tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-58066281954836153182024-03-21T20:46:13.417+00:00snowystylistaEmily Daleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09101849042527664495noreply@blogger.comBlogger141125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5806628195483615318.post-54944228942213962102011-07-15T11:34:00.001+01:002011-07-15T11:34:14.752+01:00Fab Vintage from Lil' sis!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #737373; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #737373; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #737373; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; text-align: center;">
Been meaning to do this for ages and since I have wi-fi access for a few days thought I'd get to it!!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #737373; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #737373; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; text-align: center;">
My Lil' sis is fellow blogger <a href="http://www.smashingbird.blogspot.com/">Smashingbird</a> and has recently set up her own vintage store on Etsy and it is sale time, so click on the link below for a look.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #737373; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #737373; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #737373; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #737373; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTxxWJTETMYK9v1I38BdP8iFIzGH76VWUUh_XRHDQLp10JiMPuQZZQUs8y_YACKnPY-7slL11KOC_IixdHOLXHp0UyEkKW83nAOBQNXoHaUCotPXv1FAIrxN1m8VK7ut2XY43uJVwsKhAq/s1600/final+logouncropped.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="color: #737373; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration: none;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTxxWJTETMYK9v1I38BdP8iFIzGH76VWUUh_XRHDQLp10JiMPuQZZQUs8y_YACKnPY-7slL11KOC_IixdHOLXHp0UyEkKW83nAOBQNXoHaUCotPXv1FAIrxN1m8VK7ut2XY43uJVwsKhAq/s320/final+logouncropped.jpg" style="border-bottom-style: none; border-color: initial; border-left-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-top-style: none; border-width: initial; position: relative;" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; color: #737373; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #737373; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; text-align: center;">
It's Sale time over at the Etsy Store <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/SmashingbirdVintage?ref=pr_shop_more">SmashingbirdVintage</a></div>
<div style="color: #737373; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; text-align: center;">
She is offering<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> 25%</span></b> off all items for a limited period only - just enter code SUMMERSALE at the checkout! </div>
Emily Daleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09101849042527664495noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5806628195483615318.post-24593747394624265062011-07-12T08:58:00.000+01:002011-07-12T08:58:23.935+01:00The Journeys end!Now where was I? Well after a nightmare journey we made it to Sicily, just about in one piece.<br />
<br />
The train did in fact go on the ferry across the water seperating the island from the mainland, it was quite something, the train was split in two then pushed onto the train tracks inside of the ferry, then it was a 20mins or so on the boat, we could get out of the train have a wander then back in our seats to be pushed back onto the tracks on land. But we then had a 45min wait in the station on the, already heated up train, with no air con, there is nothing to describe how hot it was, must've been getting on for 40 degrees, could not get off and just had to sit and cook. Very unpleasant!<br />
<br />
We finally arrived at our destination station 45 mins after we were due in, our taxi that the B&B had arranged for us was not there and there was just one lone taxi sitting waiting. We were 4km from where we staying so had to taxi, it was almost 9pm by this time. So we walked over to the taxi, the driver was flipping burgers in a van (???) and left that and jumped in his cab (???) that did not appear to have a meter. Now I don't like to stereotype, but Sicily does kinda have a reputation of being the home of the Mafia, our taxi driver did not look like someone you argued with if you get my meaning. He did'nt know the address of our B&B (taxi driver???) and drove us round and round asking random people for directions, although we had shown him a map and it was quite a big road, hmmmm. Anyway €20 (just paid, too scared to question the fare!!) later we were at our B&B which was shut, I had been trying to phone them to let them know we were on our way but both numbers kept cutting off or not ringing, aghhhhhhh......<br />
<br />
Anyway we finally managed to get through and the B&B owner came along a few mins later to let us in. Now I had already had a nightmare booking something for this particular night, we were only staying one night in the port town of Milazzo as we were getting the boat from there early the next day to reach Salina in the Aeolian Islands. The first place I booked, through Venere.com (yes I am naming and shaming) said they did not have my reservation and had no availability (I have emailed Venere 3 times about this and have had no response) and that helpful B&B owner booked us in with his friend somewhere else. If I had not emailed the original B&B to let them know our arrival time I would not have known we had no room, thank christ I did, after the day we had had that would've just about finished us off. I have a copy of the confirmed reservation from Venere.com!! F**kers! I have also used them a lot and never had a problem, won't be using them anymore!!!<br />
<br />
So by the time we actually got into our room it was almost 9.30, 11 hours since we had left Positano. Hot, sweaty and tired, we showered and sat on the bed eating biscuits and breadsticks for our dinner whilst watching the most random Italian TV show I have ever seen, it was like two audiences playing sing star mixed with the generation game with some drag queens, dominatrix and gimps, a few fairy's, scantily clad women (as always, this is Italy after all, near naked chicks in every advert, I actually saw a whole nipple one breakfast time!!) and a blow up doll thrown in!!!!!!!! <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge2GkyTztAuz_7gcT-Zhbgos_v6WOfZ5k1gQlmxJzKeVCoGbeww5b8yynK3eOnTFoZYjmivL5dBtsRnYGFRbr_vclDrTqnxVPdu4TREKWXnvPXCEykrdKvfWVWPQDwzvqlKFD_B_MR8nM/s1600/DSCF2189.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge2GkyTztAuz_7gcT-Zhbgos_v6WOfZ5k1gQlmxJzKeVCoGbeww5b8yynK3eOnTFoZYjmivL5dBtsRnYGFRbr_vclDrTqnxVPdu4TREKWXnvPXCEykrdKvfWVWPQDwzvqlKFD_B_MR8nM/s320/DSCF2189.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDRLMmjsgffgECEag6aQE0VRPWpcn6LnGaCJRa4PBfgupZ4mUHMNR4zwZSK-ChrGpdkuQFJHXIrztSZoU9wJfzPZD7JzkUXzwQeI3fOgxwKuc948aoobzXtrtz2Aq_eH-SNDu6cB4dqf0/s1600/DSCF2192.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDRLMmjsgffgECEag6aQE0VRPWpcn6LnGaCJRa4PBfgupZ4mUHMNR4zwZSK-ChrGpdkuQFJHXIrztSZoU9wJfzPZD7JzkUXzwQeI3fOgxwKuc948aoobzXtrtz2Aq_eH-SNDu6cB4dqf0/s320/DSCF2192.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjilVFw1E_-qOdDM-wUgXavxjz1PluSmNAWZagPecuj314UUrWFycXTfq52AphdBM1Wad4Ap0XhjEc-dWafd4MuNcYc67da7bnQQruA-6ilqkchlDHv2T3YxSzI4-Vd-hxxDgmPTVDn5TI/s1600/DSCF2193.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjilVFw1E_-qOdDM-wUgXavxjz1PluSmNAWZagPecuj314UUrWFycXTfq52AphdBM1Wad4Ap0XhjEc-dWafd4MuNcYc67da7bnQQruA-6ilqkchlDHv2T3YxSzI4-Vd-hxxDgmPTVDn5TI/s320/DSCF2193.JPG" width="179" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDA9syH2s8gQzDnSBXexNyPAedNMjRvHtDrJdT0uz2kxU4Pd1PtIr08eLEshIMhQx4NmBzfiJ5v4hFwX97aWl4jq7BfX8outvWVwG_mcXOCURKd9uplyxQ_GEWeKKws3aCUOTFDRypyBg/s1600/DSCF2205.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDA9syH2s8gQzDnSBXexNyPAedNMjRvHtDrJdT0uz2kxU4Pd1PtIr08eLEshIMhQx4NmBzfiJ5v4hFwX97aWl4jq7BfX8outvWVwG_mcXOCURKd9uplyxQ_GEWeKKws3aCUOTFDRypyBg/s320/DSCF2205.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">See, it was all worth it!!!<br />More pics in next blog. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
But we made it and after a good nights sleep we left by 8.30am to jump on the boat that was taking us to where we are now, a little piece of paradise, the stunning Aeolian islands. Ahhhhhh............Emily Daleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09101849042527664495noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5806628195483615318.post-79933157250992400452011-07-09T16:21:00.002+01:002011-07-09T16:21:36.894+01:00The journey so far!<!--StartFragment-->
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
I am currently writing this blog 2 hours into the 6-hour
train journey from Amalfi coast down to Sicily, our next destination, well for
tonight at least. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The sea is on my left
and the lush hills are on my right, not a bad view!!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It is 4.45 in the afternoon and we left our little home in
Positano at 10.30 this morning. We have had a rather eventful day so far. The
journey required a bus from Positano to Amalfi, then a change of bus, then new
bus Amalfi to Salerno where we were to pick up the train for Milazzo in Sicily.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
After a relatively painless start we got to Amalfi and then
boarded the next bus. Now the Amalfi coast road is terrifying for someone such
as myself, scared of heights and an increasingly nervous passenger (by road,
well by Italian & French roads) these people drive like maniacs, we had
countless near head on crashes on the bloody bus and the bus actually crashed
into the 3 foot high safety (???) barrier (protecting us from the 150 meter
drop into the bloody sea!!!) at one point going around a blind bend and coming
face to face with another bloody bus!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Now we were nearly at Salerno when all of the passengers at
the rear started shouting to the driver, we had no idea what was going on. The
bus driver made an abrupt stop and everyone rushed off of the bus bar a few of
us at the front not having a clue what was up. I got off to go and investigate
and found out that the bus was overheating and could go no further!!!! They
were sending another bus but they had no idea how long it would take to get to
us!! Perfect!! We had given ourselves extra time due to being used to the
Italian time (or lack of) schedule of public transport but this was 1.10pm and
our train departed at 2.33pm, there was not another one until about 10pm!!! A
load of people disappeared, some were trying to hitch a ride and I managed to
flag the only cab down that passed only to find that a bunch of Italian women
jumped into the other side of the car before I even got to it!!! Another young
couple were desperate to reach the train station too so we walked to the
nearest hotel with them to call a cab and share the ride, we were just about to
order the cab when a random bus stopped, not the one they had sent but it had
stopped so we all had to hot foot it back down the road and cram onto the local
bus with all our luggage and no where to put it.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Crisis averted, we arrived at the train station by 2.10pm
only to be told the poxy train was delayed by 20 mins. The train is going to a
different destination than where we booked, we have been told it goes there
too. Who the f**k knows? We’ll see in a few hours I suppose, but first this
train has got to cross the Mediterranean Sea that separates the long leg of
Italy from the little island of Sicily? <o:p></o:p></div>
<!--EndFragment-->
Emily Daleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09101849042527664495noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5806628195483615318.post-89780131589002947492011-07-08T18:25:00.000+01:002011-07-08T18:25:51.177+01:00From Rome to Positano<!--StartFragment-->
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
So where are we now? We left Rome for the Amalfi coast,
Positano to be precise, two weeks ago. We had originally booked one week here
but were having a bit of a dilemma about where to next so as the apartment was
empty for the following week we decided that we would stay on for another week
here instead, as really when else in our lives will we ever be able to say “ah
shall we just stay another week?”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And
having been lucky enough to visit here once before we knew how much we loved it
and just what a beautiful place it is. And quite frankly after the 6 hour
hellish journey here from Rome via disgusting Naples we both could not face
moving on anywhere any time soon. We did not want to see another train or bus!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We have been staying in a little split level studio built
into the cliff side with our own little terraced garden, complete with our very
own lemon tree, with views of pretty Positano all around. All pastel painted
houses, bougainvillea blossoming and lemon tree’s all built into the cliffs
tumbling down to the bay and the sparkling sea, lovely! Apart from the f***ing
mosquito’s, aghh…<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Since arriving here it has been nice to kick back for a bit,
unpack and stand still for a while, go to the beach, lay in the garden, relax
over a drink with the sea stretching before us, wander the maze of alleyways
filled with shops (Fendi beach bag anyone??) and restaurants spilling out into
the paths and generally watching the world go by albeit packed with day
trippers and whilst sweltering in the boiling, humid heat. Been in the 30’s but
80% humidity. Sweaty!!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We had a hot, expensive and reasonably disappointing day in
Capri. Firstly went to the famous Blue Grotto on a boat trip, the waters were
meant to be bright azure and seemingly glowing from underneath, what actually
happened was we paid 50 bloody euros to sit on a boat at the entrance to a cave
for an hour, then climbed into a tiny rowing boat to enter said cave for 5
minutes, the water was quite blue, not really that amazing, there were so many
poxy boats you could barely see the water anyway then we were whisked back to
the dock. A complete waste of €50. Don’t bother if you happen to find yourself
there. We then headed up to Capri town, which was basically Bond Street on top
of a cliff, packed with us day-trippers, bastard boiling hot and ridiculously
expensive, even for Italy. €10 for a glass of fruit juice?? I think not!! And
the showing off and posing took things to a whole new level, (even for Italy!!).
Unless you really have squillions in the bank you would feel like the poor
relations staying here, people really only come here to be flash and to be seen
being flash, and in all honesty I can’t really say I can see why? It’s quite
nice but there are nicer places, it is just exclusive for exclusives sake. It cost
us €150 in total for the day, to get the boat there, go to the bloody grotto
and have a pizza for lunch (the cheapest thing on the menu), and no drinks
apart from water. Crazy. We both felt we would have rather treated ourselves to
a meal out in Positano instead but hey ho, you live and learn.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The other place on our doorstep here is Pompeii, we never
went the last time we were here, as we just wanted to relax and the way to get
to Pompeii is not relaxing. You have to get a train which links Naples (vile
city of filth and mafia) and Sorrento, and Pompeii is in the middle, we had had
the unfortunate experience of this awful train before, it is like a really old
underground train but with plastic seats, no air-conditioning, no luggage space
(hundreds of people have luggage with them as it is the only train to Sorrento
and you cannot get there by any other means unless coming direct from Naples
airport!!!!!), packed to the rafters with people hot and sweating and it takes
about an hour and a half. It is hell. But anyway I digress, we had decided to
get up early and catch the 7.55am bus to Sorrento in order to get on the awful
train to Pompeii, we stood at the bus stop until 8.50 when we, and many others,
found out the sodding buses were on strike. So we went off to the beach
instead. Pompeii take two, a couple of days later we tried again and managed to
get there. It was ever so impressive that the whole town of roman ruins is
still basically standing all these thousands of years later and the level of
destruction caused by Versuvius’ violent eruption was immense but unless you
buy a guidebook or pay for a guided tour there is no information about anything
at all, not even a map from the information office on site!!! So if you’re
going buy a bloody book before you go in.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We spent the morning there and enjoyed much more than our outing to
Capri and then once reaching Sorrento, again by horrid train, basked in the
knowledge that we never, ever have to get on that god-awful piece of transport
again. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Then we have spent a few more days knocking around here, got
rained on (just one grey day), had a lovely fresh fish dinner out with views of
the sea and village and have been trying to keep cool in these ever rising
temperatures, thank god for air-con!!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So that brings me up to date really, we leave Positano
tomorrow morning for an epic journey to Sicily, our last stop. We have 2 hours
on a bus with a change in the middle, then 6 hours on a train all the way to
Sicily (the train goes on the ferry apparently??), the a cab to our B&B for
the night in Milazzo before sailing off to the Aeolian Islands on Sunday where
we will be staying for a week. Will need a blimin rest after all that
travelling!!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Positano pics,</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGJmtW2XKClUN2-4eedF4oXFYAFKqdCqYd90GvzsEuRA1OwQbRkDdg0suaWTDE4Flh9kZ0fwBEO1OKY2mzPHBOYN2aYeiRnWHOvYD8R60saZpH7V3mI-92VQLtjRuuzYS9_RGBMsswihM/s1600/DSCF2040.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGJmtW2XKClUN2-4eedF4oXFYAFKqdCqYd90GvzsEuRA1OwQbRkDdg0suaWTDE4Flh9kZ0fwBEO1OKY2mzPHBOYN2aYeiRnWHOvYD8R60saZpH7V3mI-92VQLtjRuuzYS9_RGBMsswihM/s320/DSCF2040.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUp3QfW9rfiqYKqmMtQw4QjOKFZ_OREukiqyi3HJmOdaut7fQ5qtTJBEZHXYID4qlqoBAtM4IXioV_ZsW4JezRdR4xyL4slU8Iy4va-ENJkPW3hWKIeVqTR7kNf3EGyywoKMOzy3rQSCU/s1600/DSCF2044.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUp3QfW9rfiqYKqmMtQw4QjOKFZ_OREukiqyi3HJmOdaut7fQ5qtTJBEZHXYID4qlqoBAtM4IXioV_ZsW4JezRdR4xyL4slU8Iy4va-ENJkPW3hWKIeVqTR7kNf3EGyywoKMOzy3rQSCU/s320/DSCF2044.JPG" width="179" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMuDL34TXMY-x5mMOgDEqCW1mXBbZ7RnYVFt-CZFA6BkYtiTWzPsyU_HmliznAvv3ZIH_HsBJgl6SY3PjD01oUwuwCM0fgZzGdzjYV9SUwfqsXe9qb-1vyRi5IYtV5IIWG_zGSfqcCnpM/s1600/DSCF2042.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMuDL34TXMY-x5mMOgDEqCW1mXBbZ7RnYVFt-CZFA6BkYtiTWzPsyU_HmliznAvv3ZIH_HsBJgl6SY3PjD01oUwuwCM0fgZzGdzjYV9SUwfqsXe9qb-1vyRi5IYtV5IIWG_zGSfqcCnpM/s320/DSCF2042.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4xgloXfPTJxKzPZ-ZngN1Wz-tbUCtQkzADnamT6AZXLLT2g_qfDoE2sj-MyPKd30PBPwL2TxEIfNInn5DAofHU6wJ1sPH16f1UaeJvXYCuNtSuyqMjEWNkUrWpgjZg5EIHdIumf4N5O4/s1600/DSCF2033.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4xgloXfPTJxKzPZ-ZngN1Wz-tbUCtQkzADnamT6AZXLLT2g_qfDoE2sj-MyPKd30PBPwL2TxEIfNInn5DAofHU6wJ1sPH16f1UaeJvXYCuNtSuyqMjEWNkUrWpgjZg5EIHdIumf4N5O4/s320/DSCF2033.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBPO5e9URmSghHZOgaX7fhhM1J-VRuHiPHlBuc1dhK-Z-defDeBFSfM64ppdm1PeXYfQ1cZBvPgjlv39_tUxluYFnKAyJ78CEy3OMl1toksgUG8MtLD_6IpfDxcJTI0XXVlp-yTup2Rjw/s1600/DSCF2043.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBPO5e9URmSghHZOgaX7fhhM1J-VRuHiPHlBuc1dhK-Z-defDeBFSfM64ppdm1PeXYfQ1cZBvPgjlv39_tUxluYFnKAyJ78CEy3OMl1toksgUG8MtLD_6IpfDxcJTI0XXVlp-yTup2Rjw/s320/DSCF2043.JPG" width="179" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<!--EndFragment-->
Emily Daleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09101849042527664495noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5806628195483615318.post-63561649497868539992011-07-01T15:59:00.002+01:002011-07-01T16:01:23.568+01:00All roads lead to Rome.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT3We3VMRtOsbAMWC_zOd3_nyJZVh1RmgeQqKslspyBVEflxmYKb9EJ2W-vjwTeeHgogM7diSwHecCvENZGowKQ57Sz0ZUbK7BZjo408U7ykraEZxe6tHs2ohMbnW79TuXoxrvY4Wf5qU/s1600/DSCF1958.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT3We3VMRtOsbAMWC_zOd3_nyJZVh1RmgeQqKslspyBVEflxmYKb9EJ2W-vjwTeeHgogM7diSwHecCvENZGowKQ57Sz0ZUbK7BZjo408U7ykraEZxe6tHs2ohMbnW79TuXoxrvY4Wf5qU/s320/DSCF1958.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I don't think I need to say what this is!!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It is said that all roads lead to Rome, this most ancient of
cities, once centre of the world.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I have been to Rome before, it was my first taste of Italy
and I loved it then and I loved it just as much this time around, maybe even
more, when our road led us to Rome.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We arrived there last Wednesday by train from Florence; we
had found a cool little studio to stay in over the river Tiber in the Trastevere
district, mere minutes from the ruins of ancient Rome.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Enroute to our new abode I had a little accident. Now I am
known for being a little unsteady underfoot so this will come a no surprise to
those of you used to seeing me on the floor, there I was lugging my stupidly
overfull and very heavy bag along Rome’s cobbles when my bag got caught in a
hole of a missing cobble and due to the sheer weight of my non-capsule wardrobe
the bag pulled me back and under it!!! Leaving me sprawled on the floor with my
bag on top of me!!! Not very <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">fa la bella
figura </i>is it???? A lesson learnt, travel lighter in future!!!!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Anyway, our apartment was great, albeit surrounded by
hundreds of bars (we had been warned by the very nice owner at time of booking,
I like that kind of honesty) but it had double glazing and I do not travel
anywhere without earplugs so all was fine, apart from my grazed and bleeding
elbow!!!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We spent three nights in Rome, we visited all the sights as
we had before (though didn’t bother queuing hours to get in this time
especially as it was near on 40 bloody degrees!!!) and words cannot describe
what an magnificent city it is, it is just a constant feast for the senses, the
ruins are incredible, so much so you can just imagine what it must have been
like in the days of the ancient romans, the buildings that are still intact
such as the Pantheon and the Colosseum are just awe inspiring and it sounds so
cheesy but you can just feel the history, and the fact that all this still
remains for us mere mortals to still see is just unbelievable. Add into that a
mighty portion of great shopping, cool bars, fabulous restaurants and it just
does not get any better.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Rome is an enormous city and it was madly busy with
tourists, much more so than when I had visited before, and we were also
experiencing hotter than normal temperatures (obviously as we were there) but
we found that you can still escape the madding crowds and find quiet shady
spots, stumble upon quiet piazza’s with beautiful buildings, come across parts
of hidden ruins and just sit and watch the world go by as it has for centuries
over (much more reasonably priced) a coffee, just to be there and be part of
such an amazing place makes you feel very lucky.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Although we thought we had done all the main tourist sights
last time we were there we found that we had only just scratched the surface
and come across so much more, even in the places we thought we had already
looked. It is another one of those places that you just kind of have to get
lost and let the city guide through. Down shaded passageways littered with
traces of the cities rich past, along imposing avenues dominated by centuries
old formidable architecture, up stairwells leading to hilltop palaces with
vista’s spanning the city old and new, the winding streets leading to the
splendour of the Vatican City in all of its glory. Ahhh ‘tis a beautiful place.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The romans may well have been a cruel and violent force to be reckoned with at the height of their power but by god did they know how to
build the most perfect city and their descendants continue to make this one of
my most favourite places in the world. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpTZ6-pVLP-NJnaOvAt_XEfiN6VeJ1lJmdJHCIni1Dm-CHOdTVtUWgxqSviaN9dPqa9Rlhp0mBz9kOuBHXbj1s_ZQw2svd90fgS7ab4QN5YwrO1ipy7KWXOLKAo58PxBO3D1JMQaNNzZ8/s1600/DSCF2030.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpTZ6-pVLP-NJnaOvAt_XEfiN6VeJ1lJmdJHCIni1Dm-CHOdTVtUWgxqSviaN9dPqa9Rlhp0mBz9kOuBHXbj1s_ZQw2svd90fgS7ab4QN5YwrO1ipy7KWXOLKAo58PxBO3D1JMQaNNzZ8/s320/DSCF2030.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the mighty Pantheon</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqVbcW1ovMRXHgfXMfWKqq9Xukiz5sbYIZ8CU5TbXhAmo1Q39IOk4IIhL-o_B9Jzvy338-_raA2aHhT6vj61kkHza1h9xQaH3HxErgGLqSC4mTlYgdNAOU8zQ2uAbMBzkjbh-gUS90DGc/s1600/DSCF1987.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqVbcW1ovMRXHgfXMfWKqq9Xukiz5sbYIZ8CU5TbXhAmo1Q39IOk4IIhL-o_B9Jzvy338-_raA2aHhT6vj61kkHza1h9xQaH3HxErgGLqSC4mTlYgdNAOU8zQ2uAbMBzkjbh-gUS90DGc/s320/DSCF1987.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">ancient rome</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4qsecECx2Ih0_Bik8hTSUjLNdA3yPF_AH6nt-CfD_-C2YuuSU2ygojE_P-zq29KJIoxUv-TOi4i4FSH1x1eU3ZxpF3Cd5TCyxXVSPN_uF4pxW4VQ5O7ALYn-V1LM6RPFPvicVkcFn-0Q/s1600/DSCF2009.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4qsecECx2Ih0_Bik8hTSUjLNdA3yPF_AH6nt-CfD_-C2YuuSU2ygojE_P-zq29KJIoxUv-TOi4i4FSH1x1eU3ZxpF3Cd5TCyxXVSPN_uF4pxW4VQ5O7ALYn-V1LM6RPFPvicVkcFn-0Q/s320/DSCF2009.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">castle angelo surrounded by Bernini's angels</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT-_kSBzcre1mXTUPBbk7_3f4CX9bQNhVJWjJrwHiseNV-5ZJLtCm-1uZWx5rXXtzFr4hJjpy0rXs4APBgbdduJJcytv0amEStbfBYH1ULbQjRjVIJ04w_OhdKuTshBOFva5tVJuNvAw0/s1600/DSCF1932.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT-_kSBzcre1mXTUPBbk7_3f4CX9bQNhVJWjJrwHiseNV-5ZJLtCm-1uZWx5rXXtzFr4hJjpy0rXs4APBgbdduJJcytv0amEStbfBYH1ULbQjRjVIJ04w_OhdKuTshBOFva5tVJuNvAw0/s320/DSCF1932.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Piazza Venezia</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXAz8hEpVYz7wln-BEMucGgWnJ-PeyhKx53Mjk8UsYBg1OeZkw3RZnUX2yj1Bd2tc4ATvVfhRGhouFpp5Nmj1cIqDSQYXa5lpKKL3uv9Kb7B-Rm1kmwdvHdcl9L1Wdy-MY-U-pxXBqpmc/s1600/DSCF1973.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXAz8hEpVYz7wln-BEMucGgWnJ-PeyhKx53Mjk8UsYBg1OeZkw3RZnUX2yj1Bd2tc4ATvVfhRGhouFpp5Nmj1cIqDSQYXa5lpKKL3uv9Kb7B-Rm1kmwdvHdcl9L1Wdy-MY-U-pxXBqpmc/s320/DSCF1973.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Trevi fountain</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I just know I will be back again and again.<o:p></o:p></div>
Emily Daleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09101849042527664495noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5806628195483615318.post-31986564814613399132011-06-27T21:34:00.000+01:002011-06-27T21:34:00.404+01:00A Tuscan Delight!<!--StartFragment-->
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
So after a couple of stressful and not particularly fun days
in Bologna we set off on our merry way to Florence, to stay this time, not to
change trains. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We had managed to secure ourselves a particularly good deal
on an apartment in Florence (€300 for 7 nights!) so decided to stay for a week
and travel out to sample the Tuscan delights from there.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Now Tuscany has a lot of hype, as does Florence itself, so
Mr and I were a little apprehensive about what we would think of it as we are
are not always of the same opinion as the masses when it comes to what makes a
place great, ie: Bologna & Cinque Terre.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
But the hype was justified. Florence is a beautiful city,
the Duomo is spectacular, the buildings beautiful, the stunning piazza’s, the
Tuscan hills in the distance, Roberto Cavalli’s café, Gucci, Prada, Fendi, oh
my! Lovely.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
What was not lovely, was the sheer amount of people, it was
so busy. Like Oxford Street in December, everywhere, all day, everyday! And it
was hot! No rain here. Over 30 degrees everyday and with that amount of people
(in your way), the close proximity of all the buildings, the heat from the
buses and mopeds whizzing by and no air-con in our apartment it made for a very
warm week indeed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
But despite the heat, the people and the prices (€6 for an
espresso in some places, Mr Cavalli! I think not!), we had a great week there,
it helped to be able to do it a bit at a time so as not to get too stressed
with the crowds and the soaring temperatures.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We crossed the famous <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">ponte
vecchio, </i>strolled<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> </i>along the river
Arno, stood and gazed across the magnificent squares and watched the stylish
Florentines go about their daily business over espresso in cool café’s (not for
€6 a pop though, €2 is more the top of our price range), we went on a tour and visited
a Chianti winery and drove through the jaw droppingly, stunning Tuscan hills,
stopped by a medieval hilltop town in the countryside, we put our culture heads
on and visited the Uffizi Gallery to see Botticelli’s ‘Birth of Venus’ and
‘Primavera’, went to the Gallery Academia home to Michelangelo’s<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>‘David’ and sampled the local <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Bistecca a la Fiorentina</i> (a 3 finger
thick piece of Tuscan beef, a T bone steak), which was followed by a rather
tiddly affair in a bar with some Aussies <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>and a Scot we had got chatting to, they just
happened to be crewing one of the yachts we had seen in Genova, small world. Try
an espresso martini if you get the chance, espresso, Baileys, Kahlua and
Absolute Vanilla vodka, yum, yum!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I then finished the week with a cooking class, we visited
the central market to taste and learn all about balsamic vinegars (3 years old
to 30 years old, amazing tastes and amazing prices, €88 for the 30 yr. old! Was
truly different though), tasted some olive oils and some other bits including
Florentine salt with black truffle (I purchased some of this, it smells divine),
bought our ingredients then went to the kitchen with (18 Americans and me) with
our chef, Giovanni and his assistant to make our lunch which consisted of
freshly baked bruschetta topped with tomatoes, aubergine caprese (grilled
slices of aubergine with tomato, mozzarella and basil sandwiched in between),
we then made parpadelle pasta by hand, a tomato, basil and meat ragu and the
finished off with our own individually made tiramisu, accompanied by Italian
opera in the background and couple of glasses of Tuscany’s finest red! It all
tasted amazing! Cannot wait to make it all again! <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So all in all it was a fabulous week, much more the Italy we
love and I can say that Tuscany definitely deserves all the attention that it
gets!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS 明朝"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">I have been writing these last few of blogs on
the train as we have had such a busy week in Florence. In an hour we will be in Rome, the eternal city. </span><!--EndFragment--><br />
<span style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS 明朝"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Cambria; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS 明朝"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">(scheduled post's arrived weds 22nd)</span>Emily Daleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09101849042527664495noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5806628195483615318.post-78256815267789242262011-06-26T21:29:00.000+01:002011-06-26T21:29:00.178+01:00Ferrari's<!--StartFragment-->
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
As we had 3 nights in Bologna we had planned to spend one of
the days visting Modena, home of balsamic vinegar and just a short hop from
there is Maranello, home of Ferrari.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Now I am not bothered about cars in general, and I was not
particularly fussed about going to the Ferrari museum, but being the good wife
that I am I was happy to go along as Mr was quite excited about the prospect of
getting up close and personal with these dream machines.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So up early, and straight on the train the to Modena, a more
successful start than the day before, I should add. According to the Lonely
Planet guide it was a simple case of getting off the train in Modena, walking
up the road to the bus station to jumping on bus 800 to take the many pilgrims
to home of Ferrari, Maranello.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I should state that this day was f***ing boiling hot, no
rain today!! We walked over 1 km to get to the bus station where we managed,
with my rudimentary Italian, to book some tickets and work out what the hell to
do and where on earth to get the bus from. 45 minutes on a very hot bus later
we arrived at Marenello, we only worked out we was there due to the signs on
the road for <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">galleria Ferrari, </i>once
off the bus however there were no sodding signs and considering this is the
only reason people come here it was a complete nightmare to find. We walked
around for probably at least half an hour before finding it. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We paid €13 each to get in, looked about 24 cars (mostly
racing cars), were’nt allowed to touch anything, weren’t allowed to sit in them
and then half hour later we were at the exit surrounded by bloody tons of
Ferrari merchandise. Seriously, why would you want Ferrari Perfume??? Or a €100
tie with the prancing horse on it? If you buy anything from Ferrari, surely it
would be a Ferrari? <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
But anyway it was an experience; although we’ve probably
seen more flash cars out on the roads in general though in all honesty without
the 2-hour journey and expense. And actually there were companies doing test
drives all around the museum, €100 for 10 minutes, so there were more cars
outside!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
After finding our way back from Ferrari land we got to
Modena early afternoon where we had planned to have lunch, It was a close call,
we managed to find somewhere but the whole bloody place was shut. It was
Tuesday, 2pm. Shops, tourist information, cafes, shut. Were we back in
france???<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Had a wander round the closed city center, which was quite
nice actually, much nicer than Bologna had it been open, then we went to a
little deli, bought a pic-nic of sorts, including the best breadsticks and
Zoppa ham I have ever tasted in my life, to take back for our tea, got back on
the train and went back to our hotel to get ready to leave the following day,
something I have to say we really was not sorry about!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<!--EndFragment-->
Emily Daleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09101849042527664495noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5806628195483615318.post-10477572035103356802011-06-24T21:26:00.000+01:002011-06-24T21:26:00.126+01:00Bologna, the fat one!<!--StartFragment-->
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
After a brief stop in Florence to change trains we arrived
in Bologna., in the region of Emilia Romagna, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Il grasse</i><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(the fat one) as
it is known. It is the home of spaghetti Bolognese, a couple of lesser known
leaning towers (not very impressive), imposing medieval architecture (bit dark
and depressing) and fabulous food emporiums brimming with goods such Parma ham,
Balsamic, vinegar, the local fizzing red Lambrusco and Parmesan, all of which
are from just up the road. Hence the reason for its nickname! <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So we arrived at our hotel, a 10 minute taxi ride from the
city center to find we were actually booked in so that was a good start. We
headed off out to get some dinner and caught the only (hellish) bus from where
we were staying to city center. Now I am not being rude but there were a whole
lot of wrong ‘uns knocking about Bologna, the people on the whole were a bit
rough, there was a huge immigrant population (unusual for Italy) and the
Bolognan’s did’nt cut a very fine figure, they were taking to the nickname
quite literally.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We spent the next day getting drenched in the rain, again,
whilst taking in the sights (??) of Bologna. From when we had set off from our
hotel that morning it was not a good start, we left to get some cash as we had
forgotten to get some out the night before and used the last of our cash on the
bus, and it was boiling hot, although it had looked grey and cloudy, so back to
the hotel to get changed into something cooler before getting on the awful bus
journey into town (no alternative, too far to walk), we left the hotel and I
had left my sunnies in the room so back in I goes, we set off again and Mr
realises he had left his wedding ring in the room. We wait forever for the
sodding bus (meant to be every 10 mins, was definitely not!) and finally get
into the center of the city where great big black clouds have come over. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We walked around a very uninspiring city, managed to stop
just in time for a spot of lunch when the heavens opened! Torrential rain
again! I was wearing a thin cotton sundress and flat sandals!!! Then just when
we thought it could get no worse my stomach decided that it was not happy and I
spent the next hour walking (and desperately trying to find) from toilet to
toilet in a bit of a stress!!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So all in all not a great experience, the food emporiums,
markets and deli’s were amazing to see and the produce looked incredible but on
the whole it was not a great place to visit and I am not really sure why it
is/was part of the grand tour?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We finished the day buying a couple of rolls and a salad and
taking our ‘dinner’ back to the hotel, it was most certainly not the glamorous
experience I had had in mind!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
On to Modena and the home of Ferrari.<o:p></o:p></div>
<!--EndFragment-->
Emily Daleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09101849042527664495noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5806628195483615318.post-13418403125854275202011-06-23T21:27:00.000+01:002011-06-23T21:27:12.558+01:00Pretty Little Pisa<!--StartFragment-->
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
So where was I? <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Last time I blogged we were leaving the Ligurian coast after
a wet week by the sea. We left on the Saturday for Pisa where we spent 1 night
and had a thoroughly enjoyable 24 hours in the Tuscan town.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The Piazza Miracoli, home to the leaning tower, was
incredible. A huge marble clad cathedral, and the gleaming tower of course
sitting amid immaculate lawns, had a very relaxed air about it considering the
place was swarming with tourist’s all doing the obligatory ‘holding up the
tower’ pose. Mr and I spent the afternoon seated on the grass amusing ourselves
watching the many poses being struck. Very funny, and of course we had to do it
too, (photo’s to follow at some point!).<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Pisa was really not what I was expecting. It was small, more
a town than a city, it was quiet and relaxed, little restaurants and cafes
tucked away, great shops, antique stalls lining the streets and squares, and
generally a very pleasant place to spend a bit of time. There is more than just
the leaning tower to pretty little Pisa.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We had a nice meal out that evening in a little trattoria
and had a couple of drinks al fresco soaking up the atmosphere in the squares
thronging with people.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Slight problem the next morning though, we checked our
emails to check out how to get to the hotel of our next destination, Bologna
(we were leaving on the lunchtime train) to find that the hotel we thought we
were booked into had in fact emailed back, in Italian, to tell us they had no
rooms available (thank god for online translation!!!). This was about 10.30am
and we were leaving at 1pm! Luckily we found somewhere else, with instant
confirmation, and we could sigh a breath of relief that we would’nt be homeless
that night and the following two! Crisis averted! What did we do before the
internet???<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Next stop Bologna.<o:p></o:p></div>
<!--EndFragment-->
Emily Daleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09101849042527664495noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5806628195483615318.post-12113279386403596942011-06-14T02:23:00.000+01:002011-06-14T02:23:00.589+01:00More pictures!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
GENOA</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwKdzvhHm8Lh3_gXnrd9Tx9AENAkXPv9ZUwJS4KVk940Uvcv2Mp0Hegeow2Yj22pocG5KSTPkUFg4_ReBMx6dIdc3BIuSS_IKnuXATBdPVxnpRIUoM1-sjybMlCjPrt3aiIqjuKg4vRTs/s1600/DSCF1631.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwKdzvhHm8Lh3_gXnrd9Tx9AENAkXPv9ZUwJS4KVk940Uvcv2Mp0Hegeow2Yj22pocG5KSTPkUFg4_ReBMx6dIdc3BIuSS_IKnuXATBdPVxnpRIUoM1-sjybMlCjPrt3aiIqjuKg4vRTs/s320/DSCF1631.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtIXPGGkBGBPq88785MdYGMdJ8snT9vA-yuUiLCP6HLn35CMIad0yoWswG1hjLhTIT4-1VzLutBpyHLc7k2cNk6tOSwmCLbqvWLvyGX-IyR_KotnZ5xYZzZFCtRbmUVc9BwO5tS0UQw1M/s1600/DSCF1626.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtIXPGGkBGBPq88785MdYGMdJ8snT9vA-yuUiLCP6HLn35CMIad0yoWswG1hjLhTIT4-1VzLutBpyHLc7k2cNk6tOSwmCLbqvWLvyGX-IyR_KotnZ5xYZzZFCtRbmUVc9BwO5tS0UQw1M/s320/DSCF1626.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1YUqbfdCz091NLj2iVH6_UnFVRYBa8C-_jh5arQT0xsGacnS0mqdIKl5VBY9khgaVSS2rNbEIrs6Jrf5OdoaW2WMxCE-Zr8yd8SJhDkoywovZ-2KxuL9SP2m4ZBQdYrwXfF-Uf2YN7sg/s1600/DSCF1642.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="123" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1YUqbfdCz091NLj2iVH6_UnFVRYBa8C-_jh5arQT0xsGacnS0mqdIKl5VBY9khgaVSS2rNbEIrs6Jrf5OdoaW2WMxCE-Zr8yd8SJhDkoywovZ-2KxuL9SP2m4ZBQdYrwXfF-Uf2YN7sg/s320/DSCF1642.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBvFtBgBKv0lVp2Ob3k-r_Q8t60MLFlYuoTP2If3A2xpIhMqPsYBrMo_LcxAgJIAoWslTGf-92DQglxTaMl6US0eUz2IGs9nHDNRA6VnysBMJZ_imm9LdeNjeOjuCuSh7A6td-laEyl30/s1600/DSCF1639.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBvFtBgBKv0lVp2Ob3k-r_Q8t60MLFlYuoTP2If3A2xpIhMqPsYBrMo_LcxAgJIAoWslTGf-92DQglxTaMl6US0eUz2IGs9nHDNRA6VnysBMJZ_imm9LdeNjeOjuCuSh7A6td-laEyl30/s320/DSCF1639.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIXMxg4IhCyNO8jfQCpdd0kpFAgtcE2zHf-KWlMkGVtOrGAf0bi91PiwPHG3sUhwx5y4DMRaDoMAl9PLfy2DsrwTHmZPACEsvR4cotXC901G5LLwo2So9vgT4-gz1PdICGh556X7KOK2Q/s1600/DSCF1618.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIXMxg4IhCyNO8jfQCpdd0kpFAgtcE2zHf-KWlMkGVtOrGAf0bi91PiwPHG3sUhwx5y4DMRaDoMAl9PLfy2DsrwTHmZPACEsvR4cotXC901G5LLwo2So9vgT4-gz1PdICGh556X7KOK2Q/s320/DSCF1618.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
PORTOFINO</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqNVf0YoEFD_CXXQE8wyGWRPPLg1E4FiS_dSz3TODuWGhw3WBnnM3W5H1jgnFBP5jO56vXuPrBraVkhBqFI-1FTbgJj87bsQ2iPInT8L2l3ziw3h6RYg4MjmShkL64aykLIA_aceVdEL0/s1600/DSCF1657.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqNVf0YoEFD_CXXQE8wyGWRPPLg1E4FiS_dSz3TODuWGhw3WBnnM3W5H1jgnFBP5jO56vXuPrBraVkhBqFI-1FTbgJj87bsQ2iPInT8L2l3ziw3h6RYg4MjmShkL64aykLIA_aceVdEL0/s320/DSCF1657.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPpZo6JLbIUN4WQjOexbsiDy7qE0PfkLQ0xH5GgBEAFwi3yNkA5TBjb5jczujLZgacfSlhcpWUszK6kogaJGAKOSwGVg975Btuvb4OS49gbel3RXl6y26SOhBJvmT9p_v-coHfghY_qFc/s1600/DSCF1649.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPpZo6JLbIUN4WQjOexbsiDy7qE0PfkLQ0xH5GgBEAFwi3yNkA5TBjb5jczujLZgacfSlhcpWUszK6kogaJGAKOSwGVg975Btuvb4OS49gbel3RXl6y26SOhBJvmT9p_v-coHfghY_qFc/s320/DSCF1649.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmOgh_mLP6qqaLcUP_CEl7cgXAo3Xw9joHeoUZSla3ct9_S6abkkhnVnwnf0tyQaK6xy66ozzbBm_48muPH1vtSSlLyZz360QpPxCunbCtvhouscZA0V97W3dUa46Dw7hdHMFO2R_sNnM/s1600/DSCF1644.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmOgh_mLP6qqaLcUP_CEl7cgXAo3Xw9joHeoUZSla3ct9_S6abkkhnVnwnf0tyQaK6xy66ozzbBm_48muPH1vtSSlLyZz360QpPxCunbCtvhouscZA0V97W3dUa46Dw7hdHMFO2R_sNnM/s320/DSCF1644.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A very useful umbrella!!!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />Emily Daleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09101849042527664495noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5806628195483615318.post-3077476755508887232011-06-13T19:14:00.008+01:002011-06-13T19:17:56.722+01:00Aperitivo<!--StartFragment-->
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
Aperitivo. A genius thing. I know I have banged on about it
before but really, it is amazing that you get basically a meal, or at the very
least a hearty platter of snacks just by ordering alcohol. We have had everything
from some humble crisps, nuts and breadsticks to olives and fresh veggie
crudités to cooked meats and local cheeses to bruschetta and pasta and pizza.
Strictly speaking aperitivo is from around 5/6pm to about 8/9pm but basically at
any other time of the day you get given a little selection of something to
munch on whilst you enjoy your drink.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
But it is not only the food that is so good. I have
succumbed to one or two delicious aperitif’s. A few years back on our first
visit to Italy one evening in Rome, sitting in a great little bar in a hidden
alleyway, all crumbling old buildings and creeping ivy, I happened to notice
that a huge amount of people were drinking something a lurid orange and fizzy.
Then every other time we have found ourselves back in Italy I have noticed the
same thing, but being of quiet British reserve instead of asking what it was
everyone was drinking I just sat there wondering. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Now I am normally strictly a G&T or a glass of wine
kinda girl who is partial to an occasional cocktail but I have a new favourite
beverage, the lurid fizzy orange drink the Italians seem to love is Aperol. I
have had one or two Campari sodas in my time (another Italian aperitif
preference) but Aperol & soda is much nicer, not quite as sour, a bit
sweeter but still with a sour note to it. And to make this even better they add
Prosecco (Italy’s far superior answer to champagne, worthy of being drunk by
itself, just lovely) and a slice of orange to make a <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">spritz</i>. Which is just delicious, I can’t really describe the taste
apart from like a grown up glass of fizzy pop! Yum! Served with lashings of
ice, it just tastes like summer in a glass! <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7NBB66rX4QKxjfUIrm6gFf-NEx7eMOmrH9LZkTA7eHPQkkPc-sYszk4flqt2rryV-m9rLbo5s1bI3Z70k28JZM_1zUdUrzXN2yqMPtkLLg84Us00caAx5Xkc7BzrBiMGzRCAG3wZuuC8/s1600/DSCF1449.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7NBB66rX4QKxjfUIrm6gFf-NEx7eMOmrH9LZkTA7eHPQkkPc-sYszk4flqt2rryV-m9rLbo5s1bI3Z70k28JZM_1zUdUrzXN2yqMPtkLLg84Us00caAx5Xkc7BzrBiMGzRCAG3wZuuC8/s320/DSCF1449.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Campari soda and nibbles at lake Garda!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p>The only reason I found out what the hell it was
everyone was drinking was by way of a fellow blogger, Ms adventures in Italy,
who is based in Milan and did a whole blog about the how, what and where of
aperitivo. She had listed all that were acceptable drinks to order and what the
hell they were and here it was that I discovered what the lurid orange fizz is,
and so now I know what to order!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<!--EndFragment-->
Emily Daleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09101849042527664495noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5806628195483615318.post-1776008942752708202011-06-12T09:21:00.000+01:002011-06-12T09:21:00.133+01:00A Cinque Terre experience.<!--StartFragment-->
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
The rain had finally stopped. We seized our chance to
venture out in a cloudless sky and off we popped to the Unesco protected Cinque
Terre. This is the area’s big draw by all accounts.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The Cinque Terre literally translate to 5 towns, all perched
perilously on cliff tops seemingly slipping into the Liguria Sea. After getting
off the train at the wrong place we spent the first of many hours waiting for
bloody trains. We planned the day train hopping between the 5 towns as advised
in the increasingly useless Lonely Planet guide book, bought the unlimited train
travel ticket and eventually got to the right place on an overcrowded train
full of people with the same idea. Along with the train connections you can
hike between the villages, which seemed to be a popular choice with backpack,
hiking boot wearing Germans and Americans. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So first stop, the furthest of the five. A tiny place with a
fishing harbour the size of your average garage all steep winding staircases
and narrow paths. Absolutely jam packed with tourists and this is the low
season. Hmmm…<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We walked along the footpath to the next stop, as it was
only about 20 minutes by foot and all along the sea. Nice views but if you have
any fear of heights like me then at points it was a little heart racing. The
next village was nicer than the one before but much of a muchness in all
honesty and packed once again and there were a few rumbles of thunder so we
thought we would train it to the next one. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Now considering how popular this is and being Unesco protected
train travel is advised and encouraged. There were only two trains an hour but
not every half hour, sometimes 20 minutes apart, sometimes 40, sometimes more,
sometimes less. And you know which ones we always seemed to have to wait for.
Anyway the trains got busier to the point of it being more crowded than I have
ever experienced on the London underground, and that is saying something. It
was stifling hot, with bodies all pressed together, sweaty and just gross. Some
of the footpaths were shut due to recent landslides so the walkers had to get
the trains too. Their backpacks and poles just added more obstructions making
for an increasingly unpleasant experience. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Now I am, it may be described as slightly neurotic, but I am
of the opinion that no-one should be in my personal space, also known as “my
fuck-off circle” so you can just imagine how much I was enjoying all this,
especially at one point when some dodgy German woman was pushing me onto the
train with her boobs, then once on the train was pressing herself onto the
front of my person, she was in full walking gear but we saw her and her rotund
husband on every train so they clearly had no intention of walking some of that
rotundness off!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I digress. Now the villages were very quaint and prettily
perched in a sea and wind battered way but the sheer nightmare of the trains
made the experience a bad one and in all honesty I think they looked better
once you were in the next village looking back along the dramatic coastline, as
whilst in them because they were so small and narrow and crowded you did’nt
really get to see much. We spent more time in the train stations than the
villages and really it got to the point when once you had seen one…………….<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
But just when I thought it could get no worse, I really needed
the loo. We were all coffee’d out so thought we would go and wait for another
train and use the toilets there as there were no other options. But you know
when you are getting to bursting point and then find out there is only one loo,
and there are two men in front of you waiting? Well that was me, the very kind
American man in front said I could go next as I looked more desperate than him
but said he thought by looks of peoples faces coming out it was not a pleasant
sight in there. All I am going to say is that I do not think I would ever have
been busting enough. Not ever, ever. I took a brief look, hid my eyes, squealed
and flew back out and fled back into the village for a café, which coincidently
meant we missed that train and had to wait 50 more minutes!!!!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So my advice to anyone embarking on this little adventure
(?????) is wait until July, when the boats run day trips, as I am sure it is a
much better view from the sea or make sure the weather has not closed the
footpaths and walk the whole 9km linking it all together. And buy one of those
weird portable weeing cups!!!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<!--EndFragment-->
Emily Daleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09101849042527664495noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5806628195483615318.post-39450312713942641082011-06-12T09:17:00.000+01:002011-06-12T09:17:00.492+01:00Wet, wet, wet.<!--StartFragment-->
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
On Monday we spent the day in Genoa, very hot but dry
luckily. Incredibly impressive old palaces lining the twisting lanes of the
historical city centre, a well revamped harbour lined with the biggest private
yachts I have ever set my eyes on (no kidding, the men that own these must be
really compensating for something!!) and some very grand buildings and the
like. Much better than I had thought it would be, and apart from a wrong turn
down a dark alley filled with undesirables it was a very enjoyable day. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
But what I had been really looking forward to was Portofino,
land of the rich and famous, the place where Dolce & Gabbana have their
summer house and the only harbour I have seen with a Louis Vuitton shop! We had
planned to take the boat there and spend the day in all its splendour. When we
awoke it was pissing down, thundering and lightning and it continued all
morning, hence no boats running. So we thought we would see what happened after
lunch. It started to clear a bit so off to the harbour we headed, still no
boats running, storm forecast. But we had bugger all else to do so hopped on
the train to Santa Marguerita where it was chucking it down by the time we
arrived and then bussed it to a very wet Portofino.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Now as mention in my last blog this whole area has been a
little under whelming and as lovely as Portofino was with its gold drain
covers, exclusive shops and pretty harbour anywhere in torrential rain just
feels a bit miserable! And rain it did, we were rather soggy walking around and
most of the place was shut due to lack of tourists. Wearing my pack-a-parka
rain coat and jeans, it was not quite the image I had had of myself arriving by
boat decked out in a fabulous dress and my Chanel sunnies!!!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
But we had an (very expensive, €3 each) <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">espresso</i> on the harbour to shelter from the rain and then took a
few snaps, looked briefly in the windows of Gucci & co and set off back on
the bus to Santa Marguerita where we indulged in some very pleasant fizzy white
accompanied by some aperitivo nibbles and headed off back home to dry off.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghQWZiMdtHfl53bxsd-5n1fcuOrdpIeir49Vd03pFYwwq0PLkDR3fdQjWrSjP_R4evSlaj9ttrx-SpukssI0EYGCjjZmCPYiGHY2iwrsB6Wtn_gMP2Avsbv6P_6vLZpLJcj_knwYEd2xc/s1600/DSCF1650.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghQWZiMdtHfl53bxsd-5n1fcuOrdpIeir49Vd03pFYwwq0PLkDR3fdQjWrSjP_R4evSlaj9ttrx-SpukssI0EYGCjjZmCPYiGHY2iwrsB6Wtn_gMP2Avsbv6P_6vLZpLJcj_knwYEd2xc/s320/DSCF1650.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Harbour shops in the rain!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhThQD6cQJtHHyTLC7vQGFOWgH3ME5UMtOqr2RtljTsAotwxYcukCbcf0pW4xuqqCRQDklpDBhJh1V5S-JdFvPGd6CaDKtOXabxzKXpOLD7o-xmwtgqZOaRfTTefh6aYb1pPlAcpW2uY0M/s1600/DSCF1656.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhThQD6cQJtHHyTLC7vQGFOWgH3ME5UMtOqr2RtljTsAotwxYcukCbcf0pW4xuqqCRQDklpDBhJh1V5S-JdFvPGd6CaDKtOXabxzKXpOLD7o-xmwtgqZOaRfTTefh6aYb1pPlAcpW2uY0M/s320/DSCF1656.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"> A soggy Portofino!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<!--EndFragment-->
Emily Daleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09101849042527664495noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5806628195483615318.post-74957493571231026962011-06-10T14:17:00.002+01:002011-06-10T14:17:47.356+01:00Hitting the road<!--StartFragment-->
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So a little update on where we are now, how we got here and
what we’ve been up to.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Last Saturday we left the Lombardy lakes and headed back to
Milan airport to drop off the hire car we had had for the two weeks in the
lakes. A hellish 2 hour drive on the crazy A4 motorway which I can only
describe as a cross between wacky races and the grand prix with torrential rain
making visibility nil. So after near heart failure the car was returned (to an
impossible place to find with no map!!) and we thanked our lucky stars that we
were still actually alive!!!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We then had to hang around the airport for a couple of hours
whilst we waited for our bus connection to take us to our next destination, the
Liguria coast. We had set off at 7am that morning and after 2 hours in a car, 2
and half hours on a coach then another hour on the train we arrived at our home
for the week <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Sestri Levante (an hour east of Genoa), at 5.30 that
evening!!!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So after a long, hot day and with nothing to eat apart from
some salt and pepper, a couple of vegetable stock cubes and some dried chilli
flakes in our store cupboard carrier bag, we headed out for well deserved bite
to eat and a couple of drinks, aperitivo style!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Now as you are by now aware, we have been to quite a few
places in Italy but had never ventured to this area and knew no one those had?
We had decided to base ourselves on the coast in between Italy’s biggest port,
the city of Genoa and Pisa of leaning tower fame. In between those two were
reportedly some beautiful beaches, rocky promontories and the famous Cinque
Terre, a collection of 5 cliff-hugging villages that spill into the sea. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Now Sestri Levante was a surprise. Really built up and not
the Italy we have come to know and love, more Costa brash than stylish Riviera.
Actually the whole coast on from Genoa that we saw from the train was a
surprise in the same way. And I’m not sure that I would describe it as a good
one, not bad but just not very Italian. I had read that Genoa reportedly
expands 30km along the coast and now I have seen it for myself. The whole coast
is a sprawling mass of towns built around the train line that connects Genoa
with Rome. Our current abode is actually right on the train tracks but if you
look really hard through a gap in the buildings you can see the sea!!!!! How
people live like this I will never know. So, so bloody noisy.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
But it is clean (ish) and in a good spot for exploring the
surrounding areas. Which is what we have been doing. In the rain mostly. It has
been thunder storm central here and we have been very wet! Obviously we
expected this as it always blimin<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>happens! We have just progressed from rain to full on thunder storms, I
can tell you now the likelihood of Italy having its wettest summer on record is
incredibly high with us here! I am just a little concerned about setting off
the over due volcanic eruptions!!!!!<o:p></o:p></div>
<!--EndFragment-->
Emily Daleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09101849042527664495noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5806628195483615318.post-39261894263098978562011-06-07T11:32:00.023+01:002011-06-07T11:37:00.691+01:00some more photo's<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Verona</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEaxq5pb-3WqiHUEMcG32311iv3DkJ4qL64yTkje78FM9KYt2YkfcrEPUwLww_goC8ArV92v2zhoPlcbzQSBRp_kv5UV14LvGtpzSLEj0GxB4MimCgaQ7o6B-fFuFWVYWFQz2L53yrpxk/s1600/DSCF1459.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEaxq5pb-3WqiHUEMcG32311iv3DkJ4qL64yTkje78FM9KYt2YkfcrEPUwLww_goC8ArV92v2zhoPlcbzQSBRp_kv5UV14LvGtpzSLEj0GxB4MimCgaQ7o6B-fFuFWVYWFQz2L53yrpxk/s320/DSCF1459.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the majestic roman arena</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDP3Lxcsg4zHmjribyCGnc26dkJcth-5if7woSrr2PF90mhnGdx_SOhTORNmhpBCv3hnfNiy9HTj9laBgonAEHgmedUBVp276QU2ZD-EXCEp3u8XRjMyhwUnYAwaRg63hvgd0EPEJR2ck/s1600/DSCF1461.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDP3Lxcsg4zHmjribyCGnc26dkJcth-5if7woSrr2PF90mhnGdx_SOhTORNmhpBCv3hnfNiy9HTj9laBgonAEHgmedUBVp276QU2ZD-EXCEp3u8XRjMyhwUnYAwaRg63hvgd0EPEJR2ck/s320/DSCF1461.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">where for art thou my romeo</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9oLNtt7eubXANjwjnMX9FqTdbFySNK5QGj9-C1v0EAkxiMBQZgPI9-8CiT6T3O2i8Dz4y6zYd-0F6H4S1lOyPosJfh-Yi9MU5TsEmvD6qnwp5VBczVci291h047x_SYwP_wvxUpWKToo/s1600/DSCF1463.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9oLNtt7eubXANjwjnMX9FqTdbFySNK5QGj9-C1v0EAkxiMBQZgPI9-8CiT6T3O2i8Dz4y6zYd-0F6H4S1lOyPosJfh-Yi9MU5TsEmvD6qnwp5VBczVci291h047x_SYwP_wvxUpWKToo/s320/DSCF1463.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the surrounding hills</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkQMMwRDZGeWbPOfo4Mqs5nxKW8q_KRTyxx0ZE2uBQTd6J1B6DWg_blbCR3dmf5KKtSqDey7u9aA1XLus1eJfPiA2Qnw7DtZTWhEZpcT1kaAT9scV8MBYDf0s1fvlbQ4gN5bieSDC9XYg/s1600/DSCF1464.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkQMMwRDZGeWbPOfo4Mqs5nxKW8q_KRTyxx0ZE2uBQTd6J1B6DWg_blbCR3dmf5KKtSqDey7u9aA1XLus1eJfPiA2Qnw7DtZTWhEZpcT1kaAT9scV8MBYDf0s1fvlbQ4gN5bieSDC9XYg/s320/DSCF1464.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">roman ruins</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
Venice<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_5dJr72KxnOWWkH1CzQhJPP_7Ht_GinG16FZsv-EqFyBkSZMI-Gm5eejixP2wA0MhfSTHO6UEFuKGAw1M6U_k3eDcTfNbOtr3QLpmDYkJK1dms9f6mHCfzpT20gobfE1IIdbXfvUyZaE/s1600/DSCF1534.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_5dJr72KxnOWWkH1CzQhJPP_7Ht_GinG16FZsv-EqFyBkSZMI-Gm5eejixP2wA0MhfSTHO6UEFuKGAw1M6U_k3eDcTfNbOtr3QLpmDYkJK1dms9f6mHCfzpT20gobfE1IIdbXfvUyZaE/s320/DSCF1534.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the rialto bridge</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqaVv7QC2QQDnEvrKqBHaQc7SR2W8QvP5AtotKI3xQMmGSDdKq4KEAikvNboMCi2vi-RZSp7mYeajnkugGrFVfAGB1OC9bMj8aFzWygi8l497opTwMKHI5iij4FvrOBFVAkBreMZKaHbQ/s1600/DSCF1536.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqaVv7QC2QQDnEvrKqBHaQc7SR2W8QvP5AtotKI3xQMmGSDdKq4KEAikvNboMCi2vi-RZSp7mYeajnkugGrFVfAGB1OC9bMj8aFzWygi8l497opTwMKHI5iij4FvrOBFVAkBreMZKaHbQ/s320/DSCF1536.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">gondola's</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEica8fKw3v3KSIPQEh1OkodNKJ53XH95OBl0F45HmnnU0GsuZ37OyFfLrJz9cy9GcMmbDqZ9eqSc6zsDqHBBvNO4KLBUOxiwudQ7-UtEBXZbiLwdim5Z4gAyr3Az5dQ91FekRfDdoMd9sI/s1600/DSCF1545.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEica8fKw3v3KSIPQEh1OkodNKJ53XH95OBl0F45HmnnU0GsuZ37OyFfLrJz9cy9GcMmbDqZ9eqSc6zsDqHBBvNO4KLBUOxiwudQ7-UtEBXZbiLwdim5Z4gAyr3Az5dQ91FekRfDdoMd9sI/s320/DSCF1545.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the grand canal</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0JhbSO0n7XDm4-TZHpdCzLRzCY8AZcfiNoiARhpcEvpwB3VjXDwSAZG4AP2vBsz2iV2ApPltoiUbEB-gyJLFl91pELCRF3-Ce-yir9aVMSsZlNc3E2kb4eVvlXapfc7iYSog1w5GH688/s1600/DSCF1556.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0JhbSO0n7XDm4-TZHpdCzLRzCY8AZcfiNoiARhpcEvpwB3VjXDwSAZG4AP2vBsz2iV2ApPltoiUbEB-gyJLFl91pELCRF3-Ce-yir9aVMSsZlNc3E2kb4eVvlXapfc7iYSog1w5GH688/s320/DSCF1556.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">hidden places</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxD41uYOaWxCbNDVAfB_9qawpgqgUqE0SHdww0_ebVZtnqIMLYUuPXA_EExWtejfOlT-9LyNIgy9W9GOm_mvNyTUaBvDp0Q25vcwh5hhyphenhyphenE5IcO5HDaSLZRdwRldQaewpRmOYOTHDRSNZI/s1600/DSCF1551.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxD41uYOaWxCbNDVAfB_9qawpgqgUqE0SHdww0_ebVZtnqIMLYUuPXA_EExWtejfOlT-9LyNIgy9W9GOm_mvNyTUaBvDp0Q25vcwh5hhyphenhyphenE5IcO5HDaSLZRdwRldQaewpRmOYOTHDRSNZI/s320/DSCF1551.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">fruit and veg shopping Venecian style!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /><div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Bergamo<br /><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgColA15cnPeG-fi6xZdubP2R-omLmpLlXjpz0gwECsQc1fUd4Hs3Fn9jV3FpcoH_27tOfDY9HXsQ9BMrJ0j8CG3ARZPQg_4pHlty0SNDKzz74tWFkML-WG11lI4Bsjnn7djIsg7Haj5XY/s1600/DSCF1575.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgColA15cnPeG-fi6xZdubP2R-omLmpLlXjpz0gwECsQc1fUd4Hs3Fn9jV3FpcoH_27tOfDY9HXsQ9BMrJ0j8CG3ARZPQg_4pHlty0SNDKzz74tWFkML-WG11lI4Bsjnn7djIsg7Haj5XY/s320/DSCF1575.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">entrance to the old city </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrOL4CDyNXIZKsi01qmA0jNIGn-T4OhJ8ba8DrAptmMV5IsvomtYV594UC2OFCWmnhtpG9eq28W5mmr5z-jvZClo00s6S_fw0bTfJpipA1KNc1tqtC7AeURYBqAL2A_kVc3znp1Eah1Z0/s1600/DSCF1585.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="87" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrOL4CDyNXIZKsi01qmA0jNIGn-T4OhJ8ba8DrAptmMV5IsvomtYV594UC2OFCWmnhtpG9eq28W5mmr5z-jvZClo00s6S_fw0bTfJpipA1KNc1tqtC7AeURYBqAL2A_kVc3znp1Eah1Z0/s320/DSCF1585.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Piazza</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2-eK8e6NPhGqL-aYQ6ib8X4tD3Cr0ZjHnPgPEMwaLatsQVi4vQKVmbBNAnbjtwOFF7pKZd3VeANog9pYrRgUoBRvxXn5U1Sguq6_HuofQSlNl66-pjVcDijgusWYeImd4EN8TZLhGs-Y/s1600/DSCF1596.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2-eK8e6NPhGqL-aYQ6ib8X4tD3Cr0ZjHnPgPEMwaLatsQVi4vQKVmbBNAnbjtwOFF7pKZd3VeANog9pYrRgUoBRvxXn5U1Sguq6_HuofQSlNl66-pjVcDijgusWYeImd4EN8TZLhGs-Y/s320/DSCF1596.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The hills around</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX9mMpToOIN9xkRyVredAAwmbLuYZwid3qGNwUIs-JGxbahHTA7OGuH0Ts8XUKsxykBK74eNLfZ2MAuhnl84dC7uXVuiUqa-d7REVAZlSYBw0pOqKn9K7g-XhMRr9O_4L24YgyDgOGhak/s1600/DSCF1591.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX9mMpToOIN9xkRyVredAAwmbLuYZwid3qGNwUIs-JGxbahHTA7OGuH0Ts8XUKsxykBK74eNLfZ2MAuhnl84dC7uXVuiUqa-d7REVAZlSYBw0pOqKn9K7g-XhMRr9O_4L24YgyDgOGhak/s320/DSCF1591.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Il castello</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /></div>
Emily Daleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09101849042527664495noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5806628195483615318.post-30550861131527944562011-06-06T10:03:00.000+01:002011-06-06T10:03:00.440+01:00Beautiful Bergamo<!--StartFragment--> <br />
<div class="MsoNormal">So and onto another place, well for the day at least.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now two weeks into our grand tour of Italy and we are boring ourselves with, “oh my god look”, “oh it is beautiful”, “god this is such a nice place”, “wow this place is stunning” you get the picture. So apologies because you are also going to become rather bored with my proclamations of loveliness during my time in this <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">beautiful</i> place called <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Italia.</i><o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Another such place of great beauty is a little medieval hilltop city called Bergamo. Perched high in the hillside, surrounded by vineyards, olive groves, terraces of rice, lush mountains in the distance, terracotta coloured farmhouses and the ancient city walls filled up with castles, and squares with trickling fountains, and churches towering all around. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Bellisamo!<o:p></o:p></i></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Such a pretty place, all winding streets and secret gardens, cobbled paths and hidden doorways, oh and the shops were sooo pretty!! Now where do I start the food or the fashion? They kind of went hand in hand as they were both as appealing as the other, gorgeous little boutiques with dazzling arrays of shoes and bags and fabulous clothes. Or gorgeous little boutique style eateries, deli’s and <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">pasticceria</i> all filled to bursting with dazzling arrays of incredible cakes, what could’ve been a thousand flavoured focaccia, a rainbow of ice-creams, fruit and vegetables from the nearby hills, freshly baked pizza, ahhh I could go on and on.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">We walked and walked, round and round, up and down, through archways and through alleyways, gazed out across the amazing vistas, gazed in the amazing windows at the amazing goods on offer, lunched on amazing local produce, sampled the local cake filled with cream, nuts, chocolate and liquer in the shadow of the imposing medieval tower, and climbed to the top of the castle and stared out to the mountains beyond. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Bella. </i><o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">If you are stuck for ideas for weekend away with your<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> lover</i>, I heartily recommend a couple of nights here in this little jewel. It has an airport servicing low cost airlines and its only a short taxi drive away and the places that you could stay would be just lovely in gorgeous old buildings up in the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">citta alta</i> (upper city). <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><!--EndFragment-->Emily Daleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09101849042527664495noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5806628195483615318.post-5827514903380864352011-06-05T10:00:00.000+01:002011-06-05T10:00:04.875+01:00Lake Garda Photo's<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Some pic's of Lake Garda.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi20-O6gXVm9iuLDgjWyljqq6J6bT7XXa274xZrQEDjXQHYcU7tCGFZz6xe2kTV8xKey2v_X7bWR_BSaSaCRZLSN1n6yUZrlUjE4ZcZRQMDhBhqpEiFo-jmx3zoMAQfInenh5ovZ0zpJHU/s1600/DSCF1383.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="85" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi20-O6gXVm9iuLDgjWyljqq6J6bT7XXa274xZrQEDjXQHYcU7tCGFZz6xe2kTV8xKey2v_X7bWR_BSaSaCRZLSN1n6yUZrlUjE4ZcZRQMDhBhqpEiFo-jmx3zoMAQfInenh5ovZ0zpJHU/s320/DSCF1383.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBvbcICbGJhL8BRChG0OMWjCTnVrR-WyNzMiywesjM7r8ZWpZ45PM5el_t3wWwu7gUhQLH65y16U05n7ugrer3nq7E1Jg-6dE0vbP6FuGtSsleYzwV9s0wEAenvlbPu6jXt8YK_Ahzn3E/s1600/DSCF1429.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBvbcICbGJhL8BRChG0OMWjCTnVrR-WyNzMiywesjM7r8ZWpZ45PM5el_t3wWwu7gUhQLH65y16U05n7ugrer3nq7E1Jg-6dE0vbP6FuGtSsleYzwV9s0wEAenvlbPu6jXt8YK_Ahzn3E/s320/DSCF1429.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWsBSZ97NrTzW5gYjBMm38I2swLAnHwHJ0q5Wfa1BuKUF9hGva7joPm0n2MRH9muTWLcBsfnuuiNaw_l3B3lziPLRV-lzSXLFG-fSaSWpG9zrrXEf_I_zL8VRiZja_QIevR_tPEAodCJw/s1600/DSCF1436.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWsBSZ97NrTzW5gYjBMm38I2swLAnHwHJ0q5Wfa1BuKUF9hGva7joPm0n2MRH9muTWLcBsfnuuiNaw_l3B3lziPLRV-lzSXLFG-fSaSWpG9zrrXEf_I_zL8VRiZja_QIevR_tPEAodCJw/s320/DSCF1436.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyg8o8p4Zbv6GNRM4WPXq-SIHlPEZ6EsxQLW2CdP8VsYbiqmZZzF3wdDPFDetlaIUERSqpnRnh4CQAmGPWgBGpBw4RDj2kfpkZTugKPmkqXxtINyQiPatXv6kLRnKHL8pmd0QLobUhg6c/s1600/DSCF1451.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyg8o8p4Zbv6GNRM4WPXq-SIHlPEZ6EsxQLW2CdP8VsYbiqmZZzF3wdDPFDetlaIUERSqpnRnh4CQAmGPWgBGpBw4RDj2kfpkZTugKPmkqXxtINyQiPatXv6kLRnKHL8pmd0QLobUhg6c/s320/DSCF1451.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5LQHCCSdOfBNPl5IQvRCry4NWUsxh3slZrSxh4eBFr147I776BgbYx4GkohLEWBAxCsGP2mn-yOYzosL9Hf5FfYUo2RJjQCEiXh2-jP7rS6hsXf4YLVmiFLAErlk8U06bXFZ9uUJrDts/s1600/DSCF1410.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5LQHCCSdOfBNPl5IQvRCry4NWUsxh3slZrSxh4eBFr147I776BgbYx4GkohLEWBAxCsGP2mn-yOYzosL9Hf5FfYUo2RJjQCEiXh2-jP7rS6hsXf4YLVmiFLAErlk8U06bXFZ9uUJrDts/s320/DSCF1410.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNm7eL5eX7Fzf6y9tkidLaEh1N_Eh18aQnOjNvzfxasc5jbZ-V_RLGv-TpqwkpRP57CbIG2I54YqbP61Tua6iBvvri38cct9LtKiTE2B72h-6NP1e7kqptBpxuyc4JY0mXGSWEZUm7lao/s1600/DSCF1409.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNm7eL5eX7Fzf6y9tkidLaEh1N_Eh18aQnOjNvzfxasc5jbZ-V_RLGv-TpqwkpRP57CbIG2I54YqbP61Tua6iBvvri38cct9LtKiTE2B72h-6NP1e7kqptBpxuyc4JY0mXGSWEZUm7lao/s320/DSCF1409.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik0I66u3MioQihxLA0omRK5HOU0O_MDv9T2MfP7ypKe1K1G2fgbkF1QBB9W1VLfcIwBCfmiRRkI-hyWisxVmYrb351NcDeQd6ntNpOrP3IFaU7zvZMcz_oG2xt8ZllcjmKwzXNX7LvBzY/s1600/DSCF1492.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik0I66u3MioQihxLA0omRK5HOU0O_MDv9T2MfP7ypKe1K1G2fgbkF1QBB9W1VLfcIwBCfmiRRkI-hyWisxVmYrb351NcDeQd6ntNpOrP3IFaU7zvZMcz_oG2xt8ZllcjmKwzXNX7LvBzY/s320/DSCF1492.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnKCrOnwSmEw1-0QOA9tb-Gmtb7gdcj9MHbYOhjnxA19R4wR1_uwbM7GqxLjJUYBQEhxvzsrv_uYx58IRWwYIAhqOwbrteDHPoi8oDw6OYyJmJ-9vA5w6QK_kSQd1kFH1pn7g8-BsjfDo/s1600/DSCF1478.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnKCrOnwSmEw1-0QOA9tb-Gmtb7gdcj9MHbYOhjnxA19R4wR1_uwbM7GqxLjJUYBQEhxvzsrv_uYx58IRWwYIAhqOwbrteDHPoi8oDw6OYyJmJ-9vA5w6QK_kSQd1kFH1pn7g8-BsjfDo/s320/DSCF1478.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Emily Daleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09101849042527664495noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5806628195483615318.post-35120763085425263922011-06-03T12:33:00.000+01:002011-06-03T12:33:00.278+01:00A day in Venice<div class="MsoNormal">Two years ago it was my 30<sup>th</sup> birthday and Mr and mine’s 1<sup>st</sup> wedding anniversary so we went off to Venice for a long weekend and we had an amazing four days there.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Two days ago we went back to Venice, and had another amazing day there. As it is only 2 and a half hours drive away from where we are staying here at Lake Garda it would have been criminal not to do so. Now if you have never had the pleasure of visiting this extraordinary place then put it on your ‘to do’ list. There really is no-where else like it in the world. It really is just incredible. Unless you have been kept in a darkened room all of your life to date you would have no doubt seen countless images of this sinking city but nothing prepares you for the reality of seeing it with your own two eyes. The rainbow hues and grandeur of the waterside palaces, the cloudy turquoise lagoon water, the bustling boats on the canals delivering all sorts of things you never thought possible, the gondola’s bobbing at the quayside, the mini orchestra’s playing outside of the graceful, historical café’s of St-Marks Square, the waiters in tuxedo’s serving drinks on silver trays, sigh……<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">It is much smaller than you think it will be and the whole area really can be covered on foot but you really have to get on the water to appreciate the Grand Canal for what it is. So upon arrival we hopped on the no.2 ferry, which takes you the whole length of the Grand Canal, alongside the graceful sinking palazzo’s, under the famous Rialto Bridge and up to the splendor of St-Marks Square, (much better to do this, you don’t have to suffer the expense and embarrassment of getting on a gondola) and it was every bit as breath-taking as the first time I did this. <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">From there we wandered the maze of streets and alleyways intersected by little canals topped with elegant little bridges, happened upon hidden squares for <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">espresso </i>stops and just let the city guide us through this amazing place. From St-Marks Square to the Theatre Fenice to the dark alleys of the Rialto to the Jewish Quarter, the best thing really is seeing all the little places seemingly hidden away, never knowing what is around the next corner and just being part of somewhere so very unique.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Having been before we thought that we had covered the majority of this place, in fact we most certainly had not and found ourselves in places we had missed before. We had done all the queueing for the major tourist sights the last time we went and to be honest although the inside of the Palazzo’s are incredible and the churches are beautiful, and if it is your first time then you really must, but I really think that as a lot of them are museum’s or galleries, once you have been to these places not a lot would’ve changed and it really is a place that you can just see so much from the outside because that is where it is all happening. And from experience, especially the places along the canals, all you do is head to the windows to have a look outside! But we did still see all of the obligatory tourist spots, still took a ton of photos (that we probably already have!), had a lovely lunch in a pretty square, gazed along the Grand Canal from the bridges watching the streams of boats and people and just enjoyed every minute of it.<o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">So, grudgingly, after a lovely day we left the sinking city in the lagoon and headed off home knowing that we will certainly be back again one day before it is all hidden beneath those cloudy turquoise waters. <o:p></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div>Emily Daleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09101849042527664495noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5806628195483615318.post-49936857740951440032011-06-01T09:00:00.000+01:002011-06-01T09:00:04.209+01:00Food Glorious Food!!<!--StartFragment-->
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now you may have
noticed that I am quite keen on food. Cooking it, eating it, shopping for it
and I also have a love hate relationship with it too, well my thighs do
especially.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have always
adored Italian food, I think it is one of the reasons I have always loved it
here so much. I love the flavours, the ingredients and I love the simplicity of
it welding such gorgeous results when so few ingredients are put together. I
mean who does’nt like fresh bread dipped into olive oil and balsamic vinegar?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Whenever we have
visited Italy in the past the moment I have stepped out of the taxi/bus/train
from the airport it just smells of Italy. Freshly baked breads, garlicky
aromas, rich tomatoe sauces simmering away, lemon juice being drizzled over
freshly caught fish, a deep, rich olive oil oh I could go on and on. And I will
warn you now I most certainly will over the coming months!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So imagine my
delight of being able to cook whilst being here in our own apartment at Lake
Garda! First off the supermarkets I have been visiting are just heaven, like
large delicatessens full of all this gorgeous produce we are used to seeing
squeezed into one aisle in your local Tesco! Fruit and vegetables from the
mountains across the lake from our village, local meats, local fish, handmade
pasta’s, local wines, local oils all at unbelievably reasonable prices (much
cheaper than France and far superior in quality) and all a taste sensation. I
have not used a recipe yet and even if I do say so myself we have eaten some
delicious food. Using what is seasonally available, making risotto with fresh
stock from the chicken I roasted stuffed with lemons and garlic, using sun
ripened tomatoes to make the sweetest tomatoe pasta sauce, having delicious
salads made with raw fennel, courgette and asparagus in fresh lemon juice and
olive oil. Grilling prawns in garlic, lemon and olive oil. Oh I could bore you
senseless.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Every evening I have
been concocting some mini <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">aperitivo</i>
bits and pieces to have with a little sun downer tipple over looking the lake
as the sun set’s. Ricotta fritters, melon and prosciutto, oozing tallegio
cheese, bruschetta with tomatoes marinated in balsamic vinegar, ricotta and
rocket balls, vegetable crudités dipped in olive oil and pesto, slices of
mortadella, I will stop before you doze off.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So you would think
with all this eating (and drinking wine) I would now be a size of a house but I
actually feel as if I have lost a couple of pounds, and I think I know why.
Firstly the food is all so fresh and so delicious and much more healthy so you
are much more satisfied and don’t overindulge, secondly I have been adopting
the Italian way and only having a small breakfast of fruit or just a piece of
fruit and yogurt and thirdly I have not had anything between meals aside from <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">espresso</i> mid morning and normally
sometime in the afternoon. I have eaten 3 pizza’s in the last week (more than I
have ever had in my life) as they are cheaper than a roll or salad at lunch
sometimes and the difference being is that they are wafer thin, and have only a
scattering of mozerella. I have also been ordering a <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">marinara,</i> which is just topped with tomatoe and oregano, no cheese
at all and it is delicious. So even pizza is better for you here!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I will stop now
because I could go on forever waxing lyrical about the joy’s of Italian food
and that really is no big surprise, also it is time for me to make my evening
masterpiece!!!!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Buon apettito!<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<!--EndFragment-->
Emily Daleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09101849042527664495noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5806628195483615318.post-19260952336076718982011-05-30T09:44:00.000+01:002011-05-30T09:44:00.127+01:00Lovely Lake Garda<!--StartFragment-->
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>From the grandeur of
Milan to the awe inspiring Lake Garda. After our 3 nights in Milan we picked up
our hire car and headed over to our next destination Lake Garda, the Italians
drive like maniacs on the motorways, thank god we have decided to train it the
rest of the way!!!!!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So here we are, a
hilltop apartment looking out over the stunning vistas of Lake Garda. A great
little apartment reached by a heart racingly narrow steep road full of blind
bends and crazy drivers!!! But the view is something else, mirror-like
stillness of the azure blue lake, a backdrop of densely forested snow capped mountains,
Riviera style villa’s and old palaces, imposing churches clinging to the
hillsides and all with beautiful blooms, blossoms, lemon trees and pine trees all
around. <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Bellisamo!</i> <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A very strange thing though, it is clearly a
lake but it smells like the sea and it just makes you feel like you are in the
Mediteranean, just one of the classier places!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>And it is hot! +30 most days so far, although we have had a couple of
cracking thunder storms of an evening, our balcony is the perfect place to
watch from! And there was fresh snow on the mountain tops the other day!! (That
is just bloody typical eh, no snow in the Alps for six months, 30 degrees
everyday here in the lakes and snow!!! I am not even going there.)<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We have decided to
make our way to the Italian lakes to see what the job situation might bring,
this is where the biggest concentration of English speaking tourists are to be
found outside of the cities, and seeing as we (more accurately, I) only speak a
handful of Italian words this sounded like a plan of sorts. We have two weeks
here to suss out what happens on the work front and to travel all around,
Verona, Venice, Bergamo are all but a short drive away. So we’ll see.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We have spent a few
days driving around to the surrounding lake front towns, all as pretty as a
picture, all with the most amazing lakeside settings and mostly all full of
pensioners!!!! Some more so than others, Lirmone was stunning but everyone was grey
haired, limping and had their 40 year old<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>‘holiday clothes’ on, and all on a coach trip, but on the other hand
there was Salo which is much more chic and had more of a cosmopolitan feel
about it, oh and some gorgeous shops and cool lake front café’s to watch and be
watched! <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We have gone from one extreme
to the other, from being nearly the oldest people in Val to the youngest ones
here at the lakes!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Oh and on a really
annoying note, we have no internet connection once again, so all these blogs
are copy & paste numbers going out scheduled when I can get to a sodding
wi-fi spot, (virtually unheard of what with the septuagenarian’s being the main
stay of guests!!!)<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Better get back to
that view! <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Ciao!</i><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<!--EndFragment-->
Emily Daleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09101849042527664495noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5806628195483615318.post-62888881321406340242011-05-30T09:00:00.000+01:002011-05-30T09:00:00.710+01:00Breast Rubbing in Verona<!--StartFragment-->
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One of the (many)
great things about Italy is that all these fabulous places are so close
together. One of the reasons we chose to base ourselves at Lake Garda was not
only for the work potential but also for its proximity to many other places.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So with that in mind
and a car at our disposal we headed out of the lake area 2 hours down the road
to Verona. The home of Shakespear’s Romeo & Juliette and the famous Roman
Arena.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Having been to a
few wonderful places already over the years our expectations of famous Italian
cities are maybe a little high but that is because everywhere to date has been
incredible. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now Verona certainly
was very lovely and the Roman Arena ever so impressive, and had it been opera
season we would have gone but that does not start for another couple of weeks.
Being in there made you realise just how magical a night at the opera in a
roman amphitheatre must be (not that by any stretch of the imagination are we
opera buffs or anything). But there was just something that Mr and I both felt
about the whole place and we just cannot put our finger on it. Maybe it just
lacked a little of the magic that Venice and Rome seem to have, I don’t know. Maybe
it is just that it’s fame is due to a fictional tale, you can actually visit
Juliette’s tomb although she never actually lived. Hmm? <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Seems strange that. It was also swarming with
tourists (mostly our German friends) and it just felt a little over touristy I
think. Not quite Italian enough I suppose, maybe it just did’nt have the
required <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">fa la bella figura</i> we have
come to expect!!! <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But we went to
Juliettes balcony, which was very pretty and watched hopeful love torn
teenagers rubbing the right breast of her bronze statue, apparently it is meant
bring luck in love, hmmm? I reckon the little buggers just wanted a grope. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We wandered the
ancient cobbled streets and I gazed lovingly at yet more beautiful shop
windows!!! And soaked up the atmosphere over <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">espresso</i>. Can’t really complain eh? Beats a day at the office.<o:p></o:p></div>
<!--EndFragment-->
Emily Daleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09101849042527664495noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5806628195483615318.post-44379198303487758262011-05-28T09:43:00.001+01:002011-05-28T09:43:27.658+01:00ahhhh milano!!<!--StartFragment-->
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So after a
particularly stressful check in at Heathrow’s T5 we finally made it out of the
country. I will explain. Mr is diabetic and as he is also a man this means I
constantly check that he has all of his appropriate medical supplies about his
person on a daily basis. After being dropped off an hour earlier than needed at
the airport I had just purchased a couple of coffees and was planning to sit
and enjoy 5 minutes peace when I casually asked if Mr had picked up his
injection. His normal “yesss of course I have” then a cloud of dread descended
over his face and a “oh fuck… my insulin”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>He had left six months worth of his life saving drug in the fridge at
our friend’s house an hour away. Fortunately though one of our friends had been
on night shift and as it was nearing lunch time we thought he would be
awakening soonish, so after a couple of frantic phone calls he was hot footing
it to Heathrow in the nick of time with the said drugs and we breathed a huge
sigh of relief, then got through airport security with 50 minutes to spare
before departure.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Crisis averted.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The second stress of the day came when we
reached our hotel. After a surprisingly easy journey halfway across the city
with our luggage on the Milan underground, we had walked, dragging our bloody
heavy cases for 15 minutes in the early evening sweltering heat only be told
they had changed our reservation to another hotel. 20 minutes back the way we
had just come!!!! Aghhhh.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then upon
check-in at the other hotel we were told it was only for 2 nights not 3. But we
got it all sorted in the end. In all the years and all of the places we have
ever travelled to we have never had such a nightmare day to get from A to B. Oh
and the hotel happened to be in an area popular with trans-gender/transvestite
Asian prostitutes!! (One looked about 50, he just had ladies clothes on and a
long red wig, no attempt to look like a woman apart from that at all,
hilarious! I don’t know what is more worrying, them or the people that pick
them up???) <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But it was all to
be worth it. Milan was stunning. Not what I was expecting at all. It was calm,
beautiful, clean and much more grand than I had ever imagined. The city centre
is filled to bursting with jaw dropping architecture and the city’s cathedral
and surrounding piazza was one of the most incredible sights I have ever set my
eyes on, I actually could not stop a “wow” escaping my lips as we entered the
square from the underground, all lit up for the evening, it was an amazing
sight.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I had always
envisaged Milan to be a bit like London, busy, congested, dirty, chaotic and
hard work but it did not feel like that at all. It was elegant and relaxed and
oh so stylish. Around every corner was a plethora of cool bars, uber trendy
restaurants and old style marble clad café’s. All full to the rafters with
people to match. The people and the place were turned out in their very finest
and it was a pleasure to be immersed in all of its splendour. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And that brings me
neatly on to the more important aspects of the city, the fashion and the shops!
Oh my!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The shops were every bit as
sumptuous as you would expect, set in beautiful old baroque buildings in
cobbled streets, ivy tumbling down from their balconies and the windows full of
the most incredible things. Shoes dazzling like jewels, stunning arrays of bags
and don’t even get me started on the clothes. Sigh…………<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And then there were
the beautiful people. Dressed impeccably and oh so chic.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There is only one way to put it, the Italians
have got style. Bucket loads. Although I would’nt fancy trying to get to the
mirror to get ready with an Italian man in the vicinity!!!! One of the rules
they live by is <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">fa la bella figura </i><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(to cut a fine figure) and they take it very
seriously, I think it is as important to make sure they look the part as it is
to breathe!! Being from the vainer side of the spectrum myself, I find this
brilliant!!! Mr thinks it is ridiculous. But it is lovely to dress up, put on
some heels and not have anyone bat an eyelid, although they will look just to
check out what everyone looks like! Posing and people watching is a compulsory
past time here.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then of course
there is <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">apertivo</i>, I have mentioned
this before on a trip to Turin. It is a genius thing, between 6-9pm almost
every bar will have their aperitivo time. Every drink is the same price
(€6-€10), second drink is cheaper though, and you get to help yourself to a
mountain of fresh, delicious Italian anti-pasti, breads, cheeses and pasta etc.
So with when in Rome (or Milan) and all that, it would have been rude not to
partake, it is also a very budget friendly way of eating out. Mr and I went to
one particularly funky bar and for €30 (for us both) we had a cocktail and a
glass of wine each plus basically a 2 course meal in fabulous surroundings. They
even do nibbles and drinks in style!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So all in all I
loved Milan, I would go back in a heartbeat (although some lottery winnings
would help on the shopping front!) and even Mr could’nt complain about this
city, my love affair with Italy has been reignited once again.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<!--EndFragment-->
Emily Daleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09101849042527664495noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5806628195483615318.post-71039941314180729742011-05-27T09:07:00.000+01:002011-05-27T09:07:00.927+01:00Destination Italy<!--StartFragment-->
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So what is the plan
now??? Well for certain we will not be spending another winter in the mountains
and we certainly not be living in France at any point, that much we do know. We
loved it and were incredibly lucky to be able to do it in the first place but
we both felt it was not for us in the long run (or my sanity in the short
term!!) and that is why we went in the first place, to try it one for size and
see if we liked it before making any permanent decisions or before making any
financial commitments.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Life is for
living and right now I feel we are doing just that, going where we can and
doing what we want to do, luckily Mr generally agrees with what ‘we’ want to
do!!! <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As I am writing this
I am sitting on a balcony high above Lake Garda in Italy, the air around me is
warm and scented with jasmine blossom and the lights from the villages across
the water are twinkling as the evening darkens. Life is good. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So here we are in <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Italia, </i>we<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"> </i>flew into Milan last Wednesday, the 18<sup>th</sup> on a one-way
flight ticket. All we had booked were 3 nights in a Milan hotel, a hire car
booked for 2 weeks on leaving Milan, an apartment in Lake Garda till the 4<sup>th</sup>
of June and a lonely planet guide to Italy. Oh and my very heavy luggage!!!
(Possibly the heaviest ‘capsule’ wardrobe ever dragged on the Milan
underground!) After that it is in the hands of the gods as they say here.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our plan is to
travel around this beautiful country for as long as our funds will allow and
try to pick up some work along the way somewhere. Where? Who knows? Doing what?
God knows. And when? Whenever we can. Italy is notoriously difficult for anyone
who is not Italian, is virtually impossible for anyone who does not speak
Italian, let alone anyone who is both non-Italian and speaks none of the language.
Should be interesting! <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ve got dark hair
and heels, surely that must count for something????????<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<!--EndFragment-->
Emily Daleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09101849042527664495noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5806628195483615318.post-17648464023283891862011-05-26T15:09:00.000+01:002011-05-28T09:47:19.609+01:00Milan Photo's<br />
<br />
Beautiful Milan<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB4Gd4WaywCCoYy60g4A1yrbtPlyAq0yc6YXAYqPdhNpcahEN1kTqzG-wCDo0t5TadVSvKIOoTeKq55csHXRWknJosQUgnozFPI3klMKmhruIuYt4CWt5kAAROELFzwKAJ3y7dVgmTUDM/s1600/DSCF1356.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB4Gd4WaywCCoYy60g4A1yrbtPlyAq0yc6YXAYqPdhNpcahEN1kTqzG-wCDo0t5TadVSvKIOoTeKq55csHXRWknJosQUgnozFPI3klMKmhruIuYt4CWt5kAAROELFzwKAJ3y7dVgmTUDM/s320/DSCF1356.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The incredible cathedral</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsP4Ikezio0tgW_Hfva6P1irwMGbqR-IsDqrSkphHy-HPC3PnFyADROch8fSvMGFs1avHGaG4_AMkPwco1VRxs6IgdChDUda2234n3voNiuFXiW4_w45PjmTcWRrrgN4fRN4DNMADUJCU/s1600/DSCF1355.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsP4Ikezio0tgW_Hfva6P1irwMGbqR-IsDqrSkphHy-HPC3PnFyADROch8fSvMGFs1avHGaG4_AMkPwco1VRxs6IgdChDUda2234n3voNiuFXiW4_w45PjmTcWRrrgN4fRN4DNMADUJCU/s320/DSCF1355.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The most amazing shopping centre on earth!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi7ETcNFTdYa-2-__5zrLRytjz-C1Q57ICZzWmv5aQrJNXaJuZKPInvTbTcvR4P0FBdIDYfrbv6Dd5l3kgf9BOjbseVu1rF-mSSF-rm5XZbznT7KTaw8cnK4BO-Xx7QSLTC-Dk5VWtmxU/s1600/DSCF1354.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi7ETcNFTdYa-2-__5zrLRytjz-C1Q57ICZzWmv5aQrJNXaJuZKPInvTbTcvR4P0FBdIDYfrbv6Dd5l3kgf9BOjbseVu1rF-mSSF-rm5XZbznT7KTaw8cnK4BO-Xx7QSLTC-Dk5VWtmxU/s320/DSCF1354.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Piazza Duomo</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqYc0YBkOQ5soKG4G8k2cbhVInUMcUyKVmFTMhE96bDwaLAS8lwB7Da7UXHiyfxiDBB9xI_G-RH2Z6sftS7y5SimK7S-M1EqE9tIO9E8dA8-kbkdX2TWjzoAr5Dx7IcZ2Cep4X5WNabZs/s1600/DSCF1370.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqYc0YBkOQ5soKG4G8k2cbhVInUMcUyKVmFTMhE96bDwaLAS8lwB7Da7UXHiyfxiDBB9xI_G-RH2Z6sftS7y5SimK7S-M1EqE9tIO9E8dA8-kbkdX2TWjzoAr5Dx7IcZ2Cep4X5WNabZs/s320/DSCF1370.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Via Spiga, stunning shopping!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTfhB0OQgMQ0-0EgwQngb7h1I-br0s0ZBdi7APHPH9aL0OH-tqo5Qw40oNd3rtvl4oT1yZ2QcXTLoKjm3vXuM5mYyBt4fsUOc8GIFbXkp4Xlqm9c3vGKSTy_HwuLdXbEl3dn6mwany9-A/s1600/DSCF1376.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTfhB0OQgMQ0-0EgwQngb7h1I-br0s0ZBdi7APHPH9aL0OH-tqo5Qw40oNd3rtvl4oT1yZ2QcXTLoKjm3vXuM5mYyBt4fsUOc8GIFbXkp4Xlqm9c3vGKSTy_HwuLdXbEl3dn6mwany9-A/s320/DSCF1376.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Did you know there were canals in Milan???</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br /></div>
Emily Daleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09101849042527664495noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5806628195483615318.post-67028406147139414782011-05-26T11:05:00.001+01:002011-05-26T11:07:25.698+01:00homeward bound<!--StartFragment-->
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Well where to begin.
Apologies first off for lack of blogging, I have been insanely busy since our
last week in Val and although it is only actually 3 and a half weeks since we
left it feels like a lifetime ago. I think by the time the end came it felt like
we were both ready to leave, it really was a great experience but not one to be
repeated, we are just too old for all that!!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So after a week of non-stop parties and
packing we set off early back home to England on Tuesday 3<sup>rd</sup> may,
motored through France and then crossed the channel back to good old Blighty by
nightfall (Mr felt it right that we return to England by boat, the white cliffs
of Dover and all that, I did’nt really care but the ferry was half the price of
the tunnel so that meant more shopping money!!!!). A very thoughtful friend was
waiting for us at our temporary home with the essentials of beer, wine, shower
gel, toothpaste, bread and milk and a pair of strong arms to help Mr unload our
much-lighter-than-on-the-way-there carload. We had managed to off-load some (a
load of) useless stuff we took to people that were staying on for the summer,
so that meant that I could actually see out of the rear window on the way home,
which had not been the case on the way out there!!!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We were very lucky
to have been left a lovely empty house to sit by some friends who were
holidaying whilst we were back so that solved the issue of where to stay while
we were back in the UK for two weeks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>And fortunately they arrived back a few days before we were due to set
off again so that meant we got to catch up with them too!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The two weeks flew
by in a frenzy of catch-ups, meals and shopping (I was in heaven), and meals
and more meeting up with Lil’ sis, friends and family oh and some more shopping
and eating!!!!!!! All that healthy eating and exercise in Val went right out of
the window. I was back to square one by the end of the fortnight! But it was
lovely to meet up with my Lil‘ sis and all my girlies and of course all the
little ones too, my how they have grown!!! We had some wonderful evenings and
one particularly fun lunch into drinks into more drinks day/night. It was great
to feel like a human being again, all dressed up with my favourite girls! Not a
single moment wasted with boring man chat. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We also had the
unfavourable task of unpacking/re-packing/packing away. Bloody nightmare. Six
months ago it was a task condensing my 3 bedroomed house worth’s of belongings
into a carload, this time it was just a case load (<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>23kgs!!!!! ) and a hand-luggage bag as we
were due to fly on to Italy after our two weeks in the UK.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Travelling light to land of fashion and style
is not easy, especially when you have no idea what you will be doing or where
you will be let alone how long for!!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But
you know I am a trooper and I think I managed to pack the largest capsule
wardrobe ever been known, my bag was 23.3kg at check in and my hand luggage was
only about 8kg’s, so for me I would say that is good going!!!!!<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Next stop Milano!<o:p></o:p></div>
<!--EndFragment-->
Emily Daleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09101849042527664495noreply@blogger.com2