Day 21, Rome, Italy

The Colloseum

Wow, Rome. Where do you start? I'm overwhelmed, by the people, the heat and the sheer history of the city. I took a hop on-hop off bus tour, which is very handy, as you see all the great sights without hassles of metro, buses or walking for miles in this heat. And hot it is, 37, and there is little reprieve. I have drunk gallons of water!

The Spanish steps

Visited the big ones, The Spanish steps and the Trevi fountain, both which were unfortunately under repair. The fountain was not operating but still stunning to see and I did walk up all the steps but the church up top was under restoration. Next stop was the Colosseum and The Roman Forum, again so much history. When you read about how the area you are now standing in used to be a meeting place, money exchange, and business centre, back 2000 years, pretty interesting stuff. 

Back to the Vatican later this afternoon and went in the Basilica. No words can describe the magnificence of this church, it is truly one of its kind. While there a Mass was in progress with a choir so attended that, which was special indeed. 

Oh, and I have finally figured out the best use for the bidet: a great feet washer after a day's sightseeing, hehe (that's before the beer and shower).

"Business district" in the Roman Forum

The Basilica

At the Roman Forum

Day 20, Anguillara Sabazia to Rome, Italy

On my way to Rome I stopped at the sea side town of Ladispoli, expecting to find a little sleepy town. But alas, being right by the sea it was extremely busy! I had fun finding a park, but my parking fairy so far has been kind to me and found me one quite quickly. I have to laugh though, quite a number of times already I have spotted small cars (like a Smart car) parked nose or bum

Turtles in a fountain in Ladispoli

first in a park, see attached picture. Who says owners of smart cars aren't smart! The other thing I noticed on my drive here  was every kilometres or two there was a woman on the side of the road, parked up with a sun umbrella, folding chair and just sitting there. The first one I saw I thought maybe she's hitch hiking, but no, not with a sun umbrella. The second one I thought, maybe she's selling something? Finally by the third one I realised what she was selling! Haha, Manchester Street, right there on the country road!

My lovely room in Rome

Vatican City

Tonight I am in Rome, staying for two nights. I found some lovely accommodation right behind the Vatican, so my car is parked up and tomorrow I explore the city. Tonight though I went for a walk into Vatican City; the pope did not come out to say hi unfortunately. I did have dinner almost on his front door step however: the first spaghetti I have had after having been in Italy for two and a half weeks!
I have to tell you about a Dutch couple I met today, we started chatting. They biked from Holland to Rome, took the month of June to do it and they were flying home tomorrow. they were interesting enough to talk to in their own right, but then they told me about a German lady they met on their travels, who had already biked 7000 k's, she started early March, and was planning to go all the way through China. The crazy thing was that her budget per day is 7.00 Euro, which is about $11.50! That' it. She has a little tent and camps on the side of the road, eats pasta and lentils and twice a weeks treats herself and stays at a camping group. Blimmen heck, I had a beer tonight that was 8.00 Euro, so blew her daily budget in one go!
And on that note I am going to sit on my balcony with a vino and watch the world go by.

Day 19, Anguillara Sabazia, Italy

A warm day in Anguillara Sabazia, 34 degrees. I went for a walk this morning exploring. One thing I have noticed is that there is no rubbish collection from each house as there is in good old NZ. Instead there are collection points, where huge skips sit, awaiting the weekly empty, and each household rocks up with their rubbish in their car and then leave it there. Which I am sure works well the few days after it's been emptied but come day 5 or 6 and the skip is full the rubbish just piles up next to it. And it's a pretty disgusting sight, especially in the heat. Makes you appreciate what we take for granted back home.

I spent a very pleasant afternoon at Lake Martignano, which is not the large lake the town is situated on, but a smaller one nearby.

It was a little busier than I had anticipated. Again, I guess we take these things for granted, we would just rock up in our car. Nope, we parked in a paddock, €2.00 please, then €1.00 for the shuttle. Which took us about a 700 meters from the lakefront. But it was well worth going, very pretty and the water was divine. I did as the locals and rented a sun lounger and spent a pleasant time reading and swimming. Again, the only one in togs! So, do you stand out in togs or blend in by wearing a bikini and feel awkward either way!

Lake Matignano

Day 18 & 19, Vellano and Anguillara Sabazia, Italy

Cheers Michelle

Piff saying goodbye from the window

Good bye Vellano. I have thoroughly enjoyed my two weeks in Tuscany, exploring lots of small towns and just relaxing. Yesterday was a quiet day, went out for lunch to Montecarlo, beautiful prosciutto e melone, which is really just ham and melon, but the prosciutto is divine! Home to pack and then out for a good bye dinner with Michelle at the local. Quite a drama happening there with a disgruntled 'local'. That's inverted commas as she is not from Italy but currently living in Vellano trying to make it her home. Disgruntled as there was a dog whining due to its owners being at the restaurant as well and she was pining. So this semi- local decides to take matters into her own hands and goes past the local with a great big shovel in her hands saying she is going to fix this once and for all! Oh oh. Drama, arguments, police phoned.....all too much. Silly though, because correct me if I'm wrong but that's not really how to make yourself liked by the locals! 

So, that was last nights saga.

Today I was on the road early and very much enjoyed my scenic drive to Anguillara Sabazia, right on the beautiful Lake Bracciano, only about 40 k's North of Rome. It took me a while to get here, partly due to the road I had chosen being under repair. GPS doesn't understand that, so after some arguments with my GPS lady and consultation of my paper map (thank goodness I had that with me), some back tracking and creatively choosing a new route I finally got here!

Anguillara Sabazia

Look at that flower display

The town is right on the lake, so now that I'm rested up I will go and have a look. My accommodation is great, it's a two bedroom house, with kitchen, lounge, huge bathroom, all to myself. Breakfast included, which will be brought to my room. Ah, such pleasures!

Day 17, Vellano, Pescia, Italy

A bit of a frustrating day today. I have a slight hiccup with my car, in that it won't allow me to play my iPod. Not a biggie in the scheme of things, but enjoy my music so would like to be able to listen to it for the next few months! I was told to go a Peugeot dealership, which I did and that's when the fun started, as no one spoke English. I had prepared a few phrases on my iPad to explain my predicament but they only helped a short while. I managed to hook onto their wifi and use my handy Google translate app, so that worked well. However, no solution, they did not know how to fix it. So, I will keep listening to the radio. 

But, I did again find the swimming pool, where it appears I am the odd one out in a pair of togs! Every single woman at the pool today is wearing a bikini, and some quite proudly. The lifeguard unfortunately is close to 70 and wearing speedos, which he really shouldn't! It was blissfully refreshing though, as it got to 37 degrees today.

Good news though, wifi back at accommodation so took some time to update blog with photos.

Oh, and the photo today?
Well, I couldn't really post one of the lifeguard, sorry.

Lots of gardening is done in pots!

Day 16, Vellano, Pescia, Italy

I am now getting smarter, and prepare my blog off line, so when I find some wifi it only takes a second to post!

Montecatini Alto Piazza

Treasures are hidden around every corner, as I discovered today. A mere 11 kilometres from Pescia is the beautiful town of Montecatini, a town known for centuries for its hot springs and its healing properties. Montecatini is actually made up of two towns, Montecatini Alto (up high) and Montecatini Terme, which is down the bottom. The Funicularo (cable car) takes you up to the top with stunning views over the valley. The cable car is the second oldest in Italy, dating from 1898.  It is a 1050 meters track with a 202 meters rise, and it's a slow and steady climb up, and very much worth the trip. The town is about to celebrate it's 700 year anniversary, pretty impressive.

I actually came here looking for the local swimming pool, and then realised how pretty it is. A warm day again, 30 degrees, so lots of walking in the shade! The pool? Yeah, I found it but had run out of time by the time I finished exploring Montecatini. Another day tomorrow 

Track going up

View over Monticatini Terme

Day 15, Vellona, Pescia, Italy

Sunflower fields near Pisa

After a slow start today I decided to go for a drive and visit Pisa, as it is only 50 k's away. Just like last time, when Keith and I visited with the boys, it surprised me and I just sort of 'stumbled ' across the Leaning Tower! I love watching everyone contort themselves into position that make it look like you're holding the tower up for a photo, but I wasn't brave enough to ask a stranger to go through that with me in order to get my picture, so went without. It was extremely hot, 34 degrees, so twisted my own arm and talked myself into another Gelato. I managed to remember where I'd parked the car too....note to self, 'observe where you park so you can find it later on!'

The famous tower

Italy has some great motorways and if you want to get from A to B quickly this is definitely the way to go, with the speed limit being 130 you get where you want to go fast. However, if you have got plenty of time (as you do on holiday) and you go for an afternoon drive to Pisa, the nicest way to enjoy the scenery on the way is to take the country roads. That's when you see the fields with sunflowers and you can stop for a picture.

Unfortunately I am still without wifi in my room, it is quite annoying as I want to book some further accommodation; I am leaving here on Saturday. The local cafe has been great, I am starting to think there is a plot here to increase my custom as I don't just go and use the wifi; I have a couple of coffees in the morning and dinner at night! Oh well, it will sort itself out, I am sure.

Oh, by the way, the picture on the right here is of two prams; each of which held three little dogs. Yep, this couple had matching strollers for their dogs and took them to the Leaning Tower of Pisa!

Day 14, Vellano, Pescia, Italy

Another day with no wifi in room, so another blog with no pictures, but will update the blog once I can.

Another stranger taking my picture!

I visited the beautiful Cinque Terre today. I took off early from home and drove to La Spezia, just over an hour away on the coast. From there I caught the ferry, bit like a hop on- hop off set up, which meant I could stop at any of the 5 Cinque Terre villages. First stop was Manarolo for a couple of hours, then Vernazza for a gelato and finally Montorosso. Walked right up the hill in each town, beautiful views everywhere. The pictures added don't nearly do the place justice, it is just so pretty!

Manarolo

I love sitting watching people (which tends to happen a bit when you're travelling on your own as there are no distractions).

I'm getting pretty good at guessing where people are from. A generalisation, don't anyone take offence! 

The Dutch: tall, robust, sturdy with  sensible walking shoes. Bring their own food on day trips.

Germans, see Dutch, but push in the lines 

Anyone visiting from an Asian country: come dressed up like they're about to go out on a date, heels, dress and stockings, even in 30 degrees. 

Well, that's all a bit of a generalisation, but it keeps me amused guessing.

Anyway, the visit to Cinque Terre was just lovely and dinner at the local afterwards with Michelle and Memo, her husband. I even managed to inspire them to go and visit there as they haven't been yet.

Catch you soon

Montorosso

Vernazza

Day 12 & 13, Vellano, Pescia, Italy

No post yesterday and a basic one today; no pictures 😒. Unfortunately the internet has gone down at my accommodation, so am borrowing the local cafe's, which works fine but I can't get to my pictures easily. Never mind, catch those up again once we've got wifi back.
Yesterday and today have been quiet days, very nice.
Market day in Pescia yesterday so went and had a look. Lots of stalls with clothes (which I really don't need any more of, but bought anyway!), food, shoes, bags etc. Nice to be amongst it and people watch.
In the afternoon I decided my legs needed a stretch and walked to the next town over, Machinno, about 4 km's. All up hill too, so good excuse to stop up the top for an ice cream! Beautiful views over the valley from up here too and well worth the hour and a half round trip.
Dinner at the local as Saturday is pizza night, yum!
This morning  spent some time lingering over my two cappuccinos at the local, again to use the wifi, but Serena does not seem to mind.
This afternoon Michelle and I went to the beautiful nearby town of Monte Carlo, where a dog show was held and we met up with Piff (her terrier's) mum. A very warm afternoon, but nice and relaxing.
So, back to the local for dinner, and to write my non exciting blog.
I am starting to look and think where to go after this week as on Saturday I will be leaving Vellano. Looking at going South, as I have a two week gap before the Amalfi Coast, where I have booked a week's accommodation. It's all great fun figuring out where to go and what to do!

View from Monte Carlo

Catch you soon with more pictures.

Monte Carlo 

Pretty flowers in Machinno

Day 11, Vellano, Pescia, Italy

Streets of Lucca

Piazza del Anfiteatro

Me and my bike

Had a great night out last night. The live music was certainly entertaining and there was Italian folk dancing, think line dancing! The lemonchellos went down a treat, so a slow walk home uphill.

This morning I was brave enough to have my hair cut. Between the hair dresser not knowing any English and me only knowing how to greet her in Italian (that does not get you very far!)

I put my faith in her hands.
I did bring a picture of myself, showing her how I usually like it, but not sure if she had her eyes averted, as the final did not look anything like it. I kept telling myself there is only 2 weeks between a bad haircut and a good one. So all is good, it will grow back, haha!

This afternoon I visited (again) the beautiful city of Lucca, only 20 km’s from Pescia. It is absolutely lovely. It has a very well preserved Renaissance wall encircling the entire historic city centre, which you can bike and walk over. Its total length is 4 km’s and I thoroughly enjoyed my ride in the shade of the trees. Next down into the city centre. Absolutely everyone bikes here, locals and visitors alike. The locals are easily recognised, as they smoke, talk on their cell phone or eat while biking!  

The visitors are the ones with the maps.

I got pleasantly lost in the city centre with its winding narrow cobble stoned streets. A stop for a coffee and some date cake and off again, to the beautiful Piazza dell Anfiteatro. I totally love this town, it’s very pretty and although there are plenty of visitors it doesn’t have that hyped up touristy feel with tacky stalls selling souvenirs. I may just have to come back before I leave Tuscany next week.

On top the tree lined city wall

View towards Lucca

Day 10, Vellano, Pescia, Italy

Most convenient on these narrow roads

Vellano

Day ten and I am totally in holiday mode. This is not to be confused with tourist mode, which I have been in up until now.

Holiday mode is not actually worrying about what time it is or what you are doing that day.

So I don’t actually have much to put on my blog today.

I needed a day to give my feet a rest after yesterday’s marathon through Florence. I did go for a wee walk around town, literally around the outside wall of the town and stopped for a coffee. Took some pretty pictures of Vellano as attached.

One thing I did do was reevaluate my luggage. I have come to the conclusion I have too much with me, especially having to be the one dragging it in and out of rooms and up stairs! Off course when I left I was just pleased that everything fitted in my case and was within the allowance of 30 kilos (close at 29) but I am now realising I won’t need all of it. So have packed a box with all the extras and will send it on its merry way.

Tonight I have reason to get dressed up, I’m off out with Michelle my host to the local, where there is live music. Luckily it’s walking distance, alas uphill coming home. Arrivedeci!

Day 9, Vellano, Pescia, Italy

Florence Cathedral

The trains were running today, so made my visit to Florence.

What a shock when I got off the train and went into the train station! So many people, everywhere. Running, shouting, pushing and shoving. And that were just the tourists! Crazy. So I was relieved to get out of there and into the city.

David in the nuddy

Parking Italian style

Where, unfortunately it wasn’t much better, haha.

Visited the big ‘must sees’, the Cathedral is stunning inside and out, so spent quite some time there.

Got lost, as you do, but not too badly. 

                                                         Florence is a beautiful city,

Ponte Vecchio

with so much history, like the Ponte Vecchio, the bridge over the river Arno. First mentioned in documents in 996 (that's 1020 years ago!) it was damaged by flooding and was rebuilt in 1345. That's still 670 years ago. Quite mind boggling, isn't it.

Stopped lots of times, for coffee, lunch, Gelato and then another coffee, just to sit and people watch. All the sightseeing in the world does not compare to just watching people go by!

Managed to find my train home in the madness that was the train station.

It was quite blissful coming ‘home’ to peaceful Vellano, where I stopped at the local for a beer, to sit and enjoy in the sun. Nice when the cafe owner actually greets you by name. Catch you tomorrow.

Day 8, Vellano, Pescia, Italy

Exploring the countryside

Well, this morning I decided to hop on the train (saving the hassle of parking) to Florence.

I was well organised, had the train timetable (Google is my friend) and off I went.

Alas, the trains were not running due to a strike. 

So I decided to go for a drive instead, and ended up seeing some lovely tiny villages along the way.

Motorways are super if you want to get from A to B fast, but the little country roads, some barely wide enough to fit two cars, are so much better for the scenery.

My GPS is great, but boy, it let me astray today. My first destination was Villa Basilica, which sits perched high on a hill. The road uphill was cobblestones (this should have given me a clue I guess) and luckily no car came towards me, as I doubt we could have passed.

My friendly GPS lady insisted I drove into the town, but I don't think that would have worked, as the town was much like Vellano, in that the streets were a mere 1.5 meters wide. Fortunately there was room to turn around right there, so I did a 10 point turn and off I went back down hill.

Bagni Di Lucca

A stop in Bagni Di Lucca for lunch and off I went again.

Bagni Di Lucca

The lovely bonus of these country roads is that you can just pull over for some pictures. 

Through San Marcello Pistoiese and Pistoia, back

to Pescia for a cool beer in the Piazza.

And Florence tomorrow when the trains are running again :) 

San Marcello Pistoiese in the distance

Day 7 Vellano, Pescia, Italy

Villa Garzoni

Ah bliss. I woke the the biggest thunderstorm and downpour, which apparently happens quite regularly in this part of Tuscany. 

And when it rains it pours. I was rather chuffed for two reasons, one, a good excuse not to venture out in a hurry and paint my toenails and secondly a chance later to wear my raincoat I had so diligently purchased before leaving Christchurch.

I did go and visit the nearby town of Collodi. 

Collodi was the pen name of Pinocchio's creator, whose mother came from the village and he loved to visit here. The town has a Pinocchio park as well as the most beautiful gardens, the Garzione gardens, which also house the butterfly enclosure.

I was fortunate it dried up and the sun came out beautifully for the afternoon.

My Italian vocabulary is starting to expand to greetings for the appropriate time of day ('Hi' doesn't cut it here) but unfortunately (or maybe fortunately) I couldn't understand a word the upset Italian lady said to me when I was sitting in the garden at the apartment, having a beer. She was waving her car keys at me though and gesturing towards the car-parking area. Oops...had stolen her park apparently.

As you can't actually park in the village, everyones car needs to be parked outside the village, which must lead to some frustrations at time, especially when the offender is ignorant and from NZ! Won't do that again in a hurry!

Garzione gardens

Garzione gardens

Day 5 & 6, Vellano, Pescia, Italy

View from my window

No blog yesterday as I didn't have internet access where I was staying. Oh, how we have come to rely on it!

When I think about it, it's pretty amazing I have internet access now! I am staying in a tiny village called Vellano, near Pescia in Tuscany. The village is more than 800 years old, with the narrowest cobbled streets and winding paths. No cars can actually get into the village, as the paths are a mere meter and a half wide! Vellano is my home for the next two weeks, as I have rented an apartment.

The owner is English and very hospitable, having already introduced me to some of the locals, and we met for dinner last night at the local bar. 

Today I went for a drive to Lucca, only 25 k's away. I thought I was in the twilight zone, as every second person spoke Dutch, obviously just happen to have a lot of visitors in town from Holland.

The streets of Vellano

My driving is going pretty well; I have not yet strayed onto the wrong side of the road, and not yet gone to get into the wrong side of the car. The only thing I keep getting mixed up is my seat belt; when I go to put it on I reach to my right, instead of left.

I have actually unpacked my suitcase, as I am staying here for two weeks. I have clearly brought far too many clothes with me and obviously never counted on having to lug my suitcase through a village like this, and up numerous narrow steps, I will develop some impressive muscles before long!

The next couple of weeks will be spent exploring Tuscany. Some days I will drive and see where the road leads, other days I will just be around here and explore the local area. The weather is great, nothing crazy like 44 degrees (although yesterday hit 36), but today and the rest of the week is meant to be mid to high 20's, bliss.

Anyway, not much to report today, some some lovely pictures to share. Catch you soon x

Vellano