On the train at 10.30ish to make the long journey to Nice in France. We had five hours on the train but it goes quickly when you are on such comfortable seat and beautiful scenery outside the window. The run along the Mediterranean sea was truly spectacular, the train line seems to run right on the edge of the ocean. This area was just as I imagined it to be and would love to come back again to explore the region further. We arrived with plenty of time to walk to our hotel although due to a missed turn we took the long way around. Made it in the end, the hotel staff were very welcoming and helpful with suggestion of places to eat and visit. Nice is really lovely and as I said I hope we can come back again sometime to spend more time in the area. We had our first steak (and chips)for what seemed like forever after all the Italian food. We took a quick turn around the square near the casino on the beach before heading back , it was after eight when made it back to the hotel.

Milan was a little disappointing after Venice. In hindsight we should have had two nights in Venice and Nice and missed Milan all together. The highlight was the Cathedral which took 6 centuries to build that’s right 600 years. That’s 400 years longer than Oz has been in existence. I am sure there are some great places to shop but we didn’t discover them. The bus tour was good and again proved to be an excellent way of getting around the sights.

Mum and I set out early to finalise some shopping while Ian rested at the hotel. We pretty much covered the same tracks as yesterday but making our purchases along the way. We had to check out by 11am so we kept moving pretty well to get back to the hotel and collect our bags. We master a water bus to get back to the train much cheaper that taxi and opportunity to cruise right up the grand canal and back before being dropped at the station. We had coffee and rolls for breakfast near the hotel . While we were sitting at the station mum ducked back to a little shop near where we had breakfast to make a purchase for herself. The train trip from Venice was uneventful though the countryside again was highlight. Many business people travel by train as it is quicker than flying by the time they get to airport and check in 2 hours before the flight etc. The trains are very comfortable and they can keep working the whole way. We arrived in Milan and it was raining even though the hotel wasn’t far we decided on a taxi to avoid getting ourselves and our bags wet. The hotel is very comfortable and we found great little Chinese place around the corner to eat.

The impressive Dumo of Milan….only 6 centuries to complete

A good train trip from Florence to Venice and the scenery was amazing even travelling at speed, we were on a Euro Star train. On arrival in Venice we quickly secured a water taxi to take us to our hotel. This was the quickest and easiest way to get to hotel and gave us time to sort out how the water buses worked. Our hotel was situated just off the grand canal and only a short walk from where the taxi set us down. After a few minutes to check in and dump the bags we headed for the S Marco square which was about 20 minute walk away. The shops were brimming with very beautiful things and it was hard to resist. After walking around the square dodging the guys selling seed for pigeons (who wants to feed pigeons) we set off along the grand canal to check out some of the back streets, Sharpie was convinced he would never see the hotel again but my sense of direction didn’t let us down. We stopped along the way for lunch in a great restaurant , we sat right beside the canal. The pizza was great ….I have eaten more pizza in a week that in the last 2 years. We then headed back to check out the Rialto bridge in drizzling rain. There are so many shops in every little alley way is more shops and more restaurants. Food, shopping and gondola rides were the three main things to do in Venice. It was amazing to watch people walking everywhere and I was really interested in how they do their deliveries, collect garage and get things around generally. We headed back to the hotel for a rest before heading out for dinner on the waterfront at night, unfortunately it was still raining so we didn’t venture too far along but it was very pleasant sitting by the water to eat. We slept well. No over weight people in Venice….they all have to walk everywhere.

Up early to pack up and get over to Termini to catch our first train. The station is very organised and it is easy to locate your train and access the correct platform. The train ride (2 hours) to Florence was fantastic and was very comfortable albeit we were travelling 1st class. This was our first real opportunity to get a look at the countryside in Italy. The vistas are beautiful and with spring in the air things were green as far as the eye could see. We arrived in Florence at 11am and found our hotel with out any trouble. It was only around the corner from the station. After an early check in we headed for the trusty Hop on Hop off bus located on the other side of the station. We purchased our 24hour tickets (covers both bus routes) and settle back to see Florence. Wow even as an older city than Rome it is certainly a prettier city with more gardens, green shrubbery and trees. The views from up the hill looking back over the city were staggering. We spent a very full day exploring the city and checking out all the usual tourist spots. We stopped by a restaurant close to the hotel for dinner ….the pasta was excellent and the coffee what can I say….it is superb and HOT not like the wishy washy half cold before you get it coffee we have in Sydney. We all turned and planned to have a lie in tomorrow before completing our bus tours from 10am.

Started the day off on the Hop on Hop off tour which circled the city and took in all the sights. This took about two hours and we stayed on until we the bus was back around to Colosseum before we alighted for a walk around this massive structure. After a walk around we caught the next bus to the capital area and we tackled all the steps to get to the top. I lost count but I know there were a lot. Great views of the city from here and I was able to get some good photos. Of course what goes up must come down so down we came slowly, of course had to keep stopping to check out the vistas ( that was my excuse anyway). We boarded the bus again to head around to the Spanish Steps (Jen I found the gloves shop) and Trevi Fountain and then we walked all the way home….With many stops for me to read the map and make sure we were headed homeward. We were all whacked when we eventually staggered back in to our hotel. We did manage to struggle up the street to a small family run Italian restaurant for dinner , home at 8 and all asleep by 20 past 8.

Today we decided to head to take it a bit easier we visited the Pantheon and the St Peters square at the Vatican along with a wander along one of the shopping streets. Even so it took us most of the day to accomplish this and we settled on a late lunch early dinner of pizza before returning to hotel about 5pm .

Up early to return the car and catch the avis shuttle to Terminal 2 (not 5 that’s where we land on 18th……hope our luggage lands as well). Breakfast at the airport and more shopping for Grandma. I caught up on some email etc and Sharpie rested in an uncomfortable lounge chair. I swear people who design airport furniture have never had to lay over or fly on a delayed flight. A good flight with Air Atalia and although we left Heathrow late it didn’t impact on us arriving in Rome too much. Great taxi driver to hotel. Ian would have paid him double ( if he’d wanted it) just for the experience of sitting up front and marvelling at his skill at negotiating the traffic , all at break neck speeds. The Windrose hotel is fantastic and we are looking forward to our four night here (and in one place). Dinner at restaurant across the road from the hotel…perfect end to a long day.