the pick-pocketing of both Steve's and my wallets simultaneuosly as we boarded the train. It was an extreme crowd and a real surge as we were carried onto the train. We had both taken some extra precautions. Steve's wallet was in his shoulder bag, and mine in my front shirt pocket. I thought I had tagged the guy, and challenged him - obvious denials, but he got of at next station and as he left he said look on the floor. Sure enough Steve's wallet without money was found, but mine was nowhere to be seen. "C'est la vie" or more correctly "Che รจ la vita".
We were so exhausted after the vatican crowds and the heat, we had a quiete afternoon before going out in the evening to Trevi Fountain etc.
Friday 19th Rome
Whilst Steve and Erika headed off to do some shopping, Daylle and I went in search of the Baths of Caracalla.we hadreadabout thesebeing a great untapped tourist place. And they were. Very impressive ruins. The baths were on a massive and opulent scale and there wasn't huge crowds. I had another smallfalse start to the day- got pickpoketed again on the Metro train. I had a little coin wallet in my pocket- same scenario- gettingonto the train, surge of pushing, no coins! Gen- we said a few B, B, B!!!
Notwitstanding we had a good morning and got back to hotel at lunchtime just as the heavens opened. After a few hours, the rain stopped and we enjoyed exploring with much lower tempertures.
Saturday 20th
An early morning pickup to travel to Naples, Pompeii ans Sorrento.
Naples- grotty and not particularly interesting.
Pompeii- fascinating. They have done a remarkable job in reconstructing the town. Very interesting guide who has a good sense of humour in explaining the history.
Sorrento- arrived at our hotel. Wow! What a fabulous hotel Capodimonte. We have just come back from lovely dinner on terrace overlooking Sorrento and the Amalfi Coast. The food was great- probably the best meal in Italy.
Tomorrow. Go to the Isle of Capri, which we are all really looking forward to.
Sorry I have been slow in updating photo gallery. Some pretty slow internet connections. I will update ASAP.